Beneath the Surface "
By: Christine Walker, Bar Owner, [NPC]
Dr. Alyssa Caitlin Northrop, Acting Chief Intel Officer, [PST]

Stardate: 58205.28 1130

When Northrop had initially beamed down, she'd been shocked to find herself in a rather larged domed city under water. Though that shock had only lasted a moment. She had chided herself for allowing that to happen. It wasn't like she'd never been here before. Shaking her head, she dismissed the thoughts and shrugged her bag up onto her shoulder a little more.

The PADD she'd been going over up on the runabout had contained the whereabouts of a Maquis contact in this city. He was a human rather than a Pacifican and actually ran a bar with the obvious and rather cheesy name of 'The Undersea Tavern.' The man's name was Chris Walker. All she really had was a name and a place...along with a set of contact instructions.

Now, contrary to popular belief, the best way to move about unoticed is not by sneaking around in the shadows. People tended to look there when they're looking for persons who don't belong. While granted there were times where that sort of things were necessary, whenever possible it was wise not to. So Alyssa simply walked down the wide streets as if she belonged there. After all, she did...or that's what anyone would belive. She had the proper attitude...and it also helped that she had the right documentation as well. The archeologist smiled just a little. So far as anyone knew, she was simply an Archeologist passing through to visit the ruins of an ancient underwater city here on Pacifica. At least that's what her documents said. She made a mental note to send Old Marzan a bottle of Saurian Brandy for the excellent job he'd done this time. Usually he charged for his work...but for some reason he declined the GPL which was his normal fee. All he asked was that she kill an Alliance Member for him. Alyssa said that she would see what she could do.

As she walked, she took note of the various armed patrols that walked the street. Some of them were obviously Pacifican Police, who wore dark clothing that was fairly form fitting. It was probably designed to take quite a beating while still allowing them to move freely. Much like a Starfleet BDU...which was used for ground fighting and the like. She had a pair tucked away in her bag just in case she needed it...along with a few other things.

But not all of the patrols where regular police. Many of them were Starfleet Security or Marines as well as quite a few Cardassians. As opposed to the Pacificans, these patrols carried phaser rifles and looked like they were looking for someone to err in even the slightest way.

It didn't take too long for Alyssa to reach the bar where her contact was. There were very specific instructions on making contact so she began going throught them step by step. First thing was to sit in the right booth. Thankfully there was no one in that one, the third from the back on the wall farthest from the bar. She took the booth and sat with her back against the wall so that she could see everything that went on. The next step was to take the items on the table and arrange them in a specific pattern...which to anyone else would simply look like she was bored. Once that was done, she simply waited for the next step to happen...which was out of her control for the moment.

After about five minutes, one of the waitresses finally came over. She was a pretty thing, blonde, thin and quite tall. If only she wasn't so busy....

Alyssa shook her head and got back to business. "I'll have a glass of Gamzain Wine please."

The wine itself was as vile as anything she'd ever ingested before...but that was the trigger. Apparently no one on Pacifica drank the stuff....which Alyssa fully understood. Though what happened next she wasn't expecting.

A bottle of wine was set down in front of her followed by a rather striking redhead sitting down across from her. "I'm so sorry...but we're all out of Gamzian Wine. Perhaps I could interest you in this Chateau Picard instead? It's a very good vintage."

Alyssa looked the woman in the eye, "You have a 2355?"

"Unfortunatly this isn't a 2355...but it is a 2357. Still a very good vintage," she said.

Northrop nodded, "Very well....though I would be honored if you would share it with me."

The woman across the table smiled and put her hand out, "I'm Chris Walker....it's nice to meet you."

She took Ms. Walker's hand and shook it lightly. "Dr. Alyssa Northrop. I'm here on a bit of an expedition."

"What sort of doctor are you?"

"I'm an Archeologist. I've come to do a little poking around in the ruins outside your dome here."

Walker nodded, "You know....perhaps we should take this bottle of up to my office? We would be much more comfortable there. Then you can tell me all about your expedition to the ruins. I've always been interested in archeology...and I'm a big fan of your work."

"Why thank you, Miss Walker. It's not every day I meet someone who knows my work."

To Be continued....