SD 01-11-03 - "Welcome to our Planet - Now Go Home!" #2 - This is a Federation world? I keep asking myself that half the time.
Then I recall my faded memories, as well as records of certain other places - out-of-the-way mining worlds that are no longer productive, the descendants of a decomissioned prison planet, and the effects a monster bearacracy can occassionally wreck on most any world.
In short, this place is a freakin' mess! Most of the streets are cracked and full of holes, the average apartment looks like only just enough maintenence was done on it to keep it from falling apart, most of the stores and shops are closed, and the few that are open have long lines. I think this place has gotten worse from what I can recall.
Dammers was concered about the "pigheads," thinking something was turning people into them, possibly "infractions" of the law. He was concerned enough to give K'Lynxyl a call about it. Just how much was considered "infractions" was demonstrated when our ride ended at the peir. There was a "NO FISHING" sign, and the whole beach was fenced off. The clerk/driver told us due to environmental regulations, beaches everywhere were off limits.
One thing that confused everyone, especially R'Merr and S'Varr, was that the clerk didn't recognize their sapient race. He had no idea what a Caitian was or heard of them, nor could he recall them from his memory of this world's databanks. He called then "Anticans," which he stated were the only Federation race with fur that he knew of. This is strange. From what I recall, the Anticans only have their homeworld and only recently joined the Federation. The Caitians have been in for well over a century and have colonized a number of worlds. Lott suggested the authorities here may be keeping their people ignorant for a reason. This seems pretty strange for a place with such a large university, especially since Federation ideals treasure learning and knowledge.
On the other hand, my memories seem not to disagree with Lott, at least to some extent. This place is giving me the creeps. Dammers too. I hope K'Lynxyl is having better luck. She should be on her way over with Tempres and Brundle in their own vehicle.