In many ways, Ito was right. What if his nanotech could be targeted at bomb-making materials or even gunpowder in the Middle East and Africa? Hell, in certain neighborhoods in inner-city America. How many lives would be saved? How many countries could be stabilized? The problem, though, was one of intent. America had done shockingly well in wielding its overwhelming power. While imperfect, the US had a stable government with built-in checks and balances, a deep-rooted culture of democracy, and a general reticence to project power unless it was absolutely necessary.

Takahashi, it appeared, had none of those virtues.

“I understand that this isn’t what you intended, Dr. Ito. But you know as well as I do that what you intended doesn’t matter. Takahashi’s provoking a war with China and he plans on demonstrating Japan’s new military superiority by wiping that country off the map.”

Ito nodded miserably. “And he won’t stop there. His vision is the same as his father’s: the rebirth of Imperial Japan. But this time, because of me, he will succeed.”

51

51

Outside Tokyo
Japan

General Masao Takahashi walked alone through the stone-and-earth corridor, feeling a familiar resentment. It was an insult to him and the men loyal to him that they had been literally forced underground. It wouldn’t be long, though. Soon, the Japanese people would understand what he had accomplished.

The door in front of him slid open without his bidding, having read various biometric markers as he approached. Inside, he found the heads of the three branches of his defense forces as well as Akio Himura, the director of Japanese intelligence.

Takahashi chose not to sit and indicated for his men to dispense with the customary greeting of their superior. The meeting was, after all, a formality. Plans for the attack on China had been carefully laid over years, and every detail of those plans was being meticulously adhered to. As the day finally approached, though, it was appropriate—even in the new technological era he had ushered in—for the men leading the war effort to meet face-to-face. Perhaps for the last time in this place.

“It’s my understanding that all defensive measures are in place and ready to be deployed. That includes civilian rescue missions in the event an attack reaches our soil.”

The men seated around the table in front of him all nodded.

“To reiterate. There are no problems that I’m unaware of?”

More nods. Despite having known the answers to his question already, seeing his staff’s acknowledgment allowed him to relax a bit.

“Then we’re waiting on Ito. He’s completing the individual canisters containing specifically targeted nanotechnology. They’ll be smuggled into China and released in all major cities, military bases, and power installations.”

“Do we have an updated estimate of the time to failure on the dam?” Admiral Inoue asked.