"Williamson,.Michael.Z.-.Freehold" - читать интересную книгу автора (Williamson Michael Z)

"Okay. Here's how it looks. One of our less reputable personnel,
coincidentally from logistics," Maartens said with an ironic smile,
"managed to part out your car for about ten thousand. You have
slightly less than a thousand in cash. The staff threatened me with
mutiny if I charged you for your stay here, which we ordinarily do,
so there's no boarding bill. They also took up a collection of fifteen
hundred. I don't know how you feel about charity, but I advise you
to take it. Our chief of security was extremely impressed by the
courage you displayed and the speed with which you acted. In his
opinion, you probably would have been snatched the next time you
stopped for any purchase. He passed the hat for you himself.
From sources I am not at liberty to discuss, there is a grant of four
thousand available. So, you have roughly sixteen-five in assets.

"Now, there's a Freehold registry commercial transport departing in
three days. It's an Earth crew, but the ship is registered out of
Station Ceileidh in Freehold space because we have less
bureaucracy. The crew doesn't know who you are and might try to
turn you in for the reward if they ID you. We'll get you aboard and
manage the adminwork.

"After that, you are going to pretend to be sick for twelve days.
Your meals will be delivered and you'll stay in your cabin. That's not
too unusual; lots of travelers do that, anyway. We'll also give you
additional cover. Once in Freehold space, you're safe. You'll be
met at Station Ceileidh and transferred insystem.

"Transit fee is fifty thousand. Residency fee for planetside is five
hundred. I believe your best chances are in Jefferson. Local
residency fee there is one hundred. That's fifty thousand, six
hundred total. You need thirty-four-four."

"I don't have it," Kendra said with a grin as a faзade.

"Of course not," Maartens agreed. Her expression was not
discouraging and it was clear she had an idea. She continued, "So
the problem is raising it. Which is no problem at all. Now, let me
explain this before you say anything.

"We have a system known as indenturing, but it's not the historical
system you may be thinking of. A Citizen will be assigned to your
case, and you pay a fee to the government for his service. He will
arrange for you to find employment and a payment will be
deducted from your wages. You are free to change jobs or make
other arrangements for payment. You are responsible for your own
lodging and food, so you are not going to be assuming a spiraling
debt. I'm sure you'll have no trouble locating work in a city like
Jefferson."