“Nanotechnology has many similarities to virology,” Ito interjected.

“Agreed,” Himura said. “The specific field of nanotech is fairly obscure. It’s unlikely that the Americans would have anyone with the exact mix of skills necessary. Smith may have been their best choice.”

“So it’s possible that the Americans suspect nanotechnology was present at Fukushima,” Takahashi said, trying to keep his voice calm.

“I’ve gone back through every security protocol and haven’t been able to find a breach that could have led to that kind of knowledge,” Himura said. “But anything is possible.”

“All right, then. Who would he take it to, Doctor? Who are America’s top people in the field?”

“There are a number of them. Most are pure academics working at universities.”

“Dr. Ito’s already provided us with the names, General, and we’re watching all of them as well as the military’s top materials engineers in case they don’t suspect what caused the damage and are just looking for a starting point. Nothing so far.”

Takahashi knew that there was no point in raising his voice or making threats. Despite his recent string of failures, Himura was eminently competent and would do everything in his power to perform his duty. Even laying down his life if necessary.

“And the assassination attempt?”

His intelligence czar didn’t bother to hide his relief at the change of subject. “The JPF continues to deny involvement. The evidence against them is solid, but it’s all circumstantial. Certainly nothing that couldn’t be fabricated by the Chinese intelligence apparatus.”

“Do you believe that’s what happened?”

“I’m becoming increasingly convinced. But it will be extremely difficult to prove. Despite our penetration into their information systems, there is no indication of any move against you. When it comes to operations this sensitive, the Chinese tend to work completely off the grid. Orders are given in whispers to men with no official government positions.”

Takahashi leaned back in his chair and stared blankly at the stone walls for a moment. “The Chinese are obviously getting bolder. The Americans are doing what they can to broker peace, but I’m not convinced they’re going to succeed. And frankly, I’m not sure we can trust them. The time has come to face the possibility of war and to assess our readiness.”

“Surely passions can be calmed,” Ito said, obviously shaken by the thought of a military confrontation. The man’s unparalleled genius had allowed him to rise from a small, largely experimental cog in Takahashi’s machine to his chief technological officer. There was no denying, though, that Ito was weak. It had been easy to ply him—indeed, blind him—with unlimited research funds and unfettered access to cutting-edge technology, but he had no real patriotism or political conviction. He was a man whose interests lay only in the things his magnificent mind could create.