15
“There is nothing you can see that is not a flower;
there is nothing you can think
that is not the moon.”
― Matsuo Bashō
Yukon Station
“How would you recognize a saboteur, Mr. Fischer?” Captain Atsumi asked, standing in front of a blackboard.
Levi thought her question ludicrous.
“Big black beard and crazy eyes, holding a bomb?” He ventured a smile.
Captain Atsumi’s face stiffened into a frown. “Do you find this a joking matter? We have one of the most important endeavors in all of history taking place here, and vigilance is of utmost importance. If you cannot find the maturity to address potential problems perhaps we made a mistake in bringing you up here.”
He realized if they kicked him out of Yukon Station he was a dead man. He already knew too much. Her admonition a few days ago flashed through his mind, “This is not a job from which you want to be dismissed.”
“I apologize for the levity, captain. However, I have no idea how to recognize a saboteur.”
Her frown dissipated and he continued, “I have deduced that you are a member of the Kempeitai and don’t understand why you won’t admit it.”
“For this reason; to see if you would not only make that deduction but also if you would tell me when you did.” She awarded him a wry smile.
“If saboteurs all did fit the caricature you mentioned our task would be much easier. Unfortunately they look as normal as we do. You discover their hidden side by observing their actions.
“In a way you are in a perfect position to detect an enemy of the state. To carry out your public duties you are obligated to meet and learn the particulars of each of those employees who would have access to secure areas. Once you have met them you will have a working knowledge of their mannerisms and attitudes.
“If any of those things change you will be able to note them and alert your fellow Kempeitai agents so the person can be more closely observed. Quite simple, really.”
“Why do you believe there is a saboteur here?”
“Three reasons. First was the murder of your predecessor, Mr. Suzuki. Second was the murder of your former supervisor.”
“Barney Mathieson was murdered?”
“We believe so. After a careful examination of his work reports, personal habits, interests, and medical records we came to the conclusion if he indeed died of a heart attack, it was induced.”
“The third reason?”
“Connected to the second; we have under close surveillance the functionary who ordered Mr. Mathieson’s cremation.”
“Why not arrest him and interrogate him?”
“Because he is a member of the Tokkō and we can’t touch him.”
“The Tokkō? I am not familiar with that organization. What is it?”
“The Tokkō, often referred to in the Home Islands as the ‘thought police,’ is responsible only to the Home Ministry, who in turn advises the Emperor. We Kempeitai are part of the Imperial Army, responsible to the Prime Minister, who in turn advises the Emperor.”
“They have the same status level as the Kempeitai.”
“Now you see the problem.”
“How do we identify who is a member of the Tokkō and who is not?”
“The same way you identify a member of the Kempeitai; when they tell you so, or are wearing an arm band.”
“Why is there bad blood between the Kempeitai and the Tokkō?”
“Politics. The Home Minister is an old man who has forgotten the underlying, inescapable basis of the Greater Pacific Co-Prosperity Sphere. There are many young Japanese who share his defeatist attitudes and would have Japan roll over and offer its placid belly to the Third Reich and any other threat that manifests itself now or in the future.”
“They are against the Project?”
“Yes. We touched briefly on this subject in our first interview, the one where you experienced your epiphany.”
“Go on.”
“These are the Japanese who disagree with the avenue we have taken. They are a slowly growing minority, but a very vocal and powerful minority. Very little of this political discussion reaches North America. It is, to quote a quaint Americanism, ‘a housekeeping’ matter and we usually deal with it in the Home Islands.”
“Yet we suffer the consequences here in the middle of Alaska.”
“Alaska Prefecture is the only military controlled prefecture in the Empire of Japan. If we were to cause the Emperor a loss of face this all could change in the wink of an eye. We do not wish for his imperial eye to wink.”
“I see. You are gambling on a man who has embraced his own extinction to save a military project that is probably already doomed.”
“No!” She slapped the blackboard hard enough to shake dust from its surface. “This project is not doomed. It is a whole new beginning where the Empire can take its rightful leadership role in a modern world.”
“Captain Atsumi, please forgive my impertinence, but I think you are more frightened than I am.”
“We have spies, saboteurs, and assassins among us. We all need to be frightened. If whoever killed your predecessors decides you are in his way, no amount of levity will save you. You must discover who these people are before you become a target.”
“Frankly, captain, I am more frightened of the Greater German Reich and the Empire of Japan than I am of anyone skulking about around here. At least with a potential assassin I might see them first and be able do something about it. With the other two I am only a pawn.
“I will be alert for potential problems. However I am but one man in a situation totally new to me. I can’t promise I won’t miss something.”
“That will be adequate for now,” she said. “Return to your duties.”