####################
"How Big *IS*This Place?"
[Previous Post: "TheInvestigation Starts"]
####################

<<There are only two rulesto tactics: never be without a plan, and never rely on it.>>
- Okri Swessin, Marshal of theSelay Lancers

Setting: VALLA ROYAL, TurboliftPod
Stardate: 63076.2145

The repetitive "musak" ofwhat could only be guessed as having been of Orion origins that played in theturbolift as it raced upwards to the command level had pushed the NativeAmerican to find peace in his own thoughts. Maybe it had been because of the mission and how he suspected thatsomething would sooner or later go wrong. Maybe it had been the unexpected presence of the ANUBIS' own CO on thestation, or maybe it had been the presence of the PYTHRON battle cruiser outthere that had brought the HATHOR's CO on the verge of a mental collapse.  Whatever the cause had been, Erik had closedhis eyes and forced himself to review the data on the VALLA ROYAL to save himselffrom going mad.

::The VALLA ROYAL is a massivespace station in orbit ORSANNA IV, an H-Class desolate mining planet in aneutral part of the Beta Quadrant.  Theplanet's varied and plentiful mineral deposits have attracted prospectors fromall across the galaxy despite the harsh and unforgiving climate that rages onthe planet.  The VALLA ROYAL wasinitially constructed as a refueling and support station but over time itbecame a place for the miners to spend their hard earned fortunes.  Soon, the VALLA ROYAL became more popularthan the planet it orbits, drawing every type of people to it, from highranking diplomats to the lowest class of crooks imaginable.::

"Were you aware that thestation's main corridors have been given *street names* instead of simplerlocation designations?" The Oltharian asked, obviously wanting to breakthe silence that had formed between him and the HATHOR's CO.

"When the station was firstcreated, I am sure that the decks were metallic and labeled all toosimplistically," the Native American suggested as he reopened his eyes.  "I'm guessing that in time though, andin an effort to make the miners and even the visitors more comfortable, it wasdecided to change this.  A great deal ofriches came through this station in one form or another, so it does notsurprise me that some of it found its way *into* the station itself.  The more flamboyant the VALLA ROYAL is madeto be, the more people are willing to spend their fortunes here.  Because of that, it makes sense that thestation went from a simple refueling outpost to being an orbital continent withits own government.  The fact that theygave corridors actual names was a small change to make the VALLA ROYAL seemmore like home to those who came here."

"Maybe I should havedownloaded a more detailed map of the station," Elan sighed.

"We are not here on asightseeing tour," the Native American countered rather abruptly.  "Let's find someone who can give us theinformation we need, get what we came here for and get out before somethingreally *nasty* happens."

Before the Oltharian could evenformulate a reply the turbolift came to a stop and the doors hissed opened,revealing a room containing hundreds of people, each one busy with their ownaffairs at their respective stations.  Tomaintain a space station the size of the VALLA ROYAL had of course required agreat deal of manpower, but based on the expression on the HATHOR's CO, Morningstarhad not expected there to be so many people actively working at this level.

"Bureaucracy at itsworse?" Erik mumbled to himself as he felt the headache he had beenwarding off earlier coming back with a vengeance.

"Any suggestions as to wherewe should start Sir?" The Olthairan all too respectfully inquired, hisrole as the bodyguard suddenly having appeared far less bothersome than it hadonly a few minutes before.

--==(/\)==--
Francois Charette

Lieutenant Elan Talak Fairborn
Chief Engineering Officer
USS ANUBIS

AND

Robotics Engineering Officer
NEW ALEXANDRIA

Also

Captain Erik Morningstar
Commanding Officer
USS PARADOX