Rex found Knight Fowler after dark. The great philanthropist was working alone in his office.
“Congratulations, Rex,” Fowler said, looking up. “Monumental job ahead.”
“Thank you, Knight,” Rex said, sliding onto the couch. After a moment, he said what was on his mind. “That Berker woman greatly worries me.”
“Why?”
“I just had a very disturbing conversation with her in her conference room.”
“Go on,” Fowler spoke softly, keeping his hands neatly folded on the desktop.
“I knew all along, of course, that the G-A-N was a necessary evil. We agreed that a certain…practical action—”
“Terrorism.”
“Was a necessary component of the political effort to speed up the process of acquiring power.”
“It still is useful from time to time.”
“I know that. I know that. But these G-A-N people are dangerous. They are unbalanced. They actually intend genocide.”
“Tell me something I don’t already know, Rex. And, by the way, what did you think we were talking about? One person’s population control is another’s genocide. It’s all just semantics, Rex. Population control is our common goal, is it not?” Rex nodded. “So Berker’s people are in a bit of a rush. They want to help speed things along a little by facilitating the spread of natural pathogens while protecting our friends, of course. You’re not really shocked are you?”
“Our friends, Knight? Or hers? And how do we control people like that? Louise Berker is a monster.”
“Monster? Now, now, Rex.”
“Knight, she threatened me.”
“What did she say to you? ‘Monster’ sounds a bit over-the-top, don’t you think?”
“She implied, clearly implied, that if I didn’t give her my full personal loyalty, she might…” Longworthy’s voice was tight with emotion. “She would withhold medication from my family.” Longworthy was fighting back tears. Embarrassed, he looked down.
Fowler glowered. “She can’t do that, Rex.”
Rex looked up. “They think of the new diseases as a form of germ warfare against the general population.”
“Well?” Fowler smiled. “Isn’t it in a way?” Longworthy shrugged, defeated. “You and I have enjoyed similar discussions over dinner,” Knight continued. “Remember that fundraising lunch with that fool John Owen in L.A.?”
“But for Berker this not just rational policy. It has a sick, cultic connotation. ‘Gaia’s revenge’. She will overplay her hand and get us all in trouble. The woman has no judgment, Knight. And she is after even more power. It’s downright spooky.”
“‘Gaia’s Revenge?’ We’ve heard that rhetoric before. It goes all the way back to that twentieth century book by James Lovelock. Movements thrive on dramatic imagery. You don’t have any evidence they are actually releasing these pathogens into the environment, do you?”
“Not really…”
“Well then. It’s all very natural. After all, the population must be reduced.”
“Don’t forget her threat to me. That was no damned rhetoric, Knight.”
“Perhaps, perhaps not. But I’m still in charge.” Longworthy looked unconvinced. “Yes, Rex, some of them are a bit unbalanced. But you have to admit they are useful. And we will not directly be complicit. Be strong. Use the situation to empower the Commission. Think of ‘Gaia’s Revenge’ as a clumsy metaphor for the restoration of balance, the difficult but necessary adjustment that must inevitably happen.”
“I just don’t want to be a part of a premature population reduction.”
Fowler laughed. “Nor I, Rex, nor I.” Fowler gave Rex a serious look. “Like it or not we are allied with a powerful religious movement of sorts. We don’t always have to agree with their ideology in order to cooperate in the common effort. I certainly don’t.” He paused for effect. “Rex, you and I agree on most everything. You were right to come to me.”
“Then you have thought this whole thing through?”
“Of course, Rex. Of course. Just keep one thing in mind. The G-A N needs us more than we need them. There never will be enough government money for the G-O-D to operate its own shop and fund the entire G-A-N. Are they expecting funding from the U.S. Congress? From the Canadian and South American governments? If they are, they will be disappointed. All appropriations will be for your operations, for the Commission’s formal, out-in-the-open operations, not for the shadow activities of a terror network that officially doesn’t even exist. Berker and her…” Fowler paused trying to find a better word. He smiled. “…coven depend on my money and on whatever covert help the Commission can provide them under your leadership. Trust me. Berker will never stand up to me. To us.” Rex nodded reluctantly. “Don’t let her intimidate you.”
“What should I do, then?”
“Just wait it out. You have an organization to build, and a whole new enforcement arm to staff. As this process matures, the cult activists will be marginalized. Meantime, we don’t need to make waves with them. You and I have signed onto the basic plan, and Berker has too. That is enough for now. Agreed?”
Longworthy mumbled a reply. “Not really.”
“Do you have any operational disagreements with her?”
“None yet.” Rex sighed.
“Then the plan is intact,” Fowler said, smiling. “What are the next steps?”
“We will begin the propaganda campaign and the technology retirement orders in a week or so. In Stage One, the Commission nips away at the most unpopular technological excesses. Nuclear waste transport, some of the more lurid genetic engineering experiments. Our ad campaign will have the media eating out of our hands. We will be heroes. In Stage Two, we move as swiftly as practicable to control the media. Berker has no disagreement with those steps at all.”
“There. You have covered the short and mid-term. It isn’t a real problem is it?” Rex nodded again. “Too much organizational energy is wasted on non-problems. Are you feeling better, now?”
“No. The control of medical technology is a legitimate component of Stage Two, of course. But, it will give the Directorate excessive power. Especially now that I see the rest of Berker’s plans. That little power play with me…” Longworthy shuddered inwardly, letting the thought trail off. After a pause, it was evident that Fowler wasn’t going to bite. “Knight, are you comfortable with the situation? Are you protected? After all, Berker could take you on directly.”
“Oh she might try.” Fowler smiled as if Longworthy had been discussing a pet parrot. “Let her have the silly acronyms. You and I know there is no God.” Fowler stood, smiling at his joke, and walked over to the couch. Rex stood. It was a dismissal. “If Berker even so much as seems to threaten you again, I want you to come to me directly.” They shook hands.
“You know where to find me, Rex.”