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while – she’d only been head of UNBio for a few hours and the computers didn’t recognize her yet – but eventually she was able to argue her way past the AIs to an actual person.
    “Katherine Dunn speaking.” A sour-looking woman with a hawk-like nose peered out of the screen. “Can I help you?” Tania’s omni identified her as the UNBio Permanent Secretary. She’ll be my second in command.
    “Good afternoon, Katherine,” said Tania, trying to leave her frustration behind. “I’m Tania Black.”
    The woman scrunched her nose. “Am I supposed to know who you are? How did you get this number?”
    “I’m the new UNBio Director,” Tania said through gritted teeth.
    “This is very poor taste, so soon after James’ accident.” Katherine hung up.
    Tania dialed again.
    “Listen…” said Katherine.
    “Check my credentials,” growled Tania. “Khan Tengri appointed me this morning.”
    Katherine looked off screen for a moment, then her expression changed to utter shock. “Oh, my God! I’m so sorry.”
    “No problem,” said Tania. “Listen, I’m on the bad end of a vicious learning curve. Can you please get me the head of simulations?”
    Tania thought she detected a slight hesitation, then Katherine vanished off screen. Half a minute later a ponytailed man appeared. “I’m Gordon Hill,” he said. “I understand that you are the new boss?” Gordon studied her.
    “Tania Black,” said Tania, “at your service.”
    Gordon’s eyes widened. “Tania Black? Cool. I’m a big fan of what you did in Guatemala. What can I do for you, Tania?”
    “I’m at the UN Climate Summit. Apparently James Wong told the Climate Council that the UNBio preserves can survive for five years without funding. And that the global climate will remain stable for five years without more sulfuring. I’m having a hard time believing those numbers.”
    Gordon tensed, expelled a breath. “Those numbers sure didn’t come from my department. But Wong wasn’t one for consulting us scientists.”
    “What’s your opinion?” asked Tania. “Don’t hold back.”
    “The UNBio preserve program is a disaster,” said Gordon. “Maintenance and reconstruction projects have been spotty at best. As for sulfuring – we’ll be lucky to go two years before we have to intervene in the climate again. Five years? That’s delusional.”
    “That helps a lot,” said Tania.
    “Do you mind if I ask what’s going on?” asked Gordon.
    “It’s still security restricted,” said Tania. “Let’s just say there’s a freight train leaving the station in the wrong direction. I’m going to lie on the tracks and hope it stops.”
     
    ***
     
    Tania stepped into the hallway, almost colliding with Molari. “Doctor Black!” He clapped his hands together, grinning. “You live up to your reputation. Two helpings of brains, and none of tact. I think it’s been a long time since someone called President Juarez an idiot to her face.”
    “That surprises me now that I’ve met her,” said Tania. “Besides. I said her suggestion was idiotic. There’s a difference.”
    “Still, your comments confirm everything Khan and I were worried about. I’m having dinner with him. You should join us.”
    They walked together, up two flights of stairs to a lounge overlooking the East River. President Juarez sat at a table in the corner, deep in conversation with Maxine van Buren, an island in a sea of secret service agents. Khan Tengri sat by himself in a booth along the window, backlit by the spotlights of the levee construction cranes, paging through messages on his scroll. He slid over to make room for Tania on the bench seat.
    “Still think I went too far eliminating Wong?” he muttered.
    “No… that fucking bastard.” Tania sputtered. “I don’t get it. Wong wasn’t stupid. He knew that this would destroy the UNBio preserves. What was his motivation?”
    “I can’t speak to Wong’s reasons,” said Tengri. “But you did well today.