By the time the Chinese figured out what was happening, they’d be living in the Stone Age. No food, no transportation, no heat. Not even help from the outside because any relief effort would be attacked by the same nanotech that had destroyed China.

And in truth, that was a best-case scenario. Based on what he’d seen of Takahashi’s technology, Smith wasn’t confident that it could be controlled. A few minor mutations and it could run amok, spreading across the planet and destroying everything in its path.

41

41

Northeastern Japan

Status report,” General Takahashi said as he entered the expansive lab.

Dr. Hideki Ito was standing in front of a thick glass wall using a set of mechanical hands to pry open a metal box on the other side.

The scientist started to turn, but Takahashi motioned toward the glass. “Continue what you’re doing.”

After an awkward bow, he returned his attention to the box. “The nanobots have significantly weakened the structure of the safe, General, and we’ve confirmed that they have fully penetrated. The vial that we believe contains acid is made of glass so it’s still intact. The papers are unharmed for the same reason—paper can’t be used as fuel.”

“But you’re not in yet.”

“No. These arms were designed for structural testing, not trying to perform delicate operations like this. It’s a slow process.”

“Then why not go inside and use conventional tools?” Takahashi said impatiently.

“The safe has been irradiated to destroy the bots. Levels are above safety thresholds, even for someone in a suit.”

Takahashi’s jaw tightened as he watched Ito’s clumsy attempts to get a firm grip on the lockbox’s combination dial. His people had lost contact with Smith and Russell in the Portland airport and so far had been unable to reacquire them.

What did they know?

It seemed likely that they were on their way to Japan via either private or military aircraft, and he had to assume that Fujiyama had discussed what was in his files to some extent. Perhaps he’d relayed only general suspicions, but he could just as well have given them specific names, projects, and locations. There was no way to know, and Takahashi didn’t have enough men he trusted to cover every possibility.

The mechanical hand slipped off the dial and Ito let out a frustrated grunt before lining up again.

“How much longer, Doctor?”

“It’s impossible to say, General. Even if the arms had been designed for this, I’d have to go slowly. There’s no way to be certain that the linkages connecting the acid to the triggers have weakened enough. I—”

“Open the enclosure.”

Ito turned toward him, obviously not sure he’d heard correctly. “Sir?”

Takahashi went to the far side of the lab and began putting on the radiation suit hanging on the wall. “Open it.”