TEST DRIVE #16 - Turbolifts and Ten Forward

[ten_fwd_mods]

Option 001. Trapped in a Turbolift: This space travel thing is new to you, and you're starting to think the ship is purposely out to get you. A turbolift is just a grandiose name for an elevator, which should be the safest way to travel after all! But someone out there is out to get you, you're sure of it. Because the next thing you know, the lights flicker and the lift grinds to a stop. You're trapped, with whomever was unlucky enough to be in the lift with you.

It could be hours before you're rescued. These turbolifts span the entire massive ship, and don't just travel straight up and down. No, they can travel horizontally, vertically, sometimes even diagonally. You could be stuck between any deck now. There is a small access panel on one of the smooth walls, but how good are you with getting these things to work? Let's not forget that sudden stop tossed everyone around a little, and people could be hurt. Time to put your emergency thinking cap on, and make friends with the people beside you fast. You could be the only way back to freedom.

Conversely, you could slide that pack of cards out of your pocket and start a rousing game of gin rummy. Really it's up to you.







Option 002. Ten Forward: You have no idea what just happened. One minute you were home, minding your own business, 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, and some of the food is looking rather strange too.

You've managed to land in Ten Forward. A long bar with barstools and a bartender span one side of the room, with a bank of strange computers on that same wall. It looks like people are ordering food and drinks from them. Tables are sprinkled throughout, and the far wall is nothing but floor to ceiling windows with a view 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

[nosmallfry]

He smiled at their names, savoring them, then frowned at the rest as she said it. He shook his head. "If I am here, and you are here... they're alone? Without either of us?" Emotions were overruling his sense of what she had told him about time, about how this place worked.

Worry now, fear, concern.

[diplomaticsolutions]

"It doesn't work like that Anakin. It... it is as if time somehow freezes." Although for her, there was no time to go back to, unless it was the ground. "You are here now, but I have no recollection of you ever being missing."

[nosmallfry]

"Then... when we go back... We'll be together with them? With our children?" he asked, taking her hands. "Tell me about them? Tell me everything?" Food was forgotten. He was a father!

[diplomaticsolutions]

"There isn't much to tell... I had just given birth." And had passed moments later. There would be no first words, first steps, first many things. But she supposed there were a few things she could tell. "Luke came first, and then Leia."

[nosmallfry]

"And... when we leave here, we'll not remember having been gone? They'll not have noticed we weren't there?" he asked. He had no idea that he wasn't with her when the twins were born, because of course he would be. Right? "Even there, even back home... we won't be able to hide, once they're born. Especially not once they begin talking."

[diplomaticsolutions]

"As far as I can tell, no." Which she knew was strange to think about, but no stranger than being gone without anyone even realizing it. No stranger than showing up here... She glanced up though, wondering, wondering. What if things could change? A foolish hope, she knew. "But I don't know for certainty how everything works."

[nosmallfry]

"We can hope it works that way, then. There is no reason our children should grow up without us," he said softly. "And I don't want us to be apart."

[diplomaticsolutions]

Padmé knew that she would need to tell him, and sooner rather than later. It should be from her that the words came and not another. Then again, there had only been three there, and she knew Obi-Wan had no memory of it as it hadn't happened. Yoda? He knew, and more than anyone else.

Yet that that moment she rested her head against his chest, head nestled beneath his chin, as if to burrow herself snuggly against him. It was something that they had done time and time again back home, something she had wanted in those last minutes before he had used the Force. "I've missed you, Ani..."

[nosmallfry]

"I'm so sorry you had to," he whispered, resting his chin gently on her head, savoring the feel of her, the scent of her, the safety he felt in her arms, even while knowing he would protect her with all of his being. "But I'm here now, and as long as I have any power left to me, any ability to change thins, as long as you are here, so will I be."

[diplomaticsolutions]

She knew that had he known, he would have moved the very stars themselves to get to her, and it wasn't as if she held it against him. How could she? She also knew in that moment as she felt the warmth of his skin, that she would need to tell him everything, but not yet. "It's okay, Ani. You're here now."

Anakin, and not the one from Mustafar...

Pulling back slightly, she offered a smile. Perhaps he had been distracted, but Padmé did recall. "Come. You're hungry. We'll get you something to eat and sit down."

[nosmallfry]

He nodded, giving her a small smile. "I would like that." He moved to take her hand, linking his fingers with hers, feeling that nearness. He made a silent promise to himself in that moment, echoing the one he had made aloud to her. He would not be parted from her. Not again. Not ever.

[diplomaticsolutions]

It could be said that death made many things clear, but even before that, she had meant what she had said on Mustafar. All she wanted was him. They could have left there and gone to Coruscant, or Naboo, or any planet that Anakin had wanted...

Which was why her fingers twinned with his own, and she offered a smile. "You might want to ask the computer for something then..."

[nosmallfry]

"Why don't you choose something, and we'll share," he said, lifting their joined hands so he could kiss her fingertips lightly.

[diplomaticsolutions]

She did give him a slightly exasperated look, although there was fondness in it as well. She wasn't the one that was hungry, and technically speaking, she already had her cup of tea. "Then give me a hint about what you're in the mood for."

My father says this to my mother all the time.

[nosmallfry]

He grinned a bit and kissed her temple. "Whatever you would enjoy sharing with me." Yes, he was being difficult, but he was going for that fond exasperation. It amused him, and he liked to think it amused her.

does your mother whack your father upside the head? :P

[diplomaticsolutions]

It was clear that she was both amused and annoyed at the same time, although if Anakin thought it was going to be easy, he was wrong. She had been aboard the ship to hear some rather strange dishes mentioned. "There are some delicacies that one can get. Gagh, for example. ... fresh worms."

:D

[nosmallfry]

"Fresh... worms." And he thought he had seen some odd things on Tatooine and Naboo. "Perhaps not that," he said with a small laugh.

[diplomaticsolutions]

Despite herself, Padmé couldn't help but laugh, knowing that it likely wouldn't be something that Anakin would eat voluntarily. Then again, it wouldn't be something that she would eat either. "A meal? Dessert? The possibilities are endless, Anakin."

[nosmallfry]

"Sometimes too many choices are worse than none at all," he mused. "Would you share candied fruits with me?" he asked with a small smile.

[diplomaticsolutions]

Candied fruits. It wasn't that she didn't like them but she did wonder if that was what had been on his mind to eat. She nodded though, her smile far wider than his. "Of course."

[nosmallfry]

"Then that's what we'll have."

[diplomaticsolutions]

"One bowl of candied fruit," Padmé asked of the replicator, flashing Anakin a smile as she waited for the device to give it to them. It did, several moments later.

[nosmallfry]

He picked it up, to carry it for them. "Does it provide the forks and knives as well?" Somehow he thought using his lightsaber to slice a pair would be a bit too flashy."

[diplomaticsolutions]

"Why don't you go and find a table. I'll come with them and my tea." Even if she didn't require it, there was no point in wasting the drink.

[nosmallfry]

Knowing she had been here without him for so long, he hesitated to part from her even for the moments it would take. But he knew she would find him foolish for his hesitation, so he gave a small nod. "Alright," he said. He kissed her hair once more, because he had a lot of time to make up for, then he went back to the table he had waited for her at.