Nobutoshi’s face, if possible, became graver. “There is far too much bloodshed, and now it has been brought to this country. And we are caught in the middle.”

Daniel gripped his cup tightly, feeling that he was finally getting somewhere. “We, Nobutoshi-san? And who are we?”

The Asian man smiled. “We, Gate-san, are the good guys.”

Daniel waited a beat. “And that’s all you can tell me for now.”

“Correct.”

Daniel tried a different track. “Why me?”

“You have been observed for some time. You were one of several candidates. Our analysts decided that you were the best choice.”

“So, is this all just some kind of test?”

“No, Gate-san, the test finished when you reached the docks. This is very real.”

Daniel laughed at that. “It seems anything but.” He took another sip of coffee, hoping that it would lift the surreality from the situation. As he looked around the room, he spotted a security camera in the corner. “Are the anaylsts … still watching?”