The Mist of Gold

"Before we go on," Dr. Stevens interrupted, "let me assure you as Project Manager that the benefit from this biological intervention far outweighs this minor problem."

Angus watched Valence and his friends winced.

"In summary, the water quality of the Waikato has improved radically since we intervened. At least now, no algal bloom and rot disrupts the fishing industry, no noxious gas harangue our cities. Nor do we worry that the water will poison our children or birds. Oppose these to a few worm bitten fruits, and our friends here call that a disaster."

"What nonsense!! You don’t know what you are talking!!" Valence cried before the Minister once again silenced him.

"So I expect all went according to plan?" Greg said.

"Mostly yes," Angus replied. "The paramecium and it’s symbiote sped up the rate of the pesticide degradation in the Waikato. In six months, the pesticide level was virtually undetectable. In fact, you can judge for yourself."

Angus looked out from the window as a huge flock of water birds plunged into the crystal waters of the Waikato. How amazing that less than a year ago, local media even predicted the decimation of all river dependent fauna to pesticide poisoning.

Angus continued in a soft voice, "Regretfully, how an aquatic paramecium ended up colonizing the orchards is a mystery."

"What!! You mean you don’t know why?" Valence asked.

Angus clenched his fist. "Why? Why we can answer. The paramecium and it’s symbiote thrives on organophosphate compounds, of which your pesticides are derived. Naturally, they would colonize your pesticide coated trees over the natural flora and render the pesticide inactive. How’s the question you should be asking instead! These protozoa are aquatic. That means they depend on water to live! I doubt your trees spouts convenient waterfalls."

"Being snub are you? Do you people even know the terrible damage you have done?" the table rattled as Valence slammed his fist against it.

"Enough!!" the Minister glared hotly at all gathered. "I am talking to adults, not children. Valence, explain this melodrama. It is totally disproportionate to what your own report says. By Jove, it even says here ‘minor damage to peripheral crops only’, hardly a disaster. A winter snap does more damage to your crops by far!!"

"You mean that report?" he pointed to a pile of paper on the table. "Mate, that’s a month out of date. Things have degraded severely since than."

"I believe a picture speaks a thousand words, Minister." He said as he produced a photo album and passed photos around the table.

Even Dr. Stevens gasped at the pictures.

For before them, lay the scene of rows and rows of dying trees, their branches and leaves devastated. Other shows a sea of fallen peaches or apples, all brown with decay or riddled with cavities. One picture shows a farmer woman desperately spraying something at a tree, her face riddled with despair. Another speaks of livelihood shattered as a young man dumped buckets of mould ridden oranges into a hastily dug pit. All the photos were dated less than a week ago.

"All these, despite our rigorous use of pesticides." Valence hissed. "We have even tried new frontline pesticides. All failed, no thanks to that paramecium you released."

"I didn’t know." Dr. Stevens croaked. Even Angus was left speechless.

"Naturally you didn’t, calling it ‘a few bitten fruits’. If only it were that. Next time, research before you speak." Valence scolded.