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by the lure of the dark side,” the Chief said. “It has always been that way with them.”
    â€œI see trouble ahead, Walking Wolf.”
    â€œI agree, Loud Owl. I think we will not ride this horse.”
    â€œWhen I come to Idaho, I think I’ll talk to Standing Bear about this,” Loud Owl said.
    â€œA very good idea,” the Chief said. “But you may have to call him in DC. Now that Gabriel is in the Congress, he is hard to reach.”
    â€œI heard rumors that Standing Bear has lost his way,” High Tree said, “but he will talk to me.”
    â€œAll those politicians are lost. When I last saw Gabriel, I believe he was recovering his balance,” Fred said. “Don’t worry. Gabriel is one of us. He will listen.”

Chapter 9
    Senator Gabriel Standing Bear Lindstrom’s public stock as an environmentalist was based on the adoption of the Habitat Act a year earlier. It was the first extended, multi-state ecosystem protection area in American history and the direct result of Gabriel’s leadership. As a result, he was now a celebrity. During the Christmas recess he agreed to a series of interviews at his Northern Idaho retreat.
    One interview, recorded by freelance reporter, Max Cahoon, was carried by several media outlets, and incorporated into a public broadcast special. Cahoon’s was a well-known face among news junkies; his contracts with the Times and leading video news services had generated a certain celebrity of its own.
    Max prided himself on his journalistic independence, maintained in part by keeping and paying his own crew, and partly by a fierce dedication to the facts. He had arrived on time at Gabriel’s Idaho home with just one set-up assistant, and introduced himself at the front door.
    Gabriel immediately liked Cahoon—an exception for a reporter. Max was an unaffected, athletic man in his mid-forties with unruly dark hair; he was at home with himself and was underwhelmed by celebrities. In a few minutes, he and his assistant had transformed the Senator’s living room into a studio. Then his assistant reached over and affixed a tiny mike to the Senator’s denim shirt. Then Max powered up the AutoCam, a semi-autonomous remotely operated audio-video kit, leased to Cahoon by NEWSNET. When the assistant moved out of the way, three cameras automatically began tracking the two men. “Test,” Cahoon said. “Senator, could you give me a conversational level?”
    â€œAs long as the rivers shall run,” Gabriel said, clearing his throat. “Good enough?”
    â€œPerfect.”
    â€œThis is a great rig you have. Are these things expensive?”
    Cahoon laughed. “Not so bad on lease. I’ll send you a brochure.”
    â€œYou think I’m kidding,” Gabriel said.
    â€œI really will, then.” Cahoon signaled “Start” by raising one thumb.
    Gabriel nodded. From that moment, the unit’s cameras would autonomously capture the ensuing conversation in the room, cutting fluidly from speaker to speaker. An edited version of the interview would be fed to media outlets that afternoon.
    â€œSenator Standing Bear, as the junior Senator from Idaho, you have already earned the unchallenged record as the most effective environmentalist in the Congress.”
    â€œBeginner’s luck.”
    â€œAnd yet you are charting an independent course. You have friends and enemies on all sides.”
    â€œI’m not for sale. It’s a small problem, but one I’m comfortable with.” Gabriel’s smile was very subtle.
    â€œJust what kind of environmentalist are you?”
    â€œA practical one. I love people and I love the wilderness.”
    â€œHas anyone ever started an environmental bill as a member of the House, then spearheaded its passage as a new member of the Senate?”
    â€œNot that I’ve heard. It was a pretty good trick.” Gabriel grinned widely. He