Black Harvest

CHAPTER FIFTY

AEON meant forever.

400 years before, AEON had been born in the political unease of eighteenth century Europe.

AEON had always been about the accumulation of wealth. With wealth came power. With power came control. With control came more power, more wealth and the ability to shape the destiny of nations. With the ability to shape nations came the plan.

The ideology embraced by AEON was the ideology of power. Democracy or Fascism, right or left, it was all the same. Over the centuries AEON had learned how to manipulate them all. Political systems were merely a means to increased wealth and the creation of rigid economic separation between worker units and rulers.

The goal was in sight. The infrastructure to identify, track and contain dissidents, the corruption of government agencies across the world, the control of world finances, all were in place. Demeter and Black Harvest were the opening gambit in the final implementation of the plan.

The council had nine members, held to strict rules of accountability. There were two Americans, one member from the UK, and one each from France, China, Germany, Russia, Brazil and Japan. Meetings were held by teleconference via state of the art encrypted technology. The criterion of success was rigidly applied to each member. Mistakes were not excused and meant expulsion with unpleasant results.

Harold Dansinger was the newest member of the inner circle. He was still on probationary status. He could express his view, but could not vote when decisions were made.

The raid in Texas was a personal disaster. Dansinger needed to reassure the others that things could be brought under control and that exposure was not a remote possibility. He needed to reassure them that he himself was not a liability.

Malcolm Foxworth was the member from England. Foxworth owned a media empire that encircled the globe. Foxworth was the Supreme Leader of AEON, but he preferred the title of Chairman. It was so much more democratic sounding.

Foxworth began. "Harold, help us understand the current situation, why don't you?" Members of the Council were always addressed by their first names. It created an illusion of equality.

"As you know, Malcolm, the stockpile of Demeter was destroyed. The raid was carried out by a black ops unit called Project. It reports to the President only."

Foxworth's face hardened. "We know about the Project. They created a problem for us not long ago."

Dansinger wanted to guide their thoughts away from himself. "The actions of DCI Lodge resulted in their interest and involvement."

There was no visible reaction by Foxworth. Dansinger continued.

"I have restarted production of Demeter in the Utah facility. Stockpiles will be renewed within two months."

He sipped water. The others watched from the screens.

"What about the outbreak in Nebraska?" It was the other American member. "How did this happen? That was not part of the original plan. What do you intend to do?"

"I have not yet discovered how Demeter was released, but I believe the outbreak can work to our advantage. We simply alter the sequencing of the plan. It gives us an opportunity to refine it. We let the virus spread. An antidote will be discovered, offered and applied. The virus will be stopped. Unfortunately, that same antidote will not be effective in the other areas of the world, once we implement infection."

Foxworth said, "Go on."

"Before the virus is contained the US government will be forced to quarantine parts of the country. Martial law will be necessary. The detention centers are empty and ready. It's an election year. Rice will be blamed. It might be an opportunity to remove him, one way or another."

Heads nodded. So far, they were with him.

"What is your exposure?"

"Minimal. There is no evidence of anything. I don't know how the Project found out about Demeter, but Lodge is working on that as we speak. The President cannot act openly without proof. All evidence regarding Demeter was destroyed in the attack on my facility. They cannot prove I have any involvement. Once I introduce the antidote no one would dare confront me."

Foxworth considered Dansinger's words. "Very well. We will take this under further discussion. Harold, you will keep us updated on your progress."

Under the words Dansinger heard a warning.

Dansinger's screen went blank.