Chapter 26

Haneda Airport, Lowe decided, was a good deal less crowded when one could use the VIP terminal rather than the public ones. They were met by members of the Embassy staff when the Gulfstream touched down, and the CIA station chief, an unchanged human, briefed her on the way there. “Welcome to Japan, Dr. Lowe. I'm Carter Harris.”

“It's nice to be back. Haven't been here since I was a student.”

“That's when you learned the language?” She nodded, and he continued. “You'll be meeting with your opposite number tomorrow morning, as scheduled; they are concerned primarily with the events in China at the moment, and to a lesser extent with North Korea.”

Lowe narrowed her eyes. “Kim the Third hasn't been seen in public since the Event, I understand?”

“No change on that, no. He's still hiding away somewhere in Pyong-yang, presumably; we're not even completely sure of his location.”

The wolf shook her head. “And North Korea doesn't even have enough computers to break into. A pity, that. Anything new on Wei Lung?”

“Not that I'm aware of. Both we and the Japanese are scrambling - the fall of the PRC government pretty much destroyed our information networks in the country, completely by accident. Agents in place are no longer in power or no longer have access to information, all that kind of thing. We do know that the dragon has ordered an evaluation of all jade deposits in the country.”

Lowe nodded. “That follows. Project Mirror has established that jade and pure quartz are useful materials for mana transmission. He wants to know what he has available, I assume, to see what kind of deals he can make. We've got one of our teams working on synthetics, just in case. All right, that's what has them worried externally. What about internally? How have the Japanese dealt with the Change?”

Harris chuckled. “Doesn't seem to bother them much. This is the country that invented robotic cat-girl ears, after all. There are rumors about Akihito being a Changeling, but if he is they're concealing it well. He's appeared in public since the Event, no apparent changes.”

The wolf thought about that. “Doesn't prove that much, really. A lot of the Japanese legends involve shape-shifters of one sort or another. Kitsune were notorious for it. And the Chrysanthemum Throne is historically unbroken as well as being reputed to descend from Amaterasu. Right now that seems to be a bit more possible than anyone would have thought a year ago.”

Harris nodded. “Which brings us to my next point. We received a request for you to meet the Emperor in person. Ambassador Evans accepted the invitation for you, of course. It's scheduled for Monday evening.”

Lowe's ears were standing straight up, practically quivering at this news. “This is unprecedented, I think. Now I really do wonder what is going on with him.” She grinned. “At least I'll have the opportunity to find out.”

* * * *

Kenneth stared at the new arrival to his team. Master Chief Petty Officer Paul Kwitowski was a Changeling bear, but... “What's with the antennae?” The big grizzly bear had a pair of rather insectile-looking appendages sticking up from his forehead, fully jointed and mobile, and quite capable of moving independently.

“Your fault, Mr. Mackenzie. They didn't start growing until after we dropped those depth charges on the Kraken.”

The dragon chuckled. “Call me Kenneth, please. And I'm sorry about that. We didn't find out until later that they put out something about as nasty as radiation when they went up.”

The bear shrugged. “Eh, could be worse. We needed to take out that damned squid, and these things are a smaller price to pay than some had to. Useful, too.”

“They did mention that some of the changes were beneficial. What can you do with them?”

“They sense magic. How it's flowing, how strong it is, what it's doing... It's like a radar for, whatta they call it... mana. They told me that you needed ways to measure the stuff properly, like a multimeter does for electricity, but I can help you out until you get the instruments figured out.”

Kenneth perked up at that description. “I see why they sent you out here, Master Chief. Instrumentation has been the biggest problem we've had. We've got some brute-force stuff from the archeologists, but nothing delicate survived that long underwater. And trying to figure out how a generator works without being able to tell what's happening inside the generator... it's enough to give you nightmares.”

The bear shrugged. “If you're Kenneth, I'm Paul. And if I can help you get this stuff under control, I'll be happy to do it. Just point me at the gear.”

The dragon grinned. “Oh, that we can do, Paul. That we can definitely do.”

* * * *

“Officially, you are being invited to tour the private Imperial Grounds, Director Lowe. Unofficially, we have been informed that the Emperor wishes to meet with you, and will join you at some point on the tour.” Harris looked uncomfortable at the next part. “They have asked that you limit your entourage to one guard, and that you leave your, quote, 'familiar spirit', unquote, here at the Embassy.”

“Indeed?” Lowe steepled her hands in front of her muzzle and looked at Harris. “Curious that they would use that particular term. I've only met a couple others who have.” She pulled back her sleeve to reveal the snug-fitting computer on her left forearm. “And all of them are the same people who call me Diviner...” She let her sleeve drop down again. “I have a feeling that this meeting is going to be very interesting indeed, Mr. Harris.”

* * * *

The guide that met Lowe and Whitford bowed stiffly. “Welcome to the Imperial Palace, Director Lowe.” He straightened up again, seemingly at least a little mollified when they had matched his bow, and stared curiously at the wolves.

Lowe had taken the time to have her hair done up in a traditional Japanese style, and now she responded to his English greeting in his own language. “Domo arigato, Haketo-sama.”

The man looked at her with a good deal less distaste, and continued in Japanese. “You speak our language, Lowe-sama?”

“Did they not tell you? I specialized in the cultures of the East in college, and did a semester of my graduate work here in Tokyo studying the Meiji Restoration. This is, I believe, one reason that my President asked me to represent us here, rather than Secretary Rice.”

“And you obviously are familiar with the... changes that have occurred. The Emperor has asked to meet you with... certain members of the Imperial Household in attendance. He will be meeting us at the Fushimi-Yagura Keep later in the tour.”

Lowe nodded. “Then let us start. I toured the public areas years ago, while the Showa Emperor still reigned, but I have never seen the private grounds. I truly am interested in the tour.”

Haketa smiled at last. “Then I shall try not to disappoint you, Lowe-sama. This way, please...”

* * * *

“Fushimi-Yagura Keep is reputed to be the most photographed building in Japan.” Haketo smiled as he repeated the claim. “It was originally built for the Imperial Palace in Kyoto, but was brought here and rebuilt after the Meiji Emperor moved to Tokyo.”

Lowe nodded. “I have a picture of it, myself, as it happens. Of course, this is the first chance I have had to see more than the view from the far side of the Niju-Bashi.”

They continued their walk through the building, Haketo discussing some of the finer points of architecture as they climbed toward the top of the main tower. “And now, Lowe-sama, the reason for this subterfuge.” He opened a door, and bowed deeply, motioning his charges to do the same. “His majesty, Tenno-Heika.”

Akihito nodded as they bowed. “You may rise.” The three straightened again and the old man nodded to the kunaicho guide. “I would like to speak with Director Lowe alone, please, Haketo-sama. If you and Whitford-san would please remain outside for the moment?”

Haketo nodded, unhappy but apparently resigned to something he had been told earlier. Whitford whispered under his breath. “Be careful, dear. He's not alone.”

Lowe nodded. “I smell it, too. Fox.” She stepped through the door, and it closed behind her.

Akihito was the only person visible as she entered, and she bowed formally to him again. “You are looking well, your Majesty. We had heard that your illness had abated, but not why.”

He nodded. “It was... somewhat unexpected. But the Change allowed Grandmother to heal me. She has asked me to speak to you about your more, shall we say, untraditional encounters over the last year.”

Lowe twitched an ear at 'Grandmother', but decided not follow up on it immediately. “I understand, your Majesty. What would you like to ask?”

“You have met with several of the Ancients, mainly of the Western lands. Have they said anything of us?”

Lowe considered the question. “Pele has, in passing, but if you know of the Immortals, you know that she is mainly concerned with the volcanoes. She has found a potential apprentice and is currently occupied with persuading the young fire elemental - a Mexican by the name of Juan Rico - to join her in Hawai'i. Our dealings with Quetzalcoatl and the Kraken are well known, of course, and we had no chance to discuss anything with either of them before we had to act against them. None of the rest seem to be concerned with you; even Wei Lung, though he has discussed Taiwan and Korea with our ambassador, has not mentioned Japan. We suspect he has no interest in bothering you, and does not expect you to bother him.”

“And what of the Eldest?” The voice came from behind her, a reedy sing-song accent that matched no dialect of Japanese that she had ever heard.

She turned to look, and saw a quadruped fox sitting on top of a table beside the door. “Grandmother?” The fox grinned, and jumped down to pad over to Akihito. “I have met him twice. He is concerned with converting the world from electrical energy to mana in time to prevent a collapse of society and the deaths of billions. Nihon-koku is part of that effort, but he has not mentioned anything in particular about it. He didn't even mention you when he discussed the Immortals.”

“I'm not surprised. I get the impression he doesn't approve of me. I keep telling him that nobody really believes the legends when the magic dies. Tokugawa certainly didn't when I first met him.”

Lowe raised an eyebrow at that. “I see. He thinks you're a meddler, does he? It would explain how the Imperial line has remained unbroken all these years.”

The fox cackled laughter at that. “I like this gaijin, Aki. She's cheeky. You'll have to invite her back again sometime.”

Akihito sighed. “You could always go to visit her, Grandmother.”

“No, no. You're not getting rid of me that easily, boy.” She turned her attention back to Lowe. “You're not planning to visit the Dragon, are you?”

“Wei Lung? No. We have a few back in the United States that I talk to on occasion, but not that one.”

“Good. I don't entirely trust him, and he's old enough that he's hard even for me to predict. I'd advise you to stay away from him for a few centuries at least, and at least a full cycle before you try to make deals with him.”

Lowe sighed. “That can't be helped, I'm afraid. He's a secular power, not just an Immortal, and my nation has to deal with his.”

The fox dismissed that. “Treaties are fine. I mean you personally, girl. He's devious. Worse than the oni.”

Lowe nodded. “I'll keep that in mind, then, if I last that long. Do you have any advice about Rakasha or Chernobog?”

“Stay away from them. They're both nasty customers, though not as bad as the two your people have already taken out. How'd you do that to the Kraken, anyway? Last I knew he had a soul gem.”

“I... am not at liberty to discuss that, I'm afraid. Not even with allies.” She winked at the fox. “I will say that Pele was upset, though.”

“Was she really...?” The fox swished her tail back and forth. “Don't meddle with her volcanoes, girl. That's the one thing that really annoys her.”

“I gathered that, yes. Though she does appreciate an audience.”

The fox nodded. “That she does. All right, I think the rest of it was covered at your meetings the last few days. Just wanted to get a few things sorted out. Tell your daimyo to keep an eye on that dragon, though.”

Lowe nodded and bowed to each of them in turn. "I will do that. Thank you for the meeting, Tenno Heika, Grandmother Amaterasu. And for the opportunity to take the tour. Fascinating place, your palace."

The fox blinked. "You know?"

Lowe grinned. "I do now. But it seemed obvious. Who else would the Emperor call Grandmother?"

The fox grinned back. "You're cultured for a gaijin youngster, girl. And it seems that Diviner is the right name for you. Don't let that get in the way of doing what you have to.”

“Pragmatism is a necessity for my position, Amaterasu-sama. May I tell my President of your presence here?”

The fox perked one ear at her. “Your leader, certainly. I will trust your discretion in this matter, I think.” She smiled, then, a canid grin. “Go, enjoy the grounds."

“I will. By your leave?”

Akihito nodded. “Thank you for coming.”

* * * *

“The Holy One has set a mission for us, my friends. The Americans continue in their apostasy and arrogance even as Allah condemns those who are beyond redemption by turning them into the animals they truly are.” The speaker nodded to his burly lackey, who responded by unveiling the half dozen surface-to-air missiles resting on the table. “We are to kill the one who acts as their security chief when she arrives in two days. She is triply condemned; a pagan infidel, a female who does not keep her place, and Allah has marked her by turning her into the dog she is at her heart.” His assistant now passed an envelope to each of the six pairs of young men seated around the room. “Each packet has a picture of the aircraft she will be using, and the location your team will be using. You will fire as the plane lands, just as it passes over the end of the runway; three teams are assigned to each end, since we do not know the direction that the plane will arrive from. If they try to evade the missiles at the downwind end of the runway, the rest will fire as it comes to the upwind end. You have all been trained with these missiles; once you have fired, you will make your way to your designated safe houses and wait to be contacted.” He looked around the room once more, searching for signs of doubt, and smiled when he found none. “You have your assignments. Allahu akbar!”

The strike teams echoed the war cry. “Allahu akbar!”

* * * *

Lowe finished up her notes on the meetings in Taipei as the Gulfstream headed south across the Luzon Strait. “...and in conclusion, it would appear that the Republic of China would prefer, at least for now, to remain independent of the new government in Beijing. They will, however, hold direct discussions with Wei Lung's representatives if he offers to do so, and if the new regime proves trustworthy, may agree to some form of confederation, particularly if the continuing Change renders the United States unable to maintain a predominance in sea power in the region. I passed on Amaterasu's warning about making deals with the dragon, but attributed it to the Eldest; even today, Taipei remains as suspicious of Tokyo as they were in 1945. For now, the situation seems stable, and no change to the status quo is anticipated.”

She sighed as she finished the report, then stretched to relieve some of the tension. Whitford smiled as she did so. “Need a backrub?”

“Yes.” Lowe glanced at the cabin clock. “Unfortunately, I don't think we have the time for it at the moment.” She beckoned to the steward. “What's our ETA?”

“No change, ma'am. Forty-two minutes.”

Lowe grimaced. “Barely enough time to wash up and put on a clean outfit. But there's only one more stop on this itinerary after Manila. Can I get a rain check on that backrub?”

Whitford grinned. “I think that's a possibility, ma'am.”

Lowe chuckled in spite of herself. “I'm going to hold you to that. For now, come along and help me dry my fur after I shampoo it.”

“As the Director wishes.” Whitford grinned as she poked him.

* * * *

“My plane, Commander.” The senior pilot preferred to do take-offs and landings himself, the privilege of rank in both the civilian and military aviation communities.

Sterling nodded. “Captain has the plane. ETA five minutes at... mark. In the pattern for Runway oh-six.”

The radio crackled, and a voice responded in accented English. “Three Huliet Romeo, you are clear for final. Proceed to government terminal.”

“Tower, Three Juliet Romeo acknowledges clear for final approach and proceed to official terminal.” The turbines whined down as the pilot reduced power to land and the plane settled into the final glide path. “Gear down.”

Sterling pulled the lever and waited as the wheels unfolded. “Gear... down and locked.”

“Flaps in landing configuration.”

“Flaps...” Sterling blinked as something tickled the back of her brain. “ABORT!” She jammed the throttles back to maximum and hit the gear retraction. “My plane, Captain! We're being painted!”

Captain Flynn had been thoroughly briefed in on why a recently promoted Commander had been tapped as his co-pilot, and hesitated only a second. “Co-pilot's plane. You sure? I'm not seeing anything on the threat receiv...”

Sterling was focused on the plane, willing her power to cover it. “Infrared.”

Flynn blinked as three smoke trails rose from the ground near the west end of the runway. “Stingers inbound! How did you...?” He left the question for later and launched a flare while the bat brought the aircraft around in as tight a turn as she could manage this close to the ground.

* * * *

Achmed smiled as the three rockets rose toward the jet. With luck, his team would not even need to fire their backup missiles - but no, he could hear the engines shrieking now as the pilot realized his danger, and then a sun-bright flame launched from the belly of the plane. Best not to let it have any chance to escape. “They have flares. Wait for it to fall, then lock on to the plane again...” He waited as the jet turned to the left, towards them. “Now! Fire!” His partner triggered the rocket, and it rose toward the approaching aircraft. “And now we leave, Sayid. Quickly, before...” He blinked. The American jet was suddenly nowhere to be seen, and the missiles arced aimlessly into a clear sky. “What? Where did they go? Where did they go!?”

* * * *

“Three Juliet Romeo declaring emergency! Ground fire, taking evasive action. Clear aircraft from approach lanes, say again clear civilians from local airspace!”

The tower radio was silent for five seconds of shock,and then orders started flooding the airwaves and emergency vehicles started up on the ground. Sterling jinked the plane to the right, standing her up on one wing in a tight turn to allow a missile launched from directly ahead to pass by, then leveled out again. “We're good now, they can't see us. I counted five smoke trails, do you concur?”

Flynn did a quick count. “Five trails, confirmed. Someone doesn't like us very much, it seems.”

“And there's still one more. I felt six tracking us, but the last one didn't launch. Staying under stealth for now... I suggest we land at Clark, instead.”

“That sounds like a good idea.” He keyed the mike. “Tower, Three Juliet Romeo diverting to Clark. Be advised, there is at least one more missile on the ground. Suggest you have the police help you find it.”