“But we aren’t enemies, Mr. President. I’m here out of friendship.”

Castilla didn’t bother to hide his skepticism. “Japan is an island. Can I assume your first order of business was to control the sea?”

“Our first priority was in fact cyber warfare. Naval superiority was our second.”

“But your new battleship was sunk.”

“The battleship was a showpiece. Our defenses are based on self-cavitating torpedoes.”

“Like the Soviet Shkval?”

“In the same way as a computer is like a handheld calculator. Our units are significantly faster, have vastly greater range, and are artificially intelligent.”

“But that wouldn’t protect you from China’s missile batteries or air force.”

“We’ve developed an extremely effective air defense system based on electromagnetic pulses.”

Castilla’s brow furrowed. “Nuclear.”

“Yes. Our system creates a long-lasting radioactive cloud that destroys the electronics of anything moving into our airspace.”

“I would have thought that your history would make you understand the seriousness of that kind of weapon.”

“On an emotional level, yes. But on a logical level, it had the opposite effect. The casualties in Hiroshima and Nagasaki were much lower than most people realize. There are people who were within a few meters of ground zero who are still alive today. Obviously this isn’t an ideal solution, but my people tell me that America’s approach to missile intercept is ultimately a dead end.”

“If the Chinese were to see nuclear weapons detonated…” Castilla paused for a moment. “This could escalate into a full-scale nuclear war.”

“As you mentioned earlier, we would tell them about our missile defense network so that they don’t misinterpret it as an offensive strike. But if they choose to escalate, it’s unlikely any of their weapons would reach us.”

The president had gone noticeably pale, even in the warm light coming from the flames. A sensible response in Takahashi’s estimation. Again, Castilla proved that he was no fool.

“Biological?” the president said in a careful, even voice.

“We have significant stockpiles of a modified version of the SARS virus. Of course, this is a weapon that would be used only in the event of a significant ground force invasion. It’s extraordinarily contagious and fast acting, though not particularly deadly. The illness lasts two weeks on average. Quite incapacitating, I’m told.”

“Can I assume that your population is fully protected?”

“Of course. It was done quietly through our national vaccination program.” Takahashi waved a hand dismissively. “We also have armor that is thirty times lighter and nineteen times thinner than steel. Rocket fuel nine times more potent per kilogram than what you have access to. Computers that are an order of magnitude more powerful than those available to your NSA. The list goes on, but I assume you understand my point.”

Again the skepticism crept into the president’s expression.