THE FOREVER GENE (THE SCIONS OF EARTH Book 1) by Warren Dean Page A

which, under international law, gave it the status of an independent state. The chancellor of the Northern European government in Munich issued a statement guaranteeing its territorial integrity, and the rest of the world's major nations quickly followed suit.
    Then President Ganzorig flew to Thailand, where he persuaded its government to be the first to take advantage of the Faerie Folk's offer to build housing desperately needed in that country.  Not long after an agreement was reached, a Mongolian airbus landed at the busy Bangkok International Airport and a large contingent of Faerie Folk disembarked, led by a smiling Ambassador Ba.  The ambassador dealt smoothly with the media, announcing that they were there to begin construction and repeating the offer to pass on the new technology to any nation that wanted it.
    The Chinese and Russian governments were suitably embarrassed by the ease with which their quarry had eluded them and had no choice but to pull their forces out of Mongolia. Ganzorig requested them to make amends for their incursion by recognising the status of the facility as an international embassy.  As soon as they had grudgingly done so, the facility was uncloaked and a large contingent of international observers was invited to inspect it.
    David's 'mote chimed as a call came in from the Factory.  "Answer", he said, slightly annoyed.  He hated receiving calls from work when he was out, but Penelope was usually good at screening them and only forwarding him the important ones.
    "Sorry to bother you, sir, but I thought I had better put this person through to you," she said.
    "Who is it?"
    She hesitated.  "I'm not sure, sir.  I think he said that he is the ambassador of Bolivia but I couldn't hear him clearly, his voice seems to be distorted by a bad connection.  He says it is a matter of great importance so I said that I would see if you were available."
    "Alright, I'll speak to him."  He stifled his irritation and said, "Good morning, David Herald here."
    There was silence on the line and he was about to repeat himself when the caller spoke in a high-pitched voice with a slightly metallic tone.  "Good day, Dr Herald," it said.  The voice was strangely familiar, although for a moment David couldn't place it.
    "I apologise for disturbing you without an introduction or appointment, but I would like to discuss a transaction of mutual benefit with you.  It involves a matter of some delicacy and, for that reason, I would prefer a meeting in person if you are amenable."
    Again there was silence, this time as David scrolled through his memory in an attempt to put a name to the caller.  He couldn't remember ever meeting the ambassador of Bolivia and yet he was sure he had heard the voice somewhere before.  Staring vacantly at the front page of his pulp download, the latest photograph of the smiling face of Ambassador Ba caught his eye, and his mind suddenly made the connection.
    "Are you still there, Dr Herald?" asked the ambassador.
    "Yes, I'm sorry, I thought you were someone else," he stammered.
    "I realise that my call is unannounced and I beg your forgiveness.  I have a great many commitments at present and find myself compelled to ignore the appropriate social etiquette.  If you are prepared to meet with me, I shall arrange a suitable location where I will make amends for my impolite approach.  I am presently engaged with the hand-over of our inaugural housing estate in Bangkok, but I should be able to meet with you in three days.  Will that give you enough time to travel to Thailand?"
    David couldn't imagine why the leader of the Faerie Folk might want to meet him.  Was he interested in something the Factory had to offer? What he could imagine was his wife's reaction if he turned down the invitation.  She was fascinated by the Faerie Folk and even he couldn't help but be intrigued by the prospect.
    "If you give me a chance to speak with my wife and clear my schedule, ambassador, I am sure