chapter 14: The Canteen


The place we all like to congregate to eat is called "The Canteen". When Mars was first developing the people who came had lived on Earth with society and these things called "Restaurants". I guess this is the closest thing we have to a restaurant. It was established first as just a place to eat, everyone would come here, and after time everyone started to be able to visit colony 3 to pick up supplies, have their own kitchens in their living spaces, and an economy was forming.  The elders who started Mars established a system of credits. As more people came to Mars over those first years, they started establishing places to buy and produce goods. We needed basic survival things but then established some of the nicer parts of humanity. Better clothes, better foods, better jobs. 

The Canteen stuck around and evolved with it. It was established in the beginning by a man name Martin. He is long since dead, but we have an AI version of him call Martin which tends to a lot of our questions and needs. Martian essentially runs The Canteen with some robot helpers. Edgar's colony helps keep him stocked and it operates based on credits from working and contributing to society. 

I finished up at home and showed up to The Canteen at the designated time to meet Edgar. 

"Hello" Edgar said warmly as he met me at the entrance. The Canteen is partially above ground with large windows. It has an upstairs and can fit about 3,000 people at a time. The long lines wrap around in a sinewy curve, but it moves quickly. The atmosphere is clean and bright and like all public spaces there are snake plants, ivy, and other greenery all around. Including a very large orange tree growing in the middle. The original Martin planted it himself after the construction of this structure so it's at least 75 years old. 

"Hello yourself! We haven't met up like this in a while and I haven't been here to eat in at least two months" Edgar smiles back as we queue up for lunch. Digital menus flash in front of us all the way up. The holographic Martin seemingly gets impatient if you don't have a order ready.  He sometimes says, "No Soup for you!" if you wait too long. Then he laughs. None of us have any idea what he is laughing at, but with the entire history of human culture at his beck and call it's hard to say. 

I order pasta with zucchini. Edgar gets a rice dish. I put my hand on the receptor to pay and immediately Martin lights up, "Thank you for your service, Sarah. You may have anything you wish from the dessert menu and have unlimited credits this month." 

Edgar and I looked at each other in wonder. "I guess I'll pay for lunch then..." we both laughed. 

We are given a number and make our way to one of the many tables. 

Edgar's blue eyes staring at me in wonder the entire time. He's wondering why I have unlimited credits this month. I'm not supposed to talk about it, but I know I will eventually. 

MARTIAN ROOT CROQUETTES Canteen Archives | Recipe 14-205.23 | Requested by Sarah R. (Unlimited Credits Access)

Yield: 12 croquettes
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Nutritional Credits: 3 per serving

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups Brussel Tuber Mash (boiled & mashed hybrid tuber)
  • 1/2 cup Algae Protein Crumble (hydrated)
  • 1/4 cup Ivy Leaf Parsley (finely chopped)
  • 1 clove Hydro-Garlic (minced)
  • 1 tsp Salt Extract (from Colony 4 mines)
  • 1/4 tsp Smoked Paprika (from preserved Earth stores — if you can find it, lucky you)
  • 2 tbsp Solarflower Oil (limited rations only)
  • 1/4 cup Milled Green Lentil Flour (from hydroponic lentil yields)
  • Splash of Carbonated Water (to make them light & airy — Colony 6 secret)

Instructions:

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine Brussel Tuber Mash, Algae Protein Crumble, parsley, garlic, salt, and paprika.
  2. Add a splash of carbonated water and gently fold to keep the mixture fluffy.
  3. Form into small balls (about the size of a space apricot — Martin assumes you know what that is).
  4. Roll each ball in lentil flour to coat.
  5. Heat solarflower oil in a pan on medium heat (or request access to shared air fryer pods in Colony 3 communal kitchens — if your credits allow). Fry until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side.
  6. Serve with Spirulina Herb Dipping Sauce or Tomato-Algae Chutney.

MARTIN'S NOTES:

"A crowd favorite since Cycle 83. May your credits be plentiful and your croquettes never soggy. Remember: The best sauce is gratitude."




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