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

[theycallmetodd]

"Space ships, yes." Not that he has any idea yet how this ship would compare to a hive. He has only seen one room so far, after all. "That would indeed be a good comparison."

[goldencobra]

"So you'll be used to this then. Where I come from, we don't even know there are other species out in space yet. This place is over three hundred years in my future."

And he thinks his dad will still be the same then if magic has anything do with it.

[theycallmetodd]

"So there is not only displacement in space happening here, but displacement in time as well. Interesting." Interesting, and most likely problematic. And certainly annoying.

[goldencobra]

"Yes. And not just that." Considering there was a split in the timeline between him and the Gold here. "Not sure how to explain the other thing though."

[theycallmetodd]

"It would be greatly appreciated if you tried." He needs to know what he's dealing with, the sooner the better. This is as good a place to start as any.

[goldencobra]

Henry nodded, wanting to for his new friend, and tried to recall what Gold had said.

"Well...something happened a long time ago and it caused the timeline at home to split somehow. And now there's man here who looks like my dad but he's not my dad and he never was my dad. Does that make sense?"

He probably screwed that up.

[theycallmetodd]

Todd nods slowly. "Yes... Alternate realities and parallel timelines. I am familiar with the concept." Though that complicates things even further. He can't be sure he's even in his own reality. "Thank you, Henry. You have been most helpful."

[goldencobra]

He smiles, glad to have helped. "I don't really understand it myself. Just that there's this man who has some of my dad's memories but not the ones of raising me. I'm glad I could help. You're really interesting too."

After a moment of indecision, he puts the notebook down and gives Todd a hug.

[theycallmetodd]

Todd is hard to surprise. This whole displacement in time and space and reality was of course very unexpected, but he'll deal with it like any other problem. But this? This really does surprise him. He can't say he's ever had a tiny human latch onto him before. It's absurd. But also amusing. He can't help a chuckle, and pats the boy on his back.

[goldencobra]

After a moment, he pulls back and sits back down as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened. "Do you want to keep talking? I'm sure there's loads more you could tell me about the Wraith. But if I'm bothering you, I could go."

The thank you had sounded like a conversation ender so he wasn't sure. He likes Todd but he doesn't want to be around if the man doesn't want him.

[theycallmetodd]

"I do not mind the company." Soon he would go and try to find the answers to how and why he as been brought here, but for now he's not in a hurry. Besides, the boy has offered up a decent amount of information so far, and that makes it worth his time. "What do you wish to know?"

[goldencobra]

Henry continued to smile, glad he was worth something. "I don't know what to ask." He thinks about it for a moment, looking around at some of the other species and wondering what he would ask them.

"What's your planet like?"

[theycallmetodd]

So far Todd has remained standing by the window, but now he takes a seat at the table across from Henry. The glass of wine is set down. Its' still mostly full. "We do not have one, as such. There is a planet of origin, of course, but the vast majority of us live on board our hive ships."

[goldencobra]

More scribbling and turning of pages as Henry notes this down. "I see. So there's a lot of you back home? Lots of Wraith roaming the stars in your hive ships?"

[theycallmetodd]

"Oh yes." Far too many, as far as the rest of the galaxy is concerned. But then they would think that even a single Wraith would be one too many. "We are spread out across the entire galaxy."

[goldencobra]

"Wow. That's pretty amazing. I wonder if we'll meet any here. Ones that haven't come like you did. I'd like to meet more of your race." He seems quite content for a change, sitting here with his new friend. It's nice thinking about someone else instead of his own problems.

[theycallmetodd]

That is almost cause for another chuckle, but he settles for a knowing smile. Oh no, you would not like that, he thinks. "Perhaps we will." For all he knows they could be right on his doorstep, so to speak. He really needs to find someone that can shed some light on their current position.

"Have you written about other races as well?" he asks, nodding to the book.

[goldencobra]

He smiles again and nods. "Yeah. A lot of this was full when I got here from the weird stuff at home. But I've got a ton of information about everyone else here." But he's not going to show you. It's too personal for a first meeting.

"I like to observe people. And if they're interesting enough, I talk to them." That's a compliment Todd.

[theycallmetodd]

The compliment doesn't go by unnoticed, but he doesn't respond to it. "If I may, I would like to read it. If time allows." If he's indeed stuck, which he suspects that he is, knowing more about the various races around would be useful. "I am certain it would be very interesting."

[goldencobra]

The smile slipped. As much as he liked Todd, he wasn't about to give him unlimited access to his notes. Especially considering the notes weren't just about here.

"Another time, perhaps?"

[theycallmetodd]

Todd doesn't push. He suspects that would only be counterproductive. Instead he inclines his head slightly in acceptance. "Another time" he agrees. The Wraith are patient, him more than most.

[goldencobra]

A small smile again in thanks but everything feels a little awkward now.

"Do you want to tell me more about you?"

[theycallmetodd]

"I am sure I have enough material for you to fill a few more pages." He nods at the book. "Ask, and I shall do my best to answer."

[goldencobra]

He nods and turns the page to start a new. "What distinguishing features are just for your species? Like the mouth on your hand. I mean, is all your race got white hair and strange holes in your face too?"

He knows it's not the best English but he's tripping over himself getting the words out.

[theycallmetodd]

"We males have white hair, yes. The Queens have more variation. And, yes. We all have these... strange holes, as you call them."