The crew reunites and shares what each other has learned. Seems like the best bet is heading to Central Lake and finding this Alan Greener. As you prepare to leave, Alerio peaks down the alley and sees the little one that fell in the sand. She's sitting on a doorstep with the six-legged cat in her lap, petting it gently.
Seems like living on the frontier has left some of these folk wary of off-worlders. The laser cannon that overlooks the downport is the tallest building in the town, a testament to dealing with unfriendly folk. The tale of
Wayward Wind's former crew is a good example. But, Walston seems to have held on to a genuine friendliness, despite their troubles.
The girl waves at Alerio.
"It was nice meeting you!"
You find the train station easily. The ticket agent, an old man who seems to value a strict adherence to protocol, gets you set up. Since the train costs nothing, you wonder exactly what the purpose is of the protocols or even the tickets, but if you inquire you get a predictable "It's always been that way" kind of response.
It isn't long before the train arrives. Although it's showing its age, it seems like it's in pretty good shape. You load your crate up into the luggage section and sit down at the rear observation platform, which features a decent view. Nobody else seems to be heading to Central Lake right now, so you have the train to yourself.
The Train to Central Lake
The trip takes your south toward the center of the island. The conductor points out sights along the way by yelling to you from the front of the train. You see large field of solar arrays, primitive by Imperial standards where cheap fusion power is ubiquitous. You also see some folks in the distance operating colourful parasails, riding inland gusts high in the sky. Soon, Central Lake comes into view.
Central Lake (background) and the Palace of the First Citizen (foreground)
Central Lake is bigger than Startown, and you estimate around 4000 people make their home here. This rail station is bigger, too; the rail lines are like spokes that branch out to the small coastal towns from this central hub. There are a fair number of people coming and going, and a trio of armed guards ignore the crowd as they fixate a wide screen displaying a Gee-Ball match. A man with a sign that reads "The End is Near!" holds up a filthy credit scanner as you pass by, beseeching you for your spare credits.
A Vargr in work overalls waves at you. You see he's got a old, beat-up gravtruck behind him with an open bed, a kind of floating truck.
"You folks need a lift somewhere? 20Cr, and I'll take you and your crate anywhere in Central." The Palace is around the lake, maybe 2km from the station.
