“They have done bad things. Very bad things,” Zeus said to himself as he looked down on the relief organization, Gaia’s Aid, as their leader signed an order to send a contingent across the ocean.
“Yes, they have,” agreed Prometheus’ voice. Zeus had heard him approach, wondering what he’d want to do this time.
“What do you want,” asked the king of the gods.
“Only to help you,” Prometheus replied. When it looked as though Zeus would protest, he continued on. “I gave them everything they could have needed to rise above the other mortal creatures. Yet they cannot use these gifts properly, the way they were intended. Everything I did for them, everything I suffered for them, and this organization, to only help each other, instead of those who gave them everything, is how they repay me.” Out of the corner of his eye, he could see that Zeus believed him wholeheartedly.
“This organization is a stain on my world. As I have said, they have done bad things. They must go.”
“I already have a plan,” said the Titan of forethought. “I gave them fire and everything they gained from it. I know how they think. And I assure you, they still trust me.” With just the right tone in his cackle, he added “After losing so much for them, so painfully, it’d be hard for them not to.”
Zeus smiled, knowing not to look a gift horse in the mouth. “Then get going. I want results immediately.”
“It shall be done, my lord.”
Prometheus wasted no time. As soon as he left Zeus, he set his own plan in motion. By whispering to the people who still remembered him, who knew what he had given for them, the story spread through the population like the Black Plague.
“Gaia’s Aid Laundering Millions! Corruption in Washington: Who Profits From Climate Fear? Follow the Money – Straight Into Their Pockets!”
It didn’t take long for even the most devout to grow doubtful. The clamor of those who just wanted something to be angry about was too loud to be ignored. Prometheus waited for the group to grow large enough. And then, he made his next move.
It took only one year’s worth of knowledge from that advanced computer class he had taken (ok, he had gone above and beyond, but he represented forethought, he knew he’d need it one day) to take down Gaia’s Aid’s website and make sure it wouldn’t be restored any time soon. The organization was thrown off as its members were left unable to access their offices, their resources, or even their emails, from anywhere. Their headquarters were left abandoned until one brave employee tried to get in by breaking a window and was promptly arrested, upon which the building was declared a crime scene, not to be entered while the low-level authorities ran a slow investigation.
On a higher level, the chaos increased. The Senate erupted into debate. They also ran their own investigation over the matter, which struggled to separate the lies from the truth. While it happened, they struggled to keep the organization alive. And unfortunately for their enemies, humanity’s leaders had not been made leaders for nothing.
“We will not let this be the end,” Washington declared. “Not without proof. Not without a fight.”
For the moment, as neither investigation had gathered proof, the organization stood, struggling to maintain itself, but managing, for the moment.
On Olympus, Zeus turned to Prometheus, fury on his face, already raising a thunderbolt. But Prometheus spoke first.
“That wasn’t supposed to happen, perhaps I made them more resilient than they were supposed to be. Or perhaps they learned how to survive without me. No matter, it is only a temporary setback, you know this. You know me.”
Zeus frowned and raised his eyebrows, but lowered his thunderbolt, while still, on Earth, the mortals fought to keep Gaia’s Aid alive.