Students of history should note that the dominance of the criminal gangs on Seven Sisters arose primarily as an accident of geography. Seven Sisters is a water world orbiting a large gas giant. With no land masses of any significance, the denizens of that world have adapted to a fully marine existence. Living on and often below the surface of the Grand Ocean, their spacecraft are built for surface and underwater operation, making the entire surface of the planet a potential access point for illicit trade and smuggling. Orbital overwatch is largely useless because of the scale of territory available, along with frequent storms, clouds and mist rising from the turbulent seas. Interference from the gas giant only adds to these challenges. Building slowly and organically, it was only a matter of time that the gangs became the de facto government of their respective areas. They might have descended into civil war with each other were it not for the visionary leadership of one of the most powerful gangs. Recognising the strengths of each gang in areas such as gambling, trafficking, and illicit substances, this leader created the cartel system that still runs today. Each cartel contains several gangs with its own area of activity, recognised and respected by the other cartel members through a system of laws and conventions administered at the centre. In return for this largely peaceful and profitable arrangement, tributes are paid periodically to the Thieves Council in the form of money, goods, and slaves. It was as one of these tributes was being presented that the Lazloi decided to crash the party in their search for a precious artefact. Giving no advance warning whatsoever, the small Lazloi ship landed on a volcanic outcrop near the floating palace. Seated comfortably within its blue armoured hull, we waited for the inevitable fireworks to begin. -- Cyana Bristo, scientist, formerly with the Echolian Science Institute. Modelled and rendered in Cinema 4D R16, with V4 figure with Psyche outfit imported from Poser.