June 17, Year 3 of the New Era: an ordinary yet extraordinary day.
That evening, all the civilians aboard the Noah gathered on the sprawling lawns of Central Park.
Countless dishes covered dozens, even hundreds, of tables. There were assorted appetizers, homemade meatballs, cheese platters, grilled shrimp skewers, fresh pastries, olives, dill salmon, and stuffed eggplant. Of course, there were also plenty of hearty comfort foods: roasted turkey, garlic mashed potatoes, thick-cut steaks, savory stews, and pulled pork sandwiches.
These meals had been prepared collectively by the community, making it the grandest gathering in recent years. Even their past holiday celebrations hadn't been this lavish. Normally, automated robotic systems handled the cooking, but tonight, men and women joyfully prepared the feast themselves.
