An elderly man, one Dr Kagami, peered out of his office. The Shuto Expressway ran just outside the window. Behind the seemingly endless string of cars stood a mass of synthetic high rises, and in the background, a smog-filled sky peeked out timidly from behind the buildings that mostly obstructed it.
Dr Kagami stared at the scene and muttered to no one in particular,
"Is this really human progress? Even while people are aware of the bleak future from the coming food crisis, the rise in sea levels due to global warming, and the depletion of oil resources, they continue to put off making a decision. This is neither process nor prosperity. Indeed, mankind is regressing."
Kagami let out an indignant sigh and turned toward the room. "People have forgotten they're part of the earth's environment. The perfect cycle of nature exists now only in this miniature garden."
He directed a loving gaze toward the glass he called a miniature garden. It was an enormous biotope enshrined in the centre of the room. Inside the office of the NPO Blue Ship, at a desk tucked timidly out of the way of the biotope occupying half the room, about ten members of the organization prepared educational leaflets about environmental issues.
An elderly man poked his head out of the private office.
"Dr Kagami, we just received word. It's finished."
Kagami smiled at the news.
"Good, good. Well then, Matoba?
There was a calm smile on Matoba's face.
"Yes, we'll move ahead with our plan tomorrow night."
The members looked up. Their work was over now.
Matoba took a step forward, still smirking at them. His calm eyes, which ruffled at nothing, and the large burn mark on his cheek left a particularly strong impression on those who met the man.
He spoke: "The time has come for all of us who have joined the cause in support of the ideals outlined in Dr Kagami's great work, Alert Status Red: The human species, to take that first step toward restoring the ideal world, the society we all envision. This may be a difficult decision for all of you who have gathered for a common cause. However, at this critical turning point in human history, it's important to be prepared for a certain amount of sacrifice and imperative that a select few lead to masses. You're all chosen members of the cause. You'll change the world."
Matoba had said these words countless times since he joined Blue Ship two years ago. They were words designed to engrain within Kagami's followers the idea that the choice had been theirs, not one forced upon them, that only an enlightened few could choose such lofty ideals. Although such a repeated speech, short on details but long on compliments, was a very rudimentary form of manipulation, the members applauded fervently.
"The day is at hand when the natural balance contained inside this garden will be restored to this world."
Kagami narrowed his eyes as if he saw the future encased in this miniature garden. The biotope, as its size attested, was a symbol of the hard work of the members as well as a space physically encapsulating their ideals. Inside this balanced ecosystem, every organism carries out its role as an integral part of the world.
*****
*****
Upon returning to his office, Matoba locked the door and picked up the phone.
His English was fluent. Laughing intermittently, he proceeded with the negotiation.
"Now, now, I believe you're taking advantage of me. You would be acquiring a revolutionary deterrent, one able to replace the nuclear weapon. I would think four billion dollars is a bargain."
Alone now, Matoba's smile had changed into a cynical sneer. It looked even more twisted by the cheek scar, but no one didn't witness the transformation.
"You drive a hard bargain, General. Perhaps you would have made a better businessman than a military one."
Matoba spun the globe on his meticulously organized desk, as though he already ruled it.
"I see. So you want to see its effects first..."
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