It's the most wonderful time of the year! Happy… Arbor Day?

As Captain Ben Gibson and his Army Rangers continue to improve relations between the humans and the Va'Shen villagers of Pelle, Gibson is invited to participate in the village's ruling council. During his first meeting, what starts as a little white lie to make it acceptable for the Va'Shen to accept food aid snowballs into a huge festival for both races and big opportunities for the U.S. military to interact with their alien hosts (without being shot at).

But while Gibson and company are busy with the festival, a Va'Shen noble comes to Pelle, intent on making the Va'Shen high priestess, Alacea, his bride. And he won't take no for an answer.