For a while Shinobu just stood there, transfixed by the golden center of this extraordinary machine. The design schematics that he had been shown not three months ago had detailed what that central sphere must be made of, and why. But that had left him no more prepared for the sight of that smooth, shimmering gold shining back at him. After a moment’s contemplation of what the golden sphere was going to give him, he gathered himself, composed his voice back into the commanding tone he had been born to utter, and spoke to the project manager.

“Well, Hanso-san? Start the machine, please. Show me what it is that has made you request my visit,” said Shinobu. His composure was impressively resolute, like a man of his stature should be, but the project manager seemed agitated.

Bowing several more times than was strictly necessary, Ito Hanso stammered, “Yes sir. I will have the team show you immediately, sir. I assure you, you will not be disappointed, sir. It is … well, there is just one … minor … consideration.”

Consideration? The team? They were the only people in the room and Shinobu was becoming impatient. He had been there for several minutes and he was used to his people being prepared for his arrival. He interrupted the junior man’s explanation, as was his right, and made his displeasure known. “Mr. Hanso, I have come a long way. Where is the team? Why are you not ready?”

Ito Hanso shook visibly with concern. He had been under strict instructions to tell the president if there was progress on the project. He had also been under equally strict orders not to discuss the details of the project over the phone or via e-mail in any way, but merely to send a letter to the president telling him if there was anything that required his attention.

That all seemed reasonable. He had previously been working on a sonar jamming device for the submarine division of Matsuoka Industries so he was used to secrecy, even if this was a little more stringent than most. What he was not used to was working with someone who did not seem to be as beholden to the company’s president as Ito Hanso was. The truth was that he had been utterly unprepared for the Western woman’s refusal to update Mr. Matsuoka herself, and very uncomfortable at having to go behind her back to get the president to come and see their progress.