Cyrill Delvin - The Gaza Project

»We’d have to develop a completely self-sufficient biotope which would also have to be extremely adaptable. A kind of primeval water purification soup.«

For a while it remained quiet through the two sets of earphones.

»At least ›Phoenix‹ showed an average ten percent improvement over the last two years,« Françoise resumed. »That in itself is already a positive result – with the corresponding economic implications.«

»True, but I can only see the limitations. After all, we want to cause a revolution even the industrial nations can no longer ignore.«

»Perhaps we do seriously have to consider a second line of research?«

»I’m certain that we do. I will broach the subject next week with Charles and Thomson at the MIT.«

The Malta III was now visible in the distance, calmly anchored in the blue ocean. Behind it, the coastline of the Levant was getting closer. In the gentle glow of the morning sun it appeared brown and mellow. Hard to believe that it was home to one of the most prolonged and bitter conflicts on the planet. Approximately three nautical miles closer to the coast, the vessels Polaris VII, Stella II and Southern Cross I were harboured – the IWAC’s supply fleet.

»Welcome on board,« Ted yelled at them through the subsiding roar of the rotor blades. »Did you have a pleasant flight?«

Françoise and Cheng unanimously said: »Yes,« and winked at each other.

»Coffee’s ready,« Ted stated and led them to the conference room on the upper deck. In the past, the Malta had been a medium-size cruise ship. Thanks to Charles‘ excellent contacts to the industry and the US Navy it had been easy to acquire and modify the pleasure ship for his purposes.

On the inside everything was kept in a light grey complemented with emerald green, the colours of the IWAC, the International Water Consortium’s logo. It depicted two dolphins jumping across each other over a wave, both carrying a phoenix feather in their mouths.

Ted’s assistant welcomed them in the conference room. After everyone had been served coffee brewed in the Greek fashion, the IWAC’s operations manager started the meeting.

»Although progress with the pilot plant in Cyprus is encouraging, the obstacles in combining conventional desalination techniques with biotechnical components are greater than we envisaged. So far this hasn’t affected our schedule, but sooner or later it may prove to be the Achilles heel of our entire plan. We will have to reconsider already discarded alternative approaches. But that isn’t the reason for our convening here today,« Françoise concluded with an inviting glance towards Ted.

»Yes, um – we are not experiencing any difficulties. Everything’s going according to schedule.«

Ted expectantly looked into the assembly.

»Granted, various radical splinter groups don’t seem exactly ecstatic. I mean, we’ve already been feeding the poorest of the poor for two years, provide medicines and try to keep the refugee camps more or less in order. But the Pistoleros aren’t exactly stupid. Even though they can’t assign us to the Israelis or the do-gooders, they have noticed that we have infiltrated their people more than they like. Especially that we’re providing employment doesn’t sit too well with them.«

»And understandably so,« Françoise interjected, »it’s a sore spot.«

»Exactly. Fewer and fewer Palestinians are running to the wall to look for work on the other side. Even if our unskilled labourers can’t earn more than the minimum to survive, it still seems to motivate quite a few of them. That’s the positive aspect.«

»And the not so positive one?«

»If we can believe our informants, it won’t be long before the extremists will also monitor our activities. We can only guess what happens then. They‘re presumably assured additional support from certain traders; the smuggling business with Egypt is rapidly decreasing.«

»What do you think we should do?«

»We could reimburse them for part of their losses.«

»Okay.«

»Okay? We’re talking about several million.«

»Not so okay, but still alright.« Françoise’s expression didn’t change as she casually took some notes.

»Two years on, we are providing roughly thirty percent of all the Palestinians on the Gaza Strip with food, clothing and medical supplies,“ Ted continued. »Foremost in the refugee camps, of course. We employ about five percent of the population in local distribution and logistics.«

»That’s a remarkable achievement,“ Cheng commented.

»Yes, we have indeed been quite successful. All the other aid agencies are tearing their hair out – their whole business is collapsing.«

»Do we have to implement precautionary measures?“

»Thirty percent supply of provisions, five percent employment and growing -we’re hoping to have undermined the radical groups and the Ḥamās to the extent that their support among the population for radical action against us has already considerably dwindled. Besides, they still can’t place us politically.«

»Ted, Master of the unobtrusive marketing approach.“

»It’s all very well for you,“ Ted said.

»Please, Ted, I’m serious. You’re doing a great job. I know how difficult it is to keep our involvement hidden. And I’m convinced that we’ve less to fear than the extremists would like. Charles told me yesterday that he discussed the most recent demands regarding the numbers of people crossing the border with Eizenburg and Šarīf. They agreed to keep falsifying the actual figures. Turning away from the Israeli employers doesn’t have to be made public yet. Apparently Eizenburg is still committed and he’s compensating for the dwindling numbers with Palestinians from the West Bank. On the other side, Šarīf hasn’t achieved anything so far. Fataḥ and Ḥamās haven’t made any progress towards reconciliation, officially or unofficially.«

»That may not be such a bad thing,« Ted commented. »As long as there are no changes within Ḥamās, we are in a better position to assess our most radical opponents.«

»Let’s just hope that the smouldering conflict doesn’t erupt again like the last time the Israelis invaded the Gaza Strip.«

During a break in the meeting, Françoise and Ted went on deck for some fresh air. They stood beside each other, leaning at the railing and looking over to the mainland. Ted was about to light a cigarette when Françoise nudged him: »Do you see that? I think there’s someone in the dinghy.«

And indeed she was right. But from the distance they couldn’t see who it was. Immediately after, two men appeared and heaved a lifeless body onto the gangway at the stern. Then they took him inside the ship. »I hope our colleague is alright,« Ted observed between two hasty puffs on his cigarette. »I’ll deal with it after the meeting.«

Back in the conference room Françoise resumed: »Let’s talk about training. We’ve decided to bring our initiatives forward.«

»When? And who is we?« Ted asked in amazement.

»Charles and I.«

»Sure. You don’t need an executive board. Or a chief of operations on site for that matter– «

»Ted– «

»What do you think you are– «

»Ted, please, we– «

»I’m working my butt off while you just make decisions without consulting anyone. What do you actually need me for…?« He banged his fist on the table.

»Nobody is trying to ignore you,« Françoise replied firmly, »I more than appreciate your work. Really! And if you tell me that we’re not yet ready for the initiative, we’ll postpone it. But please listen to the plan first.«

The two of them stared at each other without a word until Ted relented: »Okay.«

»To train the skilled workforce, it will take two years at our pilot plant. We’ll co-operate with the University College of Allied Sciences in Gaza. That means we don’t have to bring in all the trained technicians from abroad for the first phase. If that’s okay and we get the approval, we can start the first courses in two months. We’ll recruit suitable students foremost from among the already hired personnel.«