Ieyasu gave a satisfied nod. 'Good fortune smiles upon us, Captain.

We were warned that a team of a.s.sa.s.sins sent by the Yama-s.h.i.ta might attempt to land from just such a vessel. It looks as if they have blown themselves up while preparing explosive devices which they intended to use against us.

'Make sure all the bodies are brought out of the water, and search the outer islands in case there are survivors hiding there. No one must be allowed to escape justice.

Do I make myself clear?"

'Yes, sire."

'See that the men are rewarded. And you shall have your long-awaited promotion. I shall not of course tell the Shogun the real reason for the glowing recommendation I will make on your behalf."

Mashimatsu gave a deep bow. 'To be able to serve you, is honour enough, sire. Your generosity overwhelms me."

Ichiwara accompanied him to the door then returned to his place as his colleague asked: 'What are we to say when the lady and her children are reported missing from the Winter Palace?"

'We say nothing, Watanabe! We simply look as puzzled as everyone else!

In time it will be discovered that she and the traitor Min-Orota boarded two ships at Oshana - bound for an unknown destination.

Questions will have to be asked. We must pursue the matter with our usual zeal, but her fate will remain shrouded in mystery.

'It will be a sad loss to our family, as you can imagine and I fear her brother will feel it more keenly than most."

Ieyasu gave a dry laugh. 'We will have to find another young soft-eyed b.u.m-boy to console him. But this time, we must make sure he is one of ours and not another of those accursed Heralds!" Ieyasu clapped his hands together. 'Excellent! Now that tiresome business has been attended to, we can all sleep more soundly in our beds." He turned to Ichiwara.

'Let us return to our friends from the Federation. But before you say anything, I think Watanabe should explain the factors which have led us to this point, so that you can put these proposals into the proper context. Before any agreement is concluded, we shall need to consider the possible impact of these alien goods and services on our society and decide if the dangers outweigh the benefits.

Your opinion, as always, will be invaluable."

'I am deeply honoured, sire."

Ieyasu invited Watanabe to speak.

'As one of the Inner Circle, you are aware that the secret treaty with AMEXICO has enabled us to detect and control many of the subversive elements within Ne-Issan.

We have scored some notable coups against those who seek to overthrow the Toh-Yota, but our enemies are as numerous as ever, and never tire of hatching new plots.

'For the last ten years, the Federation has supported us in our aim to maintain the present era of peace and stability in Ne-Issan under the house of the TohYota.

They recognise the wisdom and foresight of Lord Ieyasu has been the princ.i.p.al factor in preserving this stability, but they fear - as we do - what may happen when his steadying hand is no longer at the helm.

'The Shogun is a young man dedicated to upholding the ancient traditions we all revere, but the inflexibility of his principles will make it impossible to continue to govern the country in the same way.

Compromise will be replaced by confrontation, and the peril of armed conflict will remain with us until Prince Yoritomo reaches the age of wisdom, or can be persuaded to adopt a more pragmatic approach.

'Therein lies our problem: for there is no one who is able to influence him in the way Lord Ieyasu has done in the past. We had hoped to groom Lady Mishiko to act as our intermediary but as you know she has suddenly become a potential liability. Until a replacement can be found, we have to draw up and put into action a plan that will enable the Toh-Yota to withstand the dangers that lie ahead.

'That is why the Federation wishes to help us. In their view, the balance of power within Ne-Issan is not sufficiently weighted in our favour - as evidenced by our inability to solve our problems with the House of Yama-s.h.i.ta by military means. We have had to resort to subterfuge, but despite the successful action against the Heron Pool and the removal of many of our enemies, the Yama-s.h.i.ta continue to provoke us.

'We should have applied sanctions against the Yamas.h.i.ta and its trading partners for mounting their ill-fated and illegal armed expedition against the Plainfolk, but we dared not risk doing so. Our friends in the Federation believe that this failure to enforce the law could embolden the Yama-s.h.i.ta, leading to other treaty violations and further unrest - within our borders.

'To counter this, they have offered to strengthen our hand by a ma.s.sive programme of aid in exchange for supplies of certain raw materials. We need their help. If our enemies take up arms against us we must be ready and able to strike a blow from which they will never recover.

'But we are not helpless supplicants. We do not beg for aid. It is the Federation who have expressed the wish to help us - as opposed to our enemies. That is why we have come here in secret to meet their representatives."

Ichiwara bowed his head. 'I am grateful for this clarification of our position. But why do they choose to help us when the Yama-s.h.i.ta and the other progressive domain-lords would sell their souls for a chance to embrace the Dark Light?"

'A good question, Ichiwara,' said Ieyasu, 'which I can answer easily.

The Federation have used the Dark Light to make themselves masters of the High Craft, but they do not intend to allow others to take the same path.

'They are ready to support us because we are the defenders of our ancient faiths and traditions. If we win, it will not threaten their present supremacy, but if the Progressives gained control of Ne-Issan it could lead eventually to war with the Federation and the destruction of our country.

'Only we can ensure its survival. Our traditions, our beliefs, our code of honour are the blood, bone and sinews of the one nation that will endure! The Plainfolk will remain fragmented, doomed by their idle-minded existence to be enslaved by their betters! The Federation too will fall victim to its over-weening ambition to rule the earth and rot from within. For it has no art, no heart, no sense of honour, no faith in anything beyond its ability to create more fiendish weapons of destruction, and its brain is a machine without a soul - a monstrous creation of the Dark Light that knows everything and believes in nothing!" Ieyasu broke off and favoured his two secretaries with a thin smile. 'There, you have my predictions for the future. Consider them when I am gone." He slapped his thin, bony thighs. 'So, Ichiwara!

What delights have these long-dogs come to bestow on us!" Ichiwara referred to an aide-memoire he had prepared.

He and Major Fujiwara had agreed not to mention the provocative offer of the voice-recorder. 'The aid pr. oposals come under three main headings - military equipment, industrial machinery and techniques and training. The most important military item is the establishment of an air arm.

'The Federation is prepared to supply us with two hundred and fifty flying horses, fitted with weapons of destruction and powered by a new system of propulsion which does not flout the Sacred Edict banning the Dark Light. Samurai selected to pilot these machines would be trained within the Federation, and then return with theft aircraft.

'They would do so in two batches. Of the first batch of a hundred and fifty, the top fifty pupils would receive further training as flying instructors and partic.i.p.ate in the training of the second batch of one hundred pilots. Senior officers would also be instructed on the tactical use of aft power against ground targets.

'An appropriate number of ground staff would be trained to service the flying horses, and a similar proportion would graduate as master technicians and instructors. The agreement to supply the first batch of flying horses and trained personnel also includes the provision of a stock of spare parts enabling us to repair and maintain the engines, airframes and instruments.

'There are a number of basic infantry weapons on offer - all capable of high rates of fire and which also do not infringe the Sacred Edict.

Before enumerating these, I would like to pa.s.s onto the second heading - industrial machinery and techniques.

'The Federation is offering to supply the necessary machinery, precision tools and specialist metals to enable us to set up home-based production lines for these flying horses and other weapons including new and extremely powerful explosives.

'They are also willing to introduce into Ne-Issan, two new sources of motive power based on' - Ichiwara switched into Basic - 'gas and diesel technology." He reverted to his mother tongue. 'The first can be found in marshes, rotting vegetation and heaps of animal manure, the second is a liquid fuel extracted from ground-oil, and will be used in the engines of the flying ' He was interrupted by a rapid tap-tap on the door screen.

Ieyasu motioned him to see who it was.

Reaching the anteroom, Ichiwara found two of the Chamberlain's guards, with Tokimasa, the Resident Steward. After the usual exchange of bows, the Steward - who seemed greatly agitated- asked if the Chamberlain would receive him as a matter of some urgency.

'May I know what it is you wish to speak to him about?"

Tokimasa mopped his sweating brow. 'The Lady Mishiko."

Ichiwara invited him in and told the guards they were not to be disturbed until further notice.

Shedding his indoor shoes, Tokimasa shuffled across the floor and knelt before Ieyasu. 'My lord! Excuse this interruption, but I have just discovered that the Lady Mishiko, her children and half her retinue are in the Palace! How they came to be here I cannot say. No one informed me they were expected and I was not on hand to greet them. I hope you will not think me negligent.

Her tiighness has been gracious enough to make light of the matter but - ' 'Yes, yes, yes!" cried Ieyasu. 'Did she tell you what prompted her to journey here?"

'She did indeed, my lord. She wishes to speak with you privately on an affair of the utmost importance."