Headlines, coast to coast, carried the story; programs in progress were interrupted; and the President was given an urgent note in the middle of a speech.
HUGE PANAMA CANAL NUCLEAR DISASTER…TWO NUCLEAR WASTE BARGES COLLIDE…MASSIVE TOXIC SPILL…HUNDREDS DIE, THOUSANDS SICK
——
Snowfeather’s phone rang in her dormitory room at dawn. It was Berker’s harsh voice. “Check the news,” she said.
A moment later, “My God, you were right! How did you know?”
“No time for small talk, dear. You know what to do?”
“Of course,” she said. “This is so big.”
“Yes it is. Bigger than anyone thinks.”
——
“Longworthy, this worked better than either of us expected,” Berker said.
Rex was leaning back in a chair in his office conference room. He smiled and nodded. “More dramatic than the BP Gulf oil plume, much more impact than any eco-disaster to date. This is a coup.”
“The Canal is completely unusable.” Berker said.
“They will be netting radioactive fish from both oceans for twenty years,” Rex said quietly. He was pointing to the television screen at the end of the table. “Look at her!” Snowfeather was standing on a police car, amid a sea of people, holding a microphone.
“Chief Seattle must be weeping because now I learn that a poison more terrible than anything nature can produce is killing the ocean, the cradle of all life, and our leaders still hesitate. How long must we wait, while this poor wounded planet reels from death blow after death blow? We must act. We must take back the streams, the wind, and the mountains. When must we act?”
“NOW!” shouted the crowd.
“Isn’t she great?” Rex said.
“Perfect,” Berker said with satisfaction.
On screen the crowd surged out of control, surrounding the patrol car. “Every day, the natural world shrinks, driven back by the irresponsible forces of urbanization, the unstoppable monster we call technology. When do we rise up and protect our planet?”
“NOW!” the crowd shouted.
Longworthy leaned back in his chair. “How will her father vote?”
“Gabriel Standing Bear? Unfortunately, that is still unclear,” Berker said. “He is in Seattle with Senators McKernon and Smith and their drug-money guy, John Owen. So we suspect he and his little clique will hold out against the Treaty ratification to the very end. But we will have more than two thirds of those fools in the US Senate rounded up after our campaign. I’ll see to that.”
“Good work, Louise. I have just sent the final version of the American addendum to the Earth Restoration Treaty to the White House—it sets up the new governing structure so that the Senate will act on the whole package at once. President Chandler plans a new signing ceremony tomorrow where he formally reaffirms President Baxter’s agreement to the Treaty, and incorporates all the new provisions. The pro-ratification blitz will start immediately.”
Berker nodded.
“Here is your copy,” Rex said, sliding a sheet across the table. “The Technology Licensing Commission will be empowered to override all state and federal law…including by necessary implication, the constitution itself.”
“I’ve been in the US long enough now to appreciate just how brilliant and necessary this step was. It will be a true coup d’état, but delayed until the opposition has been suppressed, intimidated and ultimately…eviscerated. And you will make the perfect High Commissioner for Greater America, Rex.”
“Thank you.”
“I heard you had a little trouble last night,” Rex said. “Will you need any help?”
“We have, ah, disposed of it, but thank you very much.”
“How will this affect Snowfeather?”
“We don’t think she was aware. The boy was questioned very thoroughly before…he disappeared.”
“But she will figure it out eventually, don’t you think?”
“Yes, Rex, but we only need her help for a little more time.”
“I want her in DC as soon as possible,” Rex said. “Have her taken directly to the airport. She’ll be wanted at the White House. We need to keep her in public and preoccupied.”
——
Snowfeather pulled her parka around her shoulders as she was helped from the top of the patrol car. The remaining crowd parted to let her escorts make room for her to pass through. She had looked in vain in the crowd for a sign of Vincent. He had never missed a rally. As she got in the back seat of a car supplied by Mr. Fowler, she pressed against the window.
The Rose Garden for a presidential ceremony? My own limo? A first class seat? Vincent, where are you? See, this was all a good thing. Every good cause has a few nuts, but they can’t be allowed to spoil everything… Can they?
——
In Washington, Snowfeather closed the door of her hotel suite behind her. She looked around the well-appointed room. She tossed her worn garment bag on the bed; then she noticed the blinking message light. It was Berker.
“Snowfeather, you must contact your father and persuade him to let up on his opposition to the Earth Restoration Treaty. It will ruin his career. As his daughter, you need to protect him from himself. Call me immediately!”
Snowfeather cursed out loud. “That crazy bitch!” Furiously she dialed the number Berker had left her. She launched her tirade the second she recognized the voice on the other end. “Louise? I have your message. Is this why you flew me here? You want public appearances? Fine. You want me to lobby sitting US Senators? Fine. But you do not get to exploit my relationship with my father!” Snowfeather lowered her voice. “Talking to Gabriel Standing Bear about a matter he considers a measure of his integrity will not work and I wouldn’t do it if even it did work. Am I clear?” There was a long pause. “Yes, I am tired. No, I won’t change my mind. Do. Not. Ever. Ask. That. Again.”
Click.
It was very late and Snowfeather slept through the night. Early the next morning, she confirmed by phone that Vincent had dropped out of sight. A secretary at Rex Longworthy’s Seattle law firm said Vincent had called about some trip to LA but no one else seemed to have any other information. “Are you calling from DC?” the secretary asked. Snowfeather simply hung up. She would go to Seattle as soon as she was done here.
Vince, I will find you.