The Carbon Trap (The Carbon Series Book 1)

by Randy Dutton

  Marv arrived, both cautious and excited to see her waiting for him. “How can I assist you, Miss Anna?”

  “Please help me with these bags.” She showed as little emotion as possible.

  “Certainly.” He effortlessly picked up both.

  She followed him down the gangway to the dock and up the pier to her car. Once loaded into her trunk, Anna turned to him.

  “Marv, I need you to take a different position.” She removed her sunglasses and looked him square in the eye.

  “Are you firing me?” His brows furrowed and his jaw dropped. “I—”

  “No, Marv. I’m not firing you. I’m telling you to leave…for your own safety. There are people looking for you, and I’m afraid if they find you, you might never see the light of day again.”

  His eyes narrowed.

  “They’ll torture you and kill you, Marv,” she said.

  His eyes widened in fear.

  “But don’t worry. I have a solution I think you’ll like.” She pulled out a pouch. “In here is a new identity for you and enough euros in a Swiss bank account that you can buy your own boat and live comfortably for the rest of your life.”

  He looked at the account figures in the book she just handed him, blinked in amazement, looked again and then quickly looked at her. “Miss Anna, I could never earn this much in five lifetimes! But what was it that I did that upset people?”

  “Best you not dwell on that. I really don’t know, but I believe Mr. Swanson is angry with you, and may be the one who told Jared to do something about you.” She felt lying would help him avoid Swanson’s web. “I know you and the rest of the crew are good friends. But they may be forced to tell Jared where you are if you tell any of them about your new plans. I’m afraid for you if he finds you.”

  Marv looked around furtively but seemed to accept the situation.

  “Get rid of your car and apartment,” she added. “Make a clean break from family and friends. It must be an entirely new life…Good luck!”

  Anna watched Marv’s quick stride back to the ship to grab his gear. Her stern expression turned soft. A few days ago I would have just eliminated you and been done with it. But today…I feel much better about what I’m doing.

  Relocating her car a few blocks north, she stayed within sight of the Spider. It wasn’t until Marv was off the yacht with his sea bag and driving off in his small Peugeot that she felt a measure of relief.

  Thanks Pete, I owe you…and so does Marv. As for the money, well, Swanson will never notice it missing. What’s five million euros? It’s pocket change to him.

  Chapter 44

  July 8, 1400 hours

  Pacific Current off San Francisco

  The offshore workboat plodded slowly northward. It was 16 kilometers off the California coast and in the middle of the California Current.

  “This is Eric. Activate emission at 32 liters per minute (lpm)…now!”

  A supervisor at a desk in Snath Genetics, noting the GPS coordinates, triggered the phytoplankton cylinder release valve via satellite control. A light green saltwater solution started gushing from the container’s bottom. The water washed across the deck and flowed to the barge scuppers, the holes along the side to allow deck water to flow off and over the side. Eric smiled.

  “Increase to 320 lpm.” The stream turned into a torrent. “Okay, back it down to 130 lpm…Looks good…We’ll turn around in an hour and be back by late afternoon. The full load will be dumped in two hours.”

  To the uninitiated, it would look like sea water that had washed onto deck just returning to the sea. To anyone who might analyze it, it would look harmless, just very light green seawater. To Eric, it looked beautiful.

  Eric stood at the railing and watched the green tinted saltwater mixing behind the barge.

  This new life form will change the world. With this test, the die is cast. There’s no returning the genie to the bottle, now. Even the test spot in San Francisco Bay might have been enough to ascertain the effectiveness of this CO2-devouring phytoplankton, but measuring the results would have required additional time. The ultimate Carbon Trap has been unleashed!

  Eric nodded in satisfaction. These phytoplankton are the best of the best. They can out-compete all others. They can thrive where their native cousins can’t.

  He chuckled. Who would have thought designing a life form that didn’t taste good to their enemies would be key? I feel so proud. These new microbes are voracious consumers of CO2 and when they die, they drift down to the ocean bottom, releasing the very macronutrients their progeny need to thrive.

  Eric plumped out his chest like a very proud papa. “Sven, Eric here. The test went without a hitch. We’re ready for the real deal.”

  Chapter 45

  July 9, 1900 hours

  Dark Energy Computer, Eurécom, France

  Claire hesitated before opening the main door. Breathing in deeply then exhaling, she entered. Returned to Dark Energy Computer, she grabbed a cup of coffee and immediately went into her office. Locking her door, she then leaned back in her chair, closed her eyes, and considered the consequences of what she was about to do. Her breathing was rapid, her anxiety real.

  Once I do this, there’s no turning back. Over the past few days, I’ve conjured up so many questions but came away with so few answers. I was weeks away from attaining unimagined power and wealth, both exciting and terrifying. But what happens if it had succeeded? Could I have borne the consequences of being part of the elitists controlling humanity? I thought I could. Am I that cold? Thought I was. I used to pride myself on my detachment.

  She shook her head. Now I can’t accept that humans really are a plague upon the earth, that they must be reduced and controlled. Am I willing to throw away everything I spent most my life trying to attain? What will I accomplish if I change my path? Will it matter in the larger scheme of things? Do I care about the rest of the world? She breathed in deeply then exhaled. Yeah, maybe more than I realized.

  Her fingers drummed next to the telephone. If I do this, I’ll upset Swanson’s plans to destroy the fossil fuel industry. I’ll be hiding and at risk for the rest of my life. Is this sacrifice worth it? Am I doing this for Pete? Or, for myself?

  She opened her eyes and pulled out Pete’s photo from her purse. She brushed the image with her finger. Pete, you have such an upbeat view of life. I miss you, and yet I hardly know you. Like an angel you deflected me from my path. But are you real, or just an illusion conjured from a pent-up desire to be normal? It’s been two decades since I even thought of myself as normal....

  She glanced toward the ceiling, looking at nothing in particular. Her heart was racing. Am I being tested? Pete, are you my guardian angel or a distraction? Certainly Marv is alive because of you, and I don’t regret that. I’ve never been more confused, and yet, somehow, I’m happier. How is that possible? Have you opened a door for me? With all the barriers I’ve put up, how could I have fallen in love with you? Darling, will you even be there for me in the end?

  She breathed in deeply and sighed. I have sown the wind, and now I shall reap the whirlwind. Here goes 10 years down the drain.

  She picked up her secure telephone and placed a call.

  “Hello. Mr. Peterson, please…. Mr. Peterson? How are you?...I.... Yes, this is she. Did the bulk containers of dried bacterium arrive?...Good.... Look, I need to change the purchase order a little.... I need you to put baker’s yeast into the packets.... Yes, all half million packets.... Because we decided to do a full-scale test first.... Yes, we’re still going to use the dried methylcellulose as the storage compound, and the potato dextrose peptone as the growth medium.... Don’t worry about the bulk bacterium material...It will be replaced...Just put chlorine bleach in it and have it hauled away as hazardous waste.... Yes, I’ll pay the bill, in fact, I’ll electronically pay the full amount today, plus a sizable bonus for your trouble.... No, don’t return the containers to Snath Genetics, just chlorinate them and have them hauled away as scrap.... Ye
s, all your communications are to stay strictly through me. Please keep it that way. Oh, and Mr. Peterson, as part of the test, the packets and shipping documentation must be exactly as I had specified.... Yes...Thank you for your time.... You’re more than welcome for the business.... Yes, I’ll contact you when we’re ready to run this again with the real bacterium....Goodbye.”

  With a mischievous smile, she hung up the telephone. Well, that was an easy start. Of course, there won’t be any next time, and when Swanson finds out, I’ll be a target.

  Picking up the phone, she dialed her anarchist recruiter. “Devon, this is Anna…fine, and you?.... Good.... The anaerobic bacterium will be delivered by the end of July,” she lied. “It will be distributed directly to the list you provided.... Of course the mailings will be surreptitious, who do you think you’re dealing with?... Apology accepted.... Yes, each package comes with instructions on mixing the bacterium with the growth media inside the packet. Just bend in half and the internal packets combine. Insert into the well within 24 hours.... Okay then, good luck.” Click.

  It will take awhile before they realize destroying the globe’s oil and gas wells didn’t quite go as planned. There’s no turning back now, she mused. I spent 10 years getting to this point only to undo much of it in 20 minutes. And I’ve just gotten started.

  She breathed in deeply and slowly exhaled. Suddenly I feel better about myself. Being the ‘good guy’ is actually kind of fun!

  With the decision now resolved, she smiled, her anxiety melting away.

  I feel oddly energized, even excited. Having just sabotaged one of the Snath’s most important projects, she left her office and sought Jillian.

  “Welcome back, Claire.” Jillian was munching a salad in the break room.

  “Good day to you, Jillian. I have....” Claire paused to analyze the overly excited demeanor and change to healthy food. She cocked her head. “Something up?”

  Jillian grinned and put the fork down. “I’m pregnant!” Her wide eyes sought approval.

  “Congratulations!” Claire responded with more sincere enthusiasm than she realized she could muster. “You’ll make a great mother.” With pursed lips she wondered, I don’t even know what that takes.

  “I, um, have a new list of targets for the black hats.” Claire handed over a thumbdrive. “These are your new priorities. Seems these companies and individuals are the top of the pyramid behind global warming. I’ve got everything I need on the carbon companies and the media. You can stop our efforts against them.”

  “Okay, Claire. We’ll take care of it.” Jillian considered her boss’ light mood. “Are you okay? You look distracted...or...” She grinned, her eyebrow lifted, and her voice got more excited. “I recognize that look. Did you meet a guy?”

  “Nothing like that.” Claire’s eyes flashed, her mind wondering, does it really show? “Look, I’m fine. I’ve also got some redirection for the green hats. We’re going to set up a mirror server site to do advance trading ahead of our primary trading.”

  The supervisor knit her brows in doubt.

  Claire added confidently, “Trust me. It’s to deflect investigation of financial transactions that may appear to be manipulated. The mirror site will trade on the information microseconds ahead of the primary site.”

  “Won’t that cause the primary site to start losing money?”

  “That’s the point. We need to divert attention. But we’ll get it in the back end.” Jillian, you’re great at getting such things done, but not so good at Machiavellian tactics. “The money from it will flow into this new set of accounts in the Caymans.” She handed over a list.

  Jillian looked at the list. “Not Switzerland?”

  “No.” Claire shook her head swiftly. “The Swiss have shown themselves too willing to help foreign governments recover assets. When the accounts are set up, I want you to review all the Dark Energy employees’ positions and prepare a contingency for shutting down the operation.”

  Jillian’s eyes widened with alarm.

  “It’s just a precaution,” Claire assured her. “We need to be able to shut down everything with an hour’s notice. And we also need to be able to destroy the servers and computers completely if the time comes. We’ll prep the equipment in the conduit trench boxes and get them ready to deploy if the time comes.”

  “O-k-a-y.”

  “Keep this hush-hush. Handle it yourself.” She put her hand gently on Jillian’s arm. “I see you’re concerned. Don’t worry about the money. We’ll give everyone a big separation bonus when it happens – cash. Nothing traceable. It’s all ready in a locker next to the equipment I brought.”

  Over the next two days, Claire helped employees initiate the financial redirection. No one guessed the real reason for the change.

  Chapter 46

  July 10, 0900 hours

  Universal Power Utility, St. Louis, Missouri

  “Hey guys!” Art caught up to Tom and Pete outside the Universal Power Utility building entrance. He put his hand momentarily on Pete’s shoulder, “Hi Tom, Pete! Have you gotten anything more on Anna Picard, the assassin who tried framing us?”

  “Art.” Tom put his hand on his back to soften the news. “The investigation’s over.”

  “Really? What happened?”

  “Seems Pete went to the woman, and…well Pete”—he turned to his son—“I’m not sure how to explain it. This is your responsibility. Anna implicated Art, he’s owed an answer.”

  Pete nodded slowly. “Art, I spent a couple days with her last week—”

  “You did? Wasn’t that dangerous? I thought the woman was a killer? Was she restrained? Under arrest?” Art’s head was turned to them as they walked.

  “She’s…God, how do I say this…captivating,” Pete said nervously.

  Tom’s eyes rolled up and his head shook at the choice of words.

  “Captivating?” Art stood still, his arms on his hips. “She kills three men in cold blood, and that’s how you describe her?!” He leaned forward facing Tom. “Tom, has your son lost it?! I mean, we could have gone to prison!”

  “Art, my son fell under her spell, and the way he tells it, it was mutual,” Tom said somewhat embarrassed.

  “Look Art,” started Pete. “She literally captured me when I was surveilling her...could have killed me and easily dumped my body in the Med. The woman’s very skilled and intelligent, and now very remorseful for what she did. She revealed some things to me that could get her killed. I trust her.”

  Art gritted his teeth as he faced the former quarterback. “Would you trust her with your life, Pete?!”

  “Yes, I would,” Pete said without hesitation. “Because she didn’t take it when it was easily hers, and, in return, she put her life in my hands. She is not a threat to us anymore. If anything, she’s now an ally.”

  “Tom, I don’t like this!” Art’s eyes flashed. “But I’ll leave it to you to decide what to do.”

  “Art, please, don’t tell anyone her name, or that I met with her,” Pete begged. “I think that would put her and me in danger. She was just a small part of a much bigger conspiracy.”

  “I’ll drop it, unless she does something again,” Art’s tone was angry. “Then everything’s on the table.” Art shifted his steely eyes to Tom. “I’ll see you guys inside!” Art stomped off into the building.

  “Can’t say I feel much differently, Pete,” Tom said testily. “If you weren’t my son, I’d have told you to kiss off. But I also saw an expression on your face when you got home from France...a look I’d never seen before...even with Susie. I hope you know what you’re doing.”

  “So do I, Dad. So do I.”

  “Welcome to St. Louis,” Sam said to the industrialists entering the conference room. After the typical pleasantries, he began the meeting. “Pete, what’s the status of your investigation into the culprit in the Environmental Official’s death?”

  Pete’s eyes rolled. Geez, not again! Pete saw the raised eyebrow of his father, then turn
ed to Sam. “We dropped it. There’s more to the story, which I can’t discuss. But I can tell you that the suspect isn’t a threat to us now. I’m not so sure of the financier, though.”

  Art sat stoically, his arms crossed.

  Tom quickly redirected the conversation. “Pete could you give us an update on the carbon trapping technologies?”

  Pete exhaled in relief. “Sure. As you know, Snath Genetics commercially released their air filtration material. We’re obtaining samples for analysis now. From what I’ve heard, it’s quite cleverly designed. But it’s too early to determine the effect it’ll have.”

  “Is it working?”

  “Quite well, actually, but with a twist,” Pete said.

  “What’s that?”

  “The moss breaks up into microscopic fragments and, depending upon wind, produces a very long particle trails well beyond the industrial sites they’re being deployed. The moss stays airborne for a very long time.”

  “Is that a problem?”

  Pete’s head bobbed. “Every particle continues to grow.”

  “So, it’s proliferating outside the control areas?”

  “Far beyond. I’ve got a very bad feeling about it,” Pete added gravely.

  “What of the biofuels?”

  “They’re not likely to escape human containment, but their unrestricted use adds a human element to its proliferation. As I mentioned a few weeks ago, the drop-in fuel microbes are well-developed, work quickly, and they don’t have the die-off problem earlier genetically modified microbes had.”

  “What die-off problem?”

  “Dying when the fuel levels get too high. It’s like fermentation. The yeast in wine excretes ethyl alcohol, but when the alcohol concentration reaches about 10 percent, the ethanol poisons the yeast unless it’s evaporated out first. “Commercial biofuel developers have tight quality control and require significant capital investment, which translates to better resource management and much less leakage.”