7-164: Purpleton – Taxi

In response to Oliver’s atmosphere comment, Dicard says, “the productivity gains that become possible with a fully habitable biosphere should not be under-estimated.  Zargonia, Aden… Russell’s World,” he emphasises Oliver’s birth planet, “there’s a reason those are some of the richest worlds in the Dominion.

“Development on Pristine is ramping up too, I predict it will be upgraded to a Category A Colony in our lifetimes.” 

Everyone boards the passenger area, which consists to two rear- and two forward-facing seats.

A voice says, “where to Vizier?”

To which Nanny responds, “Vizierate Visitor Accommodations, Harmon block.” 

“Yes Ser.”

The cab pulls smoothly away from the rank.

Nanny checks her PDA briefly and then stares out the window.  The car travels out from under the dome of the transit station and into traffic.  The transit station is at the top of the valley near the tower, and the cab travels along an arterial road down into Purpleton proper.

Alan grumbles something under his breath that might be, “Prunetown,” but is otherwise quiet.  Erin looks out the window, apparently interested at the sights.

In contrast to the imposing tower, most buildings in Purpleton are low, sprawling affairs, three storeys seems to be about the highest there is and many have only a single floor.

Some effort seems to have been made to make Purpleton attractive.  The roadways are lined with trees (complex plant lifeforms with elongated, woody stems supporting branches and leaves – Russell’s World has not evolved such complex life forms), they drive past a couple of recreational parks, and most buildings have planters with decorative flowers and shrubs out front.  

The Taxi turns off the arterial and onto a major secondary road, passing through an arched gateway labelled Vizierate Visitor Accommodations.  This is a huge, sprawling complex of different buildings, not much different from the rest of the city they have passed through.  Presently the car pulls up in front of a two-storey arc-shaped concrete building signed as Harmon Block.

Nanny swipes a money card in the Taxi’s slot and they debus.

This is Oliver’s first real outside experience on Zargonia.  Still daylight, the star is approaching its Zenith behind some clouds and it is a cool 8°C with a light breeze blowing.  The air smells slightly of ozone from the traffic and organic fragrances from the nearby decorative garden. 

They are told that snacks are available from the first floor [note, the Dominion uses the American system of floor numbering so the first floor is the ground floor] dining room 3/10 and meals are available at all Break Tasks for two Tasks, and that Harmon Block has no function rooms, but they are available in adjacent Gibbs Block.  They will need their ID tags to access the areas beyond the foyer.