[@Tuxedo Fox]

"Damn right it's a deal." Carson said at once, before Boss could raise the price . "Five caps it is. And don't worry about the District, I just told the Ghoul so that Cade knows I'm heading that way and can vouch for me with whoever Captain Floure is. For now, though, your boat seems like a damned good idea. Lead the way." 

A couple of minutes later Carson spoke again. "So where you from, pal? You're clearly not a local, you're as confused about this damn place and it's ridiculous politics as I am." Which wasn't strictly true. Carson had spent many hours trawling through the External Security Bureau's files on the region. But intelligence gathering was his trade, and getting some facts about the traders and such that frequented the city and it's environs was as good as radio intercepts or scouting missions.