A klaxon blares loudly, three times, and the lights in the shuttle cabin dim to an uncomfortable murk.

"Please ensure you are seated during docking, and that your safety belts are properly secured at all times," announces the flight attendant with mechanical authority. "You will be able to depart the shuttle in approximately 2.6 standard minutes."

You hunker down in your seat, gripping the edges slightly tighter than you'd be happy to admit. Within seconds, the cabin shudders, is calm, then rocks alarmingly, and in your stomach you feel the artifical gravity adjust to the station norms. From somewhere to your far left, you hear the distinct sound of a metal straw bouncing on the bare textured floor.

The large, midnight blue AluSteel blast doors at the very front of the shuttle make a hissing noise, releasing thick smoke from their edges as they creak towards you, then split asunder, slowly revealing the way out.

"You may now release your safety belts and depart from the shuttle in an orderly fashion," chimes the flight attendant. "Thanks again for choosing IntroStel, a subsidiary of GlajexCo, for your interstellar travel needs."

You pop the belt release, and pull out the two bulging khaki satchels that were snugly stuffed under your seat. Putting alternating shoulder straps across your chest bandolia-style, you shuffle forwards past the flight attendant. Her passive smile widens as she addresses you, "Thank you, please have a fantastic time, and choose IntroStel for all your interstellar travel." With a slight nod at her, you struggle out onto the docking bay.

What a sight!

The docking bay is gargantuan, spanning multiple stories comprised of bright neon infoplates reflecting from glass-like and smooth metallic surfaces and struts in myriad colours. Everywhere you look is a creature of another species, each more interesting than the last. That one there is a large, scaly red elephant-like creature, that one a smaller, spiked, quadrupedal, oily insect of some kind. It's fantastic! You've never seen such a variety of people and things.

And the sounds! A mechanical buzzing is joined by a deep low growl, all set against what sounds like simple flute music from late 17th Century Earth. And the smells! Strawberry purfume mingles with a deep, ceramic smell, just failing to hide an underlying odour of musky, recycled air.

At first, you are completely overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of what is before you, but slowly you begin to make clear distinctions, and read the signs (written clearly in InterGal) that, initially, were just more abstract noise in the symphony of light and shape before you.

Amongst the ever-flowing throng of people, there is also one spindly, vole-like creature, holding a hand-written sign with scratchy InterGal letters that appear to read "quarrixco representative". That sign is probably something to do with you.

If you'd like to approach the creature with the sign, turn to page 7.
If you'd like to follow the infoplates pointing to the business quarter, turn to page 17.
Perhaps the food halls strike your fancy? Follow those smells to page 30.
Or maybe the nigh-jammed tunnelway marked "Leisure District" is your thing. Turn to page 95.