Room for Everyone

“Captain, it’s not physically possible—”

“Lieutenant, as long as I command this vessel, we will recognize everyone’s beliefs, is that clear?”

Lt. Yuwono, who’d spent the last two days measuring every object required to honor someone’s holiday beliefs, passed a hand through her frazzled hair. “Sir, we’ve only the one meeting room—”

“That’s the idea! Get everyone together. One big, happy family.”

“In one tiny room.”

“Tut, Yuwono. Happy!”

“Yes, sir. The point is, between the Christmas tree, manger display, incense, sun-tying stone, kites, drums, and gifts, we won’t have room for a reflecting pond.”

“Who needs a pond?”

“The Cygnians, sir. They celebrate Ar’traacta, the Inner Listening. To do that, they have to reflect.”

“Excellent. They can reflect after the carols and chanting.”

“The pond requires special lighting.”

“Arrange the menorahs.”

“And cushions to reflect upon.”

“It all sounds delightfully snug and merry. Carry on!”

“Yes, sir.” Yuwono stepped into the corridor.

Engineer Moul was waiting dourly for her. “Well?”

“You need to build the pond.”

Moul slumped; he’d spent the entire shift rewelding furniture so it would fit. “Can it be a small pond?”

“I’ll ask A’aargraatl about minimum size requirements.”

“You know,” Moul mused, “we don’t really need tables for the food. We can use shelves.”

“Won’t people bump into them?”

“They’ll bump into the tables.”

“Fair enough.” Yuwono smiled. “Come on, Moul. ‘Snug and merry’ is what Captain Juntasa wants.”

“The ‘snug’ is taken care of. It’s the ‘merry’ I have trouble with.”

“Good. Because the Proxians require a pall of darkness for seven minutes, to symbolize the year’s birth.”

“As long as they don’t require an actual birth.”

“They do. But a Zalga egg doesn’t take much space.”

“How do we douse the lights?”

“That’s your department. Just don’t run the wiring through the pond, okay?”

The Holiday gathering came off much better than Yuwono expected. Moul had suspended the fabricated Christmas tree over the pond, mirroring the lights and other sacred items beautifully. Ganesha’s portrait beamed benevolently through the boughs. Bread and beer, fruit and wine crowded the shelves; the room brimmed with rich scents and costume-bedecked people.

Suddenly Irkshrat stepped forward holding a small cage. The Iridian’s gray skin gleamed in the candlelight as he knelt before the tree, reaching for the latch.

Yuwono dashed forward. “What are you doing?”

“Releasing the mice.”

“Mice?”

“Iridians honor all forms of life. Plants and animals must be represented also. I have chosen mice to fill this role.”

“Douglas Adams would be pleased,” Yuwono mumbled.

“Who?”

“Never mind. Captain!”

Juntasa turned from where he was arranging the choir. “Yes, Lieutenant?”

“Irkshrat needs to release some mice for the ceremony.”

“Won’t they get into the vents?”

“Where do you think I found them?” the Iridian muttered.

“Well, they can’t run loose. Other considerations aside, someone might step on them.”

Yuwono ventured, “Would it be acceptable if they worship at the feet of baby Jesus?”

Irkshrat fluttered his mouth baffles. “I suppose.”

Juntasa beamed. “Then release the mice into the manger! Moul, activate a force field to contain them. And remember, choir, in honor of the Pastafarians, we’re ending verse four with ‘R’amen’. Everyone together, on three!”