Both men discovered they were early risers. Dressed casual in shirt and pants they escaped to the food car before a persistent Izumi arrived to escort Albert for a ‘traditional’ Japanese breakfast. At such an early time, there were only a few passengers present.

While sipping their last cup of coffee, Albert stared out the window at the sunrise. His mind analyzed the situation. After a few minutes, he became aware of Harris staring at him.

“Make any decisions?”

“Not really. But this trip is more dangerous than I planned. Adventure, I can live with, but danger, no. Too much unknown.”

When we get to the next stop, I will send a telegraph in code. Update him on our concerns.”

“Meanwhile, there are some gadgets I want to remove from the boxes.”

Harris gave him a questioning look.

“Call it insurance.”

Albert dug through the boxes and laid out various items. His goggles and small torch went in his pocket. The derringer slid into the heel of his shoe.

“Anything else?” was Harris’s amused question.

“Oh yes. I’ll need this, and this.” Strange gadgets were clipped to both wrists and on his ankles. He tested each one before attaching them. At small puffs of stream, he nodded.

“Everything alright?”

“Yes, they are fully charged. I noticed something though; each box was opened, and contents rearranged. Searched for something, or maybe just spying. Not sure which. I won’t know what is missing until all are unpacked.”

“Here?” Harris asked with a hint of panic in his voice.

“No, later when we get on the steamer. More room to spread them out. Want a knife? He held out a device with a knife inserted. Fits on your wrist.”

Harris shrugged his shoulders and grinned back. “No thanks, I have my own.”

Albert studied him. “I have something special. Fits your skills. Here put this on your wrist.”

After Albert buckled it on him, he studied the device. “What does it do?”

“It’s a climbing hook. Works on compressed air. Push this button here, but don’t do it now. A filament heats up and causes the air to expand. You will feel when it is ready. This button here shoots out the hook. Be prepared, you only have one chance. Recharging takes a while.”

The train slowed to a halt.

Albert said, “We’re at Cleveland to take on passengers and fuel. Only about a week to go. Close these boxes up? Make it difficult for inquisitive eyes.”

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

They tied ropes around them. Harris used an intricate knot to fasten them closed.

Before locking up the cabin. Albert dropped a glass vial inside the door. “We will know who enters, just look for purple shoes.”

As they crossed into Albert’s cabin, Izumi approached them.

“Emissary requests your presence for lunch. If you can follow me.”

Harris turned his back to them and started straightening the cabin. He closed the bed and folded a blanket. Valet work.

Albert picked up his cane and followed her down the hall, glad he had a big breakfast. Not sure how substantial sticky rice, fish, and strange vegetables were.

Tamako waited for him in the room. He gave a quick bow and indicated for Albert to be seated.

After a responding bow, he sat in the chair held out by Izumi.

“Shall we enjoy our meal before the train starts back up?” The emissary used his chopsticks to lift a piece of fish.

Albert waved off the offered utensil and picked up his fork. As the meal was completed, the train jerked to a start. With a giant heave, the steam engine moved forward.

“I am honored by your hospitality. But a question. There are a few issues I need to understand. Can we fully discuss the mission now that our trip is underway?”

The emissary nodded and sipped his tea.

After a length of silence, Albert prodded more. “I keep up with politics. The attack at my doorstep, I may understand. The Russians are getting aggressive, some say a war is imminent with Japan. Killing a Japanese emissary in the US? Bold move. There must be more than that, though. Maybe negotiating a treaty between McKinley and the emperor is in the works, and you carry the request?”

“Early stages, not something to discuss.”

“What about the men, dressed all in black, who attacked me in my house? Said something about ‘injuring my hands” and threw this at me.” He pulled at the black disc.

Tamako’s calm attitude changed. He sat up and reached for the object. “It is called a ‘Shuriken’. A tool used by ninjas.”

“Ninjas?”

“Skilled assassins. For the most part an extinct sect. Those that survived, live in secret, and hire out to the highest bidder.”

“Why me?”

“You are a symbol of the new, innovative Japan, and as such, bring in more Western influence. Emperor Meiji is working toward industrializing our nation. Some opponents complain that Japan has gone too far in this policy.

“The prior Tokugawa regime wanted to seal Japan off from the outside world and prevent change. The leaders felt the pressure and motivation for change was the United States ‘attempt to undermine Japan's sovereignty. Their goal was to reverse the unequal treaties imposed on Japan in the 1850s.

“Under promises to enrich the country and strengthen the military yet keep the traditions, Emperor Meiji prevailed. Though, there are still some disgruntled voices. Those that want to revert to the old ways of separatism.”

“But what does a dragon have to do with this trend of modernism?” Albert slanted his head sideways. Eyes narrowed to slits. “Or was that only a trick to gain my interest?”

Tamako took another sip of tea before answering. “Some truth, some only a half-truth.”

“The miniature dragon?”

“Izumi will be glad to show it to you. Maybe later. But now, there is business I must attend to. Have a pleasant afternoon.”

Albert left for his cabin. Outwardly calm, inwardly his mind investigated what the man said, and did not say. He tapped on Harris’s door and entered. “Just as I thought, an undercurrent of intrigue. Tamako explained the politics, why the attacks, but…. You already knew why.”

His companion smiled. “I don’t go out on assignment without knowing the facts. President McKinley explained everything. Just don’t know what the emissary enticed you with to gain your cooperation.”

Albert gave a wry grin. “A real dragon, and a life-sized mechanical one. Sounds crazy now that I say it out loud.”

“Is that what you have been drawing?”

“Yes. He must want me to build a mechanized device, maybe in the shape of a creature. Plus, Izumi displayed a miniature, run by a strange energy source. I’ve been trying to examine it, but so far, no luck.”

A light tap sounded on his cabin door.