Chapter 127. Permit (2/2)
Agriculture comprised of Cloudy Curtain's largest sector. Its stable, temperate climate and unpolluted air allowed for the cultivation of many authentic crops in natural conditions. The huge amount of produce harvested every year kept the upper class of Bentheim fed with natural food.
As Ves calmly sipped his beverage, he kept his ears open. He distinguished multiple conversations, most of them concerning their schoolwork or the latest mech duels. He eventually honed in on a specific conversation between a girl and her boyfriend. He grabbed his cup and walked over to the pair.
”Hello, I couldn't help but overhear your conversation. Are the two of you related to the Pioneers?”
”I'm a committee member of the youth division.” The woman proudly said. ”Don't mind my man here. He's a political illiterate.”
”Hey! Just because I don't pay attention to such nonsense doesn't mean I'm stupid!”
”Shush now, Remon.”
The young woman turned out to be Calsie Doornbos, a law school student. When Ves introduced himself, they looked dumbstruck.
”You're that mech designer who showed up in every broadcast a few months ago!”
It took some time for them to calm down. Once Ves explained his problems and why he sought the woman out, Calsie frowned a bit.
”If there's evidence that Director Balcai is taking his marching orders from the Coalition, then he could be charged for treason. In practice, stuff like that is notoriously difficult to prove. You have to be aware that Freslin's City Council is not in favor of increased industrialisation. They can truthfully say that they are enacting their existing policies.”
”They aren't rejecting my application outright. They are delaying it endlessly.”
”That means that they still have scruples. If they deny you a permit, then they'll be leaving a record that others can use to whack them over the head. You're one of our planet's most prominent new citizens. It doesn't look good for them if they appear to be picking a fight with you.”
Calsie possessed a good awareness of what went on in these circles. Ves wanted to make use of such an astute and knowledgeable person.
”Are you willing to work for me?”
”Excuse me?”
Both Calsie and Remon were stunned that Ves offered the woman a job out of the blue.
”I'm honored, Mr. Larkinson, but I'm not sure it's a good idea. I'm still a student. I still have some years left before I graduate.”
”I'm not looking for a lawyer, not yet at least.” Ves quickly reassured her. ”I'm merely looking for a political advisor or fixer who can help liaise with the local government and the Pioneers on my behalf. It will largely be an informal, part-time job that only requires a couple of hours per week to fulfill.”
”What if there's nothing going on, and everyone else is staying quiet?”
”Staying quiet doesn't mean that I'm safe. I'd like you to receive a weekly report from you that details whatever is going on in Freslin and Orinoco that's relevant to my mech business. Is that something you'd like to do?”
”What's the pay?”
”How about two-thousand credits a month?”
”Deal!”
For the amount of work Calsie expected to do for Ves, the salary completely satisfied her. She already followed the local politics like a junkie. Getting paid to continue her hobby sounded like a great deal.
”Alright. Let's exchange contact details and I'll send you an employment contract later. Right now, I'm kind of in a hurry, so I'd like you to take care of something for me.”
”You want me to handle your stalled permit problem?”
”Right.” Ves nodded. He activated his comm and selected some documents in its storage. He then waved his hand at her, initiating a transfer of files to her own comm. ”Please read them over so you can formulate an approach. Remember, I don't want you to act like a wrecking ball. Just smooth over the problem without sparking a feud.”
”You do know that I'm a known member of the Pioneers. I doubt the Greens and White Doves who are ruling in the City Council will appreciate my presence.”
”They could have left me alone, but they deliberately pushed me away from them. Who else can I turn to?” Ves sighed and crossed his arms. ”Mind you, I'm not joining your camp, but I think there are plenty of ways we can cooperate. One of the reasons why I decided to hire you is because I want to establish a channel with the Pioneers.”
They discussed a bit more of what Ves expected Calsie to do. Everything had to be legal and aboveboard, though Ves did not mind if she used her own connections to get something done.
Once they gained a thorough understanding with each other, Ves left the cafe and returned home to take care of the paperwork. He sent over a contract an hour later, which she quickly signed and sent back. With that done, Ves sat back on his chair and looked at the ceiling.
”Hopefully I picked the right person as my second employee.”
Ves might have been a little hasty hiring a random student off the street, but he did not want this matter to stretch out. If Calsie turned to be all bark and no bite then he'd simply fire her and call Dietrich.