Extinction Level Event (10 page)

In five minutes the team members are back on the road
to their motel, this time with Mike at the driving wheel. It will
be a thirty minute drive back to the motel for the night, and
Laurie and Mark sit back in their seats trying to get some rest. It
has been a long day, but all three know that it isn’t over yet.
They can still work in the van’s makeshift lab in the back, trying
to put some notion behind the events of the past day. Mark opens up
his laptop and states that he’s sending John an update on their
progress. He then sends the same update to the Los Angeles USDA
office. Since it is already past 7:00pm, the traffic on the
roadways has subsided significantly. Mike is only glad that it is
mid-summer, and that there is still plenty of sunlight to see with
on the road. The team makes it to the roadside motel and park in a
peripheral parking place. Mike goes in to get their room keys while
Laurie and Mark enter the cargo compartment lab to start work on
the day’s collected samples.

Mike returns a few minutes later with the keys to the
two rooms. Upon entering the lab compartment he hands one to Laurie
and keeps the other one for himself. “Of course, you get to keep
our keys”, comments Mark jokingly. “What did you expect,
lock-combination that recognizes your fingerprint?” “Nah. Just
hoping for two sets of keys.” “For what, mid-night round to the
local strip-club?” “Ha ha.” “That was a forced laugh.” “No joke”,
says Mark. To move the conversation along, Mike finally gets down
to business. “Anything out of the ordinary on those worms?
Particularly the ones from the Hoffman residence?” “Other than the
fact that they’re all dead as posts, nothing yet”. Mark peers at a
dissected worm through a laboratory microscope. “There are no
relevant traces of toxic elements in the worms’ bodies”, states
Mark. “Also, I don’t see any elements of rot in the worms’ bodies.
So it's not a disease, as far as I can tell. What is toxic to
worms? P-99 is toxic, but that’s because of the soil’s low pH. We
need to run tests on the soil’s solubility and pH levels. If the
soil concentration of P-99 is over 0.4 parts per million, then it
is toxic to worms.” “So you’re saying we might have a lead spill?
You think P-99 is responsible?” “Only if we find significant ppm
levels in the soil.” “I guess that’s a start”, concludes Mike as he
takes grabs one of the sample soil bags.
This will be a long
day
.

New York City, New York, USA

Alitalia Business Class doesn’t compare the most
favorably with better-rated airlines such as Singapore.
Nonetheless, for a mere eight-hour flight from Rome to New York
City it scores much higher points for comfort than the sardine like
arrangements reserved for economy class. Moreover, Alitalia
provides its business class customers with VIP lounges and
preferential security lanes. This helps avoid long queues that can
develop at Rome-Fiumicino during busy travel days. The business
class seat also offers passengers more legroom and plenty of space
for a laptop, which is exactly what Manjak usually entertains
himself with on long-haul flights. While other passengers may take
a nap or listen to music on their headphones, Trip uses the
opportunity to go through reports, documents, and get work done in
general. When the work becomes tedious after many hours, or sleep
is missing from a long day before, a nap would solve the problem,
barring turbulence. The plane also provides a welcome break from
otherwise constant phone calls, as cell phone usage is prohibited
on-board.

As the captain announces the beginning of their
descent to Kennedy International Airport in Queens, New York Manjak
packs up his laptop and stows it in the overhead compartment.
Within two hours Manjak expects to be in the United Nations
Headquarters preparing his work for a meeting with the Secratariat
and his Senior Management Group. The Senior Management Group is the
central policy planning body of the United Nations and one of the
major groups overseeing FAO’s overall strategy and organization.
While some issues can be left to video-conferencing, sometimes it
is better to have the meeting face-to-face, which is the reason why
Manjak has decided to fly to New York. An elderly woman sitting
next to Manjak with whom he had a conversation the first hour of
the flight shifts into an upright position while tightening her
seatbelt. “Good Afternoon, this is the captain, once again”,
announces the in-flight speaker system. “We expect to be arriving
at Kennedy airport within 30-35 minutes. Weather in the area is
clear, slight winds from the northeast and temperature of 29
Celsius. For all passengers with connecting flights, there will be
attendants at the gate ready to help you to your connection.”
Chairs are shifted into the upright position and trays stowed away
after the captain makes the announcement. Fifteen minutes later
Manjak notices the flight attendants go up the aisle checking the
passengers’ seatbelts.

The plane makes an arcing left turn after flying over
Long Island’s north shore. Manjak sees the rows upon rows of
identical suburban houses typical of Nassau county before the
airplane touches down on Kennedy’s runway 22R. After a brief taxi
the plane arrives at the gate allowing Manjak and the rest of the
passengers to disembark. Going through passport control with his
United Nations Laissez-Faire, which allows him to travel to any
country on official United Nations missions, Manjak heads down to
the Terminal 4 baggage claims area. After taking his suitcase he
hails a taxi and soon is traveling across the Long Island
Expressway on his way to the Millennium UN Plaza, his hotel of
choice in New York City. Oftentimes Manjak wonders if he could stay
at his cousins’ house in White Plains, but that would only
complicate the commute to the Headquarters. However, not only does
Manjak find staying at his cousins annoying (which he did once),
but the Millennium UN Plaza is located directly across the street
from the UN headquarters. This makes its location ideal for not
only Manjak, but for a multitude of other UN officials as well.

He checks into the hotel and leaves his suitcase in
his suite. After taking out a few essential living items, notably
the toothbrush and shampoo, he takes out his zip-up folder out of
his smaller second bag and places it on the ornate nightstand next
to the bed. His cell phone rings immediately, reminding him that he
is once again back in the phone-zone.
Honestly, cell phones are
either the worst or the best invention we’ve ever had. With the
possible exception of the internet.
“Trip Manjak, FAO deputy
secretary speaking.” “Trip! This is Bao Feng. I take it your plane
arrived earlier?” “How’d you know? What’s new?”, asks Trip lightly.
“Trip. We have so much to go over before you go to the
Secretary-General. I was wondering if you could get to my office by
7:00pm today?” “Yes, I can definitely do that. I actually just
arrived at the Millennium Plaza, so I’ll see you in a little bit.”
“Thanks Trip. See you soon.” With that the line goes dead. Manjak
already senses that he will have to talk to many of the management
staff beforehand, to get their opinions on various situations,
their recommendations. Then he will have his scheduled appointment
with Secretary-General Albert Hartaagnaan the day after tomorrow.
At that meeting Manjak expects to be presenting FAOs strategic plan
for the next two years. Hopefully he will gain the approval of the
Senior Management, as they have a lot of influence with the
Conference of Member States.

Trip takes his briefcase and takes out his laptop,
placing it on the small desk provided in the hotel room. Replacing
the laptop with documents and files, he closes the briefcase and
heads out of the room for the meeting with Feng Bao, the Executive
Director of the World Food Programme. Manjak had heard of her even
before she received her latest post, but since then they had worked
together on many overlapping problems and crisis. From dealing with
losses of agricultural land in Indonesia to coordinating efforts at
delivering food aid to hurricane victims in Haiti, much of the
field work done by FAO overlaps with missions being done by the
World Food Programme. Feng, a native of China’s Guandong Province,
had risen through the ranks of the United Nations both on
credentials as a reputable leader and her ability to connect
quickly with many of the East Asian leaders, an important trait
when a quarter of the world’s population is concerned.

Exiting the blue glass quadrilateral known as the
Millennium Plaza, Manjak hurries out across FDR Drive to the United
Nations Headquarters building. Gazing at the flags of the 192
member states fluttering in the early evening breeze, Manjak
ponders if the UN could get a better looking building at some point
in the future.
Ha. At some point they are going to realize that
the current building is getting too small, too old, and too ugly
for the purpose it has to serve. Then we’ll get a new building.
Manjak knew that ground had been broken on a new headquarters
building for the UN, but construction on that project had barely
started and it would be years before the new headquarters would be
in any way ready to begin its function. The UN had been expanding
the headquarters complex instead over the years, working to create
larger, greener, and more comfortable office space for the hundreds
of UN employees who work there daily.

After going through the routine security check at the
checkpoint, Trip hurries into the headquarters building and up into
the Secretariat Tower. Slipping into one of the elevators he heads
for the 22
^nd
Floor. Once there, he walks down the length
of the central corridor, which is mostly empty as it is almost
7:20pm, before turning right into Feng’s office. The World Food
Programme office is spacious, with numerous cubicles, terminals,
and offices for the many administrative staff on site. At the end,
behind a glass wall, is Bao’s own office. Feng Bao is the only one
there at the moment. “Bao!”, calls out Trip. Feng Bao looks up from
her monitor and catches Trip’s eye.

Bao is her usual self as Manjak remembers her,
wearing a black executive dress while keeping her long black hair
straight. She is also wearing her trademark black glasses that she
always has on; it is very rare that she would wear contacts. “Trip!
Good to see you again so soon! How are things in Rome? How is the
family?” “Rome is fine. The family is doing well. Isabel and Max
are doing great in school. They’re happy they’re not being forced
to learn Italian; although I have to say that their Italian is
better than mine”. Bao and Trip share a laugh at the joke. “So
what’s so important that you need to talk to me right after I get
off a red-eye flight?” “Right down to business as usual, huh Trip?
It's about the inquiries that you will be facing with the Senior
Managers. You are aware of the many scandals we have been facing
recently, ranging from sexual abuse to fraud and corruption. I want
to tell you that we should not bring these issues up at the
meeting. It is not the right place or time.” Manjak leans back in
slight surprise at her words.
Now I know she’s always looked at
practicality more as more important than finesse point of morality,
but this?
“What do you mean? It is a senior management meeting,
and we should definitely bring these points to the table. Ever
since the Food-for-Oil scandal under Kofi Annan we have been
plagued with criticisms of corruption, all the time. Some of it
true. It is time to start dealing with it.”

“Deal with it? Trip, what you are talking about could
very effectively be your resignation! None of us want that. We have
had some problems, not so much with the World Food Programme so
much as other, more clandestine programs.” “What clandestine
programs?” “The Population Fund, the World Bank, UNESCO, some
others. But you’re not a part of any of those.” “I wasn’t aware of
such loss of integrity in those programs. But you are right, Bao. I
am here to present our strategic plan for FAO. If FAO is drawn into
this so-called web of corruption, however, I will look into this
further.”
I will look into this further regardless
. “I’m not
surprised you know more about this than I do, but it is odd that
you’re telling me now. So, why is it?” “Come on, Trip. We all have
a great deal of respect for you, for all the work you have been
doing. Everyone relating to food and agriculture will testify to
your spirit and ability. I just don’t want to see you fall for
something like this. You would have prevented the Food-for-Oil
scandal from every happening if you were in your position then. All
I will say is this: you can deal with the Secretary-General’s
office. But keep an eye out on his Senior Management group.” “Does
that include you?” “This isn’t a joke, Manjak.”

Trip gets the cue and pauses before responding to
Feng’s last statement. “Very well. Thanks for the update. What is
the schedule tomorrow?” “Well, we will be going over food prices
and commodities. I’ve been working on increasing the International
Emergency Food Reserve to 2 million metric tons. Right now our
commodities are valued at about $679 million. It would be ideal if
our reserves of cereals and non-cereal reserves have a value of
over $1 billion. But that is, as you like to say, wishful
thinking.” “We all have moments of wishful thinking, Bao. I had one
about five minutes ago, remember? The important thing is that you
are still heading in the direction you want to go.” “How true.
Another thing I wanted to ask you- you should stop by our food
finance meeting tomorrow. It starts at 9:00am. You would definitely
do well to be there tomorrow. The Population Fund, Economic and
Social Affairs, and Safety and Security chairs will all be there
for the meeting.” “I’ll be there. I noticed it in the itinerary,
not to mention several e-mails. Anyone else to be there that I
should know about?” “Well, of course there will be representatives
from the World Bank, since it is a financial issue that many
countries will have concerns with. And the Deputy Secretary-General
should be there as well.” “Zihgneg Nahk? I haven’t met him yet,
surprisingly. Maybe I’ll meet him tomorrow. Do you know him well?”
“I haven’t had much time to talk with him as much as I would like.
He seems competent for the most part. Albert is really in charge of
things though; make no mistake”. “I have every confidence in
Albert, provided he dig out the weeds that have grown in his
garden”, replies Trip. “So. I’ll be leaving. How long are you
staying here?” “Only another half an hour. Then I’m out.” “Fine.
Nice talking to you Bao, as always. Have a great evening, see you
tomorrow!” Shaking hands with familiarity, Trip leaves Feng Bao's
office and heads towards the elevators.