The Devil's Playground

by Michael Reagan

face that he was uncomfortable with a member of the CIA influencing American Politics and by definition breaking the law by soliciting election funds for a standing POTUS, despite Ali not saying anything. Again the President decided he would discuss it later with Ali.

  "Rob, how does ARCTIC TIGER want me to acknowledge I am ready to deal?"

  "During your next speech to the nation, use the term 'Noble Purpose' somewhere in it, Mr. President," answered Rob's voice.

  46

  Tokyo

  The man that Iron Triangle had chosen to be their puppet was the recently resigned Foreign Minister, Yuto Hayashi.

  Thomas, Katamaya, and Hayashi were sitting in the lounge of the Yazuka crime lord's elegant house in Tokyo. Candles were burning brightly around them, much in the same manner that each household in Japan was currently doing to conserve energy. With the rationing of LNG as well as petroleum products in force nobody, not even a Yazuka lord, wanted to appear unpatriotic.

  Thomas studied Hayashi carefully. He could see that the grey haired man in his early sixties with thin rectangular shaped glasses was scared but nevertheless was determined to appear strong in what must be a risk meeting him. Thomas decided to compliment him first before proceeding.

  "It took great courage, Yuto-San, to resign from the Government," he stated respectfully.

  The man nodded then asked Katamaya if he could continue who indicated that he could with a slight nod of his head, as manners were everything in Japan.

  "I have no wish to see my country turned to wasteland again, Thomas-San," stated Hayashi. "So if a person of your standing asks to see me to offer a way to avoid it I am by duty bound to listen to that man's proposal," he said before continuing. "If China and Japan had cooperated by solving the tensions between our two countries, then the turbulences in the region would have been avoided and this meeting wouldn't have been necessary. Because I was the lone voice in the crowd, I was left with no choice but to resign. But I fear that path of cooperation can no longer be visited despite your efforts, Thomas-San." Hayashi then explained that while a limited war between China, Korea, and Japan over both sets of islands-perhaps of the scale of the Falklands War between Britain and Argentina in the 1980s-would have been unsettling for the global economy, the decision of the Prime Minister to bomb Korea, destroying eighty percent of its air force had made that impossible.

  "How so?" questioned Thomas in order for him to work out whether the man sitting in front of him was the best person to act as the "voice of reason," as Katamaya had implied.

  The Japanese man sighed before continuing.

  "The first critical point to note is that China has been seeking to establish itself on the world's stage not just an economic powerhouse but a military one as well for the last five years." He paused to recross his legs. "In the past, countries seeking to establish their rights on the global stage have always traditionally sought out conflict. Japan consequently within Asia is an ideal candidate for China's hostility because resentment still burns over my country's invasion and occupation of Manchuria."

  "I know, it was brutal and littered with war crimes," countered Thomas.

  "Yes, but we have continued to deny them, Thomas-San, so this only fans the flames. To the Chinese, my country is an American protectorate, dotted with their bases and subject to a mutual defense treaty which that fool has used to get Parker to stand by his side," he stated in disgust, referring to the Prime Minister who had forced his resignation.

  Thomas reflected on the man's statements for a second.

  "If China is to eclipse the United States as a global superpower, China has to able to show that she can impose her will on America," Hayashi continued.

  It then dawned on Thomas what the attack on the islands by the Chinese was.

  "You mean China invaded your islands to force the Americans to test their resolve?" he queried, not quite believing it. The Statesman nodded.

  "Okazaki is a peacock, albeit a popular bird, who has made it his life's work to change Japan's pacifistic constitution using the arguments that Japan is faced with a twenty-year economic depression, falling birthrates, and a population of 'herbivore' males with an aversion to sexuality. He saw hostility against Korea as a gateway to greater nationalism, and greater nationalistic fervor as a gateway to a national recovery," the statesman continued, shaking his head as if in shame. "The second he took the Takeshima Islands, the idiot fell into a spider web!" he stated with a resigned look.

  "How so?" Thomas queried.

  The Japanese man took off his glasses, examined them for a moment, and then continued.

  "It comes down to the wording of the old treaty of Mutual Defense between the U.S. and Japan. The old treaty allowed the Americans 'wiggle' room by stating that in the event of a Senkaku annexation by China, the matter would be reported to the Security Council of the United Nations in accordance with the provisions of Article 51 of the Charter," he said, putting his glasses back on. "That was changed as part of the reunification treaty agreed by Obama to ensure Japan's support to the plan and as such China knew that once they had successfully captured the islands in order to keep them, they would have to poke the eagle in its eye, so to speak."

  "Attacking the carrier on its way to threaten the retaking of the islands forced the Americans to respond in the only way they knew how and in all in the name of nationalist pride," responded Thomas showing his grasp of military related matters.

  "Exactly! With the result that the International community and not just China's allies are now seeking to diplomatically pressure Chinese into not escalating the crisis instead of lobbying them to reach a peaceful arbitrated resolution for the islands. Everybody knows that will never happen now as there is-how you say-a bigger problem!" he said, finding the phrase in English.

  "The United States is honor bound to choose Japan but has to avoid escalating the crisis into a global war between China and her allies and the United States and her allies at all costs and that is why you're here sitting in front of me," said Hayashi with a sad smile. "I know that whatever deal you are authorized to offer it will be my country who will be the one forced into a humiliating climb down, because we will have to accept both the Chinese and Korean sovereignty rights over both sets of islands. As well as any other Japanese territory they may want, not to mention I have no doubt from this moment on Japan will also have to face the possibility of further incursions and expansionism in the Pacific in the future. After today, with our standing destroyed in the international community, it will be something we will not be able to do anything about," he said sadly. "All because the Little Monkey and his right wing idiots have bet on the wrong hand!" Hayashi shook his head bitterly.

  Thomas took a moment to gather his thoughts. Everything the Japanese politician had said was true. Nevertheless because he was instrument of the Mayor he outlined the deal he was authorized to make alongside the terms of the Koreans, which just as Hayashi said, included the renouncing Japan's claims to the Dokdos.

  "The Fixed Price Gas offer is a fair deal but what about the Americans, where do they stand?" answered Hayashi with his political hat on with respect to the energy part of the deal, once Thomas had finished with the terms. "And what about Russia's and Japan's disagreement over the Kuril Islands?" Hayashi pressed, referring to the islands that were still in dispute between Russia and Japan.

  "The President is prepared to allow the international courts to settle the dispute, but Japan must agree to a timetable of arbitration," answered Thomas.

  Hayashi announced that these terms were acceptable and fair under circumstances.

  "You still haven't told me where the Americans stand on all of this?" he asked.

  "They will remain committed to Japan's shores and protection but they insist that CORETEXAS has to become the joint venture partner for all Russia's gas transported through Korea and elsewhere into Japan," Thomas said while Katamaya's mouth twitched.

  "They will force Japan to exclusively contract completely t
hrough CORETEXAS for all foreign purchases of our gas!" Hayashi said in shock over the rape of Japan's right to choose suppliers.

  The Statesman, his eyes full of anger shot a look in the direction of Katamaya.

  The Yazuka remained emotionless as they spoke in quick Japanese together, although nervous and clearly scared, Thomas admired the way the politician was prepared to stand up to him.

  Although he only possessed a smattering of Japanese as it was one of those languages that had to be practiced everyday, Thomas knew enough to pick up on the fact that Hayashi was demanding that he share the spoils equally amongst Japan's energy companies only for the Yazuka to firmly put him in his place by telling him to be silent and it was not his place to question the business of the Iron Triangle or insult him by demanding things outside his sphere of influence.

  Finally it was Katamaya who spoke and in clear and short tones in English to Thomas.

  "Thomas-San, our friend accepts the terms of Russia and Korea," he said, imposing his will on the politician with the full force of the Iron Triangle behind him.

  Thomas felt a tinge of sympathy for Hayashi. He had no real power to stand up to the bullies in the playground. Nevertheless he had still tried to do the right thing for his country and its people. That took guts.

  When Thomas walked into the suite at the Grand Hyatt in