attempt to contact me, the deal is off. Can you handle it? Just say no and there’s a thousand queuing up behind you.”
“No, no,” Thang hurried to assure him. “I just wanted to be clear is all.”
“Good,” smiled Bunton. “And as soon as you get back, come here. Do not call ahead, just come,” he said, again holding up the envelope. “And your new life will be waiting.”
“I appreciate this chance,” began Thang. “I don’t…”
“No need to thank me,” interrupted Bunton. “Just get the job done and hurry back. I want the first boatloads on the water within two weeks. OK?”
“OK!” agreed Thang. “Two weeks.”
His mind was racing over the possibility. A million dollars in his hand. He saluted, hefted the satchel and walked towards the door. A noise from the Director caused him to pause short of the exit. He turned.
The Director was holding out a slip of paper. Thang returned and took it, read the words and blanched. His brown features became a sickly green.
“This is where my family lives,” he croaked. “You knew all the time!”
“Of course!” beamed Bunton. “Did you really think I would trust you with a million dollars?” He laughed, then glared. “And if you stuff up, they’ll be out of here and back to Hanoi before you can say ‘brothel’. That’s where they’ll end up, and you know it.”
Thang sobbed in anguish as his eyes filled with tears. “I will not stuff up, Director,” he managed, with as much aplomb as he could muster. “And I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“That’s what I wanted to hear,” smiled Bunton. “You be a good boy and I’ll take care of you.”
He took out a third envelope and held it towards Thang. “And here’s a little something to tide your family over.”
As Thang reached for it, Bunton withdrew the envelope. “I think not, Mr Nguen,” he said, smiling benignly. “I will have this delivered myself. Your family will be assured you are safe. But if you go anywhere near that address before you report back to me, the deal is off and you are out. Understand?”
“Perfectly, Director.” He left, leaving the door ajar, a small gesture of defiance.
“Pathetic little prick,” Bunton mumbled, as he reached for the intercom. Choosing another folder, he pressed the transmit button.
“Send Wong in!”
5. CONCEPTION OF THE CUCKOO
The president waited by the door as Harry Fromm and Magnus Devaurno passed into the Oval Office, closed it, then led the way to the more informal lounge area and motioned for the others to sit. He spent a moment considering Harry before he spoke. Harry was not comfortable. This had the stink of conspiracy. It brought back memories of other conspiracies and where they led. His unease came more from the presence of Devaurno, who gave the slightest of nods. Tanner took the cue and began.
“Harry, I asked you in to gauge your attitude to a very delicate matter we’ve been considering. We have on the table a proposal that is political dynamite. It must remain absolutely confidential. If we take up that proposal, we can solve the environmental problem and our security problems in one move.” He paused and considered, his eyes wandering over Harry’s impassive face. Satisfied, he continued, “If we go that way, we’ll need you aboard to fulfil a key function. However, at this stage, it could place you in an awkward position if it was explained fully before we have your agreement in principle, so first some questions.”
He noted Harry’s nod and sat to face him as he considered how much to reveal. “Harry, what do you really think are the chances the UN will find sufficient consensus to get this proposal up in time?”
Harry wanted to be sure of the limits to the question.
“In time? You mean within five years?”
“Yes. I’m interested in the ability of our competitors to achieve full implementation.”
Devaurno spoke up. “We’re expecting unprecedented international conflict as climate change makes life harder and we’ll all be sucked in eventually as the pressure to relocate pushes billions of people across borders. So we need to manage the process to maintain our military security and our economic strength through this period of adjustment and into the future.”
Tanner nodded in the direction of the Cabinet Room. “I got the impression in there that it was all too hard. Evidence indicates we are already past the point where we could have avoided destructive climate change but most say the timetable is too short. Some are going nuclear while Australia, China and indeed we, are kidding ourselves that coal seam gas is natural and pouring money into clean coal research. Wayne says it’s an oxymoron and you’re not convinced.”
“No, I’m not convinced. It’s like jumping out of the plane before you put on the parachute. The coal industry is still expanding, so if clean coal doesn’t work, we’re even further in the hole. But I don’t really know.”
“What do you think is the biggest obstacle?” asked Devaurno.
“What, to clean coal?”
“No, to the US reaching consensus…supporting this thing.”
“Well, our intransigence in not supporting Kyoto One, then the wishy-washy effort in Amsterdam, then Kyoto Two, then hedging our bets on agreements we did sign gave our industries the wrong signals and reasons to procrastinate.”
Th ey were waiting for more. Harry continued, “As usual, reform was undermined by dumb slogans so there was no real debate. People are confused and frightened so they hang on to the platitudes and cosy up to their gurus for support.” He noted Tanner’s frown but continued as his mind flashed to Felicity’s warning.
“We need decision based on facts, not faith, political, religious or otherwise. To do less is a lack of due diligence at any level and I am afraid the rhetoric so far, particularly from the far right, has been dishonest and divisive.”
Tanner felt the criticism but appreciated the honesty and nodded for Harry to continue. “Nothing personal, Mr President, but you won’t find any less realistic group than some in our own party, particularly the religious Right…and of course much of Islam is too busy destroying itself to have the headspace for climate change.”
Tanner felt an uneasy mixture of anger and a nagging feeling that, despite the earlier epiphany, God was leaving the hard decisions to him.
“But you think China is getting political traction by sponsoring this resolution and we do not have a political answer?”
“No, we don’t, but we need one and soon, if we are to stay relevant in the debate.” He indicated the cabinet room. “Wayne represented scientific consensus but Arino more accurately reflected the electorate.” He turned to Devaurno. “So this needs something dramatic… an earth-shattering event that gets everyone onto the same page.”
Silence followed for a few seconds, then Devaurno replied, “Harry, we agree with you entirely. This problem needs a wake-up call. As you say; ‘an earth shattering event’.”
Thoughts
