Chapter 51
"You're saying that Valterion is engaging in weather manipulation?"
“That’s exactly what I’m saying.”
It sounded fantastical, and I regarded him with a degree of skepticism.
“Valterion is using a combination of cloud seeding with drones, directed energy, and microwave transmission to enhance weather patterns. We have the proof. Schedules, orbital patterns, revenue projections. All of it. It’s crazy.”
I shared a look with Jack.
“How much revenue?” JD asked.
“A lot,” Ethan said with big eyes. “You want to influence oil prices? Create storms in the Gulf. Want to redevelop land? Create a natural disaster, then scoop up property at distressed prices. Want to influence grocery prices, create a drought in crucial farmland. We’re talking pinpoint accuracy, too.
Don’t believe me? It’s going to snow here by midnight.
Guaranteed. Why? Proof of concept, just to show how powerful their system is. ”
“Show who?”
“Have you considered the military applications for this kind of technology? It could wreak havoc on an enemy territory with plausible deniability. “
“The US signed the Environmental Modification Convention,” I said.
Ethan gave me a flat look. “Do you think that really matters? Weather manipulation is a violation of state law. They’re supposed to report all cloud seeding to NOAA, but they don’t.
Using this technology to manipulate commodities and real estate is wire fraud and a violation of RICO.
Not to mention how they run afoul of environmental regulations.
They are essentially engaging in eco-terrorism.
But when have these people ever given a shit about the law?
I hate to break it to you, but the law only applies to people like you and me.
They play by a whole different set of rules.
You think all their crony friends in government aren’t in on it?
” Ethan scoffed. “They’re riding the gravy train all the way to the bank.
As long as Valterion plays ball with the government, they’ll never face prosecution.
Are you starting to get the picture now? ”
The kid made a good argument.
“And you have proof of all of this?” I said.
“Right here,” he said, pulling a small USB drive from his pocket and brandishing it.
"I’ll talk to the state’s attorney. I'm sure we can work out a deal for immunity.”
Ethan shook his head. "No. Haven't you heard a word I said? You can't stop these people. They're too big. No one will ever go to jail over this. You, me, and everyone else involved will disappear."
I couldn't argue with the kid. He was right. JD and I had experienced the corruption firsthand. Some people were just beyond the law. Beyond prosecution. Beyond justice.
It was about that time when gunshots erupted. A stream of molten copper shattered glass. Bullets whizzed across the wheelhouse. One of them caught Nate in the throat. He clutched at the wound as crimson spurted.
Ethan’s eyes rounded in horror as his uncle fell to the deck.
"Get down!" I shouted.