Dragon (Dirk Pitt 10)

A worried crease appeared on Yoshishu's face. "They are good, the American intelligence people. I fear the Kaiten Project is in jeopardy."

"We'll know before tomorrow just how much they've learned," said Kamatori. "I meet with our agent, who has just returned from Washington. He claims to have updated information."

The worry in Yoshishu's mind deepened. "We cannot allow the project to be endangered before the command center is fully operational. The consequences could spell the end of our new empire.

"I agree," said Tsuboi grimly. "For the next three weeks we are vulnerable while the warheads sit useless. One leak and the Western nations would band together and strike us from all sides, economically as well as militarily."

"Not to worry," said Suma. "Their agents may stumble onto our nuclear weapons manufacturing plant, but they will never discover the whereabouts of the Kaiten Project's brain center. Not in a hundred years, much less three weeks."

"And even if fortune smiled on them," said Kamatori, "they can never neutralize it in time. There is only one way in, and that's fortified by massive steel barriers and guarded by a heavily armed security force.

The installation can take a direct hit by a nuclear bomb and still function."

A tight smile cut Suma's lips. "Everything is working to our advantage. The slightest hint of an attempted penetration or an attack by enemy special forces, and we could threaten to detonate one or more of the auto warheads."

Tsuboi wasn't convinced. "What goo

d is an empty threat?"

"Hideki makes a good point," said Kamatori. "No one outside this room or the engineers in the command center knows our system is three weeks away from completion. Western leaders can easily be bluffed into thinking the system is fully operational."

Yoshishu gave a satisfied nod of his head. "Then we have nothing to fear."

"A guaranteed conclusion," Suma stated without hesitation. "We're making too much out of a nightmare that will never happen."

Silence then in the richly decorated office, the four men sitting, each one with his own thoughts. After a minute, Suma's desk interoffice phone buzzed. He picked up the receiver and listened a moment without speaking. Then he set it down.

"My secretary informs me that my chef has dinner prepared in the private dining room. I would be most happy if my honored guests will dine with me."

Yoshishu came slowly to his feet. "I happily accept. Knowing the superb culinary qualities of your chef, I was hoping you'd ask."

"Before we break off," said Tsuboi, "there is one other problem."

Suma nodded. "You have the floor, Ichiro."

"Obviously we can't go around exploding nuclear bombs every time an unfriendly government rattles a saber over trade restrictions or increased import tariffs. We must have alternatives that are not so catastrophic."

Suma and Kamatori exchanged looks. "We've given that very situation considerable thought," said Suma, "and we think the best solution is abduction of our enemies."

"Terrorism is not the way of our culture," objected Tsuboi.

"What do you call the Blood Sun Brotherhood, my son?" asked Yoshishu calmly.

"Crazy fanatical butchers. They cut down innocent women and children in the name of some vague revolutionary dogma that makes no sense to anyone."

"Yes, but they're Japanese."

"A few, but most are East Germans, trained by the KGB."

"They can be used," Suma said flatly.

Tsuboi was not sold. "I do not advise the slightest association with them. Any suspected connection, and outside probes will be launched into areas we dare not have opened."

"Hideki is not advocating assassination," elaborated Kamatori. "What he is suggesting is that abduction of unharmed hostages be blamed on the Blood Red Brotherhood."

"Now that makes more sense." Yoshishu smiled. "I think I understand. You're advocating the silken prison."

Tsuboi shook his head. "I've never heard of it."