The private jet ahead was the only one in view on the tarmac and was surrounded by Sanetomi’s security detail. The prime minister’s impending visit to China had been widely publicized, but turned out to be less popular than the politician’s advisers had calculated. The remote airport had been chosen to avoid the inevitable protests by Japanese citizens opposed to further appeasement of their enemy to the west. Patriots who were willing to rise up and defend the honor of their homeland while self-serving cowards like Fumio Sanetomi cowered.

The limousine glided to a stop and Takahashi stepped out with his briefcase gripped firmly in his hand. The prime minister’s men watched through dark glasses as he approached the steps leading into the plane, finally moving to block his path.

“Are you armed, General?” one asked.

“Of course not.”

“You’ll excuse us if we check.”

The man was understandably nervous. Normally, Takahashi wouldn’t take this intentional insult so easily. But today he held his arms out at his sides with a smile, letting the man use his metal detector as Sanetomi watched from one of the jet’s windows.

They didn’t bother to check the briefcase because this had nothing to do with security and everything to do with putting him in his place. Of course, the prime minister had no idea what that place was.

When the infantile display of power was over, Takahashi entered the plane and walked immediately to the back.

“Sit,” Prime Minister Sanetomi said.

The old soldier took a place across a small table and laid his briefcase on top of it.

“In a few hours we’ll be landing at President Yandong’s retreat,” Sanetomi said. “During our time there, you will speak only when spoken to and your responses will be short, respectful, and contrite. You do not represent Japan and you will not take part in any discussions of policy or our relationship with the Chinese. Am I understood?”

“Very clearly,” Takahashi said. “But if this is the case, may I ask why I’m being included on this excursion?”

“In order to publicly apologize for your aggressive behavior and to offer your resignation as head of our self-defense forces.”

“I see,” Takahashi said, looking out the window as they taxied toward the runway. The security detail was already packing up and moving toward an SUV parked nearby. Four more guards were on the plane, one sitting near the cockpit and three more strapped in midfuselage. Apparently, Sanetomi’s negotiating team had taken a commercial flight earlier that day.

“And who will be accepting my resignation, Prime Minister? You or your Chinese master?”

The politician suffered a rare moment of visible anger as his face reddened and the muscles in his jaw tensed.