Chapter 1 Summary
Anthony “Tony” Russell begins his day speeding westward on Interstate 64 toward Richmond International Airport. A former military pilot turned successful tech entrepreneur, Tony made his fortune by licensing advanced AI algorithms that could sift through massive data stores for hidden patterns. Rather than retire in luxury, he has devoted his wealth to environmental activism, particularly through his organization EnvironLife, which seeks to expose unethical practices in agricultural biotechnology.

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

Unexpectedly, during the conference, Tony was invited to meet Daniel Bruner, GenaSeed’s powerful and combative CEO. Given the company’s years-long efforts to discredit him, Tony is suspicious of the invitation, 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 its paces on the 600-mile trip. Despite lingering unease, Tony looks forward to the meeting, uncertain whether it represents an opportunity for dialogue or a dangerous confrontation with a corporate giant that embodies everything he opposes.