Shoshone Station: The Galactic Consortium season 2

Episode Three: Eggs #13

By late afternoon Sophia had most of the new arrivals settled. Dhanvin reappeared with Charles Hill in tow. Sophia still wasn't sure what to think of him, but he seemed in a better mood today.

"If I may have your attention," Dhanvin said. The crowd hushed and turned their attention to him. "We've got the initial treatment plans done for everyone. We have a couple hours yet before the evening meal. I suggest we could take some of you up to sixteen forward. There's good markets and we have enough petty cash to help you get some small things, toiletries, personal items, a snack or even a toy for some of the younger kids."

There were many nodding heads.

"I can take them if you want," Sophia said.

"Yes," Dhanvin said. "I think maybe both of us should go. Be easier that way. Also I've commissioned a small cart, as many of our patients are sick and it's a long walk for them. Charles here has kindly consented to take the position of driver."

Sophia's brow went up. She had thought he didn't want a job.

"Now whoever is interested, lets line up. There should be room for all. And Charles will be available most days to assist, if you don't want to leave today."

Charles seemed to have done a complete turnaround since the day before. "Everyone's gotta earn their way," he said as Sophia climbed into the front seat of the small cart beside him. The back was loaded with about a half dozen people total, those needing stuff and a couple well enough to feel up to sight seeing. "They've a good system up here, I think. Everyone works. No matter what. You work hard, you get ahead."

"Even kids?" a small voice asked at their back. She was maybe eight, had some sort of inoperable cancer Sophia thought.

Charles laughed. "Your job is to get better. Can you do that?" he asked.

She gave him a very serious nod. Charles paused in front of a lift. He half turned and shook the girls hand. A woman in her thirties, mom, presumably, kissed the girls forehead, tears brimming in her eyes.

"They can treat it?" Sophia asked.

The woman nodded. "They claim they did. Deactivated the gene that makes it grow. It'll just take some time for the body to reabsorb the tumor itself. Want us to stay a few weeks to monitor her. Hopefully have us home for Christmas with the best present, a healthy daughter."

Sophia smiled, her own eyes brimming. "Cool."

The girl's name was Jessica, Sophia learned on the way up to sixteen above. Charles parked the cart towards the edge of the rimward court, where there was a playground for children. Jessica was off and playing in a matter of moments.

She was approached on a jungle gym of sorts by a young Hanuman boy.

"Why don't you have hair?" he asked, in the typically blunt fashion of children of everywhere.

"Have cancer," she replied. "A disease."

"Didn't you see a healer?"

"Did today. Doctors down below couldn't fix it, but the healer said they could, so now we're staying up here. Why do you have hair on your face? You're just a kid."

The boy ran a hand along his face. "I'm Hanuman."

"Are you an alien?"

"No silly, Hanuman. That's an alien." He pointed across the way where a C'thon was walking by.

"Wow!" Jessica replied.

Charles chuckled. "Kids," he muttered, to Sophia, "Hanuman aren't alien?"

"Not here," Sophia replied. "They are simian, from the same genetic line as humans."

Charles turned to the mother. "I don't mind watching over her, if you want Sophia to help you shop."

Sophia turned towards the group. "Alright, for those just wanting to sight see, this is as good a place as any. They should have started your bank at .25. That's not much, but it's more than enough if you want to get a drink or even a meal at one of the stalls. For actual shopping, there's a worker's court just a ways down the hall. It's got a good general convenience shop. I'll take some of you down that way."

"What kinds of things do we need while we are on the station?" Someone asked as Sophia led a smaller group down towards the court.

The question startled her. What did she use? "You know, actually, not much. You'll notice most people prefer light weight clothing and slippers or sandals. The whole place is climate controlled. The showers in our wing have body wash, it's gentle enough for hair, too. If you prefer your own, there's a wide selection at the shops."

She paused and tried to think what else. "There is a wide variety of entertainment options on your slate, shows, channels of television, books, music, you name it. Some people like to collect certain shows they are fans of on data cubes, or plate books. There's a couple places further down. Otherwise I guess that's one advantage to living in a place like this, there isn't a lot you really need to have."

"So what do the citizens of the Consortium do with their time and money?"

"Most of the ones I've met seem to spend most of their free time and money on things like live entertainment, spa days, the like."

"God, think I might move up here for good," a woman joked.

The group broke apart, wandering aisles in the convenience shop, smelling the tops of jars of perfumes or inspecting items. The shopkeeper was an older Hanuman woman and she roamed the aisle, answering questions and helping people make their selections. At the front Sophia paid for it all, authorizing it out of the petty cash account Dhanvin had set up.

When they returned back to the rimward court, they found Dhanvin and the group he'd taken on foot, had arrived and were sharing tea and small snacks, something rolled up like an egg roll but filled with ingredients that Sophia couldn't name or guess. Before long they were heading back down to get supper and settle their new guests in for the night.