Holiday Planning

[Wes Roberts 0]

Holiday planning

A Joint log between Wes Roberts and Will Marx

 

 

 

Wes stretched and stood, before heading aft from his workstation in Command and Control. Ignoring, as best as possible, the off-station broadcasts, Wes headed for the lift and the arboretum. Mai and Eile were there with L'illia.

 

Getting off the lift, he spied several families enjoying a pleasant Saturday morning; nodding to several staffers, he made his way over to the grove where his wife and daughter were. “You got them up and out early,” he said, settling on to the blanket spread out over the grass.

 

“I know. Eile wants to spend as much time with her future sister. I think its a good idea, even if I did have to sign L'illia out of morning classes.” Mai poured her husband a cup of coffee from the thermos as she spoke.

 

“That's good. A day skipped isn't going to be detrimental. And Eile's definitely taken a shining to her.” Wes took a sip of coffee, letting the spiciness of the herbs Mai brewed with it clear his thoughts...and sinuses. “Did you know Will's onboard?”

 

“I thought the name of the new Security Chief was familiar,” she replied vaguely. “Have you seen him?”

 

“Of course. I had to inprocess him. As far as I know, he hasn't mentioned our history to anyone. Other than the routine 'Yes, I hunted down and captured the Dread Pirate Roberts. Who promptly escaped from Federation custody on Rhydin, with my SOCOM light freighter, the Wild Stallion.' Sooner or later, I'm going to have to at least let Chirakis know that he's my brother. Personally, though, I prefer to let 'LCDR Christopher Marx, Jr.' remain 'Missing, Presumed Lost'.”

 

Mai chuckled. “You're having entirely too much fun as Wes Roberts. But I can see the logic in that, it'd bring up far too many questions.” She sipped her own cup of coffee, watching Eile and L'illia play. “You know, your tradition of Thanksgiving is coming up...three weeks from this past Thursday. I know Eile and L'illia would probably like to finally meet their cousins, and I know I'd like to meet my sisters-in-law.”

 

“Well, I think I can get a turkey here, fast enough. At least the old station had a plethora of purveyors of fine goods, food, and spirits. I can always send the Revenge haring off on a wild turkey hunt. I'll send out an informally formal invite to Will today.” Wes stood, and brushed his pants off. “I better get back to C&C. This unknown news broadcast that's pumping into the station comms has everyone scratching their heads.”

 

 

 

Will was in his office, filling out the HAZDEC (Hazardous Declaration) for SubCommander Jorahl, ignoring the intermittent communications blasts. “Let's see...Aviation Gasoline, 145 octane, replicated in 1 208l (55gal US) barrel, as required. SAE 60 weight oil, 1 208l barrel, as required.” A chime on his terminal interrupted him. “Station mail...from the XO. 'The Roberts family cordially invites the Marx family to share in the Roberts tradition of the Thanksgiving dinner, 26 November at 1330 hours. RSVP, Wesley Roberts, Station XO.' Huh. Nice to see my brother hasn't forgotten all our traditions that Dad instilled in us.” He hit the comm to his residence.

 

“Nihao, Marx family quarters,” Xian Pu's bubbly, lavender-tressed image answered.

 

Marx slipped easily into Joketsuzuko Mandarin. “The XO has invited us to Thanksgiving dinner at his quarters. I think the kids would like to finally meet their cousin and aunt”

 

“Its a good idea,” Xian replied. “Did the invitation say potluck or not?”

 

“No, but it might be a good idea to bring something. Is Ranko there?”

 

“No, she's out shopping, and figuring out where the nearest clinic is. I'll ask her when she gets back in. But I think it's a too too good idea. I'll let you know when she gets back. See you after your shift, Airen.”