Nemesis Chapter 2

Nemesis Chapter 2

The sign across the top of the building's front entrance featured a figure of a dragon with the words:  Tokyo Japanese Steakhouse.  James Phelps exited his black SUV and went inside.

It was not quite eleven in the morning.  There were no other vehicles in the parking lot, and no patrons yet waiting inside.  A Japanese lady in her mid-twenties was placing the stool-chairs around a huge U-shaped table, while an older Japanese gentleman wearing a chef's hat and white apron was squirting soybean oil on the hot iron griddle at the center.

"There's more to teppanyaki than just culinary skill," Jim began, his words directed to the lady as he watched the chef drag the seafood and rice to the now-smoking center of the griddle.

"Absolutely," she answered with a smile, recognizing the gentleman by his use of the keyword teppanyaki rather than the less accurate hibachi used by most tourists. "The best chefs are also entertainers, who sometimes spend years learning their craft."

There was silence for a moment as Jim and the lady watched the talented chef skillfully juggle both his utensils and the food he was preparing.

"A good meal and a good show," Jim remarked.

"The best view is at seat number four," she advised, pointing.  "Enjoy."

Jim smiled and nodded his thanks as he walked towards the corner stool that the lady had indicated and sat down.  Resting on the stool next to him, pushed underneath the high table and hidden from view, was the familiar black rectangular box.

The chef finished his task, using his spatula to flip the finished cuisine onto a plate, and he and the lady disappeared into the next room.  Jim waited until they were out of sight before lifting the black box from its resting place and onto the table in front of him.  After the thumbprint scan and code entry, he inserted the small silver disk and it began to play.

"Good morning, Jim," began the familiar voice, as the video feed opened to an image of a gray shell building.  "You are looking at a warehouse currently being constructed in the middle of a rice farm in eastern Europe, presumably to store the grain as it's harvested.  But based on information obtained from IMF surveillance, we have reason to believe that it is a cover for another, more sinister purpose."

A photograph appeared in the lower right corner of the screen as the voice  continued.  "Two days ago, one of our agents was killed trying to find out more information about the warehouse."

Jim's lowered his head momentarily, a silent display of respect for their fallen comrade.  He hadn't recognized the man in the picture, but that mattered little.  The agents of the IMF were like a brotherhood, united by their sense of purpose and the inherent danger that came with the job.  When one was lost, they all felt it, whether they knew one another or not.

The picture on the video screen changed, and Jim looked up at a photograph of a dark-skinned man, his eyes cold and calculating.  "The construction is being overseen by this man, Kyle Garcia.  He has a reputation for keeping company with known terrorists.

"We do not believe that Garcia is working alone, but that he answers to someone in higher authority - someone whom we have not yet been able to identify.

"Your mission, Jim, should you decide to accept it, is to find out who Garcia is working for and the real purpose of the warehouse, and to shut down any planned terroristic activities.

"As always, should you or any of your IM force be caught or killed, the Secretary will disavow any knowledge of your actions.  This disk will self-destruct in five seconds.  Good luck, Jim."

Jim left the black box smoldering on the iron griddle and disappeared out the restaurant's front door.

*****

Previous Chapter:  Nemesis Chapter 1

Next Chapter:  Nemesis Chapter 3