Shoshone Station: The Galactic Consortium season 2

Episode Five: Adam #17

Lannister shivered as the main doors slid open to admit someone. It was winter here on the surface. He'd known that, intellectually. But the last two months he'd been on the station, and he'd lost touch with what was going on some 35,000 km under his feet.

The door opened again, and another wash of cold air shot over him, making him shiver. His everyday uniform of slacks and a tunic suddenly felt very inadequate. He shrugged the thought off; he'd be going back up shortly.

The next blast of cold air and wave of visitors included one familiar face. Frank Junior came barreling over to where he stood. "Uncle Sherman," he cried out. "We get to go up to the station again. And I hear the big court is open, and there's guys who juggle pieces of fruit. And mountain goats."

Lannister laughed. "Yes, all true. Where is the rest of your family?"

Frank Junior looked behind him, as if he didn't know. The door opened again, and Linda was coming through, with the others trailing behind. Linda hugged him and then whispered, "Brooke?"

"Waiting up top," he whispered back. "Frank?"

"Not happy, but he promised to be on his best behavior," she said.

The rest arrived, cutting off their conversation. Mom gave Lannister a big hug. Dad gave him a stiff half-hug, and Frank merely held out a hand.

Overhead they announced the arrival of the elevator. "Excellent timing," Lannister said. "Shall we?"

On the elevator, Frank Junior graciously gave up his outward facing seat to another kid. "I saw it on the last trip," he said in a lofty voice as he found a seat between Lannister and his mother.

They took the lift straight to 1 above and headed toward Lannister's quarters. "A bit more active than the last time you guys were up here," Lannister commented as they watched a couple heading down the hall toward the Diplomatic Office. "But still not bad. Mostly day traffic, people looking for Diplomatic Offices to schedule trips farther on. A few looking for my office." He pulled a face at Frank Junior, who smiled. "But in the evening, it's still pretty empty on this level. Now, the lower levels are another matter. Sixteen below is mostly hotels, and we have a lot of overnight visitors. Fifteen below is mostly workers for said hotels. We've got three big workers' courts running these days."

"So people are finally coming up to stay?" Dad asked from behind Lannister.

"Yes, our population topped ten thousand yesterday. Still a long way from capacity, but it's starting to feel lived in. I suppose before long it will seem crowded, even."

They reached the edge corridor, which ran in a long circle around the edge of the station. Lannister's door slid open just as they arrived. Peeta ushered them in, offering to take coats and bags.

Frank Junior was in front, and as soon as he reached the main living room, he squealed, "Sis!" and dashed off.

As Lannister rounded the same corner, they were still hugging. Linda broke from his side and went to Adam. There was a momentary, hesitant pause, and then they, too, hugged.

Frank Senior held back. "Brooke," he said with a nod.

Adam looked on the edge of protesting, then licked hir lips and said, "Dad."

Then Dad stepped between them. He didn't say anything, but he hugged Adam and then let hir go with a nod.

"I've been having so much joy, learning these new Christmas customs," Peeta was saying as he walked arm in arm with Lannister's mom. "But I still can't seem to figure out which of the three wise men is Santa."