Shoshone Station #5: Adam: The Galactic Consortium, #14

By R. J. Eliason

It’s Lannister’s first Christmas on the station. For once he has the room and time to play host to for the family Christmas celebration. His plans are complicated by the arrival of his run away niece, now an out trans man.

The arrival of a human woman with a squid child places Zeta is an awkward place. Her job demands she investigates, but how can she put another person through the same hell she grew up with? And what if she refuses?

• Language: English
• Publisher: R. J. Eliason
• Release date: May 26, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386716044

R. J. Eliason

R. J. Eliason writes immersive science fiction and fantasy stories that feature diverse characters. Her writing spans many sub-genres from alien contact, apocalyptic stories and epic fantasy. She also writes in a wide variety of formats, from full length novels to an ongoing serialized adventure. Her writing can be found in digital and print formats anywhere online that books are sold. Or check out her website at rj.eliason.com and sign up for a free book. 

Book preview

Adam

Chapter 1

Lannister felt butterflies in his stomach as he waited for Brooke . . . no, Adam. He couldn’t blow this by using the wrong name. He’d been worried since his sister told him that her daughter Brooke had run away. Then he discovered that Brooke was transgender, going by Adam, and had left after a fight with her dad . . . no, his dad. And then, more recently, they had a new profile picture with their hair short and one small rat-tail braid down the side of their face. It was a symbol Lannister had come to associate with the Kurgara. He guessed that Adam’s search for a gender identity that fit had moved beyond Earth’s two choices.

Adam was nearly a head shorter than Lannister and stockier. Zie was wearing hir faded blond hair short these days, but zie’d cut off the braid zie had been sporting from the side of hir head. Zie wore army-surplus fatigues and had a small bag over one shoulder.

Uncle, Adam began hesitantly, still standing in the door to Lannister’s office.

Lannister stood and approached his nephew who had once been his niece.

Adam watched him closely, trying to gauge his reaction. Zie looked on the edge of fleeing.

Lannister placed his hands on Adam’s shoulders. I was hoping you’d come, Adam. He wanted to give hir a hug, but wasn’t sure how zie would react. Come in, have a seat. He went back to his chair, gesturing Adam into another.

Thanks, zie muttered. And then, Adam?

That’s the name you’ve been going by, isn’t it? He’d seen this on Facebook but hadn’t commented with a post.

I just didn’t know you knew. I . . .

Left home. Yes, I know that too.

The two stared at each other a long time, not sure what to say.

Your father, Frank— Lannister began and stopped. I can’t say I fully understand what’s going on. But I don’t share his prejudices.

Adam nodded. Thanks. That means a lot. I, I don’t expect you to do anything. I just wanted to let you know, I’m on the station. I intend to stay awhile, see about…things up here. They say you can get a job or something, and I have enough for a hotel.

A hotel? No.

Adam gave him a startled look. Zie’s brow scrunched, and zie started to look angry.

You’re not staying in a hotel, Lannister repeated. I’ve plenty of room. And you are family. I won’t hear another word.

Adam stared at him slack-jawed. You want me to stay with you?

Of course, he repeated. You are family. Seeing how much zie wanted to believe him, he pushed on. And about this job. You’re seventeen, Adam.

I’ll be eighteen soon.

But not yet. They’ve opened a basic education academy. To give adult learners the basics, so they can get a higher education within the Consortium.

Adam nodded. Heard that too. Was interested.

Good, because that will be your job. You want something part-time for spending cash, that’s okay. But an education is your priority. Understood?

A smile played on Adam’s lips. You serious? I can stay here?

He nodded. Of course. Come on, let’s see what Peeta has whipped up for supper. And then I’ll show you one of my guestrooms.

Who is Peeta? Adam whispered as Lannister escorted zie across the conference room to the zero G lift.

My page. You didn’t know? He smiled. I’m a space captain these days. I rate a personal servant. He shrugged. He’s good at what he does, and there are worse things than having someone cook your meals.

At the top of the lift he introduced the two formally. Peeta served them and Lannister gestured for him to join them as well. As they ate, he commented to Adam, That last picture I saw, you had a braid.

Adam nodded. It means something. Only, I haven’t earned that.

True. Is that what you want?

Do you know how? Is there a school? How does one go about joining them?

I’ve met one, but I can’t say I know. Peeta? Do you know how one becomes Kurgara?

Peeta gave Adam an appraising look. You simply must ask. But it’s not easy to get them to say yes. And if they do, the training is harder still. I’d think hard about that path.

Adam gave him a fiery look. Who do I ask? When can I?

A battalion is coming to this planet, Peeta said. Soon. There will be a temple headquarters. You go there and ask. They will say no at first, but if you keep asking, make it clear that you are determined, perhaps they will begin training you. In the meantime, see to your education, and think hard. It’s not an easy path.

He speaks true, Lannister said. You will need your basic education, at the least. Fox’s . . . he paused, not sure what word to use, lover is Kurgara. I will introduce you to Nara when she comes again.

After they’d eaten and Peeta had cleaned up and dismissed himself for the night, Lannister made Adam a bedtime cup of herbal tea. They sat across each other in the lounge area, the view screen showing the base-ship news, but neither of them paid that much attention.

There is one thing you should probably be aware of, if you are going to stay, he said.

Okay.

Your family is coming for Christmas.

Adam blanched, hir eyes wide with fear. Then zie covered it. I can leave for those days. Stay at a hotel. Hide.

No. I won’t have it. They’ll have to accept you, sooner or later. He spoke with more emotion then intended. You are family, whatever they think of this one choice. We’ll figure something out. I promise.

Fear mixed with relief on Adam’s face. This one choice . . . it’s a pretty big one.

And I can’t say I fully understand, Lannister said. But I’ve seen and read things about transgender people. And met some of these new Consortium people who are . . . well, you know, they have a bunch of different names. But one thing is consistent in both worlds. It’s not a choice you make. It’s just who you are.

Zie smiled. Yeah. I’m kind of surprised. I thought, you being a military captain and all, that—

I’d be more conservative? Politically, I am. But socially, the military forces you out of your shell. You see lots of different people.

Thank you, Adam gushed. For letting me stay. For saying that I’m still family. I don’t know about Christmas though. What will the rest of them do?

Lannister shrugged. "They have two choices. They can learn to accept, or they can just deal with it. I’m serious. You’re