It was a great palace of crystal and chrome. The neon sign in front said MOON WALK. It was the largest building in the park and set near the back. It had the biggest lines, which snaked around a series of posts and lines designed to keep the crowds in place. It was also the only exit from Larryland.
"How diabolical," Anna Chutesov said, hush-voiced. "In order for the people to leave, they must go through the Moon Walk. It is there that I will find what I seek."
Anna found Rshat Kirlov at an ice-cream stand trying to balance a double-scooped pistachio-nut cone. "Fool," she said, knocking the cone from his hand.
"I was hungry," Colonel Rshat Kirlov whined.
"Never mind. I think I have found the object of my search."
"I will have my men assemble for the assault."
"Let us pray such a moronic measure will be unnecessary," Anna said. "Deploy your men around the attraction called the Moon Walk. Do not-repeat, do not-let them enter. I am going inside. Alone. If I do not return at the end of twenty minutes, you will send in your two best men. Tell them they are to look for what appears to be a satellite. They are not to be fooled by appearances of frivolity. If they see such an object, they are to destroy it at all costs. If the first pair do not return, send in the next, and so on until success."
"I understand."
"No, you do not. You are taking orders and you are obeying them. Understanding is not your function."
"What happens, Comrade Chutesov, if none of my men return from this place?"
"You will go to the Soviet consulate in the city of Los Angeles. It is the large city to the north. Tell them that the Sword is inside that building."
"The sword?"
"The Sword," repeated Anna Chutesov. "Now, instruct your men. The twenty minutes begin when you see me walk through the entrance to the Moon Walk attraction. "
Anna Chutesov did not get into the long line leading to the Moon Walk. There was no time. Every delay would sterilize that many more people walking through the building. She struggled through the crowd and hopped a low concrete obstruction until she was near the head of the line. She stepped ahead of the first in line, a family of four. She wanted to warn them, but who would believe her?
Anna did not argue with the teenage boy who controlled the doors. She smiled glassily, and while the boy sputtered something about not breaking in line, Anna led him around to the side wall and squeezed his neck until he lay dead. She wished she did not have to kill him, but it was his life against that of thousands of unborn generations. Without an operator, no one could enter the Moon Walk until Anna Chutesov had neutralized its evil function.
"I smell Russians," said the Master of Sinanju.
Remo Williams paused. They had just made their way past the Buster Bear entrance gate. The crowds seemed too packed to allow passage, but Chiun told Remo to follow his lead.
The crowd probably never understood why they parted before the tiny Oriental in the white brocade kimono. Some felt an itch and moved aside to scratch it. Others felt pressure against their backs, but when they looked back, they saw nothing.
Thus it had gone until Remo had discovered himself deep within the gaiety of Larryland.
He sniffed the air. "Yeah. I smell them too," he said. Long ago, the Master of Sinanju had taught him that all people gave off distinctive odors, a mixture of body chemistry and diet. Although all these personal odors were unique, they could be categorized according to dietary influences. There was the distinctive curry-spice aroma of the East Indian, the hamburger smell of the American, and so on. Russians usually smelled of black bread and potato soup.
"There," said Chiun, pointing.
Remo saw two men in Hawaiian shirts standing about uncomfortably, towels held at hip level.
"Think they have guns?" Remo asked.
"They will need them. They reek of suspicion."
"Anna must have beat us to the punch, Little Father."
"Perhaps," said the Master of Sinanju distantly. He was not watching the Russians. He was scanning the park, looking for the most probable hiding place of the Sword of Damocles. He dismissed the tallest structure-a large tower-because he sensed no energy emanating from it. The Squirrel Girl wheel was too open. There was no place amid its skeletal works to conceal a spherical object. That left the walk-in attractions.
"I don't see Anna, but I count ten Russians, all armed, hanging around the Moon Walk," Remo said. "What do you suppose that means?"
The Master of Sinanju turned his attention on the Moon Walk. The attraction had the longest line, meaning that it was the most popular. It was also surrounded, as Remo had pointed out, by Russian agents.
Chiun faced Remo and looked him in the eye. "Listen to me, Remo, for this is important," he said.
"I'm listening," said Remo, watching the Russians out of the corner of his eye.
"Then listen with your eyes too," snapped Chiun, clapping his hands so sharply that nearby pigeons took wing.
"Okay, okay."
"I have lost something important to me," Chiun scolded. "I will not lose you too."
"I can handle whatever comes," Remo said.
"Nor will I countenance your losing your seed. Someday you will have need of it, when the time comes to train the next Master after you. Look around you, Remo. Look at these people. Look at the husbands and wives and the precious little children."
Remo looked. Everywhere, he saw joy. A father picked up a small boy so he could better see a greeter dressed as Magic Mouse juggling white balls. Twin brothers took turns eating from the same cotton-candy cone, their mouths pink and sticky. It made Remo wish he was a child all over again.
"What do you see?" asked Chiun.
"I see a lot of people having fun. Makes me wish I was one of them."
"I see children who will never know the joy of a new sibling coming into their lives," intoned the Master of Sinanju. "I see parents who have created life for the final time and do not realize it. I see women who will never enjoy the miracle and wonder of birth. I see fathers who will never again behold their likeness in a baby's face. I see a desert of suffering. Meditate upon that, Remo, my son, and tell me again what you see about you."
Remo looked again.
"I see horror," he said.
"Good, for now you see true. Some of these people may be saved from such a destiny, but you must obey my every command, for there is little time."
"Say the word, Little Father," Remo said resolutely. "I'll do whatever you ask."
The Master of Sinanju nodded. "The Russians look nervous," he said. "They have many guns and there are many innocents about. You will attend to them. Use all your skill, for no bullets must fly."
"They've seen their last sunset. What about you?"
"I will search for the instrument of infertility, and Gordons. Do not follow me, for you must not risk your seed too. That is the most important part."
"I can't let you go up against Gordons alone," Remo protested.
"And I cannot let you become an empty vessel," Chiun retorted. "If you will not do this for me, or for Sinanju, then think of your betrothed, who awaits your return."
"Mah-Li," said Remo.