Truthfully, she wasn't even sure she wanted to see him at all. The Dai Nippon scenario was getting too complicated, too insidious. Noda's play was turning into something with worldwide implications.
"Tamara, I came because we need to talk. I think you're in danger. Maybe we both are."
"From Noda? Just because he's a megalomaniac—"
"You think it's that simple?" he interrupted. "Don't be so sure. For now let's just say he's very, very clever, and very powerful." He reached out to welcome her. "But whatever he is, the time has come to stop him."
"I think Matt and I just figured out why. He's a threat to MITI, isn't he, Ken? A peril to your power base."
"He's a threat to everybody. But yes, MITI is definitely in his way at this point. Or at least I'm in his way. Somebody has to be."
"So what do you expect me to do about it? As a matter of fact, what has MITI done for me lately except try and move in on my work?"
"Tam, you can't stand up to Noda alone. But maybe together we can, at least for a while."
"What makes you think . . .?"
"I have a weapon at my disposal. A powerful weapon. The ministry. If we can use it to focus attention on what he's—"