The climax of season two’s filming was their celebration dinner. All six crops were in, and some tilapia were big enough to filet. Bill designed a meal called the Martian Power Bowl. On a bed of cooked quinoa, he placed steamed soybeans and a sauté of sliced potatoes and carrots, accompanied by spinach. To complete the meal, he topped it with filets of grilled tilapia and drizzled it with a sauce made from lime juice and tahini paste he had brought from Earth, then dusted it with ground flaxseed. When the cameras stopped recording, Bill brought out his secret dessert: two bottles of ginger and mint-infused vodka made by fermenting potatoes and distilling the mashup. When he asked for volunteers to try a glass, everyone grinned and raised their hands. “Sorry the glasses aren’t more elegant, but you know how it is - we have to make do.”
Siggy said, “Don’t apologize, my friend. How did you manage to make it?”
“The fermentation was simple. Rigging up a crude still proved trickier. But I brought a few pipes and valves from Earth. Hey, they gave me a weight allowance, and I was determined to make the most of it!”
To all, Siggy said, “Didn’t I tell you this man is a genius?” They broke into applause as he put his arm around Bill and continued. “Seven days to lift off. I sure hate to leave. It feels like cutting out before the battle’s over. Tell you what, let's come back and start a restaurant and bar.”
Bill smiled, “That would be fun, Siggy. I came here for more than a show. This place can flourish. I feel it. I’ll look for a way.”
Siggy answered, “If you find your ticket, do what we did in the force when we couldn’t take an objective.”
“What’s that?”
Siggy grinned. “Bring more guys.”
Kira laughed. “Yeah. What good is a business without customers, anyway?”
Anton laughed. “That’s been the problem all along, hasn't it?””
Bob said, “I think Bill implied that it wasn’t a problem, for him at least.”
Staci said, “We did what we came for.”
Bill replied, “No. Not all that we could. Not all I was hoping for. But I’ll leave on good terms.”
Anton smiled. “Bonus helps.”