Last Gas

From Reach

Buried several hundred meters below the surface, Last Gas has the distinction of being the only permanent settlement actually within the Equatorial Desert.

History

Location

Last Gas is located on the northern end of Baal's Canyon, a 500 kilometer long rocky canyon crossing much of the Equatorial Desert and ending in the southern Tropical Belt. The steep canyon walls provide limited shade, and some protection from sandstorms, creating an effective Twilight Corridor. Baal's canyon is part of the Devil's Trail, and sees significant action during The Trans-Polar. A fifty kilometer underground passage leads one of two surface entrances to the settlement, a heavy blast door in the northern Tropical Belt. The other entrance is a series of 15 heavy, insulated doors leading to out to the mouth of the canyon. Underneath Last Gas one of the planet's most rich Carbon 122 deposit, allowing the colony to produce it's own fuel.

Population

Last Gas has a regular population approximately 100 Carbon miners and refinery workers. For extra money, most of these workers rent out space to travelers needing a place to wait until twilight allows for a crossing. Most of the year, traders from the northern hemisphere frequently visit Last Gas to purchase fuel to export to other colonies. During the The Trans-Polar, another few hundred opportunists move in; Mechanics, arms dealers, and prostitutes from nearby colonies flock to the area, hoping to make some money off the race.