"So when is this... star hostess of yours going to arrive?" The visitor asked impatiently from where he sat, tapping his fingers on the arm of his chair, not bothering to hide his disdain.
"Patience," Nodoka's handler cooly replied. "She is always punctual," He looked at the grandfather clock in one corner of his office. "There is still a few minutes to our meeting."
His visitor banged a fist on his desk. "Hmph! I don't know why I'm even here! We should let professional diplomats handle this!"
"The Emperor would agree. But you do realize that because of one your people's... less than well-conceived plans, they are quite distrustful of our government at the moment hence the Emperor's decision to use... less than official channels," Mr. Joker replied as diplomatically as possible. "We should consider ourselves lucky they did not vaporize Tokyo, Japan or even the world outright."
The Prime Minister of Japan glared balefully at the other person; however, he did not contest the point. He settled for thinking dark thoughts about his former Science and Defense Ministers whose ambitious but foolhardy scheme had backfired.
Nodoka's handler sighed. "If it will make you feel any better, let me assure you that Lady Norite is the best. The Emperor knows her abilities quite well or he would not have handpicked her himself for this assignment."
The unstated meaning behind the sentence raised an eyebrow but the visitor knew better than to pry.
The buzz of the intercom on the immaculately polished oak desk in the room interrupted their conversation.
"Yes, Wendy?"
"Ms. Katsuragi has informed me that they will arrive at the gate in two minutes, Mr. Joker."
"I see. Right on time as always. Thank you, Wendy. Have the guards been informed?"
"Yes, Mr. Joker. They're opening the gates now and clearing the grounds."
"Very good. Please usher them into my office as soon as they arrive."
"Of course, Mr. Joker."
"And please bring more tea and treats for Lady Norite and her escorts when they arrive."
"It will be my pleasure, Mr. Joker."
After releasing the call button, the man known as Mr. Joker rose from his seat and walked to the tall French windows of his office overlooking the Imperial Household Agency grounds. He invited his guest to stand beside him.
"What exactly are we looking at?" The Prime Minister irritably asked after several seconds of staring at nothing out the window.
Mr. Joker simply raised his left hand to chest level with his index finger extended. Right on cue, two black Toyota sedans roared across the open gates, one behind the other and in a spectacular display of perfect coordination, made tire-squealing, tire-burning 180-degree turns to back into the parking lot, stopping a centimeter short of the tire stops.
The two men continued to watch as four identically garbed women stepped out of the vehicles, all scanning their surroundings before one opened an umbrella while another opened the rear passenger side door of the lead car and helped an impeccably groomed woman wearing a kimono step out.
"Yes, that is Lady Norite and yes, she deserves such protection," Mr. Joker preempted the Prime Minister. "And no, I do not know how she stays so composed," The two turned away from the window and sat back into their seats when the women passed from view.
---
"Hiya, Wendy! How're things going?" Misato warmly greeted the secretary as she led the way into the waiting room. Miyuki, Nodoka, Motoko and Natsumi followed her in.
"Just fine, Misato. You can go right in, Lady Norite. Mr. Joker is expecting you."
"Thank you, Wendy," Nodoka replied while the rest bowed their heads as she passed into the office, leaving her four bodyguards to cool their heels in waiting room.
When the door closed behind their charge, the four sat around the western style coffee table.
---
Nodoka's handler and the Prime Minister stood as Nodoka entered.
"Ah! Lady Norite! Welcome!" Mr. Joker greeted warmly. He registered the barest hint of surprise when on his charge's face when she noticed the other man in the room. "No! No! The Prime Minister is not your next client," He answered her questioning look causing the Prime Minister a coughing fit and Nodoka to blush demurely. He went around his desk and pulled out a chair. "Please sit down and we can begin your briefing."
Once they had settled in and fresh tea and snacks brought in, Mr. Joker started the meeting. "Now Lady Norite, what you are about to hear is only for you. The presence of the Prime Minister should indicate the seriousness and importance of this meeting. You are here by the Emperor's own recommendation."
From where she sat sipping tea, Nodoka imperceptively stiffened. She nodded for her handler to continue.
Mr. Joker hesitated for a moment. He picked up a centimeter-thick folder from his desk and offered it to his star hostess who put her tea down to accept it. "As I see no easy way to explain the situation, I will simply allow you to read this brief outline of the situation. I must emphasize that the information you are about to read is for you alone. It should be enough to let you decide whether to accept or decline this assignment," He stated although he had no doubt in his mind that she would accept.
It took Nodoka a quarter of of an hour to read through the files, her disbelief growing by the second. "Is this for real?" Was all she was able to ask at the end, looking from one man to the other.
It was the Prime Minister who answered. "I assure you, Lady Norite, it is all real."
"I see." Nodoka said although she still had some difficulty grasping all the information she just learned. She looked down at the documents in her lap and her mind swam. From them she learned her next client was from an alien race from:
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(Posted Sat, 20 Oct 2007 17:26)
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