h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

The Stargate stands like a monument in a large courtyard. At the far end of the courtyard two guards are stationed at the gates which lead to the rest of the city.

*A group of officials arrive in the courtyard and gather at the end with the guards. The gate activates and Peace comes through.*

*coughs and blinks a couple of times before turning to watch the rest of the team come through.*

*As Peace steps through, two of the officials come forward slightly to speak to her and the team.*


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*From the Gate, the city can be seen spreading out below. The Gate stands slightly outside the City, with a wide sweeping path leading down a gradual hill to the city gates. What can be seen of the city shows a once prosperous metropolis falling apart. The warm, dry climate has left the area baked hard in the recent droughts, fields outside the city wall are bare, the flat-roofed houses look bedraggled. Up and down the streets can be heard the almost silent monotone of muffled crying.

The officials that have come to meet the team are tall, blue beings in robes. Whether their gaunt appearance is natural or a result of the famine is slightly difficult to determine. Their frames are starkly clear through their skin and their faces are drawn. Each wears a different coloured pendant around his neck. There are no females in the group of officials. Males and females of the species are easily told apart by the line of rich auburn fur that females have from brow to between their shoulder blades, whilst males are bald.*

*The Doctor steps out of the gate followed closely by Lt Huan and Sgt Arthur. They step forward to Lt. Peace. The Doctor looks around at the landscape and city and with an expression of saddness*

It looks like we have work to do. Shall we?

*As the Gate eye closes the two officials come forward and bow to the group. They look slightly more well-fed than the others and there is a certain brightness to their eyes*

[1st]: Greetings to you, Peez we already know but you others are new. Thank you for gracing our great city with your presence. Please allow me to introduce myself, I am Gladroec. I am the high senator chief, and this is my second, Ricsatne.

[Ricsatne]: We are honoured to recieve you as guests in our land. If you are in need of anything do not hesitate to tell any of the members of the senate and I will be contacted. You will recognise them by their pendants.

*Turns and nodds to Gladroec and to Ricsatne when he is mentioned.*

Thank you, we will be glad take you up on your hospitality. This visit was planned after we heared of the famine that has struck your plannet, we are here as friends to offer any assistance we might be able to give.

*Ricsatne shifts his eyes momentarily before smiling with his thin mouth and beckoning*

[Ricsatne]: If you would care to follow us, we will ensure you get a full view of the situation and then if you would care to join us for our meal this evening, we have entertainment scheduled for the third quarter tonight.

*The group of officials splits down the middle to let the party through. As the group pass, the officials' eyes brighten momentarily, before dulling again. They then fall in behind and follow*


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*notes Ricsatne's shift in mood before smiling pleasently and following.*

*As they walk down the path and through the city gates, curious faces look from everywhere. All the faces appear old. There are few young and the young people that there are are even thinner than everyone else. The streets are full of dust and everything has an air of neglect and decay about it. Through open doorways can be seen simple rooms with bright cloth draped over pallets. There are no cooking implements anywhere however, and also no domesticated animals.*

*As she walks, takes in the surroundings and looks approriately grave.*

~~Oh God.~~

*turns to Ricsatne.*

So, where are going first?

*smiles awkwardly at everyone before nudging Peace*

(in a lower voice)Care to introduce us?

*starts and looks at prof.*
Oh, I haven't introduced you. This is Lt Klivian he's in charge of the medical side of things, and Lt Huan and Sgt Arthur are from our SG-6 team.

*The officials bow as they continue to walk*

[Gladroec]: We are honoured that you follow Peez through to aid us in our troubled times Ka-liveean, Huan and Arthuer. Feel free to enter any area in the city and talk to anyone you feel necessary. Perhaps you would like to take a brief look around before accompanying us. Once you have completed your studies, go to any street corner and you will find a stand with a similar pendant to that which I wear. Press it and a senate member will come for you and bring you to the palace. Please ensure that you return before the suns touch the horizon, dinner will be proceeding shortly after that time.

*Klivian glances skyward to find the sun. The afternoon was not terribly young and there was much to be seen in the city*

Alright then, we'll meet you at the palace before sunset.

*The officials bow as one and turn to leave, hedaing down the wide main street towards where the palace can be seen in the distance. Ricsatne and another official, however, branch off and leave down another side street, talking to each other closely.*

*looks after them before turning to the rest of the group.*

Well I guess we pick a direction then, that is unless we want to find a hospital or something.

*From nearby streets, residents begin to appear. They are dressed in loose clothing which does not particularly protect them from the sun, although it is unclear whether this is not by choice. On second glance the people look as if they were built along their gaunt lines, although they are still thin on that. They all look friendly and welcoming.

There are four main streets from the square where the team has been left. One goes towards what looks like official buildings, one goes towards the palace, one goes into the housing, and there is the way the team came from The Gate.*