The droid cuts the large bird at the table. Mesmerised, we take in the sound of crispy skin being torn and watch clear juices dribble down the thickly sliced pieces of meat. I have not seen anything so robust, so appealing, so generous in all my years on Earth. This one tantalising meal is a sign of what bounties Nattalia promises.
‘Are these birds plentiful too?’ Cal asks.
‘They are everywhere,’ Odell enthuses. ‘Children can catch them. No one goes hungry here.’ He turns to Garth. ‘And we want to keep it that way. Would you like a piece?’
Garth’s eyes are reproachful. Still, the aroma alone is irresistible and he holds up his plate, grudgingly accepting slices of meat, bread, and a scoop of vegetables.
The meal is the best we’ve had. The food served to us during our time at EASA was n
