Showdown

The night was dark,but calm as Jennings made his way silently towards the large Japanese building looming ahead of him.

Jennings could see it looked like all those tall Japanese castles he'd seen before,especially on his favourite Samurai action films.He had plenty of them in his collection,and really enjoyed the sword duels.In fact,Jennings had loved watching these duels so much,he'd actually taken up sword fighting.He'd been lucky to have a really good teacher,who was Japanese too,and although it had taken months to perfect,his sword master had passed him with flying colours.Jennings was so pleased to pass,that he'd practised the moves he'd seen on his samurai films.

However,that was fantasy.This was grim reality,and as Jennings crept forward,he knew there was a lot of girls depending on him,especially his family.

Thinking back for a moment,Jennings cursed the Japanese yakuza boss who had kidnapped his sister,his cousin,and his Japanese girlfriend with a couple of her friends,now held as bait in the castle.

Jennings cursed the yakuza again.He knew they were highly,deadly opponents,and not to be taken lightly,yet he knew he wasn't going to turn back.Jennings was determined to rescue the girls from the yakuza's clutches.

What the hell am I doing? Jennings wondered to himself.We're supposed to be on holiday here.

He thought back to where the yakuza thugs had seized his sister,Louise,and their cousin,Naomi.He'd cursed himself he hadn't been there to protect them.Of course,he knew the yakuza had watched him,and made sure he wasn't anywhere near Louise and Naomi.It had been too easy for them to grab the two girls.

Jennings still didn't know why Louise and Naomi had been abducted,but one thing was for sure,he was going to make the bad guys pay dearly for doing so.

Grimly,he crept closer to the building,and finally,he reached it's outer walls.Observing carefully,Jennings could see two sentries standing outside.Both of them were armed with assault rifles,but they weren't moving.Instead,they appeared motionless,but he knew he'd have to be very lucky to get past these two unseen.

Grimly,he checked the building vantage points,and sure enough,he spotted more armed men patrolling up there.Jennings knew this one was very tough to get in unseen.

Quickly,but still silently,he backed off more into the shadows,seeking a well concealed vantage point.

As he did so,Jennings didn't see the black clad figure watching him.The figure was covered from head to toe in black clothing.He was quite clearly a ninja,and he too,observed the target building carefully,as well as the patrolling sentries.

The black clad ninja then turned his attention to Jennings.He could see the Englishman was now slowly climbing up one of the many trees,which surrounded the building.He tensed,waiting for Jennings' next move.

Careful not to let himself be seen,Jennings kept checking all around him.He didn't see anybody,but due to his long battle experience,he knew something wasn't right.He could feel he was being watched.

Whether it was friend or foe,Jennings had no idea,but he was still determined to press on.

He decided to climb up a tree,which would give him a perfect view inside the building.Jennings chose his vantage point carefully,selecting one which was hidden in the night,and he could observe his target unseen.

When he climbed up to a suitable point,Jennings' face hardened,as well as being appalled.

There was a small courtyard beyond the main entrance,and its interior looked very pleasant.There were Japanese gardens complete with fountains,and had it been daytime,it would have no doubt,given a lot of people great pleasure.

Unfortunately,what Jennings was focusing on,didn't make him feel pleasant at all,as he finally saw what he'd come for.

He could see Louise,Naomi too.Keiko was there,and there were two other young Japanese women present.

All five girls were standing upright against thick concrete stones,and Jennings could see all five had been tightly bound and gagged.He'd seen how the Japanese had trussed up captives,and knew there was hardly any chance of escape from it.It was the same for all five girls here.Jennings could see how tight the ropes had been tied around each of them.

Their hands had been tied behind the stones,and loops of rope were secured over and below their chests.To increase their immobility,more loops had been tied over their knees,thighs,and finally their ankles.He could see them all struggling desperately against their bonds,but none of them made any headway.

Jennings could also see each of the girls had been gagged,with a band of lightly coloured silk scarf.This had been tied effectively over each of the girls mouths,and Jennings never heard any sound coming from any of them.The gags were effective.

Jennings could also see two Japanese men standing next to the girls.One was dressed smartly in a business suit,and he was holding a pistol too.No doubt guarding the girls.Jennings thought grimly.

He could see the other man wasn't dressed in present day clothes.Instead,this man wore a samurai robe,and he held the deadly katana blade ready.Jennings knew he'd have to face this man,but first,he had to deal with the sentries,and set up a diversion.

Grimly,he slowly climbed down the tree,and still checked again on the sentries movements.It didn't take him long to see a gap where he could move,and Jennings seized it.

When the right moment came,Jennings didn't hesitate.He hurried forward,and managed to make it to the building wall unseen.Grimly,he then began to check for a way in.

+++

Louise Jennings fought to keep her ever increasing fear down,as she continued to struggle vainly against the tight ropes holding her against the stone pillar.

She had no idea who these people were who'd kidnapped her and Naomi,but once Louise had seen the dreaded tattoos all over their arms and upper bodies,she instantly knew her captors were the yakuza.

Her eyes were desperate,and glancing over at her cousin,Naomi,who also had bulging eyes above her tight gag,both girls could only pray help was coming.

Both Louise and Naomi didn't doubt for a moment John was coming,but seeing the reception committee waiting for him,both girls realised he'd have to be very lucky to get past all these bad guys.

As well as the well armed sentries visible,Louise and Naomi,whilst being tied up,had seen many more armed men going into hiding.Their yakuza captors were well aware their female captives could raise the alarm,and had effectively gagged them all.Neither Louise,Naomi,Keiko or the other two young women,could barely make a sound behind the tightly tied silk scarves.

As well as seeing the armed men disappear,all the girls could see the two men staying with them.Louise,Naomi and Keiko were well aware the man dressed in the samurai clothing,was the main opponent waiting for John.He was very tough looking,and also armed with the deadly katana blade.

At the moment,the sword was still sheathed,and the samurai figure stood calmly waiting for his opponent to arrive.Still full of alarm,Louise and all the other girls had seen this man practise,and they could see he was deadly.When John got here,it was going to be a very hard fight.Louise knew that.

The other man waiting wasn't dressed in the samurai clothing.Instead,he wore modern day dress in a suit,but he too was armed.The handgun he held had never left his grip,and all the girls knew he was guarding them.

The girls could also see he was giving them looks of relish,and it frightened them all.He'd even used his pistol to stroke the cheeks on their faces,and had even indecently assaulted them too,squeezing their breasts.He'd paid particular attention to Louise and Naomi's chests,fully enjoying himself as he did so.Both of the English girls were praying he would leave them alone.For now,he was,but he was still giving them the eager look,and Louise and Naomi's fear increased.

'You're certain the Englishman will come?'The man then asked his accomplice,dressed in the Samurai clothing.

'Of course he will.'The Samurai nodded.'I've read Jennings' file,and he always comes to rescue a pretty girl.Tonight will prove no exception.He'll come.'

The first man then checked on the sentries,and was pleased to see them all there.He then moved off(much to the girls relief)to check on something else.

++

By now,Jennings was coming up against sentries who weren't going to move,and he had to deal with them.The solitary ones were easy,as he sneaked up quietly behind them,and knocked them all senseless.

However,it was a different story when he faced two of them.If he took one out,the other would notice immediately and raise the alarm.Jennings then had to think of the diversion.

It was then,that he realised he seemed to have an unseen ally.

As Jennings carefully kept out of sight from the sentries,he suddenly watched them fall to the ground,clutching their necks.Fortunately,there was no cries from the enemy,as they silently fell to the ground.

Jennings peered out at the unmoving forms,and he could see the small,but deadly steel darts embedded into each of the sentries necks.Whether they were dead or not,Jennings didn't know,and he didn't care.All he cared about,was saving the girls.He could still see they were bound and gagged,with only the samurai figure still patiently waiting.It bothered Jennings though,that the second man had disappeared.

Finally,the sentries were all dealt with,but Jennings could see still more opposition waiting.More precisely,hiding from him.He nodded slowly to himself,fully expecting such tricks.In fact,he'd had to face this kind of threat before.

This made him give a really good look around,checking for potential hiding spots,and he could see many possibilities.So he reached into his battle bag,and produced a pair of infra-red lenses.

Putting them on immediately,Jennings saw how many hidden enemies there were,and he realised he couldn't take them all out,not without one warning the other.

He realised he had no choice,as he put the infra-red equipment back into the bag.One of the fallen sentries had also carried a katana samurai sword,and Jennings picked that up.He tested the blade,and it was a good one.With that done,he then slowly made his way down to the courtyard.

With great pleasure,the Samurai suddenly noticed Jennings slowly walk into view.He was also pleased to see the Englishman holding a katana sword.This was the moment he'd been waiting for,and still pleased,he slowly made his way towards Jennings.

All the girls had also spotted Jennings arrive,and Louise,Naomi and Keiko tried to warn him what was hiding here,but their gags remained tight.They still couldn't tell him.

The samurai continued to advance towards Jennings,who was now standing in battle stance,although he held the sword pointing down at the ground.

'I knew you wouldn't disappoint me,Jennings.'The samurai told him,allowing a faint smile to cross his lips.

'Well,I didn't really have much choice in the matter,did I?' Jennings coldly responded,although he gave the girls a reassuring nod.He noticed Louise and Naomi were still frantically trying to free themselves,but with no success.Keiko and the other two Japanese girls were frozen in fear,although their eyes were fixed firmly on him.

'I read your battle details too,Jennings.I was very impressed,but I'd like to see you in action for myself.'The samurai then pulled out his own sword slowly.'I hope you won't disappoint me.'

In response,Jennings slowly moved from his position,and away from the bound,gagged girls.He didn't want the fight to be anywhere near them.

Once he was satisfied by his position,Jennings turned his attention back to his waiting opponent.He was grimly pleased to see the samurai had agreed with him,and he'd moved away from the helpless,trussed up girls too.

Both of them stood observing each other for a few moments,before they both bowed simultaneously.

Once the two men had rose to face each other again,it was Jennings who made the first move.This had been drilled into him,since he'd joined the army.Always take the fight to your enemy,don't let them come at you.It was a highly successful policy,and Jennings skillfully used his sword.

However,his opponent was also highly skilled,and he managed to block the opening move.Clashes of steel against steel echoed,as both Jennings and the Samurai continued to duel.

Still bound and gagged tightly to the stone pillars,all the girls watched the fight with huge eyes.In particular,Louise,Naomi and Keiko were praying Jennings would triumph,but at the moment,neither man could get the upper hand over their opponent.

Grimly,Jennings parried another thrust,and was being forced back.He could clearly see the cool,calm determination in the Japanese man,but he too,stayed in control.He'd learned this so many times,and to simply wait for a chance to move in.

At the moment though,Jennings was still on the defensive,and the Japanese man was keeping up the pressure.He could see from the corner of his eye,that Louise,Naomi and Keiko were struggling like mad to free themselves.If he could have helped them,he would have,but still with clenched teeth,Jennings had to fight on.

The Japanese samurai was admitting to himself,that the Englishman was fighting him very well.He'd obviously had sword fighting experience,and this impressed him.

However,he still ruthlessly kept his assault,still forcing Jennings back.There was nothing better than defeating a highly skilled foe,and the Japanese man was determined to do so.

As their blades continued to clash,the samurai finally spoke to Jennings.

'A most impressive performance,Jennings.'The samurai even allowed himself a faint smile,before it turned into a sneer.'For a western barbarian! Now prepare to die!'

Grimly,Jennings just managed to block his opponent's latest moves.He was going to ignore the samurai's taunt,but after seeing the desperate eyes of the trussed up girls,he did respond.

'You're the barbarian.'Jennings answered coldly,between his own defensive parries.'A true samurai warrior would never do what you've done.I'm going to make you pay,for kidnapping these girls!'

With that,he was finally able to mount his own attack,and with his face hardened,Jennings kept up his own ruthless assault.

He used his sword in a devastating cycle attack.The Japanese man was now forced back,still managing to block the moves,but he had now tired himself out.There was now a hint of desperation in his eyes,as he continued to backtrack.

Jennings saw this,and he kept it up,finally forcing his opponent against a wall.He could see with some satisfaction,that his nemesis was getting mad,and he increased his attack.

The samurai,now even more desperate,realised he couldn't move from this spot,and his weariness was beginning to show.

Even so,he was still continuing to defy Jennings,but he knew his time was running out.

Still seeing the desperate eyes,Jennings increased his attack ruthlessly,until finally,he disarmed the sword from the samurai's grasp.

Jennings then kicked the weapon away from the man's reach,and he stood back from him.He lowered his own sword,but still kept his eyes open for any sudden movements.

Louise,Naomi,Keiko closed their eyes in relief above their gags.The whole fight had held their attention,and they were so pleased to see Jennings win.

However,in watching the fight,they were unable to see the closing in threat to them from behind.

More to follow...