“Come on lazybones, rise and shine. Don't want to miss out on the shindig, do you?”

Diggs stared at her in confusion, as he was already up. Maggie laughed, tossing him a set of clothes she’d snagged during their sightseeing the day before. “Put those on,” she told him, while grabbing her own. Their outfits were almost identical, simple white long shirts and trousers, made with synthetics and loose, with a pair of cheap sandals to complete the ensemble. They dressed quickly, though getting him to leave behind his precious wrench was a bit of a struggle, before she knelt to speak.

“Today is about having fun,” she smiled. “It might seem a little crazy, but it’s okay. You’re safe, and so am I. So just enjoy yourself, all right? Do what everyone else is doing, and you’ll be fine.”

The boy nodded, smiling back. She’d toyed with walking him through the day’s festivities, but she didn’t want to take from him the joy of discovering the Celebration of Life for himself. There were some things she’d have to explain later, as each day of Rendezvous highlighted different events, but for now it was time to get the party started.

They started with a light breakfast, and Freya’s cooks had done themselves proud. A variety of fruits from across the Perseus Arm awaited them, and she snagged a few tasty treats she recognized. There was a selection of breads and meats, and she almost staggered in surprise when she spotted a serving dish piled high with scrambled Caga eggs. Supposedly they were a near match for the kind eaten on Earth, but who could say for certain anymore? All she knew is that she’d loved them ever since she was a girl and seeing the mound of red protein brought back memories. Serving for them both, she ladled on an extra helping of those before they took a seat in the crowded Mess and dug into their meal.

Diggs was tucking it away like nobody’s business, and she realized he’d filled out since she’d found him in that alley. He noticed her staring and gave her a sloppy grin, enjoying the food, before going back to plowing through the menu. Maggie ate slower, saving the tastes and textures, thinking back to other celebrations in times gone by.

Once breakfast was out of the way, it was time to find a good spot for the official kickoff of Rendezvous. Helpful signs abounded to direct them, as the pair made their way to one of the cargo holds...only to bump into a young woman who seemed to have planted herself in the middle of the corridor. Maggie began mumbling an apology, only for the female to turn around and beam down at Diggs.

“Well hello there you,” she purred, raising hackles down the Tinker’s neck. “I’ll bet you’ve never seen this before,” she smirked, giving her a wink before rippling, her body seeming to reform itself before her very eyes. Within just a few seconds Diggs’ jaw dropped, as he stared at two identical versions of his guardian, while the original growled at the duplicate.

“Back off, Protean,” Maggie snapped. “You know the rules...no recruiting til they’re old enough to choose for themselves.”

Her doppelganger laughed, even as her body rippled once more, resuming its original form. “It’s never too early to plant the seed,” she chuckled, pointing towards a nearby hatch decorated with their Clan symbol...a rising phoenix. “If you change your mind...stop by anytime.”

“Don’t hold your breath,” she muttered, steering Diggs away from the shapeshifter who stared at the women until they rounded a corner and were out of sight. Spotting his frank curiosity, she bowed to the inevitable. “When you’re older, if you want to go that route...ain’t nobody gonna stop you,” she explained, “but til then, you steer clear of ‘em. Understand?”

It was obvious he didn’t, not really. Maggie sighed. “Look...those folks, the Proteans...they take crazy risks, implanting all sorts of alien stuff in their bodies. Sometimes it works...like with that lady. And sometimes...it don’t. It’s dangerous, and there’s no tellin’ what you end up like on the other side. So you just stay away, til you can decide on your own.”

Diggs nodded, willing to accept her judgement. “All right then, enough about that. Time to have some fun.” Resuming their trip, they arrived minutes later at their destination, where a crowd was already gathering. They were each handed a plastic bat upon entering, as Maggie guided the boy to one of the several structures scattered around the space, each one resembling a Yīqún drone, simpler versions of the ones that destroyed Earth. They were squatty, with segmented tentacles and pincers and bulging lenses that resembled eyes, painted with a silver metallic coating.

“When we get the signal, you beat the stuffin’ out of that thing with your bat,” she chuckled, “and get ready for a surprise.” Diggs looked at the effigy, then at the bat, before giving her a questioning look. “I’m serious,” she grinned, taking a few practice swings of her own. “Trust me, you’ll like it.”

The boy shrugged, swinging his own bat around like he had during his practice sessions with Blye. More and more people filed in until they closed the hatch, followed moments later by a warbling tone like an old fashion klaxon.

“Welcome everyone, to Rendezvous!” a voice announced over the loudspeakers. The crowd cheered, raising their bats high in the air, as the voice continued. “We’ve spotted the Yīqún in this sector, and it’s up to you to stop them. So get ready...get set...and attack!”

With a primal scream the crowd threw themselves at the mockups, wailing away with their bats and smashing them to bits, with each hit releasing a shower of wrapped candies or a spray of colored powder. Fine dust featuring every color of the rainbow spewed in all directions, dyeing the masses with a riot of pigments. Diggs stared in surprise at first, but soon he was laughing with glee as he helped smash the fragile drone piñata, scooping up handfuls of the multi-hued powder and hurling it at his neighbors, who responded in kind.

Even Maggie herself was having a grand time, though it was moments like seeing Diggs shriek with delight as someone smashed a handful of bright yellow dust on his head that brought her the most joy. Grabbing a handful herself she snuck up behind him and dumped it down his back, only to squeal like a young girl as he returned the favor. The crowd descended into a free-for-all, as everyone did their level best to find any remaining spot still uncolored on those within reach, and correct the error. It was madness, a joyous release, as howls and squeals and whoops of joy descended in pure exhausted laughter, as one by one the participants collapsed onto the floor and retrieved the candies, wiping their eyes and mouths clear as they enjoyed the tasty treats.

Diggs and Maggie found a remaining bit of the effigy to lean against as the relaxed, the boy’s eyes going wide as he tasted the confections for the first time. Soon he was shoving them in his mouth as fast as he could before Maggie intervened. The last thing she wanted was for him to get sick, not when there was still so much in store for him.

As the hatches opened once more, the crowd began rising to their feet, shaking off the excess powder before they began filing out. The Tinker ran her fingers through their hair and brushed the worst of the debris from their clothes, though they were hopelessly stained now. Not that it mattered, the clothing would be recycled at the end of Rendezvous and used to make clothing for the next festival.

Stolen novel; please report.

It was amazing how much the mood had changed, how much brighter things seemed. People chatted with whoever was nearest as they wandered the halls, making their way to the next event. She felt Diggs tug her hand as something caught his attention, following a stream of younger folks filing into another compartment. Pounding music and flashing lights could be seen and heard, and in the bursts she spotted writhing bodies swaying to the beat, grinding together as they shed their clothing.

“Not there, young man,” she admonished, pulling him away, “not til you’re a few years older.” After the Holi the crowd split in two...those in their prime hooking up with random partners, while the young and old would eat and drink and dance and sing elsewhere.

...it was no coincidence the birthrate spiked nine months after Rendezvous.

They’d already made plans to meet with Blye for the festivities, as Prash had already made his plans known, and she doubted they’d see him til the end. Likewise, for Kai and Rúna, they were both young and healthy, and if the guarded looks she’d seen from the corporal were any sign, the sergeant was likely in for a big surprise, despite his opinions on the matter. Rendezvous was a time when rules were set aside, when one gave free rein to their desires. It was an intense, wonderful, magical time...and probably for the best that it only came once a year.

The mess Hall they’d picked was already full and finding Blye would have been impossible in the sea of multi-colored humanity. Luckily they’d swapped minicomp IDs, so it was just a matter of homing in on her signal. When they found her she was munching away at something, waving them over as she chatted with those seated nearby.

“You made it!” she grinned, giving Diggs a hug before pointing at a nearby table. “Food and drink is over there, help yourself.”

“Don’t mind if I do,” Maggie smirked. “You stay here with Blye while I fix us up a plate.” The boy nodded, happy to see the young Chevalier once again, smiling to see her just as coated as he was with colored powder.

The post-Holi meal was finger food, and a wide variety of options awaited her, some she recognized, others she didn’t. She settled for a sample plate, a little of everything, while pouring two mugs of juice for her and Diggs...though to hers she added a healthy splash of high-tension ethanol. It was a party, and by God she was gonna enjoy herself.

A raised stage at the far end of the compartment had a group of musicians playing something lively with a mixture of instruments, both electronic and traditional, along with something that had to be from some alien race. It looked like a bizarre combination of cymbals and trumpet, but the gal playing it seemed to know what she was doing. Judging by the strange clothing she wore, she was likely a Dharmist, one of those who’d chosen to live among the aliens. A few attended Rendezvous every year, to recruit as the Protean had tried to.

A huge viewscreen filled one bulkhead, and she spotted an odd mixture of beings having their own little soirée. Avatars then, the uploaded personalities. They often changed their appearances at a whim, and she spotted a few natural humans engaging them in conversation. Any other time of year they’d likely have nothing to do with each other, but then Rendezvous was special. The yearly truce kept things from getting out of hand...mostly...and was the glue that kept this fragile coalition in one piece, despite the infighting.

Returning to the table, she set down the plate between them and handed Diggs his mug while taking a healthy swig from her own. The alcohol warmed her belly and relaxed her mind, as she and the medic got caught up, while others in the space danced. This had always been her favorite part of Rendezvous...well, except when she’d discovered sex...where she could sit back and just be; no demands, no one needing this or that, just being able to relax and enjoy herself.

She had no idea how long they remained like that, as Diggs tried the various foods she’d grabbed while following the surrounding conversations, silent as always. A couple hours, perhaps...when a squeal of static from the stage diverted their attention. An older man waved at the crowd as he spoke into some invisible mic.

“Hey everybody, I hope you’re all enjoying yourselves?” A roar of approval answered back, as he grinned from ear to ear. “Glad to hear it. To all our guests, I want to welcome you to Freya, and this year’s Rendezvous. Now I know you’ve all been waiting for this, it’s been a favorite since before I was a lad, so without further ado…” His voice trailed off as the band played the opening notes to the song everyone loved, when their host sang:

“When your shipment needs protecting, to a dark and distant star,

The Corsairs stand to fit the bill, once you pry us from the bar.

But when our ships are shot to hell, you greet us with that song,”

The entire crowd joined in, drowning out his voice as they shouted out the last line:

“Move along, you filthy Terran, move along!”

Laughs and smiles were all around the space, as a woman stood to take up the next refrain:

“When your subjects start acting out, or the neighbors cause a stir,

You’ll hire on us Valkyries, with the hope we will deter.

But as we count our casualties, you appear amidst the throng,

Move along, you filthy Terran, move along.”

The tune fascinated Diggs, as everyone craned their necks around to see who’d take the next stanza. Much to their surprise, Blye stood up, with a strong contralto:

“When PR requires charity, to give to those in need,

You ask the Knight’s Hospitaller, knowing that is our creed.

But when your plight is over, you bang that familiar gong,

Move along, you filthy Terran, move along.”

People were now clapping in time with the music, as a young lad not much older than Diggs climbed up on a table, belting out in a sweet tenor, while Maggie gave the Knight’s arm a squeeze as she sat back down:

“When the core is glowin’ hot, and your ship begins to burn,

You’ll cry out for a Tinker, before that Point of No Return.

But even when we save your hides, still you say we don’t belong,

Move along, you filthy Terran, move along.”

A wall of sound came from the viewscreen, as the odd-looking figures sang in chorus:

“When there’s data you need to have, documents you want to steal,

You’ll send out for an Avatar, to learn what they conceal.

But once the job’s completed, you’ll just say we did it wrong,

Move along, you filthy Terran, move along.”

A woman rose to her feet...at least, Maggie thought it was a woman, but with the strange grafts welded to her body it was hard to tell. At least one of her arms looked like it had too many joints...and as she leaned closer, it seemed that at least some of her skin had been replaced with a polymer...but there was nothing wrong with her voice, a gravelly alto that sent chills down her spine:

“When there’s a cure you want to try, new genes you wish to splice,

You’re thrilled to see us Proteans, to implant some new device.

But when it all goes sideways, and our lives you can’t prolong,

Move along, you filthy Terran, move along.”

And finally, a man in robes like the musician’s on stage got up...brother, maybe, based on the resemblance...bowing to the crowd before singing like those before:

“When you want to prove you’re civilized, your culture great and grand,

You’ll reach out to the Dharmists, and offer your Promised Land.

But when you see we’re different, too brash and too headstrong,

Move along, you filthy Terran, move along.”

The crowd roared out the final line, repeating it once again, before breaking out in whistles and cheers as they applauded the musicians, the singers...and themselves.

Maggie wasn’t sure how old the song was...a century maybe, or even older...but it was still a favorite at Rendezvous. It had become humanity’s anthem, and while the lyrics might change from one year to the next, the sentiment never did. She contemplated a splash of graffiti on the bulkhead, one she noticed as they’d entered, something she’d seen again and again her whole life.

“We may be down...but we ain’t out.”