6-181: Administration Bureau Executive Conference Facility

Lia and Aston spend some time at the bar and then move on to the party. [ 😉  ]

Eventually Aston is ready to leave Prosperity Bar.  He leads Lia to a set of elevators and they travel further up the station.  They emerge into a lobby area that is signed as the Administration Bureau Conference Centre. To the left is a functional looking area that could be any set of training and meeting rooms, and to the right are a pair of thick faux-wooden doors with frosted glass panels guarded by a couple of Legionnaires in neatly pressed uniforms, albeit equipped with what appears to be fully functional sidearms.  Aston turns right, presents his tag, and Lia is passed through at his word without needing to show her credentials.  A discreet sign indicates that this is this is the Executive Suite.

Beyond the doors is lushly appointed corridor with deep carpet, muted lighting, artworks on the walls and occasional statuary.  After a lengthy walk for a space station corridor, a bend reveals a liveried doorman who opens a door for them both to a large room.

The ceiling here is quite high – it must take up two or three floors of the station.  The ceiling has several large transparent panels through which can be seen the dark side of Mundo Zargo and the hard, cold firmament of the stars.  Below the ceiling, supported by a lattice of thin wires float several large, gossamer-like chandeliers, apparently without other support.  At the far end of the room, a pair of twisting staircases lead up and around to wide balconies that overlook the room.  One of these is colourfully lit with a smoke effect and several dancers of both sexes (and one Felline, probably female) are performing.  The opposite balcony is similarly adorned but appears to be for guests to dance in instead, although no-one is using it at the moment.

On one side of the room are several long tables bearing a variety of foodstuffs.  More liveried staff (Lia may recognise it as a Bureaucracy uniform) circulate with trays of drinks and take orders.  Huddles of couches are dotted about the venue and several plants have been set up around and between them.  Near the middle, but with enough space to provide a central open area, is a large water feature, built high enough that the water falls lazily in the lower gravity at the top of the room away from the grav plates, slowly picking up speed as it nears the floor.  Near the centre of the room the lights are fairly bright, dimming down to almost darkness near the edges. 

There are about 80-100 people here when Winta and Aston arrive on the raised area that is the room’s entrance.  It seems there is a single Legionnaire on duty not far from the entrance; although Lia will note he is of Under Commander rank – ridiculously senior for a door guard.

There is apparently a sensor somewhere that detects their arrival and briefly brings the lights up to highlight their appearance, accompanied by a musical sting that fits neatly with the rest of the music.  Aston smiles boyishly, and gives a little wave to someone…or perhaps it’s to everyone or no-one.

As the entrance lights fade he leans down and whispers in Winta’s ear, “By the way, this is a celebration of the Assistant Secretary for the Bureaucracy’s birthday,” with a subtle nod he indicates a thin man standing amid a knot of people near the water feature, “so we shall have to pay tribute; his name is Namaisa Markov-Wrikster.”