Voyage into Slavery. Chapter 14
Captain Liu led his guests back into his personal quarters. He felt the tension from everybody, due to the incident between Madam Chen and Takachi. He knew she was totally loyal to him and Yee. However, there were moments when she eagerly chose one of the many pretty girls, to be her own personal property. The English girl now had that misfortune. Madam Chen would, of course bring the girl up to be sold. Though, it wouldn't happen for some time. Liu would always make sure he'd get an invite from her
He watched Takachi carefully. The man was indeed, very dangerous. Liu could see it in the eyes, that he was determined to get his hands on Jennings' sister. Liu offered another round of free drinks, and was relieved to see everybody accept, even Takachi. The Japanese man however, was already making his plans. He noted where Liu got the drinks, and smiled to himself. There would be a very nasty suprise waiting for them soon.
Liu was speaking, as he thought that.
'I trust the merchandise met with all your approval, gentlemen?'
There were smiles all around. Much to eveybody's suprise, Takachi was the first to respond.
'An excellent collection, Captain. The girls you have taken are the best I have ever seen.'
Liu smiled politely back.'I must admit I enjoy going down to inspect my cargo.'
More smiles followed, as Liu sweetened it: 'As a free bonus, you may all have a girl of your choice, for your evening's entertainment tonight.'
Takachi asked, 'Including the English girl?'
Liu nodded, 'I will have her brought up to your cabin. If you will see my First Officer, he will assign you to your rooms.'
'And the Chinese woman will not object?' Takachi's memory of Madam Chen holding onto Louise still fresh in his mind.
Liu however reassured him, 'I will admit Madam Chen has many favourites of the women we seize, but she will obey my orders.'
Takachi bowed politely in gratitude, then excused himself. As he turned away from them, an evil and triumphant smile lit up on his face. He headed back to the helicopter. There was a large hodall bag he'd left there. Opening it, he checked his own personal armoury. There was a a machine gun pistol, which he'd used many times on his enemies. What he was really after though, was the remotely controlled bombs, and C4 plastic explosive packed in abundance. His knew that his own men carried the same amount, on arriving on the ship. Takachi nodded, satisfied as he checked it. There was more than enough here to blow up the 'Eastern Princess', and send the ship to the bottom of the sea.
He picked up a radio link to his men, and demanded, 'Have you found the girl yet?'
The reply was negative. They were looking through the passenger list, checking. Takachi told them to keep on checking, but then also demanded the ship's schematics design to be brought to him. He wanted to know where to put the bombs in the ship's most vunerable spots.
Once his orders had been acknowledged, Takachi smiled. Things had never been better. He'd enjoy ravishing the English girl, perhaps take her too, with the Yamamoto woman as well, before he'd escape the disaster awaiting everybody else on the ship.
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Jennings had never let go of Kieko in his cabin. He knew she was slowly recovering, but he was thinking very seriously about her. Twice, she'd been kidnapped by the bad guys. He swore to himself that they wouldn't be third time lucky. He gently smoothed her hair with his hand, the girl smiled at his touch, holding his hand.
'How are you feeling?'Jennings asked.
Kieko gave him a warm smile, 'I am fine, as long as you are here.'
He rubbed his chin thoughtfully.'I wonder what they're planning now.'
Kieko shuddered, as she remembered Captain Liu's discussion with Takachi. Then, she recalled something important.
'There's something you should know. They are holding an Englishwoman. I listened to them talking about her, they also mentioned you.'
Jennings didn't like the sound of that. The bad feeling he'd been having, now grew inside him. He sincerely hoped he was wrong, at what he was thinking. Quickly, he opened up his laptop, and made contact with Sarah again.
'Has Louise been in touch yet?'
Sarah's voice was full of concern, 'Nothing. John, I'm really worried. I think something's happened to her.'
Jennings knew what she was saying, but he went on, 'Can you get in touch with Hong Kong Customs, and ask them to send you over any CCTV footage over the harbour? Once you've got it, send it straight over to me, got it?'
Her answer was immediate, 'Got it.'
He waited. Kieko could see the concern on his face, she gently touched his arm, 'What is it?'
Jennings told her, 'I have a sister who was in Hong Kong harbour. I've been trying to reach her, but she's made no contact with me yet.'
He then saw that Sarah had sent the information over to him, it was downloading rapidly. Grimly, he began to check it out. It took a while, but sure enough, he saw Louise, with the Chinese Customs woman. Both were walking up the gangplank to the 'Eastern Princess'. His face hardened.
Sarah was speaking to him, 'John, did you find her?'
His answer was quiet, 'Yeah, I've found her. She's on the ship with me.'It was then he remembered something, 'Sarah, scan the ship. Louise should be wearing the tracking bracelet I gave her. See if you can pinpoint her position.'
Sarah acknowledged, her reply was quick, and the worry in her voice was evident.
'John, she's in one of the ship's holds. She's been tied up, and in some sort of cage. There are other women down there too.'
There was a pause, before a gasp from Sarah told him something else was happening.
'Sarah, what is it?'Jennings almost shouted it out.
'No. . .'her voice sounded appalled, before she answered', there's a woman holding Louise, she's doing things to her. . .'
Sarah's voice trailed off, as Jennings heard her start to cry. This made him clench his fists. Nobody hurts my sister! He swore to himself, whoever was hurting Louise, they were going to suffer big time for it.
'Which hold, Sarah?'He kept himself calm though, as he waited for Sarah to respond.
She did come straight back, 'Cargo Holding bay 2.'
The location was sent over to his laptop, he then told his sister, 'Don't worry Sarah. I'll get Louise back.'
Sarah however, still sounded anxious.'
Please, John, be careful.'
He then studied the way down towards the cargo bay, once he'd done that, he pulled out a bag from under his cabin bed.
Kieko watched, as he opened it, and saw the firearms Jennings had brought with him.
'You will need them.'She told him, 'they'll use any means possible to keep those girls.'
He nodded, but didn't answer. The last thing he wanted was a firefight breaking out, when innocents were all over. The stealth factor had to be maintained, but he knew time was running out, especially for Louise. Better get moving. He told himself.
Kieko stood up, saying 'I have my own weapon, I'll help you.' She made it clear that she wouldn't take no for an answer.
Grimly, he picked up the bag, and carried it.
'Let's go.'he accepted her decision, but still promised himself, that he would keep a protective eye on Kieko. He just hoped he could get to Louise in time.