The End of the Beginning

United Nations Headquarters, New York

Tuesday, April 6, 2027

“As I understand it, UNIRO is set to open in just a few months. Is that correct, Council President?” asked Neal Carrera, Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Neal sat before the United Nations Security Council with a microphone in his face.

“That is correct,” said Council President Majed Alshaikh. “The grand opening is in exactly eighty-one days.”

“Excellent,” said Neal, taking off his glasses. “Then I propose a joint project with the new organization. One to finally rid the world of its nuclear waste issue and further promote the safe storage and protection of nuclear material to keep it out of the wrong hands.” “Are you differing your agency’s job to someone else, Director?” a Chinese representative rudely interjected.

Neal looked at the representative from across the large round table as what he said was translated through a pair of ear buds. Once translated, Neal chuckled at the implication.

“Of course not, sir,” he said, “but it would be best given UNIRO’s current…” Neal paused. “…advantage.”

“And what advantage is that, Director Carrera?” Majed asked.

Neal looked back at the council president and put his glasses back on and said, “Frankly, sir, everything.”

Neal picked up his notes he had prepared and began to read them.

“Money, resources, manpower, infrastructure, public opinion,” he glanced up. “UNIRO is now the favored child of this UN body. The IAEA is now underfunded and understaffed, at a time when such an agency should be the focal point. Seven years ago, we watched as the full potential of a nuclear war unloaded. If you want to never see it again, I suggest you either give me more or begin transferring our capabilities, skill sets, staff, and task over to UNIRO. The organization has monopolized change.” Neal gathered his things, took out the ear buds, and stood up, pushing the microphone away from his face.

“Director Carrera, where are you going?” asked Majed, bewildered. “This meeting is not over.”

“Monopolies are dangerous, Council President, even ones for good,” Neal said. “They leave no good for anyone else.”