Digital Fortress Chapter 13

Tokugen Numataka stood in his plush, penthouse office and gazed out at the Tokyo skyline. His employees and competitors knew him a sakuta same-the deadly shark. For three decade she'd outguessed, outbid, and out advertised all the Japanese competition; now he was on the brink of becoming a giant in the world market as well. He was about to close the biggest deal of his life-a deal that would make his Numatech Corp. the Microsoft of the future. His blood was alive with the cool rush of adrenaline. Business was war-and war was exciting. Although Tokugen Numataka had been suspicious when the call had come three days ago, he now knew the truth. He was blessed with myouri-good fortune. The gods had chosen him. â€Å"I have a copy of the Digital Fortress pass-key,† the American accent had said. â€Å"Would you like to buy it?† Numataka had almost laughed aloud. He knew it was a ploy. Numatech Corp. had bid generously for Ensei Tankado's new algorithm, and now one of Numatech's competitors was playing games, trying to find out the amount of the bid. â€Å"You have the pass-key?† Numataka feigned interest. â€Å"I do. My name is North Dakota.† Numataka stifled a laugh. Everyone knew about North Dakota. Tankado had told the press about his secret partner. It had been a wise move on Tankado's part to have a partner; even in Japan, business practices had become dishonorable. Ensei Tankado was not safe. But one false move by an overeager firm, and the pass-key would be published; every software firm on the market would suffer. Numataka took a long pull on his Umami cigar and played along with the caller's pathetic charade. â€Å"So you're selling your pass-key? Interesting. How does Ensei Tankado feel about this?† â€Å"I have no allegiance to Mr. Tankado. Mr. Tankado was foolish to trust me. The pass-key is worth hundreds of times what he is paying me to handle it for him.† â€Å"I'm sorry,† Numataka said. â€Å"Your pass-key alone is worth nothing to me. When Tankado finds out what you've done, he will simply publish his copy, and the market will be flooded.† â€Å"You will receive both pass-keys,† the voice said. â€Å"Mr. Tankado's and mine.† Numataka covered the receiver and laughed aloud. He couldn't help asking. â€Å"How much are you asking for both keys?† â€Å"Twenty million U.S. dollars.† Twenty million was almost exactly what Numataka had bid. â€Å"Twenty million?† He gasped in mock horror. â€Å"That's outrageous!† â€Å"I've seen the algorithm. I assure you it's well worth it.† No shit, thought Numataka. It's worth ten times that. â€Å"Unfortunately,† he said, tiring of the game, â€Å"we both know Mr. Tankado would never stand for this. Think of the legal repercussions.† The caller paused ominously. â€Å"What if Mr. Tankado were no longer a factor?† Numataka wanted to laugh, but he noted an odd determination in the voice. â€Å"If Tankado were no longer a factor?† Numataka considered it. â€Å"Then you and I would have a deal.† â€Å"I'll be in touch,† the voice said. The line went dead.