“Fair? Nothing about this seems fair.”
“Perhaps I used the wrong term. Which would be preferable, to use force against anyone who happens to be anywhere near a riot or to target instigators?”
“Instigators, of course.”
“Exactly. That will be one of the activities of this new force, the National Peacekeeping Force. The NPF will rely on computer systems to assess threats and identify troublemakers in advance. If we can remove them before they instigate a riot, the riot won’t happen, and innocent lives will be saved. Does that sound like a reasonable approach to you?”
Baxter’s armpits were drenched. Right now, he longed to be anyplace else. Even Bob Whatford’s dungeon was preferable. But Addison was demanding an answer, and he had the firepower to compel one. “Yes. If we have to use force, I must admit it’s better to use it against people before they start a riot.”
“Good. We agree. Now what is your role? I said the NPF will depend upon systems to identify troublemakers. We also need them for mission evaluation and for more routine purposes like administration. We’ve developed the first draft, but because of our tight timeline, we’ve had to rush things. Frankly, they aren’t up to the standard we need. Your job is to fix them. Believe me, you’ll be busy for the first few years as we shake out the bugs. Tell me, Mr. Baxter, what is your opinion of this?”
His opinion? He hated it. Force. Deadly force. Nothing was further from the life he had lived. But he couldn’t shake Addison’s logic, couldn’t avoid answering the man’s question. And lurking in the background was the threat. If he refused to go ahead with this, what would become of him? He felt as if he lived in a snow globe and someone had just shaken it. But Addison expected an answer. Squelching the turmoil in his gut, he said, “Frankly, I hate it. Are there no other ways to stop the violence?”
Addison frowned. “Mr. Baxter, I advise you to keep your role clear. You are here to provide support. Important, but just support. Strategy is not your concern. Given that, do you agree to participate in this?”
“What’s the schedule? When would I start?”
“You start today, assuming you agree. The NPF is already identifying and rooting out subversives.”
“Already? But there hasn’t been an announcement.”
“Mr. Baxter, while it is not your place to question our strategies, I do appreciate your engagement. We are deploying the NPF before the government makes an official announcement because we don’t want to drive subversives into hiding. Does that make sense to you?”
“I guess so.”
“Good. Now, it is time for you to decide whether to join our organization in the role I described. However, I want your answer to be based on your assessment of the situation, not on some perceived threats from us, so let me clarify your position. If you decide against joining us, there will be no consequences to you except that we will detain you in this facility until the government has made the announcement, which, as I’ve said, could be as long as three years. During that time, we will ensure you are comfortable, but you will be isolated. After that time, nothing you have learned here will be confidential, and you will be free to go.”
There was no delaying the decision, no asking for time to think about it, and despite Addison’s assurances, probably no pleasant outcome from declining. He took a deep breath. “I agree it’s necessary to stop the violence, so I will do what you ask.”
Addison turned to Ivan Kryss. “Ivan, please set Mr. Baxter up with an office and whatever administrative tools he will need.” He reached over his desk to shake Baxter’s hand. “Welcome aboard, Mr. Baxter.”
“WE HAVE BREAKING news. A confrontation between two groups of protestors over rail access to a copper mine has turned violent. A police officer has been killed and at least two protestors have been airlifted to nearby hospitals. Our George Knudson is on site. George?”
“Yes, Elaine. I’m at an access road beside the railway spur that leads to the Cosgrove copper mine. The mine is in territory claimed by the K’tach First Nation. Two weeks ago, the K’tach and a group of environmentalists barricaded the line, blocking shipments of ore. Earlier today, about a hundred people from the local town of Norburg began a counter-demonstration. Police were able to keep the two groups apart, but about an hour ago, shots were fired, and two police officers were hit. One was killed. The other has been airlifted to hospital along with two of the protesters.”
“George, do we know who fired the shots?”
“Both sides are blaming the other. Police are keeping close-mouthed about the incident. What we do know is that the shots triggered even more violence. The two groups overpowered police lines and attacked one another. Additional police were brought in and were able to regain control but not before several of the protestors were injured, two critically. Three protestors have been taken to the hospital in Norburg, and two more were airlifted to the regional hospital.”
“George, what’s the situation right now?”
“The two groups are separated by police lines, but the situation is still tense. A police coordinator described it as volatile. We’ve moved away from the site for our own safety, but there’s a lot of anger and tension. things seem stable now, but they could erupt at any minute.”
“How long has this mine been open? Have there been problems before?”
“The mine was opened about fifteen years ago. Until recently, there haven’t been any protests. In fact, the K’tach First Nation holds about a twenty percent interest in the mine and about half of the employees are natives.”
“Do we know what sparked this demonstration?”
“It’s not clear what caused the initial protests, but I’m told a few of the K’tach have been militant in opposing the mine. They organized the blockade.”
“What about the K’tach leaders? Couldn’t they stop the protests?”
“The K’tach just elected a new chief who I’m told was one of the militants. Although I have heard rumblings from some of the natives that the election was not fair.”
“How about the K’tach natives? Do they support the blockade?”
“That’s not clear. Nobody from the K’tach would speak on camera, and those I have spoken to seem to be intimidated. As for the counter-protests, I talked to the mayor of Norburg. Here are his comments.”
Cut to a man in casual work clothes. “Mr. Mayor, what sparked these protests by the townspeople?”
“We just got tired of having our jobs and our economy destroyed by outsiders who don’t give a damn about the local people. I mean, most of the workers at the mine are natives. We get along well with them. But troublemakers have stirred things up.”
“What does the mine mean to Norburg?”
“The mine is the major employer in the area. That’s how people earn a living. And the mine supports local businesses. Heck, they built us a new community centre. If they had to close, it would be really bad for the town.”
“What would you like to see happen?”
“What I’d like is for the troublemakers to go back to their cushy lives in the city and leave us alone. We and the natives were doing fine before they came along.”
“So there you have it. It seems that both sides are entrenched. This will get worse. Back to you, Elaine.”
“Thank you, George. Stay safe. That was George Knudson reporting from a mine site near the K’tach First Nation where clashes between protestors have turned violent. Connie Smythe is a lawyer specializing in aboriginal issues. She joins us in the studio. Connie, what do you make of this confrontation?”