Bayam's docks were always bustling. The salty, damp sea breeze carried the smell of fish, mingling with sailors' shouts, vendors' cries, and the whistles of steamships.
Lorne carried a bag of fish and chips, while Lucky poked her head out of his shoulder bag and stared longingly at the food.
"Didn't I already feed you some fresh fish?" Lorne rubbed the orange cat's head.
"Fried fish isn't good for cats." Despite saying that, Lorne still handed Lucky a golden piece of fried fish.
The ticket hall...
After queuing for almost an hour, Lorne finally reached the ticket window.
"Where to?" asked the ticket clerk behind the window without even looking up.
Not nearly as friendly as the staff in Backlund...
"Backlund. I want the earliest departure," Lorne said expressionlessly.
He had performed a divination earlier, and returning to Backlund posed the least risk. The earlier uproar should have died down by now. Secret organizations that could run rampant in the colonies would have to keep quiet in Backlund.
Besides, whether he was applying for patents or setting up factories, Backlund was more suitable than the colonies.
What was more, he owned quite a few shares in arms factories, which were also located around Backlund.
"Third class, six pounds. Second class, fifteen pounds. First class, 40 Pounds."
Even more expensive than tickets in Backlund... These colonies really know how to fleece people.
"Second class." After hesitating for two seconds, Lorne abandoned the idea of treating himself and chose a second-class ticket again.
He counted out fifteen pounds in banknotes and handed them over.
Once he had his ticket, he turned and left the ticket hall. Just as he stepped over the threshold...
Bang!
Someone hurried past and slammed into his shoulder. The man wore a broad-brimmed hat pulled low, leaving only