Voyage into Slavery Ch9

Jennings was pleased Kieko was recovering.The young,pretty Japanese girl had never let go of his hand,as they walked around the boat deck,of the 'Eastern Princess.'

He certainly admired her guts,coming here alone,to spy on certain dangerous yakuza criminals.Yet,he was also well aware,that he also liked Kieko a lot too.She really was,a highly attractive young woman.

They stopped on the stern area.Many of the passengers were out here,enjoying themselves,but Jennings still kept a wary eye,on any crew member that was in his vision.He wasn't certain if all the crew of this ship,were involved in criminal activities,but he wasn't taking any chances.

Jennings had stopped here,so he could see the customs building.He was hoping he'd see Sarah,and that she'd obeyed his wishes,to stay clear of this ship.So far,he didn't see her.

Just then,Kieko leaned into him,and much to his suprise,he returned the warm gesture,by putting his arm over her shoulders.He held her close.

'I will want to thank you,for saving my life,Jennings-san.' Kieko told him.

'You already did that,Kieko.'He smiled at her,remembering her kiss.

'No.I mean I want to repay you better than that.'She smiled too,knowing what he was talking about.'I'd like you to come to Japan,to meet my family.They will want to meet you,Jennings-san.'

'I'd like that.'Jennings admitted.He'd always wanted to go to Japan,but his tours of duty prevented that.'I just don't know if I could,Kieko.My work can be quite busy.'

Jennings knew,that he could be sent anywhere in the world,especially where there was trouble.Despite being given an assigned tour of duty,nobody could really tell how long the tour would last.A tour often went over its time limit,and he was often late coming home.

Kieko however,was having none of it.

'I will talk to my father.'She was confident he'd accept her wishes.'He will talk to your people,and we will take it from there.'

Jennings again,admired her resilience.

'You really do want me to come,and meet your family?'

'Of course,Jennings-san.'Kieko hugged into him more.'You will meet my father,and elder sister.They will be honoured,to meet you.'

'Well,we'll see.'Jennings had a hunch,that Kieko would get her wish,and of course,he wouldn't mind if she did.

Kieko noticed him constantly looking down,at the customs building.His expression was concerned.

'What's wrong?'

'Oh,I'm just worried about one of my sisters.'Jennings told her.'She's down there,working with the Hong Kong customs people.I told her to stay away,from this ship.'

'What is her name?'

'Sarah.She's my younger sister.I have a youngest sister too,Kelly.They're both in the Royal Navy.'

'You must be very proud of them.' Kieko noted.

Jennings nodded.'Yes,they've both helped me a lot,especially on my tours.'

He wouldn't say how,but he knew it was really Kelly,who had helped him,and he was always grateful to her.Many times when he'd been out on a mission,Kelly was always there for him.She'd tell him what to look out for,and he could successfully deal with any enemies,that dared to challenge him.It was a partnership,that worked really well.

He was just thinking about calling Kelly,when Kieko suddenly remembered something.

'Would you excuse me? I have to get something from my cabin.'

'What's that?' Jennings didn't like the idea,of Kieko going off on her own.'I think I'd better come with you,just in case they try anything again.'

Kieko was touched,but she felt confident that the bad guys wouldn't make another move to seize her.

'Thank you.I will be fine.I'm just going to get the file,on all the missing girls.I'd like you to see that.'

She could see his concerned face,but again reassured him.

'Please do not worry,Jennings-san.'Kieko waved her arm,down towards the customs building.'You have one of your sisters down there,do you not? Please make sure she is fine.'

Kieko then stood on tiptoe,to give him a kiss on the cheek.She smiled,noticing him blushing.

'I will not be long.' With that,Kieko left him.

Jennings watched her go.Every instinct in him,was screaming at him to follow her,but he also knew Kieko was right,about his sister.He'd better make sure Sarah was okay.

He produced his mobile,and dialled her number,waiting for her answer.As he heard Sarah's mobile ring,Jennings then noticed the crew were now casting off,and realised the 'Eastern Princess' was now departing.

Kieko had no problems heading back to her cabin.Her confidence was high,as none of the crew were in sight,although as she reached the passageway where her cabin was,she did see two crewmen checking over a big wicker laundry basket.

However,the men took no notice of her,as she politely went past them,and she reached her cabin.It was only after Kieko had entered it,the two crewmen looked up,and then at each other.Both men wore grinning faces.

Kieko sat on her bed,and brought out the file that she wished Jennings to see.This file contained all details,and photographs of all the young women,who'd disappeared on this ship.She thought it would be a good idea,to show Jennings the faces of all these girls.They would need to recognise them,once they were located.Kieko really hoped they'd be found all safe,and with her new ally,she felt more than confident of achieving her mission.

She was just checking through the photos,when there was a knock on her cabin door.Kieko put the file down on the bed,and walked up to the door.When she opened it,she recognised the two crewmen she'd seen earlier.The laundry basket too,was positioned right outside.

'Yes?' Kieko asked.

'Sorry to disturb you,Miss.' One of the men spoke politely back.'Laundry check,please.'

'Oh,I see.'Kieko knew they were collecting the bedding to clean,so she allowed them in.

The men nodded their thanks,and did enter,pushing the laundry basket into her cabin.Kieko could see it was a really big one.A person could fit in it,provided they were lying down in it.

As soon as Kieko shut her cabin door,she felt herself seized from behind.A hand forced itself over her mouth,and her waist was held,trapping her arms.

'HHmmmmfffff!' She tried to scream out for help,instantly knowing she'd made a big mistake.Evidently,the bad guys had decided to kidnap her again! Why hadn't she allowed Jennings to come with her? If she had,this could have been prevented.

Unfortunately for Kieko,Jennings wasn't here.The hand stayed tight over her mouth,and she couldn't budge an inch,in her captor's grip.

'Just stay calm,Miss Yamamoto,please.' The man holding Kieko spoke calmly.'You'll see it's pointless to resist.'

As if to explain himself,he spun the girl around.Kieko's eyes widened,as she noticed the second man reach into the laundry basket,and produce a gun.It was aimed directly at her.

'Now,Miss Yamamoto.'The man holding the weapon smiled,as he told her.'Please don't do anything rash.We have orders to bring you in,unharmed.However,'He then brandished the pistol menacingly.'I will use this on you,if you decide otherwise.'

The man then raised his head,looking for Kieko's response.The girl's eyes were still huge,over her tight handgag,but Kieko realised that resistance here,was futile.They had her cold,and she had to surrender.So,she nodded,although her eyes still showed tremendous fear.

Much to Kieko's relief,she noticed the man gesture at her captor,to remove his hand from her mouth.Then,the pistol was lowered.Kieko felt some small hope at seeing this.Maybe her kidnappers would lower their guard,and she could make a run for it.

Unfortunately,the man holding her,didn't let go of her.His arm still wrapped around her waist,as he then forced her onto her knees.

'Why are you doing this?' Kieko asked them,unable to hide some of her fear in her voice.

'Because your presence is wanted by other people,Miss Yamamoto.'She was told by the first man.'There's somebody very anxious,to have you.'

'What do you mean?'

'You'll see for yourself soon enough.'He gave her a nasty grin,as he then reached into the laundry basket,and much to Kieko's utter dismay,produced plenty of rope.

'No!'She yelped,not wanting to be tied up again.'Please donmmmffff!'

The man holding her,instantly clamped his hand over Kieko's mouth again,making her silent.His companion still retained his nasty smile,as he then brought up the pistol again.

'This won't kill you,Miss Yamamoto.'He tapped the weapon.'It's actually a drug gun,designed to immobilise its targets,but you don't want to be shot by it,my dear.Waking up from it,can be pretty nasty.'

His tome became more menacing,warning Kieko.'This is your last warning.Do as you are told,or else.'

The final two words spoken by him,were fully emphasised,and Kieko mumbled behind the man's hand,in despair,but her distress was fully relished by both men.She had to nod her obedience again to them.

'Very good,Miss Yamamoto.'The man again,lowered his weapon,and then began to prepare the many coils of rope he held.'Just stay still,and please don't scream again.'

Kieko was still in her enforced,sitting position,as the man walked around,to her back,and she felt him lash the ropes around her wrists.He worked quickly,and efficiently.Kieko was bound hand and foot,and then more rope was wrapped over her upper body,then her knees too.She couldn't help,but make a frantic struggle,against her bonds.Just as before though,when she'd been tied up,her efforts were useless.

Just then,the hand came away from her mouth,but it was instantly replaced,by a large black cloth,folded into a thick band,and Kieko's eyes were startled,as the cloth was pressed over her mouth,then she felt it tighten,as the man made the gag secure.

She continued to mumble weakly behind the gag,as she was then lifted up off her feet,and Kieko knew straight away,that they were going to put her into the laundry basket.

This was true.The man easily carried Kieko's helpless form towards the basket,and then,grinning down at her,dropped her into it.

Fortunately,Kieko's fall was broken,by the many linen in the basket,but it also imprisoned her.Tightly bound and gagged,Kieko couldn't move a muscle,not even kick the sides of the basket.To reinforce her helplessness,the two men then placed more laundry,on top of Kieko,almost obscuring her completely.

Still smiling down at their prize,one of the men then closed the top,enjoying Kieko's huge eyes,as they did so.The girl was still trying to speak frantically,but her gag was still highly effective.Only faint mumbles were heard,by the two of them.

The two men then pushed the laundry basket out of the girl's cabin,and after closing the cabin door,one of the men produced a walkie-talkie.

'Captain?'He was pleased to report.'We've got the girl.'

'Excellent work.'Liu's voice also sounded pleased.'Bring her to my ready room,and secure her there.She can have a front row seat,at who wants to meet her.'

Liu's orders were acknowledged,as the two of them pushed the basket on its way.

Inside it,Kieko had heard the conversation,and her fears multiplied.Obviously,somebody wanted to meet her,but who?

It was then that she did remember.Her mission had been,to gather intelligence on this high profile meeting,between high profile criminal leaders,especially on a yakuza one.Kieko suddenly recalled his name,Takachi.

Takachi was one of Japan's most dangerous yakuza.He'd built up a vast empire all over Japan,and even had plenty of influence overseas.

The fear and suffering he created,was abonimable.Many had dared to stand up to him,but had ultimately,paid the price.

Fortunately,Kieko's father,a senior police officer in Tokyo,had managed an effective counter-attack,and done serious damage to Takachi's organisation.It had made the yakuza lord mad with rage,and had sworn revenge on her father.

Now he's got me! Kieko tried to scream that thought out,as she knew this Takachi would be delighted,to hold her hostage,against her father.Her thoughts were full of terror,as she still lay bound,gagged,and trapped,as the basket continued on its way to deliver her,into the lion's mouth once more.

Chapter 10 to follow......