==Main Holodeck==
As you step into the holographically recreated Twelve-Forward--with holographic security guards, without karaoke--you notice a dark-skinned woman in red robes, her draped hat somehow making her appear wise rather than silly. From what you've overheard elsewhere, this must be the legendary Guinan. At the moment, however, she appeared to be having a wordless argument with Lt. Norton. Norton sighs. Guinan grins. Norton walks, over to a table in the back corner where Counsellor Riker was viciously attacking a two-and-a-half-foot-tall sundae. You get closer and sit at an empty table, listening surreptitiously to the conversation. Rebecca Riker seemed to be unusually upset.
“...I’m SURROUNDED by idiots! This is, by far, the most dysfunctional crew I have EVER served with! I mean, the senior staff is completely incapable of handling their own lives, let alone the lives of the crew!”
Norton blinked. “Does that include me?”
“I-what? And you are...?”
“Lieutenant Levar Norton. Chief Engineer.”
“Shoot! Our appointment was supposed to be-”
Norton waved it off. “It’s fine. I’m not much for meeting in drab offices anyway.”
“Yeah. I was going to meet with all the senior staff this week, but somehow you slipped my mind. Sorry.”
“Like I said, not a problem,” Norton replied jovially.
“You know, for a member of the ‘senior staff,’ you’re not very...senior. No offense.”
“None taken. Actually, I’m only 23.”
“I...see.” There is a slightly awkward pause. “Are you sure you’re not one of those races who look human but are really a hundred years older than they look?” Riker asks. At Norton's apprehensive look, Riker hastily adds, “Don’t worry. Anything you tell me falls under doctor-patient privilege. I’m not going to tell anyone.”
Norton regarded Riker cautiously, then smiled. “How about this: I’ll tell you if you tell me.”
Counsellor Riker smiled as well. “Guilty. Part-Betazoid.”
“Ah. I should’ve guessed.”
“So what about you? Are you really...?”
Levar nodded. “I’m part El-Aurian.”
“El-Aurian? I’ve never heard of them...”
Across the lounge, Guinan watched, and smiled.
***
The small talk continues for some time, and you are just about to get up and leave when something else catches your attention--catches
everyone's attention, in fact.
“Red Alert. All hands to battle stations.”
Twelve-Forward faded to the yellow-on-gray grid of the unadorned holodeck. Muttered oaths filled the room as chairs and tables dissolved into thin air.
Norton was out of his seat almost before the alert came. He instantly reached out to keep Counselor Riker from falling. The pair locked eyes, almost missing the next alert over the comm system.
“This is Lieutenant-Commander T’Sing speaking. All senior staff to the bridge.”
“I think that means you.” Guinan stood by the former location of the table, her serene smile radiating--was that satisfaction?
Norton released Rebecca’s hand. “Right. Thanks, Guinan.”
Guinan watched them leave with the rest of the patrons. She pulled out a pair of vintage 1960s Earth glasses, put them on, and sat in the one chair that, curiously, hadn’t vanished with the rest. “All in a day’s work,” she said to no one in particular.
**GM Note: And thus begins the prologue story proper. Give me a moment to synch up LZP, and then I can begin work on the massive cutscene.
**