The Solution (2nd Edition)

Xen

With a gesture of my palm, I turned and urged my associates to take their seats behind me. As they did, I knew the media audience would recognize them straight away, or unknowingly deliberate. However, when I locked onto Chon down below, I knew he'd instantly know who all four were. I also knew their professions would be his first clue on The Solution's secrets... But before I began, I chose to expose my shame, and be publicly forthcoming. "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Frankfurt Convention Center. Now, although my first statement is not climate-related, I would like to take this time to publicly apologize. To my mother, Laina Lai, back home in Běijīng - I am sorry. And to my brother, Chon Lai, among you here today - I am sorry, furthermore." His movement was only slight, but I did notice Chon had slumped in his chair. Nonetheless, I continued. "Despite my dishonorable actions, they have stuck by me throughout my ignominy. More importantly, I plan to start the restoration of our honor; my father's honor; today..." I cleared my throat, then felt something thick churn in my stomach... "Moving on," I rasped, "to all the national media teams here, thank you again for another inadvertent opportunity to discuss The Agenda of Concern. Ahead of tomorrow, I have a clear message. Regarding climate destabilization, 'It is not too late'. However, future negotiations will need to discard pointless talk, which has always prevented real progress. Regarding the daunting challenges ahead of us...our actions will need to embrace immediate innovation - innovation which at first, might not seem technically possible, or financially viable... In order to pioneer such innovation, our actions will need a much grander political will than ever before, because, we are still in a race against time. Every delay will require greater future effort or will mean greater future harm. And, these are the types of valued principles we'll be conveying at tomorrow's summit.

    "At this time, I would like to introduce my associates who will all be involved..." While my rehearsed words flowed out, I looked at the BTV Trio below.

    Mikey was on the edge of his seat.

    Sarah seemed unable to shift an unhappy expression.

    And Chon just looked up at me, likely confused.

    I went on to elaborate. "My first associate is Ling Xiodau. She's an Alumna of Switzerland's Oeschger Center, and the protégé and successor of my mother's retired climate research. But more significantly, she's the pioneer of the Sakhalin Project, where her team constantly use bio-holodomes to monitor humanity's resilience in hostile environments...

Sakhalin Biodome Project

    "My second associate is Stephen Wu," I added. And I did so, despite murmurs from the crowd, and stern pouts from Albers. "Truly a planetary asset, Stephen is the triumphant designer, architect, and innovator of the UN's new international space station, UNity. More significantly, I am thankful he's now moved onto the stage of international politics, where his genius and expertise will help to purvey my vision...

UNity

    "Lastly, these two gentlemen are the Jong Brothers - Ji-Hye, and Ji-Eun," I explained. "They are the Taiwanese Proprietors of the Meiser Group, responsible for the construction of the world's most-recent, tallest, and innovative buildings..."

    As I paused for breath, I ogled Chon again, and knew we were on our way. As his eyes pin-balled around the Convention Center's rafters, I knew he was brainstorming my initiative, my solution for the world.