“I don’t like this. I’m leaving!”
Thomas grabs his shoulder. “Hold on, don’t leave. Just wait a minute.”
Manos grins and holds his head up high. “As you can see, my friends, Bethany Andrews sees nothing wrong with an enemy that attacks our banks and schools. This is not someone who should be at the helm of the world’s largest technology company. It is time for change. Colleagues, we need a new direction.”
Cheers arise and the crowd shouts in unison, “Manos! Manos! Manos!”
He yells above the clamor. “After many years of neglect and complacency, it is time to drain the swamp. Today I introduce a motion for your vote. We must be bold and stand up for our country. We must break free from the shackles of a failed management team and demand change. Today I run to be your CEO!”
Applause bursts just as the large screen flickers and goes dark. Boos echo across the walls. Manos appears confused and turns to see Beth’s face projecting from a video conference.
“Look who finally showed up,” he shrieks.
Beth appears tired with bags under her eyes. “I’ve been listening to GoldRock’s presentation. Do not be tricked by this man!”
The employees grow silent.
A stock chart appears on the screen and Beth continues. “Here is what Manos has done to us. Google’s stock has plunged 25 percent thanks to his Information Tariffs. And we are farther from peace than ever before. You will destroy this company if you select Manos to be CEO. This chart is a preview of what’s to come if the ideology of terror guides us. You must never give in to fear!”
The figure fades and Beth’s face reappears. “I object to the false characterization of my words. I am the victim of a violent kidnapping. The military hijacked my helicopter and forced me to confess against my will. I do not support our enemies, nor have I ever allowed Google’s technology to be stolen or manipulated. I fight on the side of freedom, and anyone who doubts my loyalty is a lying traitor. I do not support China or Russia in any way!”
Thomas whispers to Ben. “I told you she’d be here.”
Ben relaxes. “Thank goodness she’s defending herself.”
“Yeah, our leader is back!”
Manos faces the audience and squirms. “The traitor is among us. She festers like a parasite!”
“Enough of your lies,” Beth roars. “You are killing Google’s culture. People are abandoning our platforms because of you! Young people turn to the dark web for information because they cannot access basic web search. Our rivals laugh at our missteps as their products gain market share. GoldRock will lead us to bankruptcy. Do not be fooled by this madman.”
“You are the fool!” Manos screams. “You’ve made us weak and emboldened the enemy. We must get tough and win the War with tariffs and cyber weapons.”
“You’re mistaken! We destroy our enemies with innovation. America is strong because of our scientists and engineers, who take on challenging projects in search of a brighter future. Risk-taking is how you move the needle. Fear and aggression will destroy the progress we’ve made and take us back to the stone ages.”
Manos raises his fist at the screen. “You’re a coward!”
The hall grows silent.
Beth stares firmly ahead. “Hatred is not a strategy. There is a reason why fascists can’t innovate. My colleagues, you must stop GoldRock from taking us down a road of misery. We have to return to science and technology. Let’s solve the planet’s energy crisis and stop the addiction to fossil fuels. Together we can stop climate change and end the War.”
Manos laughs at her. “The liberal rallying cry! End the War? You’re the one who got us into this mess in the first place. And now you’re spouting about clean power again. You’re out of your mind!”
Camila quietly approaches Thomas. “You have to stop this madness.”
Thomas blanches. “What do you want me to do?”
“I brought a microphone for you.”
Thomas takes it and clips it on his lapel. He takes several deep breaths to calm his shaking hands.
Manos turns to the audience. “My track record speaks for itself. GoldRock is the most profitable firm on Earth because we execute, and we will bring our business acumen here to Google. Do what’s right for your company and select me as your CEO. We will hold a vote now.”
“Don’t be misled,” Beth shouts. “Manos is a snake who will sell you out. He will strip this company bare and reduce our vision to ashes. He has no experience leading a technology corporation. Say no on GoldRock!”
Thomas stands. “This will conclude our keynote address. Thank you, participants. Mr. Kharon, please have a seat and we will continue the meeting.”
Manos spreads his arms, and the crowd applauds. Thomas waits for him to sit back down and approaches the podium. “Before we conclude the meeting, we will review proposals from the staff.”
Words appear on the screen. Thomas turns his head to read the text and his face grows pale. He looks at Ben and Camila and they sit, expressionless.
Chatter erupts through the room.
Thomas hesitates. “…motion 1 is for the selection of a new CEO.”
Horror grips the management team. Ben and Camila dash for the exit. Thomas removes the microphone from his suit and runs off with his colleagues.
The stage is empty.
Manos gestures to his Chief of Staff, who races to the lectern and picks up the mic. “Please remain seated. My name is Seth Wengardt and I will continue the meeting. Please use your polling device and vote now. You have thirty seconds.”
A timer appears on the screen and silence fills the air. Manos waves at the employees as they cast their selection.
“This concludes the session,” Seth says before a green checkmark pops up. “By a vote of 1251-982, Manos Kharon is the CEO of Google. Congratulations, sir.”
The crowd cheers and Manos throws his fists in the air in victory.
21.
AUSTIN ENTERS a skyscraper in Cupertino and takes an elevator down to the second floor. Water drips from the ceiling as he stumbles across a damp hallway en route to Unit 203. The sounds of crashing ocean waves reverberate through the corridor.
He knocks on the door and Anil opens. “Dr. Sanders, welcome to our home. How are you?”
“I have bad news,” Austin says. “I couldn’t discuss it during our call.”
“Please come in.”
Austin steps inside. Water flows from the balcony and forms a pool in the living area. He looks from the window; the sea level is a few feet below the apartment.
Anil gestures. “Dr. Sanders, please meet my wife, Prisha.”
Austin bows his head. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. You’ve made valuable contributions to our project.”
Prisha smiles. “Thank you. My husband speaks very highly of you.”
Anil nervously taps his foot. “Dr. Sanders, what is the news? Is everything okay?”
Austin takes a deep breath. “Beth was ousted.”
Anil gasps. “Dr. Andrews is leaving?”
“It’s a hostile takeover. Apparently, Manos Kharon at GoldRock stole her position at the staff meeting yesterday.”
“Who is Manos?”
“He’s not a good person.”
“What will it mean for us? Will we lose our jobs?”
Austin grows pale. “I don’t know. The future is uncertain.”
The apartment rumbles as a wave crashes and rocks its foundation. An ocean mist permeates the room as water seeps in from the patio.
Anil eyes the pool. “Apologies, Dr. Sanders, just one second.” He throws down a towel and soaks the puddle, then hangs it outside to dry. A seagull perched on the balcony flies away.