After the Widow leaves, Jerry turns to his companions.
"You heard the woman. Obey the laws, such as they are of this place. Make sure that the crew understands this, too," orders the erstwhile commander of the ship.
"We will take it in turns to leave the ship. Now, I am going to speak with Krrsh and see where we should start looking for his former companions."
"Not on your own, By" Marco protests. "This's no place to go without someone to watch your back. Lemme grab my stuff" With the quick addition of stunner, gloves and helmet he's ready to go.
"You've been here before then?" he asks, "Anything to expect beyond the worst part of town times ten?"
"As far as I know, no one on the crew other then Krrsh has been here. Lets go hit the town!" Byron heads off with his new drinking buddy.
Byron and Marco head to the Bell and Arms. It takes them about half an hour to find. Like so many of Blacksand City's businesses, it is cut into the side of a bluff and reached by a grav lift that works almost like an outdoor elevator. There isn't any visible security at the door and inside the environment is dark. A woman sings something sultry on a small stage, accompanied by a trio of musicians, while small booths occupy much of the room. A huge dark wood bar dominates one whole wall. Two bartenders, one male and one female, serve drinks behind it.
The room is crowded with spacers, dancers, merchants, prostitutes, toughs and more than likely several thieves and cutthroats.
Byron tries to strike up a conversation with a sailor at the bar, only to learn that the man is deaf in that ear and never spoke Anglic to begin with.
Killian pilots his grav-chair down onto the dock.
"I am going to take a look at the medical centre here and see if I can get some replacements for our own medbay."
He heads off towards wherever the medical centre is.
Killian will try to see if there is a community of psi wielders at this station.
Daneel grabs his pistol and sticks with Jerry.
Marco asks around after his free trader contacts while getting buzzed. They'd have to be brave or suicidal to come to Theev... but some are.
Jerry finds Krrsh in the engine room, diligently polishing a fitting on the engine.
"You already know that we have landed in Blacksand City. Where should we start looking for your former comrades?"
Steph contacts the Station Master, and asks for recommendations on where to find entertainment for the crew while on board ship, and where she can find a place to restock their provisions.
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Steph locates quite a bit of information about Blacksand City and its amenities.
[u]UPPER CITY[/u]
The ‘safe’ parts of Blacksand feel like a corporate enclave or a high-quality hotel. Pristine corridors lead to comfortable meeting rooms and entertainment suites where businessmen and diplomats can meet and discuss matters of importance. Everyone in the upper city speaks in circumlocutions, as if embarrassed to admit they are discussing piracy and murder.
There are several areas of interest here.
• The Grand Hotel: Rising like the Sword of Damocles over the city, the Grand Hotel is the biggest and best hotel on Theev. It caters primarily to visitors from the Imperium; there are other hotels owned by the same consortium for pirates and thieves.
• Cliff District: The corporations based in this area specialize in illegal weapons, mercenary forces, banned technologies and other... questionable activities. It’s a one-stop shop for revolutionaries and war criminals. ‘Going off the cliff’ is Blacksand slang for resorting to illegal methods.
• Kallos Shipyards: The front company for the Skull’s shipyards. They supply weapons and ships to pirate gangs, and recycle stolen ships for scrap.
• The Rose Pavilion: An expensive and exclusive restaurant with many private booths for secretive discussions and deals.
• Murghen Consortium: A mercenary group based on Theev; the Murghen Consortium has its own ships and nearly a thousand trained soldiers. It is commanded by Johanna Murghen.
• Asharden Camp: There are people who arrive on Theev without the money to pay the extortionate prices of the Upper City, and without the grit and fighting skills to survive below. The lucky ones end up in the Asharden Camp, a refugee camp on the edge of the upper city. Many of the denizens end up in virtual slavery in the lower city.
[u]LOWER CITY[/u]
The unflagged zones of the Lower City are exceedingly dangerous; they are dark, filthy and crammed with all sorts of depravity. On street level, it is a tangled mess of bars, brothels, flop-houses and cheap entertainments for those on shore leave. Behind the cheap stalls, there are more exotic and expensive pleasures – alien drugs, strange churches, illegal technologies. The Lower City is in a canyon; with a breather mask, you can step outdoors here, as long as you don’t stay outside too long.
There are several places of interest in the Lower City.
• The Scrapheap: A massive junkyard of stolen goods and wrecked ships at the edge of the city. Some people even live in the burnt-out hulks of old ships.
• Brain Dimming: The name is a reference to the old practice of ‘jump dimming’, where the lights on a ship are temporarily lowered to divert power to the jump engines. At Brain Dimming, you can buy any drug you can name, as well as lots more you never heard of, still more you can’t pronounce, and even some you can’t metabolize. The den caters for addicts of all species and tastes.
• Church of the Traveller: This cult has many adherents on Theev, especially in the Lower City. The cult believes that God is travelling the universe incognito in human form, spying on Humaniti in order to judge the species. Some believers practice charity and kindness, in the hopes that one of their beneficiaries will be God in disguise; others believe that serial murder is literally the best way to
find God.
• ‘Tuk’s: One of the better – or at least safer – bars in the city, the owner ‘Tuk is a K’Kree bartender from the far side of the Imperium. Some of the toughest pirates have turned vegetarian after months of eating at ‘Tuks. The bar has only one bouncer – ‘Tuk herself.
• The House Without Questions: A cryptic establishment, the House Without Questions is said to be older than Theev. It is a place of last resort for Travellers. One may go to the House if you have nowhere else to go, and they will take you in, clothe you, feed you and protect you, no questions asked. You may also go to the House and hire them to perform a task. If it is possible, they will quote a price, and if you pay the price, they will somehow accomplish your desired goal – again, no questions asked on either side. In effect, it is halfway between a charity and an assassin’s guild.
• Blood Pit: A bloodsports arena, where sophonts fight to the death against monsters or each other. Gladiators, prisoners fighting alien predators, steel cage matches against killer robots, running gun battles – anything goes in the Blood Pit.
As for provisions, the downport is well-stocked. Any cargo you take on here is certainly stolen and probably illegal in its own right.
Marco, few merchants have Theev as a destination, and those few that do are unknown to you. But at the bar you are approached by a woman, a thirty-something brunette whose hair and clothes have seen better days and who doesn't appear to have had a good meal or a bath in too long.
"Sir," she says, tugging at your elbow as you sit with Byron and a few roguish-looking sailors. "Sir, can you help me? I need to get offworld. I'm stranded here and I've lost everything. I just want to go home, but I'll settle for going anywhere off this planet." Her appearance is threadbare, but her speech and accent indicate an Imperial education.
Jerry finds Krrsh in the engine room, diligently polishing a fitting on the engine.
"You already know that we have landed in Blacksand City. Where should we start looking for your former comrades?"
Krrsh puts down his cleaning tools and regards his captain. "I've given this a lot of thought," he says. "And I see two different ways you could go. One would be to seek out Admiral Darokyn. He's one of the Pirate Lords and Ferrik Redthane used to work for him. He hates Ferrik and has a bounty on his head. He might know something that would help you find Ferrik. Plus, if you're going to be pirates, you need to meet the Admiral."
"The other direction, almost literally, since I'm sure she'll be in the Lower City, is to find Ferrik's lieutenant Miria Silverhand. She's a conniving, evil snake you should never trust. But she'll be looking for some sort of safe harbor for Ferrik, and that means she'll need to ally with one of the pirate gangs. She'll find them in the Lower City. If we're really lucky, they'll string her up by her guts."
Killian, the medical facilities of the Upper City are high quality and well-supplied, if ferociously expensive. A little research on the public net shows you that medical facilities in the Lower City range from "nonexistent" to "sometimes there's a clinic when the doctor's mostly sober and the nurse is off work at her regular job."
After hearing of the suffering of the people in the "Under City", Killian decides to visit...making it a point to visit "The House Without Question" and the "Church of the Traveller".
Jerry continues speaking with Krrsh about the Pirate Lords.
"What is the protocol for meeting with Admiral Darokyn? Does a new captain simply show up at his office? Or, would we need to meet with various underlings before we can see the Admiral?"
Steph heads to 'Tuks' for a drink with the crew. "This place is unexpected. I wonder if we can find our friend's friend here?" She's sitting with her back to the wall watching the deals going on in the bar.
KILLIAN
You’re an old man in a hovering wheelchair, about to enter the worst part of a very dangerous city. Are you going alone? Taking an escort? And how will you find the House Without Questions. Without, you know, questions? :-)
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JERRY
Krrsh shrugs. ”That I don’t know, sir. I don’t think you do contact him directly. Redthane knew people and they knew other people. When he wanted to speak to the Admiral, the Admiral would eventually summon him.”
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BYRON
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STEPH
Tuk’s smells different in a way you can’t quite describe. There’s incense and spices, to be sure, but also something else. An absolutely massive alien blocks your path. Two meters long and two-and-a-half meters tall, it looks like a misshapen centaur from Earth’s mythic past. . This is a K’Kree, several hundred parsecs from home, an expatriate visitor from the Imperium’s most implacable foe, the Two Thousand Worlds of the K’Kree Hegemony. Steph knows that K’Kree are usually violently xenophobic and militantly vegetarian, viewing all meat-eaters as mindless predators to be exterminated.
The K’Kree holds up a hand. Spindly in proportion to the alien’s body, it is nonetheless massive when compared to a human hand and arm. ”Hey, Girlie. Ya na touch blaster, ya be fine, yeah? Ya touch blaster ya na leave dis place, savvy? Me tink ya fast on that blaster, walk all alone into Tuk’s like ya na see dem watchin’, wantin’, eh? Ya sit on that stool and have a drink wit Tuk and ya tell Tuk ‘bout how ya fast, eh?”
The K’kree points to a beat-up old barstool and walks behind the bar, getting a glass and a bottle.
"She's not alone," growls Bull as he and Thumper walk in behind Steph. "She has friends."
Tuk regards the two Marines with a cooler gaze than before. "Friends who can sit dere asses down over dere and waits," the K'Kree rumbles, indicating an empty table. "De lady gwine t'tell Tuk a tale." It (for Steph has no idea if Tuk is male or female) regards Steph steadily. "Go on, now. Ya still fast?"
With most of his companions already in the city, Jerry returns to his stateroom. There, he browses the newsfeed from the planet for any significant news.
After exhausting all the recent gossip and similar news, Jerry looks for offers to purchase and sell cargos and information.
He is an old man...who can knock people out with a thought!!! :-) Or so I hope! He will see if he can "gain" a guide while going through this area...scanning surface thoughts for someone who might be willing to help...for a small donation...and who is not going to try and knife him in the back the first chance he/she gets. If he cannot locate any such person, then he will just go to the church...if that is in a somewhat safer area...or if it is easier for you...he will simply stay on the ship and use his abilities to scan thoughts of various passersby and pass on any information that might be helpful to the captain. Either works for me, though!! :-)
Daneel radios all the crewmembers who are ashore, "Keep your ears open for anything about Miria Silverhand. She's a lieutenant from the raiders we're after and there's a possibility that she's in lower city.
Step takes the indicated seat, and orders whatever passes for whisky in this place.
"You want a story? I'm fast with the blaster, but I'm better with my big gun. Had to leave that on the ship. I don't want to die on this planet you know." She takes a sip and settles in. "I'm got retired with an injury from the Scout Corps. Thought I'd see how being a privateer worked out. So far it's so so. I'm not good at it yet. Too honest I guess." She grins. "Now let me tell you what happened with this pistol the last time I had to use it."
She taps her empty glass, and the begins. "We got some cargo to deliver. Turns out the cargo was really valuable and alive, and we had to keep him that way. As we were escorting him to where the drop off location was, we were ambushed on a bridge. None of my team were close together, and the bad guys took advantage. I dove next to a wall and began shooting. I hit one, and kept fire on a few more. Turns out we were better than they were, and no one died on our side." She sips the new drink. "Had to get off that station quick though. Security wasn't happy with us. I guess that shows me I'm good in a pinch, but finding cargo that fell out of a spaceship to make a profit?" she shrugs, "not so much. What about you? Why are you slinging drinks for a bunch of races you hate?"
BYRON
Byron has a rousing good time, but doesn't learn anything of value.
________________________________________________________________
DANEEL
Daneel spends a quiet evening scraping deposits off the lanthanum filters.
________________________________________________________________
JERRY
Jerry learns that Theev is easily the most heavily-defended port in the Sindal subsector, outgunning both Oghma and Vume. Agricultural trade is prized here, and it is a good place to pick up high-tech items from the Imperium if you’re not too picky about how they got here.
He learns that there is a Provost of Torpol by the name of Shala on Theev looking to hire someone to perform a difficult break-and-enter job on rival water-world Thalassa.
________________________________________________________________
KILLIAN
As Killian’s hoverchair floats down a deserted corridor in the lower town, he is suddenly aware of several nearby minds, just as four characters step out to surround him. Two in front and two in back. In front of you are two men, one bearing a large club and the other a holstered body pistol. Behind you are two women, one bearing a small club, the other a dangerous monoblade.
”What ‘ave we got ‘ere, Sven?” asks the gunman.
”Got a gimp in a chair,” replies the bruiser.
”No Sven. We have a guest. A guest in need of directions and protection. Isn’t that right, Kat?”
”That’s right, lover,” purrs the smaller woman behind you on your right.
The unnamed gunman regards Killian. ”I reckon you need our help right now, sir. Need it real bad." He looks up past you. ”What’s our friendship worth today, Kat?”
”The chair?” she purrs.
”Surely not. Our new friend needs this chair, don’t you?” he says, returning his cold gaze to Killian.
”Our rates are simple. 500 credits a day. Non-negotiable.”
________________________________________________________________
MARCO
How do you respond to the woman trying to get off-planet?
________________________________________________________________
SIETE
What are you doing?
________________________________________________________________
STEPH
”Ah, you done made common mistake,eh? Tuk na’ hate anyone. Well... okay, some people. But Tuk na’ hate humans.” The K’kree taps its temple with a thick forefinger. ”Tuk is crazy. Tuk na’ want to kill meat-eaters. Tuk na’ join big herds. Tuk’s herd is here.” It indicates the inebriated patrons of its bar.
”Now, Tuk na’ stand for no meat-eatin’ in here. You smell like death. But Tuk give you takeema soup and an’ grilled arrinhae and maybe you no go back, eh? Become part dem herd.”
Killian shows no emotion as he speaks to the 4 toughs.
"You are correct that I am looking for a guide through these warrens, but 500 credits might be too much..."
He exercises his psionic skills to try and convince the thugs to take him on for free...with the possibility of pay at a later date.
Telepathy-Telempathy(Routine +2):
While holding down the ship, Jerry delves further into the high-tech items available. They don't have any goods for sale, so this would be strictly a cash sale. If they can afford that ...
Byron stumbles back to the ship generally confident that there is no news to be found on their quarry.
KILLIAN
The gunman looks at Killian strangely. "You know, you're a brave old man. I like you. I'm going to give you our help for only 250 credits. Because I think you -know- things. You help us, we help you, right?"
"What do you know that could help some people like us, old man?"
Killian notices that he waves back his threatening companions, who although confused, obey and lower their weapons, taking half steps back.
_________________________________________________________________________
JERRY
Almost any sort of item you might want is for sale on Theev for the right price. Tech, drugs, slaves, prostitutes, muscle, assassins, information and espionage is all available. What are you looking for?
"I'll take the food. It sounds wonderful. I know how to farm. That's a skill I learned as a young woman before I left planet side. I can't stay for long. I've got other obligations or I'd think about joining your herd. Might be interesting. Speaking of obligations. Heard any good leads on some work for a girl like me? I know you hear all the good stuff." She gives Tuk a wink.
Smiling, Killian continues to speak to the thugs.
"Well, that is a good start. I am a doctor and am willing to use my skills to help those underprivileged or uninsured. I would also like to go to the House without Questions and see if they could use a skilled doctor who is not asking questions, but might like some information as payment for his work."
He lets the information slowly sink into the gang's thoughts, with a little added 'push' if needed with his mental abilities.
Byron stumbles onto the ship and wanders over to Jerry where he reports in, "Sad news Jerry....I am pretty sure our prey has never been here..I asked all over and no one had ever heard of them..." Byron shrugs and then stumbles off to his bunk.
"Well, Byron." replies Jerry as he holds his breath. "Thanks for looking into that."
By this point, Jerry is speaking to Byron's back.
Jerry continues looking through the computer network for someone who can provide "introductions". Ideally, to someone who knows something about their quarry.
Daneel is shaken from his reverie by the sound of Byron stomping back to his bunk. He looks around engineering and sees that nearly every lanthanum filter has been scraped clean. Huh, I must've been at it for hours. He is relieved to note that the roar of a planet full of minds has receded to a dull rumble. The exercises Leonidas taught him - along with the repetitive labor - had done their work. Now that his shield was tuned for this planet, he should be fine going forward.
Daneel flexes his sore hands, and his stomach rumbles. After straightening up, he goes to grab a late night snack, and to see what the others learned planetside.
STEPH
Tuk looks at you. "Tuk don' hear not'ing. Never hears not'ing in 'ere. But Tuk might know where work is, yes. You looking for freelance? Or job for crew? Or you looking for maybe make name for yourself, eh? Get de Captains' attention?"
____________________________________________________________
KILLIAN
"So you're a doctor. That's good. And you're rich enough you don't need to get paid. That's good too. You pay us and we'll get you where you want to go, safe and sound. But, uh, look. I have this cousin with this problem, right? She's... well, she got sick on the job. She's real bad sick and can't work. You think you could take a look at her?"
______________________________________________________________
JERRY
Jerry learns that by tradition and protocol, you do not approach the Captains. You approach you if they're interested. But the only way to run in the same circles is to spend some time (and likely money as well) in the Upper City. The Grand Hotel and the Rose Pavilion both seem like good places to start.
Killian gives the tough a warm smile.
"Of course we can stop and see your cousin. Can you tell me what ails her?"
When the others return, Jerry takes his turn for shore leave. Unlike them, he heads to the upper city. They don't have cargo to sell, but he might find someone who needs a fast courier. Or someone selling "slightly used" equipment that would sell for a good price on Drinax.
Steph smiles "My Captain likes me well enough already. I wouldn't mind a freelance job. What I really need a well paying job for my crew. They get bored if we don't see action, and they haven't seen any for a while. Point me in the right direction?
Byron:
Byron sleeps the sleep of the just (and intoxicated) and doesn’t wake up until the Steward-Bot begins to vacuum his cabin the next morning. His mouth tastes like he drank engine oil.
____________________________________________________
Daneel & Jerry:
Having finished his work, Daneel joins Jerry for some R&R in town. The two head for the Upper City and find themselves in the Grand Hotel. It is very grand for Blacksand City and Daneel thinks it is impressive, but isn’t particularly impressive to Jerry, whose tiny apartment on the Floating Palace held priceless works of art from three sectors.
The two are seated in the lobby bar, talking to a few spacers when A trio of Black Widows burst in and barge through the bar. As bar patrons scramble to get out of the way, they cut a hole in the panoramic window that looks out over the city. Wind howls out of the bar and into the low-pressure of Theev. One of the widows steps through while the other two seal the environmental breach. Outside, the third Widow – showing no signs of discomfort in the thin atmosphere – stands on a narrow ledge, assembles a sniper rifle and shoots someone on the streets far below. Moments later, the two Widows indoor depart, beatific smiles on their faces, and the outside Widow rappels down the side of the building.
As Jerry and Daneel are gaping at this, the bartender taps him on the shoulder. ”Message for you, sir.”
The bartender indicates a tablet on which is written. ”Captain. I should like to invite you to breakfast with me at the Rose Pavilion tomorrow morning. I take my meals at 0630 sharp. Bring whomever you wish. - Darrokyn”
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Killian:
Killian can easily read from the simple minds of his followers that the unnamed leader is called “Jaksin”. Jaksin’s own mind is a little tougher and while Killian could sift through his surface thoughts he knows he’d be noticed doing it.
Jaksin leads Killian to a truly awful scene of human misery. In the old tunnels beneath Blacksand City live the poorest and most hopeless of Theev’s citizenry. Such places are common on most worlds, but Killian is not well traveled and finds it shocking. Families or small gangs live in tunnels. The lucky or strong among them sleep on thin pallets or sleeping bags, but most shiver in the cold and constantly fend off rats. Armed gangs are conspicuous at many junctions and Jaksin leads the team by several small and often completely dark tunnels to avoid the larger gangs. Eventually, he leads them to a small dead end behind a pile of old shipping crates. Killian can hear the coughing before he sees the small, frail woman. She might be in her early twenties, but can’t weigh more than 40 kilograms. She is emaciated, her eyes sunken and her breathing rattles with congestion.
”Sil,” Jaksin breathes. The woman’s eyes open. They are clear, but weak and take a moment to focus on him. ”Hey,” she says, weakly, then coughs.
”Sil, there’s someone here to see you. He’s a doctor, Sil. He can help you.”
”No more meds,” she says. ”No more meds.”
”No, Sil, he’s a real doctor. Like, a doctor doctor.” He looks at Killian. ”Can you fix her?”
Killian doesn’t need to be psionic to know what’s likely to happen here if he can’t help Sil.
____________________________________________________
Steph: Tuk and Steph talk for a moment, but when Tuk learns that her ship is not a cargo hauler, they consider for a moment. ”Dat’s a whole different kind of information, eh? Maybe Tuk can help. Got lead on shipment of ship parts. Maybe good target in a few weeks if you know where to look, neh? Or, maybe Tuk hears about ship. No cargo, but whole ship. No crew, nobody knows where it is, yeah? Or almost nobody. What that worth to you Captain, eh?”
Byron throws a stinky sock at the robot and then forces himself to stand up and dress before staggering out to get something to clean the bad taste out of his mouth and to rehydrate himself.
Steph leans in. "Tell me about this ship? That sounds so interesting. I'll take what you can give me to my Captain to see what he thinks about what we can offer. You got something you're looking for? Always best to take an opening offer to him."
Killian moves his chair closer to the ill woman and he removes his medkit and starts to diagnose the frail girl.
"There, there now. Just lay back and let me run a few quick tests and we will see what is what!"
Medic:
STEPH:
Tuk leans in close. "Tuk done heard of a Far Trader just sittin' on a planet. Don't no one know where she is. Them as knew isn't around to tell now, ya? Me, I figure she worth 50 megacredits, easy. Maybe Tuk remembers for 2, eh? Ya, 2 megacredits."
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KILLIAN:
You note that Sil displays the characteristic red spots of and high fever associated with Denebian Spotted Fever. It is highly infectious and incurable, though it is treatable.
"Well now, this is not so bad. Just need to pop a pill and you'll be as right as rain. In the meantime, I will give you a wide spectrum anti-viral shot to help you feel better until I can locate the medicine. Now just lay back and take it easy."
Killian gives her a shot as well as boosters for most of the common diseases located in this part of space. Once finished he takes Jaksin aside.
"What she has is Denebian Spotted Fever. It can be deadly if untreated, but luckily there is a medicine that will make her better...the downside is she will need to continue to take this pill. It is fairly common and not too expensive, so that should be ok. The problem as I see it, however, is this disease is very contagious. You need to warn anyone near her to take the medicine as well and if it comes back, they will need to continue to take it. Do you understand?"
While he waits to see if the fellow understands what he said, Killian looks up local pharmacies to see if he can get ahold of the drug.
Steph finishes her food and drinks, lays down enough credits for twice that, and stands. "I'll let my Captain know. I'll get back to you on what he says. It's been a pleasure to meet such a fine business person."
She turns and heads back to the ship.
Jerry draws Daneel's attention to the tablet, memorizing the details before returning the device to the bartender, including a couple credits as a tip.
He continues to sip his drink while bantering with the bartender, inquiring about the sites, people and customs on the planet. Eventually, he asks about the Rose Pavilion.
Daneel gets the bartender's attention. "I thought the Law of the Lords was supposed to prevent violence like that." He gestures towards the window. "Are sniper attacks like that tolerated?"
At Jerry's prompt, Daneel examines the tablet and gives a low whistle.
"How'd we draw his attention?"
Killian:
Jaksin’s associates all take several steps back and look at their own skins.
Jaksin’s hands flex and he looks no happier than before. ”I ain’t...look, you still gonna pay for protection. Uh... you get the meds and we’ll call that a week of protection, right?”
The are no public pharmacies in the Lower City, but there are several places that advertise the availability of drugs of all sorts. Killian can see two places in the Upper City that should hopefully have the SuSag drug in supply.
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Daneel and Jerry: The bartender can easily direct you to the Rose Pavilion. It is the finest restaurant in Blacksand City.
To Daneel’s question, he says ”Who d’ya think ordered them to shoot? The Widows work for the Lords. S’why no one here got in their way.”