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

[emotional_security]

Spock takes in the smiling stranger, with his unusual facial markings and dark eyes, but his curiosity is tempered by diplomatic discretion. The uniform, however altered in design, is definitely Starfleet, the gold indicating Command, although he is unsure which rank his insignia represents.

Spock politely indicates the chair with an open palm. "That seat is free. I have just - arrived - here myself. My name is Spock."

[empathic_pathfinder]

A glance at the rank insignia stitched into the, frankly, vintage uniform as he sits down, as well as the Vulcan introducing himself, confirms everything Terzen needs to know.

"Commander Spock of the USS Enterprise, if I recall correctly?" He says, before looking up as a server approaches the table. "Jestral tea, please." He orders, before looking back to Spock.

"Yes, I've not long since... arrived on this vessel, too. Lieutenant Commander Terzen T'Karr, formerly of the USS Pathfinder."

[emotional_security]

Spock notes the historical reference to his own name, but merely raises his brow in consideration. He has many questions to ask of his future fellow officer, from the practical to the personal (and possibly intrusive), yet hesitates in betraying his own ignorance.

Seeing that the server is waiting for him to place an order, Spock decides to sample the presumably non-alcoholic beverage requested by his new companion. "I shall also have jestral tea, thank you."

Returning his attention to the Lieutenant Commander, Spock glances again at the distinctive spots marking the man's face, but asks instead, "Were you brought here directly from the Pathfinder, Commander T'Karr?"

[empathic_pathfinder]

"Yes, I was." He says, leaning forward, resting his arms on the table. "We were brought here by a being called Q. An Omnipotent trouble-maker." He frowns. "There are many people brought here, displaced in time, and even dimensions."

He decides to get the important questions out of the way, feeling Spock's curiosity, and, in no way, blames him.

"Myself, I find that I'm a year in the future from this current point."

[emotional_security]

"Indeed," Spock murmurs, processing this new information. "I was brought here from my quarters aboard the Enterprise in a similar fashion. I wonder if my absence has been noted, yet .."

Lacing his fingers together on the table in front of him, Spock regards the man sitting opposite. "Is this being you speak of also aboard the ship?" he asks guardedly.