GETTING STARTED
1556 4D
The City Buyout Office was cramped, and had no private space. Andrew and Leil sat almost in the street, facing the City agent at a small table, while walkers crowded past them. The usual vines had been cleared from the ceiling of the office, but their root-tendrils left dark-gray marks that traced their former twinings against the white ceiling. The walls bore long sheets of regulations, printed in a script too small to read.
In a bored monotone, the woman recited, “You must have Coll clearance and backing before you apply for buyout. This will guarantee that the City receives back its due for providing you with health and safety and utility services over the duration of your lives here. You must both also have taken the required courses and received certification in land management, ecosystem maintenance, ecosystem impact minimization, plant genetics, plant commensal biochemistry, crop feasibility survey, and the rest of the subjects on this list. Further, the City must certify to the regional government as to your health and ability to work, for all members of your family. In addition, you must provide an initial bond of two thousand in coin.”
“Two thousand?” Andrew was incredulous.
“That is the initial bond, which is refundable once you have successfully completed the buyout process. It is necessary to insure that the work we perform in certification is not uncompensated.” The woman gave them a forced smile.
Leil frowned.
“The amount of the full fee, with all expenses, will depend on the siting of your land and the number of approvals necessary for your successful buyout. It should come to between five and seven thousand coin.”
Andrew sagged, looking at Leil, whose face reflected his own astonishment. Seven thousand! How would they ever amass that much?
“This, of course, does not include the fees for the courses in the list. That will add another fifteen hundred to the total.”
Andrew‘s anger got the better of him. “Are you sure this isn’t just to say that buyouts are not permitted?”
“Not at all,” the woman said smoothly. “We process between ten and fifteen applications every year in this zone. Last year seven were approved.”
“That’s seven families out of many thousands,” Leil protested.
“Exactly. You have had militia training, so you should understand. The City and the regional government take very seriously their charter to protect the environment. It is essential that we insure that anyone who lives on the surface of this world does not damage its precious resources. Do you have any questions?” The woman stood as if to dismiss them.
“Do you have any data we can take with us?” Andrew asked, trying to channel his anger and confusion.
“Certainly.” The woman held out her hand, Andrew gave her his datasheet, and she pressed it to an interface. “Here. This shows you all the requirements. I will be glad to clarify any points. Thank you for coming.” She turned her back and left the outer office, slamming the steel door.
“Thank you,” they both muttered, and turned to go home.
“Thank you for nothing,” Leil said, looking down at the stone street.
