Executive orders - Tom Clancy [63]
SWORDBASE copies affirmative, the encrypted radio crackled back.
EAGLE, out.
The motorcade speeded up Suitland Parkway. Under other circumstances a news helicopter might have tracked them with a live camera, but Washington airspace was effectively shut down for the moment. Even National Airport was closed, with its flights shunted to Dulles or Baltimore-Washington International. Koga hadn't noticed the driver, who was American. The car turned right off the parkway, then hopped a block to the ramp for I-295, which turned almost immediately into I-395, a bumpy thoroughfare that led across the Anacostia River toward downtown Washington. As it merged with the main roadway, the stretch Lexus in which he was sitting veered to the right. Another identical car took its place as his formed up with three Secret Service Suburbans in a maneuver that took a mere five seconds. The empty streets made the rest of the trip easy, and in but a few minutes, his car turned onto West Executive Drive.
Here they come, sir, Price said, notified by the uniformed guard at the gatehouse.
Jack walked outside just as the car halted, not sure of the protocol for this-one more thing he'd yet to figure out about his new job. He almost moved to pull open the door himself, but a Marine corporal got there first, yanking the door and saluting like a robot.
Mr. President, Koga said on standing up.
Mr. Prime Minister. Please come this way. Ryan gestured with his hand.
Koga had never been to the White House before, and it struck him that had he flown over-what? three months earlier-to discuss the trade problems that had led to a shooting war yet another shameful failure. Then Ryan's demeanor came through the haze. He'd read once that the full ceremonies of a state arrival were not the sign of importance here-well, that was not possible or appropriate in any case, Koga told himself. But Ryan had stood alone at the door, and that must have meant something, the Japanese Prime Minister told himself on the way up the stairs. A minute later, whizzed through the West Wing, he and Ryan were alone in the Oval Office, separated only by a low table and a coffee tray.
Thank you for this, Koga said simply.
We had to meet, President Ryan said. Any other time and we'd have people watching and timing us and trying to read our lips. He poured a cup for his guest and then himself.
Hai, the press in Tokyo have become much more forward in the past few days. Koga made to lift his cup, but stopped. Whom do I thank for rescuing me from Yamata?
Jack looked up. The decision was made here. The two officers are in the area, if you want to see them again personally.
If it is convenient. Koga sipped at his cup. He would have preferred tea, but Ryan was doing his best to be a host, and the quality of the gesture impressed his guest. Thank you for letting me come, President Ryan.
I tried to talk to Roger about the trade problem, but but I wasn't persuasive enough. Then I worried that something might be happening with Goto, but I didn't move quickly enough, what with the Russian trip and everything. It was all a great big accident, but I suppose war usually is. In any case, it is up to the two of us to heal that wound. I want it done as rapidly as possible.
The conspirators are all under arrest. They will appear in court for treason, Koga promised.
That is your affair, the President replied. Which wasn't really true. Japan's legal system was a curious one in which courts often enough violated the country's constitution in favor of broader but unwritten cultural mores, something unthinkable to Americans. Ryan and America expected that the trials would go by the book with no such variations. Koga understood that fully. A reconciliation between America and Japan depended absolutely on that, along with a multitude of other understandings which could not be spoken, at least not at this level. For his own part, Koga had already made sure that the judges selected for the various trials understood what the rules were.
I never thought