With that he pushed the scrap of paper across the table. John stared, and felt the blood leaving his face. The prepared statement said:
I VETO YOU.
"Is this a joke?" he growled, keeping his voice calm. "You cannot mean that you reject proposals before they are made? I fail to see the humor in—"
"There is no humor."
John pushed back his chair, glanced at his men. "Gentlemen, it would appear that we have come to the bottom of the world for nothing. I think we had better retire to discuss—"
"Sit down," the Asian growled.
"Why—" The President stopped. One of the Red deputies had produced a gun. He sat, and stared coldly at the eastern leader. "Have your man dispose of that weapon. This is a conference table."
The Peoplesfriend grunted an order to the other deputy instead. "Search them."
"Stay back," Smith droned. "I can kill you all quite easily."
The deputy hesitated. The leader started laughing, then checked it. "May I ask how?"