Part 75 (1/2)

Following the troops past the grandstand was a group of s.h.i.+nto priests of varied rank and importance and their a.s.sistants bearing flutes, tubular bells and drums. This group stopped as the soldiers withdrew, bowed en ma.s.se to the a.s.sembled dignitaries, then moved to the left-hand end of the line-up. In a lengthy ceremony involving the singing of invocations and responses, the waving of burning joss-sticks, the sprinkling of water and the distribution of garlands of paper flowers, the samurai and their flying-horses were blessed on behalf of the Iron Masters' sky-G.o.ds and - presumably - awarded the celestial equivalent of an airworthiness certificate.

Returning to the grandstand, the priests formed up into two lines like a guard of honour, bowed to the a.s.sembly, then turned to face each other. It was the signal for the two domain-lords to descend with their immediate entourage to inspect the aircrews and their flying-machines.

Watching through a narrow gap in the screens at the rear of the pavilion, Steve saw the Consul-General and Tos.h.i.+ro attach themselves to the group as it left the stand.

s.h.i.+gamitsu and his two chief lieutenants at the Heron Pool followed dutifully behind. Using a 'scope with a zoom lens that had been included in the third airmail package, Steve was able to zero in for head and shoulder shots of individuals in the group. The two guys at the front were obviously the domain-lords but, having never seen either before, he didn't know which was which.

The preliminaries were almost over. In a few minutes the real action would start. He pa.s.sed the 'scope to Cadillac. 'Keep your eye on the Consul-General. Unless they've changed things around again, he's due to open the flying display.”

'May I look through this magic eye too?” enquired Clearwater.

'Sure...” Steve sent her a message with his eyes, then started to pull the hidden weapons out of the floor storage units.

Jodi had already checked the house and found it empty.

Every member of Cadillac's small domestic staff was now lined up along the back wall, totally absorbed in the happenings beyond. It was unlikely they would be disturbed, but there was no point in taking chances.

Situations like this were governed by Sod's Law: if something could go wrong, you could bet your last meal-credit it most probably would.

That was why she and Kelso had armed themselves with concealed handguns and were now roving silently around the house, keeping an eye on the various entrances in case they had any unexpected callers.

Stripping off his loose jacket, Steve donned the sleeveless padded vest that AMEXICO had supplied. It contained a holster for his air pistol, pockets for the spare mags and pressure cartridges, and clips to hold the grenades under a loose flap that concealed their telltale outlines.

There was another pocket positioned level with his right elbow to hold the face mask. He filled up the various compartments and selected a lethal c.o.c.ktail of grenades. By the time he was finished, he was a one-man war machine.

He began to load up the three other vests. 'How're we doing?”

Cadillac told him: 'Min-Orota's finished his inspection of the pilots and planes. The man next to him must be Yama-s.h.i.+ta. The four machines in the second line are being moved back towards the workshops, but the crews have been stood down and have gone to the front of the stand.”

'Good. That's more than enough for us.”

'And they've just started to move five from the first line.”

'Where to?”

'They're pus.h.i.+ng them towards the grandstand. Wait a minute.”

Cadillac lapsed into silence, then said: 'Ah, yes * . . They've parked them in a V-formation right in front of the stand, with their tails pointing towards the spectators.”

'And the crews?”

'They're positioned front and rear like they were before.”

Steve continued loading the pockets of the combat vests. 'So that leaves three out on the field... Can you see their numbers?”

'Yes. Six, Seven and Eight. One to Five are in front of the stand.”

'Good.” The tidy-minded Iron Masters couldn't have made his task easier. Steve looked up and saw that Clearwater had taken over the 'scope. 'Where's lover boy now?”