okugen Numataka stood in his plush, penthouse office and gazedout at the Tokyo skyline. His employees and competitors knew him asakuta same—the deadly shark. For three decadeshe'd outguessed, outbid, and outadvertised all the Japanesecompetition; now he was on the brink of becoming a giant in theworld market as well.

He was about to close the biggest deal of his life—a dealthat would make his Numatech Corp. the Microsoft of the future. Hisblood was alive with the cool rush of adrenaline. Business waswar—and war was exciting.

Although Tokugen Numataka had been suspicious when the call hadcome three days ago, he now knew the truth. He was blessed with myouri—good fortune. The gods had chosen him.

"I have a copy of the Digital Fortress pass-key," theAmerican accent had said. "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 newalgorithm, and now one of Numatech's competitors was playinggames, trying to find out the amount of the bid.

"You have the pass-key?" Numataka feignedinterest.

"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 awise move on Tankado's part to have a partner; even in Japan,business practices had become dishonorable. Ensei Tankado was notsafe. But one false move by an overeager firm, and the pass-keywould be published; every software firm on the market wouldsuffer.

Numataka took a long pull on his Umami cigar and played alongwith the caller's pathetic charade. "So you'reselling your pass-key? Interesting. How does Ensei Tankado feelabout this?"

"I have no allegiance to Mr. Tankado. Mr. Tankado wasfoolish to trust me. The pass-key is worth hundreds of times whathe is paying me to handle it for him."

"I'm sorry," Numataka said. "Your pass-keyalone is worth nothing to me. When Tankado finds out whatyou've done, he will simply publish his copy, and the marketwill be flooded."

"You will receive both pass-keys," the voice said."Mr. Tankado's and mine."

Numataka covered the receiver and laughed aloud. Hecouldn't help asking. "How much are you asking for bothkeys?"

"Twenty million U.S. dollars."

Twenty million was almost exactly what Numataka had bid."Twenty million?" He gasped in mock horror."That's outrageous!"

"I've seen the algorithm. I assure you it's wellworth it."

No shit, thought Numataka. It's worth ten timesthat. "Unfortunately," he said, tiring of the game,"we both know Mr. Tankado would never stand for this. Think ofthe legal repercussions."

The caller paused ominously. "What if Mr. Tankado were nolonger a factor?"

Numataka wanted to laugh, but he noted an odd determination inthe voice. "If Tankado were no longer a factor?" Numatakaconsidered it. "Then you and I would have a deal."

"I'll be in touch," the voice said. The line wentdead.