Voyage into Slavery Chapter 3

Jennings walked out onto the boat deck.There weren't many people here,as most were still enjoying the delights,and comforts the 'Eastern Princess' had to offer them.

The lack of people suited Jennings,as he headed for the stern of the ship.He reached it,and stared around him,carefully observing if he was being watched,or within earshot of anybody.

Fortunately,there wasn't.He calmly waited,until he heard the footsteps of a woman approaching him.He then turned to face the source,knowing who it was.

Sure enough,the Japanese woman was heading towards him.For a moment,Jennings was dumbstruck by her beauty.She was dressed in a red silk shirt,and tight blue denim jeans.A blue silk scarf was tied around her neck,making her look very smart.

She'd noticed his look,but merely returned a polite,slightly shy smile.

It was then,that she bowed to Jennings,saying the pre-arranged codewords.

'You must be on holiday here.' She said to him,still smiling.

Jennings quickly recovered,as he replied with the correct reply.

'Only to meet a pretty girl.'

The girl then offered her hand to him.

'I am Kieko Yamamoto.' She introduced herself.'Japanese naval intelligence.'

Jennings clearly recognised her,by the photos he'd been given earlier,and didn't doubt her identity for a moment.

'I'm John Jennings.'He put his hand on his heart,to show he was sincere,as he bowed deeply back.'British army intelligence.'He then shook her hand.'Nice to meet you,Miss Yamamoto.'

Keiko's smile widened.'I am very pleased to meet you,Jennings-san.'

Her English was excellent.Jennings noted.Even so,he was still stunned,by how gorgeous she was.

However,he managed to keep his mind on the job.He wasn't on holiday here,but on a mission.In fact,he still remembered being briefed,by his Commanding Officer,Major Karen Williams.

Of course,the Major wasn't just his superior in rank.Jennings was indeed,great friends with her.He'd served under her command many times,and in battle too.

He found Major Williams to be a highly confident officer,and always thought first of her people.She didn't panic in battle,but enjoyed it,just as Jennings did.It was their main reason,for joining the British army.They both wanted to fight,and win.

He'd remembered the briefing well enough.Major Williams had ordered him here,to Hong Kong Harbour,and get a place on this ship,the 'Eastern Princess.'

'What is it,Ma'am?' Jennings had asked her respectfully.

'You're going to do me a big favour,John.'She'd answered him.Jennings liked it,as she called him by his first name.It was a nice touch from any officer,and he could call her,by her first name,when he was off-duty.Both trusted each other implicitly,and Karen was telling him why she was sending him to Hong Kong.

'I've received a request for help,from a friend there,John.'Karen started to explain.'I'm good friends with the Chief of Police there.He's called Ying,and he's asked me for help.'

She then handed him a folder,and Jennings opened it.There was a large photograph,of a young pretty Chinese woman,smiling at him.

'This is Angela Lee.' Karen went on.'She's one of Ying's best undercover officers.In the past few months,Angela's bought down a lot of well organised criminal gangs,by infiltration.'

'What's happened to her,Major?'

'Unfortunately,it appears the criminal underworld there,in Hong Kong,have somehow managed to kidnap her.At least,that's what Ying's told me.'

'Any details,Ma'am?' Jennings asked politely.

'You can call me Karen now,John.'Her voice was insistent.'She left details that she was investigating several female abductions,aboard this ship,the 'Eastern Princess.'

Jennings had already looked at the other photograph,hidden under Angela's picture.The ship looked impressive,and his friend was still explaining his mission.

'That's where she disappeared,but Ying firmly believes she's being held there.I want you to get on board there,find Angela and any others who may need help.'

'Yes,Karen.I will.' Jennings nodded at that.

'Good.'Karen was pleased.She knew he wouldn't refuse.In all their previous battle tours,both Karen and Jennings always helped people who needed it.They both believed it was a decent soldiers job,to protect innocent people from the bad guys.

'Now the opposition.'Karen's voice had become grim,as she continued.'I'm afraid Ying couldn't issue a search warrant to check out the ship.He thinks that will threaten Angela's safety.'

'I agree.'

'Good,because that ship's owners are strongly believed to be involved in organised crime.The crew they have on that 'Eastern Princess' have previous histories of piracy.The Captain,and his senior officers are all suspected to be involved in operating slavery rings.'

'Slavery?' Jennings had a nasty thought,although he knew what it meant.

'Precisely,John.'Karen confirmed for him.'They're kidnapping girls,to sell into slavery.God knows what will happen to them,wherever they end up,if they're sold.'

'Get on board that ship,help find Angela,and all those other girls,and bring them back home alive,and safe.'Her voice was now more insistent.'Understood?'

'I understand.'Jennings then asked her.'Is there any allies there?'

'Yes,there is.'Karen nodded.'We've received an offer of help,from Japan.Apparently,they have one of their own officers on board.A Miss Keiko Yamamoto.'

She then handed him another picture,and Jennings memorised the girl's face.He'd admitted to himself,that she was gorgeous.

After that,he'd been given the password on meeting Kieko,and now,they had finally met.The real thing was far better.Jennings thought,as the girl stood in front of him.

'You enjoyed your trip out here,Jennings-san?' Kieko asked him.

'Well,it was okay.' He didn't tell her,how he hated flying,but he then asked in return.'You've been here long?'

'A few days.'Kieko nodded.'My people have confirmed intelligence,that a high profile yakuza,will arrive here.We're just not certain when.'

'I see.'Jennings replied.'And you're here,all by yourself?'

She gave him another warm smile.

'Of course not.You are here.My father has been in touch with your people.'Kieko informed him.'He spoke to a good friend of yours,a Major Williams?'

Jennings nodded again.'Yes,I was told there was Japanese interest.'He was a bit baffled why the Japanese hd sent this girl out,all by herself,but he'd watch her back.

'You have any information for me,Miss Yamamoto?'

'Of course.'Kieko then produced a folder,and handed it over to him.

'It is how you say?' Kieko paused for a moment,thinking the term.'A real hornet's nest here.The people here,are very ruthless.That file contains their details.'

Jennings had opened it up,and saw three photographs of two Thai men,and a Chinese woman.The two Thais mugshots looked grim,whilst the Chinese woman wore a smile,it wasn't a pleasant one.

'This man is called Liu.'Kieko had moved right next to Jennings,and pointed the suspects out to him.'He is the Captain of this boat,but he has a history of criminal activity,as does his First Officer,Yee.'

Jennings had already looked at the second picture of Yee,that Kieko had indicated to him,then he glanced at the photograph of a Chinese woman.He glanced up at Kieko.

'Who's this?'

'That is Kim Yang.' Kieko shivered,as she answered him.'She is known to be involved with the Triads.She's also rumoured to be high up,in their leadership.'

Jennings gazed more closely at Kim Yang's picture.The first two he'd seen showed the Thai men,to be quite cold looking.This woman's picture showed a sinister smile,and he didn't like the look of her.

'Charming bunch.' He finally muttered.'Anything else you can tell me?'

'We have firm evidence that Kim Yang is the one,who orchestrates the kidnappings.'Kieko went on.'She chooses the girls,and has made a lot of money from selling the girls into slavery rings worldwide.'

'Whereabouts?'

'She has her main contacts here,in the far east,but she's dealt with people from South America,North Africa,and the Middle East.'

'I see.' Jennings gazed again at Kim Yang's photo.There was no friendliness in her pose whatsoever.

Kieko saw him look at it.Her tone now worried.

'She's a highly skilled martial arts fighter.Many people have tried to beat her,but she's got a lot of blood on her hands.'

Jennings believed her.One thing he'd been taught as a soldier,was never to under-estimate the enemy.He made a mental note to see if he could observe this Kim Yang.

Discreetly,of course.

'How many girls have gone missing,Miss Yamamoto?'

'There have been so many.' Kieko had to concede.'They know who to seize,and make sure nobody will ask questions about them.It's been impossible to tell.'She finished glumly.

Jennings noticed it,and he laid a hand on her shoulder,in reassurance.Kieko didn't reject it.

'Well,the bad guys luck is about to change,Miss Yamamoto.'He spoke positively to his new found friend.'We'll find all those girls,and help them.Every one of them.'

Kieko was pleased.She bowed again to him,much deeper this time.

'Thank you,Jennings-san.I am pleased you are here.'

Jennings smiled politely back.He was looking forward to working with Kieko,and had already sworn to himself,that he'd protect her.

'So you're watching the yakuza,all by yourself?' He then asked her curiously.'What's your mission here,besides helping me?'

Kieko's face was grim,as she recalled her own briefing back in Tokyo.

'There's a high profile yakuza leader coming here,onto the ship.He's called Takachi.A very dangerous man.' Kieko shuddered inwardly,as she remembered this yakuza's police file.

'My father is a police chief in Tokyo.'She went on explaining.'He's one of the few men to stand up to Takachi.He's been targeted many times by Takachi's thugs.So far,my father has beaten all attempts on his life,but I know the yakuza,and Takachi.They won't give up.'

Jennings first thought,that Kieko was mad to come here on her own.Yet he knew she was worried for her father's safety.He nodded to himself,as he told her.

'Well,neither will we.That's a promise.'

Kieko liked what he'd just said.She felt safe with him.However,she just remembered something.He'd need to see the file on all the missing girls,that she'd left back in her cabin.

'Would you excuse me,please,Jennings-san?'Kieko asked.'I have to get something from my cabin.I'd like you to see it.'

'Sure.' Jennings nodded.'Do you want me to come with you?'

'No.Thank you.'She bowed politely again to him,even taking a hold of his hand.'I will not be long.'Then,Kieko went back into the interior of the 'Eastern Princess.'

Jennings was going to follow her,when he was stopped by his mobile ringing.Looking at who was calling him,he was pleased to see,that it was one of his two younger sisters calling him.It was Sarah.

Sarah was his younger sister,whilst his youngest sibling was Kelly.Both girls only had a slight age difference.Sarah was not far of her twenty fifth birthday,whilst Kelly had just passed her twenty first.

Both his sisters were extremely pretty girls.Sarah had long,slightly bushy dark brown hair,warm brown eyes,and a lovely smile to match.Kelly had the same eyes,but her hair was black,and just a bit shorter,and like Sarah,she had a really warm,bubbly personality.

Just like their brother,both his sisters had decided to enrol into the military.Whereas Jennings had joined the British army,Sarah and Kelly had elected for travelling the world,as they'd both enlisted into the Royal Navy.

Both girls were exceptionally intelligent too,as they held high skilled jobs.Sarah was a weapons operator.She manned the highly sophisticated computer consoles on board,to fire the deadly missile launchers the ship had.Kelly too,worked on computers,but her skill lay in communications.She could understand every known language,and was a vital factor in relaying information,to the men going into battle.

As well as that,Kelly could hack into any computer network,and steal priceless information,from the enemy.She did this frequently,denying the enemy of their plans,disabling defences,and Kelly saved many lives in doing so.

She also helped her brother a lot too.Kelly was always anxious to protect John,as he'd done so for her,and Sarah.She knew he was sent out a lot on his own,to perform missions,and told him she'd be there to assist,if he needed it.

'Hello Sarah.' Jennings had answered her call immediately.It was good to hear from her.He'd never heard from either of his sisters for ages.The last time he spoke to them,was that Sarah had been posted somewhere,in the Far East.He knew Kelly was in Thailand,doing some work in the British Embassy in Bangkok.

'John! How are you?' Sarah's voice was so warm to him.'I haven't heard from you for ages.'

'I'm okay,Sarah.' He was so pleased to hear from her.'How are you?'

'I'm good.Where are you now?'

'Oh,I'm on a job,in Hong Kong at the moment.'

'You're kidding me!' Sarah's voice became more excited.'I'm in Hong Kong too!'

Jennings suddenly had an uneasy feeling inside him.

'Whereabouts?'

'In the harbour.' Her reply confirmed his worst fears.'I'm helping out the customs people here.'

Jennings instantly turned his attention down towards the docks.From his position on the stern,he clearly saw the customs building below.He then saw his sister.

Sarah was walking inside the building,holding her own mobile,and there were a few Chinese customs officials with her too.She was dressed in her white navy shirt,white skirt,and sharply polished black heels.She looked really smart.

'I can see you.' Jennings then told her.He could see that this had an immediate effect,as Sarah stopped sharply in her tracks.She began looking out of the windows of the customs building.

'Where are you,John?' Sarah now demanded.

It was then,that Jennings realised he'd made a big mistake.Whilst on operations,family contact was strictly forbidden.Not out of cruelty,but for their safety.There was always a strong chance,the enemy could use them against him.

'I'm close,Sarah.'He informed her,before trying to explain.'I'm sorry.We can't meet just yet.'

Sarah however,was having none of it.

'John,I haven't seen you for months.' Her voice was insistent,which battered his resistance to common sense.'You will tell me where you are,right now,or I won't speak to you again.'

He could see Sarah still looking around,trying to spot him.One of the Chinese customs officials came up next to her.It was a woman,a very pretty one,dressed in blue shirt,and blue knee length skirt.She was speaking to Sarah,and Jennings could hear it,through Sarah's mobile.

'What is it,Sarah?' The woman asked.

'It's my John,Suzy!' Sarah's voice was excited.'My brother's here,in the harbour now!'

Hearing his sister there,further weakened Jennings' resolve not to let her see him.He really did want to hug Sarah.She was right.They hadn't seen each other for such a long time.

'Please,John.'Sarah was still scanning the harbour for him.'Where are you?'

'One moment,Sarah,please.'

Jennings then looked around him.Obviously,he didn't want the bad guys to see his sister,but there were so many places that could be used to observe the customs building.He still had the bad feelings inside him,but in the end,he decided to surrender to Sarah's wish.

'I'm on the ship,the 'Eastern Princess.' He informed her.'I'm on the stern,looking at you.'

With that,he waved at Sarah.It took only a moment,for Sarah to pick him out,and she waved excitedly in return.

Instantly,she ran out of the building,and out onto the docks.Sarah kept waving at him,and gesturing for him to come down.

Jennings acknowledged her wave,but he was furious with himself,for revealing his presence to Sarah.Why the hell hadn't he kept quiet? He knew he'd just put Sarah in danger.If the bad guys saw him with her...

However,Jennings could also see,that his sister was receiving some leering looks,from some tough looking harbour men.His expression hardened,as he hurried down to reach Sarah.

He was so intent on getting to Sarah,that he never saw Michelle and Jane hiding close by.Both girls had heard everything,and were excited.

'This is great stuff,Jane.' Michelle was eagerly looking forward,to writing her latest scoop.'We've hit the jackpot here.'

'Yeah.' Jane agreed,as she watched Jennings now making his way down one of the several gangways,connected to the 'Eastern Princess.' Jane could see his pace was quick.

Michelle then checked that she'd recorded everything that Jennings,and Kieko had said.She couldn't wait to start drafting this out.

'Come on,let's get back to the cabin,and write this out.'Her voice was eager,as she grabbed Jane's hand,and headed back inside the ship.

Neither Michelle or Jane saw the hiding figure of Kim Yang watching them,from an above deck.She'd been watching Jennings,and the Japanese girl engage in conversation,then she noticed the two Chinese women journalists sneak up close to the two,and started to record their conversation.

How predictable.Kim Yang allowed herself another smirk,watching their antics.

However,it was Jennings Kim Yang was interested in.She watched the Japanese girl leave him,then he got a phone call.Interested,she watched him wave at somebody,before he then left,somewhat hurriedly.She clearly saw the angry expression on his face.

Kim Yang turned to one of the crew standing close by,ready to assist,or obey her next command.

'Find out who he is,and who's he going to meet.' She instructed the crewman.'Get some pictures taken too,and bring them to me as soon as you can.I'll be on the bridge.'

The crewman nodded,and hurried away.

With that done,Kim Yang's thoughts then turned to the pretty Japanese girl,Kieko Yamamoto.Her thoughts were not good news for Kieko's health.

She quickly headed back up to the bridge,to discuss her next move with Liu.

He was waiting for her,in his ready room.Sitting at his desk,he was reading another file,that he'd just received from his people.

'I think we've found Miss Yamamoto's contact.' He told her grimly.'Listen to this,John Jennings,Corporal,Royal Engineers,British army.Highly experienced in battle.Demolition skills,bomb disposal.'Liu closed the file,and handed it over to her.'It appears Ying made the right choice,with that phone call.'

Kim Yang read Jennings' file thoroughly.She was impressed,and said so.

'So now what?' Liu asked.

'Let's test him.'She'd already thought that out.'Get a couple of your men,to seize Miss Yamamoto,and prepare something for her boyfriend to rescue her from.'The evil smile was back in evidence.'I like a damsel in distress scene.'

Liu agreed,as he picked up the phone,to issue fresh orders to Yee.He was pleased on hearing Yee's reply.

'Thank you.' He smiled,as he put down the phone,then glanced back up,at Kim Yang.

'My men are already in place,waiting for her.'

Kieko headed back to her cabin.She was so glad the Englishman was here.Kieko liked him a lot,and she'd have hated it,being here on her own.Things looked good.Kieko thought.

Kieko reached her cabin,and entered.She was pleased to see,that everything was just as she left it.

She headed over to one of the small bedside cupboards by the cabin bed,and found the file that held the details of the missing girls.

Kieko had just stood up,ready to make her way back to Jennings,when she suddenly felt a presence in the cabin with her.

Before Kieko could react,she felt herself grabbed from behind.A powerful arm seized her waist,imprisoning both her arms,and a hand clamped something over her mouth.

Her eyes bulged in complete shock,as she suddenly recognised the famaliar smell of chloroform.

'MMMMMMFFFFF!' Kieko desperately tried to scream for help,as she struggled frantically to break free.However,her unseen captor held her tightly,and ruthlessly kept the chloroform pad over her mouth.Within moments,Kieko lost the battle,and she slipped into blackness.

Pleased,the crewman who'd chloroformed the girl,kept the pad over her mouth for a few moments,just to make sure Kieko was unconcious.

Satisfied she was,he then grabbed a high rise wooden chair,and gently put Kieko on it.Then Yee suddenly entered.He was carrying a small holdall bag,and smiled,staring down at Kieko's seemingly serene face.

'Excellent.' He told the crewman.Then opening up the bag,he took out several lengths of strong white rope.'Help me tie her up.'

Kieko slowly began to see again.The dim blur gradually receding,as her senses began to recover.She felt odd,and tried to move,but only her head did so,as she began to shake her head,trying to speed up the recovery.

It was then,that she saw the many loops of rope tied over her.She felt her hands tied tight behind her,to the back of the chair.There were horizontal loops of rope tied above her chest,and under,pulled tight around to the back of the chair.Her ankles were tied together too,both tied to one of the chair's lower legs.

Kieko felt every loop of rope tied over her.She couldn't budge an inch.It was then,that she saw she wasn't alone.

The first officer was there,Yee,with another crewman.Yee had his back to her,hiding something.The crewman was making sure her bonds were tight.Kieko's slight grunts of pain confirmed this.

'Wh-what are you doing?' Kieko suddenly found her voice,and she could hear it shake.It was then,as Yee turned to face her,Keiko's fear went into overdrive.

A tripod had been set up,but there was no camera mounted on the top.Instead,there was a rifle,ande it was aimed straight at Kieko's chest.

Yee noticed the girl's eyes in utter terror,and gave her a nasty smile.

'Ah,so nice of you to join us,Miss Yamamoto.' Yee's nasty smile remained.'I hope you enjoyed your little nap?'

Kieko didn't answer him.Her eyes were still bulging,staring at the menacing rifle pointed at her.

'You like our little toy,my dear?' Yee was fully enjoying himself.'We've just bought this in,especially for you.'

'Wh-why are you doing this?' Kieko struggled against her bonds,but every struggle she did,just bought instant pain.The ropes tightened over her.

'Because,my dear,we want to see how good your new boyfriend is,when he comes to rescue his pretty damsel in distress.'

Yee then turned his attention back to the crewman,and ordered.

'Gag her.'

Before Kieko could protest,the crewman suddenly grabbed a hold of her chin,forcing her lips shut.He then placed a large generous strip of black tape,and planted it firmly over Kieko's mouth.He smoothed the tape over with both his hands,effectively tightening the gag.

His efforts paid off.Kieko mumbled vaguely behind the tape,her eyes now desperately pleading at them.

Both her kidnappers cruelly smiled at her distress,then Kieko watched,still frozen in fear,as Yee took out a ball of string,from a small holdall bag.He attached one end of the string to the rifle's trigger,before he told the crewman to keep watch outside.

With that done,Yee then walked over to the door handle inside the cabin,and wrapped it around it.Once he finished it,he then walked back to Kieko's helpless sitting form,and gently took a hold of her chin,lifting it up.

'Let's hope for your sake,my pretty,that your hero doesn't use the front door.'Yee grinned down at her.'But we'll be watching things,to see how he does.Should be quite interesting.'

He then planted an unwanted kiss,on Kieko's gagged mouth,before laughing,he made to leave.Yee made a final adjustment on the door handle inside,before he then blew Kieko's bound and gagged form a kiss.Then,he shut the door.

Kieko instantly went into frenzied struggling,but it was no use.They'd tied her up very tight,and her cries for help were nothing,but still vague mumbles.

Kieko could only sit,still staring with huge eyes at the rifle aimed at her.She could only pray,that Jennings would find her,and fast.

Chapter 4 to follow....