The endeavor to establish large-scale production of artemisinin brought together a diverse group of individuals in the Prime Minister's meeting room. Constantine, propelled by the necessity for economic development and recognizing the potential of artemisinin, outlined his plan to Nina, the director of the Greek Congo Corporation, and Dr. Philip, the director of the Athens City Hospital.
Acknowledging the importance of keeping the production process confidential, Constantine emphasized the necessity of secrecy. The prospect of significant profits from artemisinin was evident, but with financial gains came the risk of industrial espionage and theft of valuable knowledge.
To ensure the success of this venture, Constantine proposed hiring Dr. Philip as the chief engineer and Nina as the general manager. Both expressed initial reservations, given their current professional commitments, but Constantine appealed to their sense of duty and mission. Dr. Philip's medical expertise and Nina's business acumen made them indispensable to the project.
As the discussion unfolded, Schmidt, Constantine's aide, was dispatched to bring Nina and Dr. Philip to the meeting. The group, now gathered around the reception table, delved into the details of the plan. Constantine, leveraging the knowledge of artemisinin and the potential benefits it could bring to Greece, emphasized the urgency of their collaboration.
Despite initial hesitations, both Nina and Dr. Philip were swayed by Constantine's persuasive arguments. Dr. Philip, motivated by a sense of professional duty and the potential to save lives on a larger scale, saw the opportunity as an act of great virtue. Nina, with her newfound experience in the Greek Congo Corporation, recognized the significance of this endeavor for both the nation and herself.
Constantine's trust in them played a crucial role in their decision to join the project. However, the challenge remained in maintaining secrecy and preventing unauthorized access to the production process.
The meeting took a turn as Constantine acknowledged the need for the Greek Intelligence Service's involvement. He emphasized that safeguarding this valuable asset required the expertise of intelligence professionals to prevent industrial espionage. Terry Kupis, the Prime Minister, initially impatient, grasped the economic significance of the project. In a country like Greece, struggling with a trade deficit and the outflow of precious metals, the potential for artemisinin to become a major taxpayer and balance trade was significant.
Terry Kupis agreed to involve the Greek Intelligence Service to protect the interests of this budding industry. With this commitment, the groundwork for large-scale production of artemisinin in Greece was laid. The collaborative effort between medical expertise, business acumen, and intelligence would determine the success of this ambitious project. As the wheels of this economic venture began to turn, the fate of Greece hung in the balance, dependent on the success of this unconventional endeavor.