The time is just past one a.m. when Maeda Komachi steps briskly into her walnut-paneled office on the fifteenth floor of Nagato Tower. She comes abruptly to a halt, eyes widening. Machiko sits in the tall synthleather chair located behind Maeda-san 's desk. Maeda-san stares at her as if astonished. Machiko understands. It is unlikely that Maeda-san has ever seen a member of the Guard sit behind anyone's desk, much less her own.