“Yes, sir,” he said, spinning and giving an awkward bow. “We’re in the process of rebooting the water-launched unit. Less than a minute.”

One of the missiles was currently lying on the seafloor—another advance borrowed from their torpedo technology. And another capability that greatly benefited an island nation.

Outside, the engines of the two fighter planes began spooling up, and Takahashi leaned into the windows to watch one being attached to the catapult. He heard Watanbe announce that there were no other craft within radar range and clear the pilot for takeoff. A moment later the F-15 was speeding down the makeshift runway.

“What are the final numbers, Doctor?” Takahashi asked as the second fighter prepared for launch.

“I think it’s most instructive to make comparisons to the American F-16. Our weapon has five times the operational range, partially due to more advanced propellant and lower weight but also because they can simply be destroyed when their fuel is expended as opposed to having to return to base. In mass production we’re estimating a unit cost of four million US dollars as compared with twenty-five million for the F-16, not including the pilot and an order of magnitude more maintenance. Our maximum speed is approximately Mach eight compared with Mach two for the plane. And we can pull twenty-three g’s in a turn whereas the most a human pilot can endure is nine.”

“But a pilot can think,” Takahashi said.

“So can our computers, General. In fact, our systems are consistently outperforming human pilots.”

“In simulations.”

“I know you have a great bias against simulations, General, but they’ve become quite sophisticated.” He looked down at the floor for a moment and then raised his head, daring to meet the general’s gaze. “I want to say again that this test isn’t nece—”

Takahashi held up a hand, silencing the man. Ito’s concern for the two pilots demonstrated his complete inability to look past his tiny world of equations and experiments. These pilots had been honored with an opportunity to sacrifice for their country. Their courage would be remembered for generations.

“Proceed,” Takahashi said, leaning into the glass in order to track the two F-15s as they flew loops around the massive container ship.

Ito tapped the shoulder of a young man sitting at a computer terminal. Almost immediately the rocket on deck began to smoke. A moment later flame exploded from the back, blackening the deck and sending it streaking into the air. It leveled off and entered a holding pattern above them.

“Please keep your eyes starboard,” Ito said. Takahashi turned and watched a second missile burst from the water and join its mate arcing lazily around the ship.

“To be clear, it’s my understanding that these weapons are completely autonomous,” Takahashi said. “You and your people will not be controlling them in any way.”