9-098: Pristine Downport Road

As described previously, the spaceport is constructed on the edge of a plateau adjacent to a geologic basin.  

The road runs across the plateau and then down along a series of gently-curved switchbacks as it descends into the basin for which the settlement is named.  

As the vehicle descends into the basin the outdoor temperature gauge in the cabin shows the temperature rising; it’s almost -5°C when the car reaches the outskirts of Clement Basin.  The road from the Downport runs first through a residential area, the structures tending to cookie-cutter designs of brick and stone with small windows, steep-sloping metal gable roofs and elevated porches along the front. The streets are wide and the gutters are deep.  The centre of town is built on central concentric rings and the buildings seem to come in clumps of small structures joined with covered walkways.  The streets are bordered with snow and slush.  It is moderately busy with a few vehicles and well wrapped pedestrians about.  Around the outer ring on one side a brick-walled compound is signed as the Vizierate Offices.  The wall has its own little sloped roof on top.  At the end of a short driveway is a gatehouse.

The cab pulls to a stop under a small carport, lining up the rear window with the security window; fans are blowing a stream of warm air onto the vehicle and an unexpected blast of warm air comes in as Dicard rolls down his window.

A Warden surveys the inside of the vehicle from inside his security window.  A tag reader extends into the car on a robot arm.

A voice comes through a speaker in the reader, “Tag In please, Vizier and Mers.”