She pulled the locks open, turned the handle in the center and pushed the heavy door open climbing up a short ladder to the main unloading dock area. The room was massive. The floor was made of metal paneling with On the other side of the room she could see three station workers in blue jump suits unloading boxes from a ship, the captain seemed to be overseeing the work. Roxanne had other business; she made her way to the main commercial area.

Walking down the hallway she noticed how quiet it was, usually the halls had at least 9 or ten people going from one place to another. I must be here on a slow day, she thought. She had spent many years going in and out of the station, she knew the station had busy days and slow days, but she wondered why today wasn’t busy, and especially when there was an auction. It also concerned her, since she wanted to keep her anonymity at the occasion, perhaps even persuade someone to buy the map for her for a fee.

The place had the feeling of an airport terminal on earth, with bars, restaurants, gift stands and other shops lining the walls. She noticed these too were empty, aside for the bored worker at the register. Looking above her she saw the bright lights that filled the ceiling. For the first time in her visits to the station, she could hear the buzz the lights made. But she didn't have long to think, she was quickly at the door to the room of the auction and she entered right away.

The room was darkly lit, with emphasis on the table at the front. Her entrance went mostly unnoticed by the few attendants. The item they were auctioning at the moment was a mother ship's computer core, probably old fleet, human technology. It was a beautiful piece of machinery, something even Roxanne could appreciate having, but she had come for the map.

A large, tired looking Omallian raised his thin yellow arm, the older human gentleman behind the table announced the bid.