plans.”
Miyazawa makes every effort to smile, not sure of the result. “With all due respect, we wish to build a shrine in every city and town across your great country. A thousand a day for the next 30 days.”
“Incredible.” The President’s eyebrows crawl high on his face. “I can’t imagine the manpower and financing such an ambitious effort requires.”
“We have many benefactors and an entire industry in Japan dedicated to the production of shrines and the training of new priests.” Miyazawa clasps his hands together and drops them into his lap. “We find that moving quickly is the most efficient way to meet the needs of the people.”
“Splendid. You can count on my full support.” The President leans in closer and lowers his voice. “There is one other matter that I had hoped to discuss with you. In private.”
The pleasant smile on Miyazawa’s face vanishes for a split second until he is able to force it back. The President’s words have caught him off guard. It’s highly irregular to have any discussions of substantive importance on such official state visits, all of which are highly choreographed and planned in advance.
“Of course.” Miyazawa’s body presses into his chair and struggles to relax. A film of sweat sticks to the undergarment on his back. “What would you like to discuss?”
“I’ll get right to the point. It’s about
The Event
.”
Miyazawa’s eyes narrow, but he keeps silent.
The President lifts his body into an upright position. “Based on the intelligence provided to us by your organization, it appears that the Chinese were the first to initiate the nuclear detonations, yet they vociferously deny any wrongdoing, claiming it’s all the result of high-level hacking into their systems. I was hoping you could shed some light on what really happened.”
Miyazawa stares ahead, unsure of how to proceed. “As you know, Mr. President.” The words begin to flow before he knows what he’s saying. “The Earth United Shinto Alliance is a purely neutral party, committed to world peace among all nations, reaching out to all and showing favor to none.”
“Of course.” The President nods. “I fully understand the delicate position that you occupy. I was just hoping that, as a supporter of world democracy and freedom for all, you might be able to assist the United States in—”
To his horror, Miyazawa finds himself shaking his head vigorously back and forth, completely out of character. Words rise in his throat. He struggles in vain to hold them back.
“Before we are able to proceed with our month-long campaign for the benefit of your country, I must have your word that you will not attempt to interfere in, or carry out any investigations concerning, our internal matters.” After he hears the words he has just spoken, Miyazawa sits mortified. Against his will, his lips open again. “Do I have your word, Mr. President?”
The President’s mouth drops open. “Well, yes, of course, we have no intention of—”
Before the President can finish his sentence, the doors burst open and a mob of journalists barge into his office, holo-cams engaged as they point at the two men sitting in chairs.
An oversized smile graces the face of the President. “It’s been a pleasure speaking with you, Mr. Miyazawa. We wish you every success as you spread your work of peace through our nation and bring the blessings of Shinto to our shores.” His hand extends out in a show of friendship.
Something lifts Miyazawa’s hand, and the President’s moist fingers wrap around it. “The pleasure has been all mine.”
CHAPTER 12
“S ee how it works?” Ryzaard relaxes in his chair as a large color holo of the private interview between the President and Miyazawa plays above the crystal table.
Jerek shakes his head in silent admiration. “I don’t know how you do it, but it certainly seems to work.”
“For individual subjects, it’s easy. I simply think the words, and they
Miyazawa makes every effort to smile, not sure of the result. “With all due respect, we wish to build a shrine in every city and town across your great country. A thousand a day for the next 30 days.”
“Incredible.” The President’s eyebrows crawl high on his face. “I can’t imagine the manpower and financing such an ambitious effort requires.”
“We have many benefactors and an entire industry in Japan dedicated to the production of shrines and the training of new priests.” Miyazawa clasps his hands together and drops them into his lap. “We find that moving quickly is the most efficient way to meet the needs of the people.”
“Splendid. You can count on my full support.” The President leans in closer and lowers his voice. “There is one other matter that I had hoped to discuss with you. In private.”
The pleasant smile on Miyazawa’s face vanishes for a split second until he is able to force it back. The President’s words have caught him off guard. It’s highly irregular to have any discussions of substantive importance on such official state visits, all of which are highly choreographed and planned in advance.
“Of course.” Miyazawa’s body presses into his chair and struggles to relax. A film of sweat sticks to the undergarment on his back. “What would you like to discuss?”
“I’ll get right to the point. It’s about
The Event
.”
Miyazawa’s eyes narrow, but he keeps silent.
The President lifts his body into an upright position. “Based on the intelligence provided to us by your organization, it appears that the Chinese were the first to initiate the nuclear detonations, yet they vociferously deny any wrongdoing, claiming it’s all the result of high-level hacking into their systems. I was hoping you could shed some light on what really happened.”
Miyazawa stares ahead, unsure of how to proceed. “As you know, Mr. President.” The words begin to flow before he knows what he’s saying. “The Earth United Shinto Alliance is a purely neutral party, committed to world peace among all nations, reaching out to all and showing favor to none.”
“Of course.” The President nods. “I fully understand the delicate position that you occupy. I was just hoping that, as a supporter of world democracy and freedom for all, you might be able to assist the United States in—”
To his horror, Miyazawa finds himself shaking his head vigorously back and forth, completely out of character. Words rise in his throat. He struggles in vain to hold them back.
“Before we are able to proceed with our month-long campaign for the benefit of your country, I must have your word that you will not attempt to interfere in, or carry out any investigations concerning, our internal matters.” After he hears the words he has just spoken, Miyazawa sits mortified. Against his will, his lips open again. “Do I have your word, Mr. President?”
The President’s mouth drops open. “Well, yes, of course, we have no intention of—”
Before the President can finish his sentence, the doors burst open and a mob of journalists barge into his office, holo-cams engaged as they point at the two men sitting in chairs.
An oversized smile graces the face of the President. “It’s been a pleasure speaking with you, Mr. Miyazawa. We wish you every success as you spread your work of peace through our nation and bring the blessings of Shinto to our shores.” His hand extends out in a show of friendship.
Something lifts Miyazawa’s hand, and the President’s moist fingers wrap around it. “The pleasure has been all mine.”
CHAPTER 12
“S ee how it works?” Ryzaard relaxes in his chair as a large color holo of the private interview between the President and Miyazawa plays above the crystal table.
Jerek shakes his head in silent admiration. “I don’t know how you do it, but it certainly seems to work.”
“For individual subjects, it’s easy. I simply think the words, and they
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