Earth-Thunder

by Patrick Tilley

  ‘No, sire. The Shogun has withdrawn to his apartments and his guards have been ordered to admit no one.’

  ‘Good. Until I order otherwise, it is vital that her presence here remains a secret. Those on your staff who share your knowledge must be sworn to secrecy. Let me explain why. We have reason to believe that Lady Mishiko may be involved in a plot to kill her brother –’

  Tokimasa’s jaw dropped. ‘My lord, I had no i—!’

  ‘I said "may", Tokimasa. We have no proof – only grounds for suspicion. I’m sure you will be the first to agree it is best not to take any chances.’

  ‘Of course!’

  ‘That is why the Shogun must not discover she is here. We cannot allow her to approach him until we are satisfied that she poses no threat to his safety.’

  ‘Of course, of course!’

  ‘Good! Tell her I will send Watanabe to escort her here. We shall need a sealed carriage-box.’

  ‘I will arrange everything!’ Tokimasa made his exit, bowing each time he took four backward steps.

  The guards outside slid the screen shut.

  Ieyasu looked at his two crestfallen aides. ‘That fool of a Captain! You assured me the plan could not fail!’

  Ichiwara hung his head. ‘His men must have blown up the wrong boat.’

  ‘That’s not possible,’ said Watanabe. ‘There must be some other explanation. She must have –’

  Ieyasu cut him off with an angry wave. ‘How she escaped does not concern me! If our men are to blame they can be dealt with later. What matters is that she is here now!’ He turned on Ichiwara. ‘Find Mashimatsu. Tell him I want this meddlesome woman’s quarters sealed off from the rest of the Palace by an armed guard. No one in her entourage is to be allowed out – and that includes her children.’

  ‘Yes, sire.’

  ‘When she returns after leaving here, she is to remain there. And if she demands to know why, Mashimatsu is to say she is being held on my orders pending a possible charge of high treason!’

  ‘Yes, sire!’

  ‘And you can tell the Captain he has one last chance to save his promotion and his head. When I wake up tomorrow morning, I want to be surprised and distressed to hear she and her brood have taken poison rather than face the disgrace of a trial. He is to despatch her servants as well. That will be proof of their guilt. Go quickly – and return here as soon as it has been arranged!’

  Ichiwara left. Watanabe waited until the door closed again then said: ‘Do you think she knows we –?’

  Ieyasu exploded again. ‘You are wasting time, Watanabe! We will know the answer to that question when we hear what she has to say! Go and fetch her!’

  A fleeting coolness touched Roz at the centre of her being and a vague, fuzzy image of Steve came into her mind. Her body stiffened as she tried to seize it and bring it into sharper focus in the hope of hearing that familiar inner voice, but it eluded her like a handful of smoke.

  And was gone.…

  Roz tried to make contact. Nothing happened. Steve remained tantalisingly out of reach, but she was left with an extraordinary feeling of being physically close to him. But that was impossible. How could she be? Steve was in the Federation with Clearwater. Roz opened her eyes and found Cadillac gazing at her warily.

  ‘What happened just then?’

  ‘Nothing, just … day-dreaming.’

  ‘At a time like this?!’

  Roz would have loved to have told him, just to wipe that look of disdain off his face. But it would have to wait. She had to be sure before saying anything. With their lives poised on a knife edge, Steve was the last person Cadillac wanted to hear about.…

  Lord Ieyasu sat alone in his study listening intently to Lady Mishiko. Chief Secretary Watanabe had been instructed to wait outside and prevent anyone from entering. Ichiwara, who had been despatched to brief Captain Mashimatsu, had not yet returned.

  Considering the physical strains imposed by her recent sea-voyage and escape from death in a crowded longboat, the Shogun’s sister was remarkably composed. A slight tremor in her voice told him she was extremely nervous even though he had welcomed her with his usual show of warmth and affection. As her grand-uncle, she had always remained in awe of him, but her nervousness was no doubt increased by the extraordinary nature of her story.

  Mishiko, her heart pounding, continued to relate at breakneck speed how Lord Kiyomori Min-Orota, acting as a double-agent for the Toh-Yota, had accepted the invitation to meet with other ‘progressive’ domain-lords at Sara-kusa.

  ‘… and when they were all assembled, he learned – to his amazement – that the Yama-Shita family had discovered an alien device hidden beneath the table in their conference chamber. A device the size of a go stone which acted like a servant’s ear at his master’s door – which they claim your agents placed there!’

  Ieyasu laughed. ‘I know nothing of such devices, nor do I seek to! Is this the charge Lord Min-Orota feared the Yama-Shita would lay at my door? He is even more gullible than I thought!

  ‘As chief counsel to your illustrious brother, it is my business to discover the strength of our enemies in the outlands. I know, for instance, that the long-dogs whose cities are hidden deep in the ground are masters of what is known as the High Craft. They have machines of unimaginable complexity which are filled with the Dark Light, but in capturing it they have become enslaved by its power.

  ‘They cannot exist without it. It makes their false sun rise and their underground rivers flow! But we, who are strong, have no need of such devilish devices. If there is such an object, as Kiyo has described, then it must have been made by long-dogs. Ask yourself this – if the Yama-Shita claim to be the innocents in this affair, how was it they knew what this device was and how it functioned?!’

  ‘I also asked that question, mi’lord. The stone ear was not all they found. The Yama-Shita family have also apprehended two individuals with another larger device. A black box which speaks with two voices – in our own sacred mother tongue.’

  Ieyasu’s face betrayed nothing, but this piece of news was not to his liking. If two of his agents had allowed themselves to be captured with an incriminating piece of hardware, it was not only the most reprehensible form of negligence, it was a breach of trust. All the men selected to operate such devices were equipped with fast-acting poison pills for use on such occasions to ensure the secret they had sworn to keep died with them.

  ‘This all sounds rather far-fetched. If there is such a box, and there are two such men, it is probably a clumsy attempt on the part of the Yama-Shita to discredit me. I repeat – the objects you describe can only have been made by the long-dogs and obtained from them! The Yama-Shita have already paid dearly for attempting to resurrect the Dark Light – and now, barely a year later, they are in league with our enemies again!

  ‘Mark my words, they will pay dearly for this treachery. And it greatly saddens me, my lady, that you should wish to help spread such vicious lies about someone who had always done his best to ensure your health and happiness and … protect you from harm.’

  Mishiko matched his honeyed insincerity: ‘I have never doubted your good intentions, great-uncle – which is why I am not spreading “vicious lies”. Since Kiyo expressed his deep concern to me, you are the first and only person I have spoken to about this matter.’

  Ieyasu inclined his head. ‘I am greatly relieved to hear it.’

  Mishiko continued: ‘Like Kiyo, my first concern is to preserve the supremacy of the Toh-Yota – by whatever means and at any cost. Neither of us wish to do anything which might cause a rift between you and my brother, but Kiyo and I felt it was our duty to alert you to the allegations the Yama-Shita seem intent on laying before the Shogun.’

  Ieyasu accepted this with a grateful bow. ‘I never realised such a wise head rested on such beautiful shoulders.’

  Etiquette required Mishiko to respond in a similar fashion. ‘I was fortunate to inherit my mother’s good sense instead of the madness that ran
in my father’s blood.’

  ‘It is we who are fortunate, my dear Mishiko. Is that the end of your strange tale?’

  ‘I wish it was.’ Mishiko smiled inwardly, savouring the information she was about to reveal; information that would wipe the disdainful expression from her great-uncle’s face. ‘The two individuals captured by the Yama-Shita were outlanders – long-dogs who had disguised themselves as Mute slaves by growing their hair and painting their skins – and who spoke our mother tongue In the hope of saving their lives, they confessed all they knew.’

  She paused and gestured helplessly. ‘Their story is so unbelievable, I hardly dare repeat it for fear you will think I have lost my senses!’

  ‘I assure you I will think nothing of the kind,’ said Ieyasu. ‘Hold nothing back, my dear Mishiko. And above all do not be frightened. You have my word that nothing you say will go beyond these four walls.’ He looked at her expectantly.

  There was a moment’s silence while Mishiko overcame her reluctance. When she spoke, it was with a small, timid voice. ‘These painted spies are a male and female long-dog. They claim to work for an organisation called AMEXICO. They say this organisation has worked hand-in-glove for many years with a network of secret agents controlled by you. They say they are able to speak Japanese because you have sent teachers into their underground domain and, in return, AMEXICO have supplied your agents with…’

  ‘Go on. Let us hear the whole of this sorry tale.’

  ‘… with devices animated by the Dark Light. Devices with can capture voices and can send reports and commands undetected through the air from one end of the country to the other.’

  Ieyasu’s air of disdainful superiority had vanished but his voice still had a sarcastic edge. ‘I see. But apart from the box found in their possession, would I be correct in thinking they had nothing to offer in the way of proof that their story was anything other than sheer fantasy? Ha! The Yama-Shita must be in desperate straits if they hoped anyone would believe such a tissue of lies!’

  ‘I agree, mi’lord. You can see now why I hesitated. If that were all Kiyo Min-Orota had to tell me I would not have bothered to make this journey.’ Mishiko saw her great-uncle’s eyes harden.

  ‘There is more?’

  ‘Yes. The long-dogs claim to have had dealings with your secretary, Ichiwara. They say they delivered several "black boxes" to him, and these were installed in a secret chamber inside the Summer Palace –’

  ‘Enough!’ shouted Ieyasu. ‘That is absolutely outrageous!’

  Mishiko bowed. ‘Those were my exact words to Lord Min-Orota. I knew you would be angry. Do you wish me to remain silent, or will you allow me to repeat their most dangerous charge against you?’

  ‘Very well! Go on, if you must!’

  Mishiko moistened her lips. She had been waiting for this moment. ‘The long-dogs claim to know where this chamber is. Kiyo says they have drawn a plan which is now in the possession of the Yama-Shita. A plan which purports to show its location.’

  Ieyasu’s lined face turned to stone. ‘I see … And did he describe this plan to you?’

  ‘No, mi’lord. But he saw it with his own eyes, and urged me to make you aware of its existence.’

  Ieyasu nodded thoughtfully, the slowness of the gesture in marked contrast to the speed at which his mind was working. ‘You have done well to bring these matters to my attention, my child. I have underestimated the cunning and determination of our enemies.’

  ‘Yes,’ said Mishiko. ‘It is obvious they planned to play upon my brother’s hatred of the Dark Light in all its forms and his determination to uphold our most sacred traditions. By linking you to the long-dogs and their infernal devices, they hoped to destroy the trust that exists between you. Or – if I may venture to say so – make him feel he had been utterly betrayed.’

  ‘Exactly!’ cried Ieyasu. ‘There you have seized upon the nub of the matter! And with admirable shrewdness and economy! As your Highness knows, I have never subscribed to the belief that women are the weaker and inferior sex, even though the laws of Ne-Issan have always denied them positions of real power.

  ‘Were it otherwise, you would make a worthy candidate to occupy the throne! Strength of character, nobility, intelligence, insight and – above all – discretion! A quality never more needed than now. This conversation must remain a secret – between us.’

  ‘Of course.’

  ‘Not a word to anyone – especially your brother.’

  ‘No, great-uncle.…’

  ‘We have journeyed here to conduct great affairs of state – delicate negotiations away from prying eyes and the tittle-tattle of idle tongues that is the bane of court life!’

  ‘Alas! I know them only too well.’

  ‘Exactly! Exactly! That is why this malicious tale must not be allowed to reach your brother’s ears. His concentration on the matter in hand must not be diverted. He is, I regret to say, not as strong as you. His confidence in me is absolute. It is like a rock – but it is a rock fractured by self-doubt.

  ‘The wrong word at the wrong time would be like a steel wedge hammered into a fault line by a quarryman. One well-aimed blow and the rock splits asunder! You and I must see that never happens. He needs our love and support.’

  ‘He has them, mi’lord. And you have my vow of silence.’

  Ieyasu, scenting things were once more going his way said: ‘Then what reason will you give for following us here?’

  Mishiko had her reply already prepared, but she paused to make it seem as if it came from the heart. ‘I shall tell him that I had a premonition he was in mortal danger and rushed to be at his side to do what I could to prevent his death – or share it.’

  She gazed directly into Ieyasu’s eyes. ‘For were he to die, I would not wish to live a moment longer. And that part is true, I swear it.’

  Ieyasu rose to his feet and offered Mishiko his hand. ‘I wish there was someone who held my life in such high esteem.’

  ‘Oh, come, mi’lord! Does not my brother love and respect you? It is you who has been his father in all but name.’

  ‘True, true. And you have not hesitated to confide in me. That is reward enough. Go, my child. My secretary Watanabe will conduct you back to your quarters. And there I must urge you to remain for the moment for I fear our enemies may be plotting more mischief.’

  Mishiko frowned. ‘I do not understand.…’

  ‘Your brother and I journeyed here in secret, my child. To disguise our presence we are not protected by our usual number of guards. My worry is that this tale of black boxes and painted long-dogs may have been a cunning ruse to fill you with alarm.’

  ‘You mean they …?’

  ‘Yes! You may, unwittingly, have led them to us at a time when we lack the means to defend ourselves.’

  ‘May the Gods forgive me!’ cried Mishiko. ‘If that were true I would kill myself!’

  ‘Tush, my child. I doubt that will be necessary. Your actions were inspired by a desire to protect the House of Toh-Yota. And I shall be forever in your debt.’ He struck the floor three times with the point of his gold-topped staff.

  Watanabe and Ichiwara entered and bowed as Ieyasu walked Lady Mishiko towards them.

  ‘Watanabe. Convey her highness to her quarters. I have made her aware of certain dangers. Make sure she is guarded well.’

  ‘Yes, sire.’ Watanabe ushered Mishiko into the carriage-box that stood in the corridor immediately outside.

  Ieyasu signalled Ichiwara to close the door and strode back into his private office. The benign expression which had concealed his true feelings as he bade goodbye to Mishiko had vanished. When he turned to face his secretary, all pretence had gone. This was no longer the kindly great-uncle: this was a vicious, cornered animal with a voice like cold steel.

  ‘For the time being, it is no longer safe to operate the radio network. Get the operator to send a signal to the other base units warning them we are going off the air. The communications equipment is to be remo
ved from the box-room, destroyed by fire and the remains broken and buried in more than one place. All traces that might point to the room having been occupied are to be eliminated, and it is to be filled with rubble and completely sealed. I don’t want it hidden. I want it to vanish – you understand?’

  ‘Yes, sire.’

  ‘Good. Attend to it immediately! That order also applies to the equipment that came with the road convoy. Everything must go. Our lives depend on it!’

  Ichiwara left and strode hurriedly along the side corridor and up the flights leading to the Records Office. When the full court was in residence, a small army of scribes sat at the lines of desks, but now the long room was deserted.

  After satisfying himself that he had not been followed, and that there was no one on the stairs or in the corridor above, he entered the room, and locked the door behind him. Stepping lightly across the room to the wall of shelves and pigeon-holes, he pressed the ‘knot’ beneath the lower shelf and stood back as the hinged segment of shelving unlocked itself and opened towards him.

  A spine-chilling sight met his eyes. Instead of the trusted operator rising from his seat to greet him, his severed head sat on top of the neat stack of radio equipment. A sheet of blood had run down the dials, knobs and meters on the front panels, spread along the table and dripped over the edge onto the floor below.

  Ichiwara stepped into the box-room. The seat had been overturned. There was blood all over the floor, but there was no body. The implications were obvious – and chilling. He backed out slowly, then froze as he heard a movement behind him.

  ‘Do you not dare to face us, Ichiwara?’

  The voice turned the secretary’s knees to water. Supporting himself on the shelf unit, he inched round, keeping his eyes averted until the last moment.

  Prince Yoritomo, the Shogun, and his sister, Lady Mishiko, stood on the far side of the room flanked by samurai and men from the Palace Guard led by Captain Kamakura. Kneeling on the floor between four of the guards were two painted grass-monkeys – Mute slaves dressed in kimonos, their wrists pinioned with ropes. The taller of the two had a radio transceiver hung around his neck.