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

[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."

[goldencobra]

"Queens? So you're like bees? And what are the holes for then?"

Duly writing all this down, glad to have something to occupy himself with and learn at the same time.

[theycallmetodd]

"Perhaps we are. I would not know, unless you explain to me what a bee is." Something from Earth, no doubt.

Absently he touches one of the pits on his face. "They are not for much at all now. Merely a leftover from a previous state in our evolution."

[goldencobra]

Henry chuckled at that. "Bees are small insects that live in hives. They fly around collecting pollen from flowers and use it to make honey. They have queens who are in charge but you have to be careful of their stings. They hurt but the bee dies. Ants have a similar structure as they also have queens. You should ask the computer some time. They don't have books here."

He nods at the explanation and writes it down. "So what was your previous state of evolution then?"

[theycallmetodd]

"Insects, yes..." He seems to think, weighing his words. "Indeed, our Queens rule our hives and are the mothers to us all."

Then comes the next question, and Todd gives the boy a slight smile. "That, I think, will have to be a tale for another time." For the boy to understand, it would be a long and complicated story for Todd to tell.

[goldencobra]

Henry wondered if that was the answer he was looking for. The Wraith were insects before evolving into human form. But he didn't press. Todd hadn't about the book so it was only fair and polite not to in return.

"Okay." He jotted a few more things down in the margin while he pondered his next question. "Does everyone have cool tattoos?"

[theycallmetodd]

"Most of us, yes," he answers with a brief nod. "Though not necessarily facial ones. They are signs of our rank, our heritage, and events we wish to put a mark to."

[goldencobra]

"What does yours mean? I like how it goes all around your eye."

[theycallmetodd]

"It shows my rank as a commander, and how long ago it was when I acquired this rank."

[goldencobra]

Henry notes that down. "Do you have any more tattoos?"