Vega Prime
Part Three
November 30, 2000
(Story Two of the Kinder and Gentler Gallifrey Season)
Plot by Jen Kokoski

GAMETIME

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PLAYER RULES

The NADW Simulation is a PG-rated scripted roleplay game in the spirit of the original Who tv series. Profanity, vulgarity and offensive behavior is frowned upon. All games are logged for story reconstruction. Unclaimed Cast Roles listed below are open on a first come first serve basis. Final Casting Calls are made by 10 after the hour. The group is a friendly bunch, but once the game begins non game chat must be in <> brackets.  Spectators are always welcome to join our peanut gallery and watch our Doctor Who story unfold on chat screen. If you'd like to play, please see our sign-up page.

Background

Vega Prime is a luxurious resort on the satellite planet of Trellorious Major in the distant alpha Sector of space. It is located at a crucial juncture between the known "civilized" worlds of the Galaxy and the as yet "untamed" worlds of the exploratory sectors. Most of the space traffic is comprised of space privateers and star miners who've taken government grants to try and conquer remote space. Also attracted to the resort or the wealthy and adventurous classes who want to loose themselves in this glitzy attraction.

The resort on Vega Prime is comprised of two massive towers bound together by an activity complex. The towers are filled with condominiums, penthouses, suites, and hotel rooms offering the latest in recreation links (3D TV), online gaming and their own personal sea balconies where the vista is brought to you.

The activity complex consists of several stories above and below ground. On the highest level is an "environment deck" where vacationers may relax and get a tan specifically tailored for their appropriate skin type. You never have to worry about being burned or getting scarring skin cancers. Invisible force fields ensure you get just the right tint of Vega's trio of suns. Just below that is the "exercise deck" where resorters can try hundreds of the latest excercise gear, soak in soothing hot tubs, saunas or race around an Galactic Olympic-sized track. Below that is the "aquatic deck" where three naturalized swimming pools and central waterfall fulfill every whim.

On the main concourse are the "Amusement Center" with indoor boardwalk style rides and games. A real rollercoaster rolls past an indoor ice rink and down to the "Shopping Square". Here, a dozen of the best stores this side of Andromeda offer just about whatever you need. Dine at one of 3 5 Star restaurants, take in a virtual show or a live performance nightly.

And for the real amusement of adult vacationers are the 5 levels of Vegas-Style Casino games. Blackjack, Poker, Roullete, Cribbage, even Venusian Whist is played here. The stakes are high, but on Vega Prime you get only the best.

For those wishing to rejuvenate their bodies as well as their minds, Vega Resorts have a unique architecture designed to fulfill even the simplest desires. Built on the edge of Vega Prime's largest sea estuary, every room has a perfect view of the effervesent pink waters of Vega. Each building has its own private guestway to the sandy white beach where guests may take a long walk, lie in the sand or take a dip in the healing salt waters. Like the Dead sea of Earth, Vega Prime's oceans are heavily concentrated in salt and so make the water much denser than typical. Humans float effortlessly on the surface of the pink-hue water. It has long been considered a healing remedy for just about any ailment. And for those interested in Vega Prime's natural and bountiful sea life, a "catch-n-toss" pier is ready to help you see these clever creatures for yourself.

GALAXIA ENTRY: VEGA PRIME

Small remote satellite planet with a 90% terra normal atmosphere. The sky is a soft pinkish hue and as such imbues the oceans with the same color. The planet is 80% water with 20% dry land contained in one large continent about the size of Australia [see Earth]. Oceans contain a high content of natural salts making the water denser and bodies more effervescent. Small streams of fresh water are known to trickle down from a central chain of snow-covered mountains in the center of land and feed the local life in small estuaries. The predominant lifeform is aquatic as land resources are too small to support a large dry land population. Currently, 250,000 sea species have been identified. It's supposed 1,000,000 more are left unknown and presumed thriving in undersea volcanic streams.

The largest aquatic inhabitant is locally known as a "Seaphant" or "Sea Elephant". Roughly the size of an African elephant but with a large tailfin and predilection for waterlife, it frequents all known estuaries in colonies. The "Seaphant" slightly resembles the now extinct Manatee of North America, Earth. It is a mammal living for an undetermined time. Mates at sea, presumably, the young are raised within estuaries until able to swim the length of the seas. It breathes air above and below water, but is believed to need to resurface periodically for fresh air like whales. Seaphant colonies seem centered around familiar units rather than mating harems or hunting parties. while highly organized social structures may be seen, no "civilized" behavior has been noted. The species is termed Category 5: nonhostile animal species.

WEATHER/ENVIRONMENT

Temperature roughly 75-85 degrees Farenheit, slightly humid but mild. Mostly overcast, with thick fog in early morning and late evening. Bright sun may burn off clouds briefly during midday to provide sunshine. Rains occasionally. Heavy electrical storms occur during "Moontide" Season when the planet drifts close to Trellorious Major and gravitational forces create a aggravating pull on the planet's oceans. "Moontide" may create massive tital waves and severe lightning, but only lasts a period of 42 days.

THE CAST
Reserved roles marked by a [name]

10th Doctor - [DrTuna] a wandering timelord in his 10th regeneration. Since uncovering the mystery of his wife's murder and his true reasons for leaving Gallifrey, he has a new lease on exploring the Universe and abandoning his people's dark ways for good.

Irish - [Rob/IrishTCat] a morphing green cat and companion to the Doctor. He witnessed the late presidential candidate Andros' death on Gallifrey in sim Shadows of the Past.

Jacie Hunter - [Jen] a child from Earth 2164, she became a Space Time Gypsy to escape their wrath and became a defender of the timelines. Companion to the Doctor with a talent for picking pockets and reading people.

Professor Estrella Latham - expert in extraterrestrial marine biology and an interplanetary conservationist. Main character.

D. Bond - posing as a realtor on vacation who is unnaturally curious about previous guests and their disappearances.

Director Dil Dilfries - [David] acting director of the profitable Vega Prime resort. He watches the place like a hawk and ensures the games are as fair as necessary, guests are kept happy, and the resort remains profitable - by any means.

Restaurant Owner - one of many profitable entrepeneurs on Vega Prime. He is concerned with getting all bills paid, especially from Irish.

Seaphants - a young pup and adult. They are the indigenous species of Vega Prime - a cross between a dolphin and an elephant (closely resembling the Manatees in Florida). They communicate via telepathic/sonar means and are thus unintelligible to humans without a translator device.

EARLY BEGINNING

ESCAPE [Jacie …. Realtor Bond]

Running from the lower levels, Jacie jumps onto the elevators. In the rush, she trips across the threshold and drops her gypsy bag. She keeps running for the beach unaware that her bag has been lost. Meanwhile, Realtor Bond watches her run from a covert distance and quickly collects her bag.

WHERE'S THE ROAMING GIRL? [Irish, Restaurant Owner…. Later Realtor Bond]

Irish wakes from his nap in time to pay the bill. Of course, he doesn't have his winnings on him. So when the restaurant owner comes over for his money, Irish thankfully sees a welcome sight - Roaming Girl's gypsy bag, but it's in that Realtor's hands. Irish scampers out the door and chases the Realtor. He demands to know where Roaming Girl went and how Realtor got her bag. Realtor is confused and surprised when Irish suspects him of something fishy. Irish insists they go see the Doctor about his theft.

BACK ON THE BEACH [Director, The Doctor, Professor Latham]

Director meanders down to the beach to see how the Doctor and Professor are getting on. When he gets there, the Doctor questions him about his environmental pollutions killing off "Seaphants". Director quickly explains all the environmental safe things the resort does: recycles imported water, waste vaporization, air filtration. The resort purifies the environment more than destroys it. Vega's natural beauty is part of its charm. And the company would kill its own profits to destroy that. There is no competition either as they own the planet. He opens his full records to the Doctor's perusal showing he has nothing to hide.

LATE BEGINNING

OH YEAH? [The Doctor, Professor Latham, Director Dilfries, Jacie, Irish & Realtor Bond]

Irish arrives at pier with Realtor complaining to the Doctor that the inky man stole Jacie's bag. Jacie runs out shouting for the Doctor. In a panic, she tells them about the strange thing she saw in the below levels - a man being tortured to death. The same Gambler they played against the previous night. The Director goes pale as everyone looks to him to explain. He then instructs them all to join him on the beach for a more private talk.

MIDDLE

ON THE BEACH [All]

They all trade info. Director insists he had nothing to do with the man's disappearance but he knows of it. His people have been trying to deal with the situation. Cover it up, Jacie guesses. Wealthy realtor is accused of being an accomplice, but reveals he is on Security Detail from the Hegemony. He shows his ident badge and explains he's tracking several disappearances. He originally came here looking to trap an intergalactic mobster and his crew. This was a reknowned meeting spot for ne'er-do-wells. But the mobsters didn't show or stay long enough to make a criminal deal. It seemed as soon as they arrived, they went missing. And he's seen several people go missing. He estimates 700 people have vanished in 2 years. Everyone is floored with that assessment.

The director doesn't believe it. He knew of a few dozen, but not hundreds. On questioning, he realizes that some guests did leave unexpectedly early, but bills were paid by electronic ident card. No luggage was left behind. They were very thorough. Environmentalist is shocked because 2 years is exactly how long since the "Seaphants" started disappearing. She's convinced there is a connection. The Doctor wants to investigate the subterranean level with Jacie. Irish stays behind to help the professor with her new telepathic translation device trying to call "Seaphants" to the beach.

ENDING

DOWN INTO THE DEPTHS [The Doctor, Jacie, Director Dilfries, Realtor Bond]

In the lower level, Jacie finds the way to the torture chamber sealed behind a new impenetrable wall. Director insists it's part of the original architecture and been there for years. Realtor checks for trap doors or signs of opening and can find none. Jacie is certain she didn't loose her way. Then the Doctor slips and discovers an oily silver fluid on the floor. He sees the same stuff on Jacie's clothes. She remembers the liquid spurting from the man's chest tube. The Doctor thinks and analyzes the specimen. He detects a high silver content and natural oil, similar to whale fat for burning lamps. The combination concerns him. The only creatures he knows of with a silver circulatory system are made of metal and the whale fat acts as a lubricant and is very similar to what one might find in large mammals.

An excited call beeps thru from the Professor to Director's handcomm for the Doctor. The scientist's elation at the translation device working turns to terror when an adult Seaphant threatens. The Doctor, Jacie, and Director race to the surface to help Professor and Irish. Realtor stays behind and uses his handcomm to radio offworld "It's time".

CALLING TO THE SEA [Professor Latham, Irish, Seaphants]

Professor and Irish test the new sonar translation device the Doctor engineered. They manage to call to a young Seaphant pup who ventures ashore at Irish's promise of food. The pup speaks only of food and games, but the professor can hear actual thoughts. They call for the Doctor to report their success, just as an adult Seaphant charges forward from the sea slashing and swishing its massive tail. It means to attack by drowning or breaking the necks of those that dare taunt a defenseless pup out of the safe waters.

Next Week's Adventure Continues

Missing guests, dwindling sea life and a resort cover-up are just the tip of the iceberg on Vega Prime. As Jacie runs for her life from the things lurking in the Underground, the Doctor and Irish finally get some answers from the mysterious guests of Vega Prime. Find out what fate awaits the travellers. If you'd like to play, just sign-up online. Questions? Contact David our game coordinator at AlxKeegan2@aol.com.