TEST DRIVE #3 - Alien Bazaar/Ten Forward

[tenforward_m]

#1

Option 001. Alien planet, marketplace: So you're new to this whole space travel thing. The ship is cool and all, but there are hundreds of alien worlds out there. You want to explore. To see what the universe REALLY looks like.

Well, here's your chance! Your first stop is this lovely indoor marketplace, which looks kind of like a mall. There are stalls one after the other as far as the eye can see, and they sell all kinds of things: food, clothes, trinkets, animals, fabrics, jewelry, perfumes, books, etc etc. Some things look human, easy to recognize; other things look very alien. There are two levels, and constant chatter as people hawk their wares and discuss prices.

Do you want to explore? Poke at the weird shops? Buy a gift for a new friend? Flirt with someone at the food court? Maybe you see a pickpocket, and must run to the aid of the victim. Maybe there's some other villainy afoot. After all, a crowded marketplace is a good place for villains to lurk, causing trouble. Whether you're a hero or just an unassuming traveler, there proves to be some adventure for you on this planet.


2

Option 002. Aboard the Enterprise, Ten Forward: You have no idea what just happened. One minute you were home, and now you're on a spaceship, in the middle of a crowded room. It looks like a bar. There are people eating and drinking, some in uniform, others not. Some are clearly aliens.

You've managed to land in Ten Forward a long bar with barstools and a bartender, tables sprinkled throughout, and the far wall is nothing but windows out to space. It looks like a nice lounge, low conversation making the room hum.

Better ask some questions and find out where you are, or just tap the closest person on the shoulder and try to make friends. The bar is open.

Comments

[spideys]

Peter's eyebrows go up for just a moment before he's smiling at the kid.

"No, you're right about that. This isn't a NASA ship though. You're on the USS Enterprise."

Because, yes, that is supposed to mean something!

[just_be_quiet]

Yes, he is one of your people Peter. All hail the nerds and geeks! They who read things for fun and know other interesting things that normal people may not notice.

"Well if we're not feeling the difference in gravity.... it wold have to be pretty advanced," Andrew reasons after a moments thought while chewing at his lower lip thoughtfully.

He blinks at the name of the ship. Sadly? Andrew comes from a world without Star Trek. That's a little sad. "But there are a bunch of ships with that name. Is that.... You think that should mean something to me, don't you?"

[spideys]

All hail the nerds and geeks, indeed!

There's a small shrug, but Pete's smile is still in place. He can't say he isn't a little disappointed that he won't get the chance to geek out with someone about Star Trek and Captain Picard, but hey ... you win some, you lose some.

'Guess you've never seen Star Trek, huh? That's okay. Point is, this ship is pretty awesome.'

[just_be_quiet]

"No." He is very straight forward about this.

"It's weird because well.... I get sick easy so I don't go out much. My Aunt and Uncle are pretty protective. I feel like I should have heard of it." But he hasn't. That isn't such a big deal however since they will get to see much of it first hand.

"Is this like... the future? Or is it a weird experiment?"

[spideys]

'That's kind of a complicated couple questions.'

Peter frowns a little and readjusts his glasses, which had begun to slip down his nose.

'The first question depends on when you're from. I'm from the year 2012 by Earthian years, so it's very much the future here.

'As for the second ... well, I'm not too sure. I've heard some things that point to 'yes' but I didn't get here too long ago, myself. So, who's to say?'

[just_be_quiet]

"Wouldn't Terran make more sense? Less confusing for people not born on Earth," Andrew asks half wondering about that out loud.

"It's 2014 for me." So he guesses this is still the future for both of them which is mildly concerning. The big concern is not being with his dog at home.

"So what you really mean is that no one exactly knows for sure but they don't want to upset us because we're civilians." He tries to not smile but there is a flicker of amusement on his face anyways.

[spideys]

Peter laughs a surprised and slightly embarrassed laugh.

'You're a pretty smart kid, has anyone ever told you that?'

[just_be_quiet]

"Yes." He squirms a bit uncomfortably.

"They're making me take placement tests next year. For math. They already know I read very well." It makes him a little uncomfortable. He hates the extra attention it gets him because what he would really like is if people wouldn't notice or focus on him at all. It's weird.

[spideys]

Nah, Peter gets that. He's never been into the limelight, mostly because the quintessential nerd still gets picked on at school. He's not exactly a genius or anything but he's one of the top students in his high school, second only to Gwen Stacy.

(Ah, Gwen Stacy. Excuse him for a moment as he has a momentary daydream.



Okay, we're good.)

But Spiderman isn't exactly camera-shy. It's ... a thing.

'Hey, that's something to be proud of.'

[just_be_quiet]

Andrew might give Peter a weird glance but that is mostly because he totally picked up on that and it sailed over his head. Well, he picked up on the feelings.

"It's not.... really a big deal. It's math. I like it. It makes sense."

[spideys]

Yeah, Peter's not the most subtle when it comes to Gwen. He tries to be, even thinks he is sometimes ... but, nope.

You'll get it when you're older, Andrew.

'It does make sense,' Peter agrees. 'I'm like that too. I go to a school right now that focuses on science and math and I like it a lot.'

[just_be_quiet]

One day Andrew will meet his Gwen. He won't know what to think of her. At this stage in his life girls are still weird. Sadly he has no idea that he will continue to find them strange.

"They have schools like that?" He is surprised but that news has him smile. "Awesome. I know my Uncle has to understand a lot of stuff for his job. I. Um. I want to be like him when I grow up."

He probably won't due to his asthma. It's a little problematic for someone who wants to be a cop.

[spideys]

'Yep, they sure do. I'm almost about to graduate, but I've learned a lot. It's good to be around people who like the same things you do.'

Even if some of those people are still kind of jerks. (We're looking at you, early!Flash.)

'Yeah? And what does your uncle do?'

[just_be_quiet]

He considers that a little more. He wants to go to a school he really likes someday. School does tend to be his favorite thing.

"He's a detective. I..." He shrugs. "I think it's pretty neat. He knows a lot of stuff."