Chapter1 Summary
Anthony “Tony” Russell begins his day speeding westward on Interstate 64 towardRichmond International Airport. A former military pilot turned successful techentrepreneur, Tony made his fortune by licensing advanced AI algorithms thatcould sift through massive data stores for hidden patterns. Rather than retirein luxury, he has devoted his wealth to environmental activism, particularlythrough his organization EnvironLife, which seeks to expose unethicalpractices in agricultural biotechnology.

Fresh from hosting the LAB Conference on LimitingAgricultural Biotechnology, Tony reflects on its success: the event drew theattention of governors, senators, and national media, thrusting him into thespotlight as a leading critic of corporate biotech. His chief target isGenaSeed, a massive multinational that dominates the global seed market bylocking farmers into exploitative contracts and genetically engineeredseed-chemical systems. Farmers under GenaSeed’s thumb are left impoverished,often unable to escape the cycle of dependency, while the company fends offlawsuits with its vast legal and financial power.

Unexpectedly, during the conference, Tony wasinvited to meet Daniel Bruner, GenaSeed’s powerful and combative CEO. Given thecompany’s years-long efforts to discredit him, Tony is suspicious of theinvitation, but also curious about Bruner’s motives. He prepares to fly to St.Louis in his newly purchased Piper Seminole, eager to put the plane through itspaces on the 600-mile trip. Despite lingering unease, Tony looks forward to themeeting, uncertain whether it represents an opportunity for dialogue or a dangerousconfrontation with a corporate giant that embodies everything he opposes.