2032. Andrew Jennings
patchy. On the ridge tops it is brilliant. But it is not possible to get deep penetration into the valleys. The vegetation prevents the drones getting down. We don't have enough drones to fly missions into every deep gully."
"So, in theory it is penetrable.“
"You need to spend time there. It's impossible. The tracks, the roads are all along the ridges. Get stuck in the undergrowth and you will die in there."
"Any signs of them?"
"We pick up lots of exploratory flights."
"How do you sight them?" Noah asked.
Alex warmed to the task.
"The satellite tags the drones as soon as they launch. We then project and follow using the ground stations."
"So if they wanted to be not detected?"
"Only really possible for the smaller drones. They can carry one on the back, launch it deep in a gully. We won't track it unless it gets within range of the ground posts. However I expect they have already have a map."
"So they will proceed on foot."
"Yes."
It was interesting how things came down to the individual level, the low technology. No way to defeat technology with more tech. You had to think outside that space. Noah pictured them on the tracks east of Albury. Keeping under cover, walking their way across the Great Dividing Range. The balance was set by that which could be hidden, that which didn't rely on technology.
Landlords
Jacinta was from Ruby’s office. Only just met Noah and Jack, so proceeding cautiously. In a sense Noah and Jack were further up the power totem pole than Jacinta, but being from Ruby’s office she carried the mantel. Also Noah and Jack had a bit of a reputation, and they didn’t want to become known as the government’s bad boys.
“Meeting with the landlords.” Jacinta said. She was about twenty five. Very neatly dressed. Suit. Power dressing type thing.
“What, all of them?” Noah asked
“Of course not. A hall full. They will be on edge. They supported the previous government very strongly. There are precious few young landlords.” She continued.
“Some though.”
“Three percent. City wide.”
“We do the meet and greet. Do not fear your new rulers. All will be well. Don’t believe what you’ve heard about us. We really are not socialists.”
She grinned. “That would would be good, but that’s not all of it. You remember the policy.”
“Changing the balance.”
He should have paid more attention. Jack interjected.
“Stability. Once a renter has successfully completed a six month contract, only they have the option to terminate the contract. If the landlord wants to terminate, they have to find an equivalent rental for the tenant. European style.”
Jacinta grinned more widely. Impressed.
“Exactly. It’s an inversion. Along with the massive expansion in supply of rental properties. You remember the discussion on bringing rents down by at least 50%?”
Noah leaned back in his chair.
“They are going to be very unhappy. How do we calm them down?”
“Welcome to the new world. Learn to love your new rulers or get a canoe and paddle in the direction of the United States.”
They all laughed, and Noah and Jack were dismissed. Out on the street they were both quiet. Thinking it through as they headed in the direction of the meeting.
“We could just detain the lot of them as enemies of the state. Seize the properties and rent them out ourselves.” Noah said. Jack frowned.
“Yes, we could. Of course we could. A real incentive for new landlords to enter the system. Before you know it we are running every rental in the city. Nobody volunteers a property. We are running everything.”
“Why not?”
“Because we have better things to do with our time. You really want to go that way? One big housing office that runs everything?”
As if to focus their attention, they passed a homeless camp just next to the station at the corner of Collins Street and Swanston. In the shadow of a wall there were about ten campers. A loose pile of clothing, bedding. One or two of them recognised them.
“Way to go, Noah.” An old guy who had quite obviously been sleeping rough shouted out to him. Noah and Jack exchanged glances.
“Where is it?” he asked
“Northcote Town Hall.”
“The 86?”
“Yes.”
“World’s slowest tram ride.”
“The very same.”
“Have you checked? That it really is the world’s slowest tram ride?”
“No.”
“There is probably a really snaky route in Hiroshima that beats it.”
“No doubt.”
Noah checked in with Ruby’s office.
“We right to go?”
A quiet female voice, one of the many in her office replied.
“It’s looking clear at the moment. You will be met at the hall. You will need the codes.”
“Is this really necessary?”
“I’ll hand you over to Ruby for the lecture if you like.”
“No thanks.”
The tram turned sharp right at Gertrude St. Seeming to jump out of the tracks. But it always did that. True to the title claim their tram was held up by a series of traffic lights all the way down Smith Street. This was inner city central. Very New York like, with the expensive real estate on the left and the housing commission on the right. As if the very rich and the very poor had a preference for co-location.
Noah turned to the task at hand.
“Persuade the landlords. That’s the mission.”
Jack smiled.
“Yes. We are all in it together. One big happy family.”
“I would rather be shooting predatory capitalists at the border.”
“Maybe you would. But your skill profile says you are quite good at talking and actually quite poor at shooting.”
It went silent as the tram sat at Alexander Parade. Watching the car convoys speed east. This was the beginning of the autonomous zone. Cars locked onto a convoy in front, and the drivers became passengers. They could quietly snooze until they got closer to home.
“Homeward bound.” He said.
“A bungalow in Templestowe awaits you.”
“Yes. Well, no, actually.”
“No.”
Neither of them would ever have considered the quiet suburban life. Now that it was clearly out of reach though, in a weird way it looked attractive. How was that?
“What’s the pitch again?” Noah asked
“We are re-making the industry. In a new and caring way. Your future is secure.”
“Yeah, right.”
“You looked at the analysis?”
“No.”
“You should have. They are worried that we are crazy socialists. Intent on taking ownership of their properties