The Leaves in Winter Read Free

microbes. They said it themselves – it’s adaptable.”
    “That doesn’t mean we can forgo testing.”
    “Testing, yes – but it would be overkill to conduct an exhaustive exercise to prove what the U.S. Army and Navy have apparently already confirmed.”
    Tamasu feigned levity. “Overkill is an interesting choice of words, especially since the reason for testing is to make sure we kill no one.”
    No one laughed. Heinrich’s silence confirmed the point.
    Satisfied with the evidence, Mass plucked his reading glasses from his face and tucked them away. “The design is elegant, practical, and we have top geneticists making sure it’s foolproof. If anything, I would think we’d be using this time to finalize our plans for the 2nd Protocol. The 1st one should be old business by now.”
    Tamasu leaned forward. “There was no consensus about the 2nd Protocol.”
    “Precisely,” snapped Mass. “That’s why we need to discuss it. We need to finish debate, make a decision, and implement 2nd Protocol as soon as possible. We may not yet agree if additional protocols are necessary, but we must move forward.”
    Labon baited his older rival. “Maybe we should take this one step at a time. We’re still months away from releasing anything. First we need to prove what we’re doing with 1st Protocol will delay fertility.”
    “And what would be proof for you? Waiting a whole generation to find out if we succeeded? You don’t seriously expect us to sit around, doing nothing else but meeting like this for ten or twelve years, waiting to see if the 1st Protocol turned out as planned?”
    “We’re talking about global impact – prudence is non-negotiable.”
    “Don’t be ridiculous. That’s short-sighted and everyone here knows it. If we wait a generation it could be too late to do anything. Look around! We do this to avoid a crisis of global impact. We can’t remain indecisive, straddling the world’s tipping point forever.”
    “You were correct to call for action in phases. But each one takes time.”
    Mass’ temper flared. “At this rate, none of us will live long enough to see our plans come to fruition. And if we don’t do it, who will? Already we’ve wasted twenty years trying to move people to action without the full strength of conviction behind our efforts. Even our successes barely scratch the surface of what needs to be done.”
    “You don’t have to remind us how important this is…”
    “But you have no sense of urgency.”
    Labon stiffened. “Wrong – our urgency is not careless.”
    Mass stood. “Is that what this is about? Placate the careless one with something that takes a generation to implement?”
    “We didn’t pick delayed fertility as the 1st Protocol – you did.”
    “Correct. And it’s called the 1st Protocol because it’s meant to be the first in a series of stages – stages that I now see you have neither the will nor the foresight to implement in a timely fashion.”
    “Accuracy in what we do is just as important as speed.”
    Mass’ frustration boiled over. “I don’t see why we’re having this discussion. We already agreed in principle that the 1st Protocol was needed.” Mass pointed at the TV screen. “Why else did we go to the trouble of establishing the alibi if we weren’t willing to take action?”
    “Of course we agreed. But that doesn’t mean we’ve got every critical detail locked down.” Labon sat back down. “Let’s take our time and do it right.”
    Mass headed across the room.
    “Where are you going?” asked Tamasu.
    Mass composed himself as he stopped briefly at the open door. “Goodbye gentlemen. It’s time to see what can be done without Group meetings.”
    The conference room filled with discussion. Some members stood in shock. One member ran after Mass.
    Tamasu approached Labon, “No one’s ever left The Group before.”
    “Let him go.” Labon now saw the way it had to be. Mass would be held at arm’s length. It was a liberating