...And the transporter energies disappear to reveal a decidedly different transporter complex. The light is dimmer, the colours darker and there is a smell of burnt cinnamon in the air.
A huge figure stands by the transporter console. An Orion, he stands taller and broader than Boluri, but less so than Bilgebottom. He wears a swirling gold brocade tunic.

"Welcome to Bridgetown," he rumbles, "My name is Krist Mor. I'm an... associate of Sam. I'll take you to him." He apprises the two hulking figures in security armour and smiles.

The group steps out into a crowded corridor and the scent in the air changes to hot iron. It reminds McCurrvey of his uncle's ranch on Earth, where there is a blacksmith's forge for the farrier. He almost expects to see sparks flying off the anvil. The crowds fall back from the huge Orion leading the way. There are a large number of species that none of them except possibly Cdr Harris and Lt Boluri have ever seen. A low polyglot murmur fills the air.

Eventually, Mor leads the Starfleet party to a large set of double doors. "Wait here a moment," he says and disappears inside. The crowd maintains a respectful distance and slowly things go back to what can be assumed to be normal.

Teri Harris says, "We may be here for a time. It's one of Sam's little games. He'll make us wait for him. He's watching us on monitors. There are chairs over there." She gestures to a vestibule with large comfortable leather sofas in the Orion manner.

Minutes pass and an alien woman approaches with a tray. "Refreshments?" she asks in a trilling voice.

For once, Harris doesn't defer to the senior officers. "No thanks, dearie. Go peddle your wares elsewhere."

As the woman sashays off, Harris explains, "Sorry, sirs. The watchword here in Bridgetown is Trust no one!"

In reply to Commander Theresa Harris (msg # 2):

“ Thelev to the Odyssey, comm check. “ Thelev signals.

“ Major, what do we have here. “ He asks.

Thelev then looks around himself to see what they have, how much security, number of doors, etc.

Thoma replies, "Odyssey confirms loud and clear."

Bilgebottom consults his tricorder. "They're heavily shielded in there. No chance of beaming anyone out of there, but if Doc Marcus does show up, I'll try to plant a veridium tracker on her so we can try later," he says softly. The ambient noise is loud enough that his voice is barely audible to the rest of Starfleet party. "We're in a public area, but I'll bet you credits to donuts he's got sensors on us. And I'll bet real money that li'l gal was going to try to slip us a mickey."

Boluri nods. "You can bet your bottom credit on that, Major."

The area is a large bazaar-like mall. The room/building/whatever is large, with several kiosks along the wall. The door is about two-and-a-half metres tall and wide, and shaped like a trapezoid. Bilgebottom notes, "Baakonite-duranium alloy at least a hundred millimetres thick. Refractive alloy—phaser resistant."

After close to half an hour, the massive doors open again and Krist Mor walks out. He looks impassively at the waiting Starfleet party and says, "Sam says he'll see you now." A reddish light spills out from the office beyond the doorway.

Inside, the office is a large room with a high ceiling supported by columns. The walls are a taupe colour in rectangular panels. The reddish light comes from a metre-and-a-half diametre window revealing the bloodfield nebula behind a trapezoidal bronze desk with curious conduits leading from it. There are blue accent lights surrounding the window and lining the columns. Sam stands before the desk wearing a golden tabard over a blue silk tunic and bloused grey pantaloons, all topped off with his distinctive helmet.


"Well, gentlemen—and Teri, m'dear—welcome to my humble abode," he begins. "What brings Starfleet's newest an' most powerful battlewagon tae my li'l corner o' th' cosmos? Ye're a wee bit out o' yer jurisdiction, aren't ye? Please, won't ye take refreshments, Commodore, and Captains. McCurrvey, Thelev and Mercer, isn't it? I've heard a lot about yer exploits in the past few years. Personally saved the' President hisself from an assassin—didn't expect tae ever meet a bona fide hero!" He turns to a strikingly beautiful red-haired green Orion woman. "Jade, m'darlin', tea - Earl Grey - hot, if you please."
He sits behind the desk and continues, "I assure ye, gents, it's not drugged or poisoned. Ye're guests an' potential customers after all. I assume ye've received permission to negotiate on behalf of yer might Federation for sweet li'l Carol."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:25, Wed 17 Mar 2021.

In reply to Krist Mor (msg # 5):

Thelev nods at Bilgebottom and Boluri to keep on guard.  He turns to Sam, before he takes a seat, “ Yes I have the Federations  permission to negotiate for the release of Dr. Marcus. I would like to thank you for arranging this meeting with Calista.  Sam I’m sure you are aware of the Federations position on negotiating with hostage takers. “

Then he finals take a seat across from Sam. “Would you have Katheka by any chance? “ Thelev asks as he looks at Jade.

In reply to Captain Thelev (msg # 6):

Khendon is going to leave the talking to Thelev and Harris for the time being. He casts a scientist's eye around the office and at Sam himself, trying to decide if he is seeing a common denominator to the style and the technologies used, or a mish-mash of cultures and technologies.