The route office proposed to pay the cooperative only for days spent on the Sill.
Dessa read the clause aloud, then turned the page over as if a more reasonable sentence might be printed on the back. Jem took the paper and examined it himself. Neri stood beside the window, looking down into the lane where a delivery crew was unloading timber.
“They want us to travel for free,” Jem said.
“They call it mobilization,” Dessa replied. “Apparently that makes it happen without food.”
Iven had brought the cooperative a copy of the latest ridge sketch and arrived in time to hear the clause. He stayed near the door while the three partners discussed it. Their contract was not his to negotiate, even if his own plans depended on the survey.
Neri took the paper from Jem. “The travel days are work. We carry their instruments, follow their schedule and can’t take other jobs while we’re away. If weather stops us, that’s still time committed.”
“The office says they can’t pay an open-ended delay,” Dessa said.
“They shouldn’t have to. We can agree on a daily rate and a maximum wait at each transfer point. After that, either side can end the trip or agree to extend it.”
