第81节
e we go any further would you mind telling me just what is
going on?"
The diminutive samurai answered with a polite bow.
'We are removing you from the Palace for your own safety. As they say
in the Federation, "the shit has hit the fan"."
'That's obvious!" cried Fran. 'But you haven't answered my
question!
We were sent here as envoys of the Federation on matters of state and
we have been treated outrageously! I must warn you now, Major - if we
are subjected to any further serious breaches of protocol, the
consequences to your country will be dire!" 'Cool it,' muttered
Steve.
'These guys are on our side."
Fran gave him a look that was pure venom. 'When I need your input,
I'll ask for it, Captain! I'm the head of this delegation!" She
turned back to Skull-Face. 'I'll ask you once again, Major- what is
going on?"
Fujiwara remained cool and inscrutable. 'The Shogun is dead - killed
by his sister, the Lady Mishiko. Four hours after the crazed bitch put
paid to our master."
'ieyasu? The Lord Chamberlain?! Jeeezuss! Both of 'em?" Steve
turned to Fram She looked as stunned as he was. When Roz had come
through on their private line, she had not revealed why she and
Cadillac were in the Palace. Now he knew. Unbelievable ....
'The Major wasn't kidding when he said the shit had hit the fan. This
could split Ne-Issan right down the middle!" Fran gave Steve another
withering look. 'Even I can see that. But why were we arrested?"
'Because it was the Lord Chamberlain who arranged for you to come
here.
Everything was going according to plan until tonight when, without
warning, Lady Mishiko- who had only recently arrived from the mainland
- exposed my master's secret use of your communication devices. I
cannot say how because none of us were there, but it must have been
arranged with the help of our enemies. She was too stupid to have done
it by herself. Lord Ieyasu knew the risks and -' He spread his
hands.
'- has paid the price."
'And the Shogun ordered the arrest of everyone who owed their position
to him,' concluded Fran.
Fujiwara bowed politely. 'Precisely."
Steve frowned. 'Yehh, but. if the Shogun is dead, why are people
still being arrested?"
'The news has not yet been made public." Skull-Face extended a hand
towards them. 'That is why we must hurry. We must reach the mainland
before the island is sealed."
Fran didn't move. 'One last question, Major. Why are you doing
this?
Why not just dump us and save your own necks?"
Fujiwara responded with a thin smile. 'Because, Commander, I and my
colleagues here have just lost our employer and all prospect of a
comfortable retirement."
Fran smiled. 'You're speaking my language, Major.
Get us home in one piece and you can write your own ticket."
'That's what we're counting on,' said Fujiwara. 'May we now
proceed?"
'Sure. Let's go!'
What this arrogant bitch needs, thought Steve, is to have her tongue
stapled to the roof of her mouth ....
Still smarting from the public put-downs, he beamed hate into Fran's
back as Skull-Face ushered her towards the far corner of the room where
his four colleagues were now gathered. A couple of them had flat iron
bars inserted between two of the large flagstones. There were two
clicks as the bars triggered concealed locks then a brief grinding
noise as the cornerstone pivoted upwards against the rear wall of its
own accord, revealing a narrow flight of stone steps.
Taking the lantern from one of his subordinates, Skull-Face led the way
down into a small chamber with a tunnel leading off it. He paused for
a moment while the counter-balanced cornerstone was pulled down and
locked in place, then hurried forward with Steve, Fran and the soldiers
following in single file.
Cadillac lifted up the lantern as he reached the four-way junction and
saw the scrape-mark on the wall of the narrow tunnel running off to the
right. He sank down on his heels with a sigh and looked up at Roz. 'I
hate to tell you this, but I think we're lo st. I made that mark about
half-an-hour ago."
He fished out the crude sketch map furnished by Lady Mishiko and tried