The next day, the Import Team arrived. Many villagers turned out to see the impressive show. Six streamlined vehicles, their smooth metal skins glinting in the afternoon sun, came in a glorious caravan. Each was as large as several Burban homes. Eerily, the vehicles floated about a foot off the ground and made very little sound. A type of GEM—Ground-Effect Machine—they were known as skimmers because they were supported by stable cushions of air and skimmed across the ground effortlessly. Skimmers were the workhorses of the early colony settlers, and could travel on water as easily as on land. Since Doom, though, there weren’t many large bodies of water on the planet.
Skimmers were prime examples of Dome tech and appeared in Nampa on exactly one occasion a year—Import time. Just looking at them triggered dreams of luxurious Dome living. Burbans had no vehicles, except for specialized agricultural equipment that didn’t inspire visions of grandeur.
The line of skimmers snaked into Nampa Square, a large meeting spot in the center of the village. Every Burb had a square, though the reason for the name was long lost—the “squares” were circular gathering places. Once in the Square, the caravan coiled around to fit the space, making a huge circle with a presentation area in the center. The Hart family had a good view. They’d gotten there early to sit in the space reserved for families with children who were eligible: sixteen-year-olds for the Growing the Future and Defenders programs, twelve-year-olds as Menials.
The Harts watched the skimmers settle gently to the ground, raising small clouds of dust. Immediately, the outer walls of the vehicles began displaying images of the Dome, from every angle, even from above, which made many gasp as people appeared as tiny as blades of grass. The audience applauded. There was a festive atmosphere. No work would be accomplished that day; it was as close to a holiday as the Burbans experienced.
Doors opened on the sides of the skimmers facing the inner circle, and Domers streamed out to set up tables. The Burbans waited politely but with growing anticipation. Anna could feel the waves of excitement, flowing at her from all directions. Finally, a chime sounded and they moved inward. The tables held samples of the bounty of the Dome: candy, fruit, and toys for the children; useful household or farming items for their parents; shoes and fabrics for the taking; a limited supply of raysuits. It was all free—no bartering required. No one in the crowd of Burbans took too many items, even the children. They knew that the entire population of Nampa didn’t fit in the Square at one time. Others would be coming after them, and it was only fair that the tables have plenty of free offerings left for the latecomers.
After sunset, the Burbans returned for another tradition. The tables in the square were gone, replaced by a stage with brilliant lighting. Outdoor lighting, a tremendous show of energy use for mere entertainment! Giant fans circulated the air and turned the hot stillness into refreshing breezes. Music blared from speakers and young and old danced.
Anna consented to dancing with Wiary, even slow dances when she felt there was barely enough space between them to breathe. Logan and Beth were so glued together that they must have been sharing breaths. Anna found Wiary’s focused attention and emotions uncomfortable—he was much further along in their “relationship” than she was.
Young children danced at their feet, arms and legs akimbo, making no attempt to follow the rhythm of the music but having a grand time. Older couples embraced and shuffled their feet, eyes closed in satisfaction, the wife resting her head against her beloved’s shoulder.
When the music stopped, everyone grew respectfully silent. The Dome Admin—the highest-ranking official in Seever Dome—took the stage and thanked them for their year-round support. The emotion subtly leaking from the woman seemed at odds with her words, so Anna made an effort to turn off her empathy and let herself be dazzled by the spectacle. The Admin was tall, lithe, so pale it was clear that the sun rarely touched her skin, and wearing a gown that brought oohs and aahs from the women in the audience. The gown seemed translucent, yet no part of her body showed immodestly, and it sparkled under the stage lights with the effect of the brilliant night sky focusing its radiance on one individual.