gave no sign of having done so,
but that was one of their great attributes - keeping a straight face
when the roof was falling in.
'Hang on to your hat,' whispered Fran. She cleared her throat. 'Chief
Secretary, your mastery over our language is less skillful than you
suppose and your attempts at politeness have failed to mask the fact
that you view us with disdain."
She balled her fists and slammed them down on the low table in front of
her. Steve went cold, but he knew from the set of her jaw there was no
stopping her now.
'Just who in bell's name do you think you're talking to, you unctuous,
inky-listed toad!?! I and my companion come from the highest ranks of
the First Family! Rulers of the Amtrak Federation, the greatest power
on this earth!
My father is a senior member of the Supreme Council, second only in
authority to George Washington Jefferson the 31st, the
President-General himself! He also happens to be the President's
brother, and I have the honour of being an executive officer on the
President's personal staff!
'That was why I was selected for this mission. Captain Brickman, my
aide-de-camp, is the personal representative of Commander-General
Karlstrom who has already dealt directly with Lord Ieyasu on other
matters of which you are no doubt aware' - she glared at Watanabe'since
I understand you were there at the time.
'Listen to me carefully. When we speak, it is with the voice and the
authority of the two men on this continent who are the equal of your
masters in rank, stature and power. So don't ever address me in such
an insolent manner again. Is that clear?!" Watanabe, who like
Ichiwara had been left white-faced at this outburst, inclined his
head.
'Yes, my lady."
Fran switched over to japanese, complete with the inflections employed
by the upper classes. 'Good. Now understand this. In my eyes you are
lower than a heap of ox-dung. Furthermore, I intend to inform your
master of this incident, and will suggest to him that negotiations
between our two countries would proceed more smoothly if you were given
lessons on how to address your betters!" Steve didn't know what Fran
had said, but it was obvious she hadn't been handing out gold stars.
Watanabe's face didn't move an inch but it went whiter than ever. The
veins on his temples bulged and the tension was reflected in his
knuckles. His fingers were dug in so tight, it looked as if he was
trying to rip his kneecaps off.
Ichiwara, sitting alongside him, and Skull-Face in the second row,
looked like a couple of blasted oaks.
Watanabe hung his head and tried to collect his thoughts. Never, in
his whole life, had he received such a vitriolic dressing down! Here
he was, the most senior secretary in the Lord Chamberlain's Office - a
man who told government ministers what to do - and he had been
humiliated in front of two junior colleagues by an outlander who had
doubled the affront by addressing him abusively in japanese! And this
indignity had been inflicted upon him by a woman!!
It was an unbearable loss of face. Nevertheless business had to
proceed. He suppressed a perfectly justified desire to see this
foul-mouthed bitch flayed alive and used his renowned mental discipline
to clear his head. Three deep breaths was all it took to restore the
necessary stillness at the centre of his being and find a face-saving
formula. 'I apologise sincerely for my clumsiness. The journey that
tired my master also seems to have had an adverse effect on my
professional competence and manners- and has, in fact, left me feeling
distinctly unwell. With your permission, my lady, I shall withdraw and
leave Secretary Ichiwara to note down the information required."
He took his final bow, and got a curt nod in return.
'As you wish."
Ichiwara and Skull-Face paid their respects to Watanabe then moved up
into the firing-line as the door-screens closed behind him.
Fran threw Steve a quick glance then said: 'Okay.
We've drunk the tea and cleared the air. Can we now get down to
business?"
'B-By all means,' stammered Ichiwara. He turned to Skull-Face. 'Will
you take notes, Major?"