Once the Toh-Yota had absorbed its most powerful rival, it could pick off the others 'one by one."

.Jefferson paused mid-way between desk and fireplace with an expansive gesture that matched the sweep of his scenario. 'The Yama-s.h.i.ta may have overstepped the mark by setting up those out-stations around Lake Michigan, and in attempting to enlist the help of the D'Troit and C'Natti in enslaving the She-Kargo and M'Waukee, but you have to admit it was a great idea."

Karlstrom nodded.

'And I believe that the majority of domain-lords including those who have always supported the TohYota - will also regard it as a step in the right direction. An inevitable step .... ' 'I agree,' said Karlstrom. 'But we've drawn the lines on the map. Everything west of Lake Erie and the Appalachians belongs to us."

'For the moment. Forget about what the Yamas.h.i.ta were planning to do.

The fact that it was an act of war launched without the consent of the shogunate is a mere legal technicality. In losing those five wheel-boats and two thousand men, the Iron Masters - as a nation have suffered a major military defeat at the hands of savages.

Non-persons.

The Plainfolk are the unwashed rabble they make slaves out of! The Shogun can't walk away from this one,' cried Jefferson. 'The honour of the whole country is at stake!" Karlstrom leapt to his feet. 'Yes!

But what can he do?

We've made it clear what'll happen if they move troops into Plainfolk territory. We gave them the green light to continue trading but put the block on any military operations. We have every right to come down on them for this last stunt - ' 'Except, of course, we would be penalising the wrong people."

'Precisely. But if the shogunate succ.u.mbed to popular pressure and broke our agreement we couldn't just sit on our hands. We would have to make good our threat of retaliation."

'If push comes to shove, can we deliver on that?"

'The belief that we can is what's kept them in line up to now. That plus the whole raft of electronic equipment we've been supplying to Ieyasu's people. It's those goodies which have kept the Toh-Yota one step ahead of their rivals. Ieyasu would block any move by the Shogun that would rob him of our support."

'Yes. But that unwillingness to adopt any course of action which could lead to a conflict with the Federation could also undermine the Toh-Yota shogunate."

'Because... they'd be defeated .... ' 'Yes. And they'd be seen to lose because the traditionalist policies of Yoritomo's family have held the country back. As long as he maintains the edict against the Dark Light, they'll never be a match for us. Without electricity they ain't ever going to break out of the technological straight-jacket they've locked themselves into."

'I can't argue with that,' said Karlstrom. 'If I've got this right, you're suggesting that the pressure to get even with the Mutes and the reluctance of the shogunate to do anything that will bring us down on their necks will garner more support for the progressive movement...

and could eventually lead to the overthrow of the TohYota."

'Just airing a few thoughts,' said Jefferson modestly.

'How does it sound?"

Karlstrom nodded admiringly. 'It works for me."

'Good." Jefferson laid a friendly hand on his shoulder.

'That's why we must do our utmost to help the TohYota stay in power."

He smiled. 'I've always had a great respect for tradition. Families like ours should stick together."

His grip on Karlstrom's shoulder tightened. 'I'll leave you to work out the details."

Some weeks later, as a result of this meeting, Steve found himself being rotated through into the Oval Office.

Waiting on the other side of the 'stile was Karlstrom.

Jefferson the 31st - whom Steve had glimpsed on two occasions in Cloudlands but had never spoken to on an unofficial basis - was over by his desk. As he walked forward with Karlstrom to receive the warm Presidential handshake, Steve caught a glimpse of someone standing by the fireplace.

It was Fran. How strange! She must have known about this meeting and yet she'd said nothing, even though that very morning she had been wriggling around on his con-rod like a speared fish.

'Steven! Good to see you looking so well. Sad news about your kin-sister. Such promise, but there it is."

'Yes, sir." The laying on of the hands, heating that deep tich voice intone his name still made Steve go weak at the knees.

'We have a job for you. A very important job that will involve a long, and possibly dangerous, journey."

'You look surprised,' said Karlstrom.

'uh, no, sir! I'm ready to undertake any a.s.signment you care to give me. It's just that I thought you wanted me to stay close to Clearwater in case..."

Karlstrom laid on one of his thin, mocking smiles. 'I don't think she's going anywhere for the moment, do you?"

Sensing that Jefferson's eyes were on him, Steve pulled himself together and put on a bold front. 'What is it you wish me to do, sir?"

Jefferson invited him to take the second seat, to Karlstrom's right, that stood in line with the other corner of the desk. Fran remained by the fireplace, behind Steve's back.

The President-General laid his forearms on his desk and crossed one hand over the other. He had strong fingers. The hands of a craftsman.

'Steven. All the a.s.signments you have undertaken have been important, but on this occasion, you will be acting not just for the Federation, but as a representative of the First Family. You will be dealing with affairs of state - at the very highest level. Do you feel able to take on this responsibility?"

'Yes, sir."

'Good. You have given ample proof of your courage and resourcefulness, and we have the highest regard for your intelligence and loyalty. You have also gained valuable experience through your contacts with the Iron Masters. That is why we want you to fly to Ne-Issan - to meet with Ieyasu, the Lord Chamberlain and the Shogun, and put certain proposals to them. You will be acting as my personal messenger in the same way that the Herald Toshiro Hase-Gawa represented the Shogun.

Does the idea appeal to you?"

Are you kidding?

Steve fought to catch his breath. 'uh, I - wha - why, of course, sir!

There's just one snag. All the top Iron Masters speak Basic, but I only know the odd word or two of j.a.panese. Won't that put me at a big disadvantage?"

'That won't be a problem,' said the President-General.

'Commander Franklynne Jefferson speaks the language fluently."

Steve felt two familiar hands slide onto his shoulders.

The contact was so unexpected his brain froze and his body went rigid.

It wasn't just because they were in the Oval Office, it was something about the gesture itself.

Like, as if... she owned him...