Voyage into Slavery Chapter 28
Jennings advanced quietly, keeping his eyes peeled for any sudden opposition, that may have leapt out at him. So far, nobody had discovered his presence. He also kept a sharp eye for any hidden tripwires, or booby traps. He didn't see any, which was a huge relief. Setting off an alarm, would be disastrous, to say the least. However, Jennings was determined to rescue Sarah and Louise from Madam Chen's clutches. There was also Kieko, Kelly and Su. All these girls had helped him, and he was also determined to return the favour.
As he moved in deeper into the house, he had to hide from many armed men. No doubt, Madam Chen's personal army. Jennings mused. He could hear distant voices, and he made his way towards them.
Successfully avoiding the enemy patrols, Jennings finally arrived just outside a big room. Here, he could see many people, and they appeared to come from all over. There were many men dressed in Arab headgear, and he had a nasty feeling who this lot were. Not all were from the Middle East. There were also many Orientals, and he even noticed people from the West. No doubt to increase their collections. Jennings thought bitterly.
Peering in, he suddenly saw Kieko being dragged in by Madam Chen. Kieko was bound and gagged securely, but Madam Chen lovingly held onto the struggling girl. There was an appreciative gasp from the crowd, as they saw Kieko.
'I see our first offering pleases you, my friends. 'Madam Chen smiled as she spoke. 'Wouldn't you just love to savour and ravish this Japanese beauty, at your leisure?'
She could see that her audience fully agreed. So could Kieko, as her eyes were huge, looking at the mass of leering faces at her.
Madam Chen's smile increased, as she enjoyed Kieko's current expression. She grasped the girl by her silky dark hair and turned her face to force her to look at the crowd of bidders.
'Look at her gorgeous dark eyes, gentlemen. A true beauty indeed. '
She then decided to get the auction under way.
'Any offers for her, gentlemen?'
'I'll pay 50, 000 for her!' One of the Arabs shouted out, the greed and lust fully evident in his voice.
'An excellent start. Sir. ' Madam Chen was pleased, knowing full well the money would start rolling in. 'Would anybody care to advance?'
'70, 000!' A second man called out.
'Ridiculous!' This from a third. 'She's worth much more than that. 90, 000!'
The first man came back in, determined to get his hands on the girl.
'100. 000!'
Madam Chen could see the buyers getting excited. She pulled her captive's head back by the hair and sniggered in Kieko's ear.
'Seems you'll break the bank, my dear. '
Kieko could not escape from her grasp, her eyes still full of terror.
Jennings noticed it. He had to fight to keep himself hidden. It was infuriating him, that the buyers were sneering and laughing at Kieko's distress. The bids were still ongoing, and rapidly approaching half a million. Still keeping a sharp eye open for any unexpected patrols, Jennings decided to see what happened here.
'500, 000!' It was the first Arab, and he shouted it out. The man then seemed to glare at everybody else, as if he was daring them to continue. A sullen silence descended, as his competitors conceded defeat.
Madam Chen was delighted. A very good start indeed. She scanned the crowd.
'500, 000 then? No more?' She was holding a small gavel, checking. 'Going once, going twice-' She was interrupted by Kieko's gagged whimpers, but ignored her. She slammed the gavel down. 'Sold to you, Sir. Believe me, she's worth every penny. '
The Shiek smiled menacingly and he made sure his newly acquired prize saw it.
'Thank you, Madam Chen. I can't wait to take her. '
'Would you join us for a drink afterwards?' The Japanese girl shuddered at what she heard next. 'I'd like to say my goodbyes to her. '
The Sheik nodded. 'It would indeed, be an honour. '
His greedy eyes had never left the girl. Madam Chen then casually threw Kieko into one of her men's grip. 'Take her to my room, and bring one of the English women up. '
The man nodded, and easily lifting Kieko over his shoulder, left, with the girl's muffled cries still being laughed at, and coldly ignored as she was carried out.
Jennings strained to see where Kieko was being taken. He then listened, his teeth clenched, as Madam Chen suddenly announced. 'I hope you enjoyed our first offering. We will now give you a very rare treat. The first English girl we've been able to acquire, for quite some time. '
The buyers were almost licking their lips in eager anticipation. Western women offered for sale, were very rare. Madam Chen was utterly confident the profits would soar, when she'd show the girl to them.
'I promise you, she'll be a worthy addition to your collection. '
Just then, one of her men came up to her, and passed on a message. Liu wanted to see her, immediately. She nodded, before turning back to address the buyers.
'Please excuse me for a few minutes, my friends. I shall return, but make yourselves comfortable. '
With that, Madam Chen left the room. Jennings watched her go, his eyes hard. Better find the rest of the girls, he thought. Before she gets them all up here. Checking his bag, Jennings plucked out the C4 plastic explosive charges, and still keeping under cover, planted them all over the house.
Once the charges had been laid out, Jennings made his way down towards the cellar. He had a strong suspicion, this was where he'd find all the girls. Still nobody had discovered his presence, but he was prepared to kill, should anybody try to stop him.
Liu was enjoying himself as well. He stood behind Louise, who was still tied up and gagged in Madam Chen's room. He was smiling, as his hands delicately stroked the girl's long, dark hair. Louise was frozen in fear from his touch. She flinched, as Liu whispered into her ear. 'Absolutely gorgeous, my dear. Madam Chen has done very well to seize you. She's broken every woman that dares to defy her. It's worth remembering, Miss Jennings. '
Louise could offer no defiant reply. The black tape over her mouth ensured her silence. Her eyes widened even more, as Madam Chen entered. The woman smiled, as she came over to check the many loops of ropes tied over Louise. There was no need to worry. The girl was still helpless, and both her captors were determined to see she remained that way.
Satisfied that Louise was still secure in their power, she faced Liu, and asked.
'What is it?'
Liu was still playing with Louise's hair. 'Any news on her brother?'
'Nothing yet. 'Madam Chen noted the girl was listening intently to them. 'I'm positive he's on his way to rescue her, as well as the others. '
Liu nodded his agreement. 'Maybe we'd better get rid ff her. 'Louise's expression was shocked, as she heard that sinister statement. She mumbled vaguely into the gag.
Liu seemed to realise what she was thinking. 'Don't worry, my dear. We'll make sure we'll get top money for you. '
Louise could only give out the still faint mumble of protest on hearing this. Liu continued to taunt her even more. He stopped stroking her hair, and instead grabbed it tightly, forcing Louise to look at him.
'It's your brother's head I want, and I'm going to get it. '
The threat in his voice frightened Louise. She clenched her eyes tightly shut again. These two people relished the power they held over her. Her bonds refused to give an inch, and the longer she was their prisoner, the worst it appeared to get for her future. Her only hope was John. That was all she allowed herself to think of.
Jennings finally found the stairs that led down to the cellar. He cautiously descended down them, he then spotted two armed men walking calmly away from him. Quickly, he went into cover. Carefully watching them, Jennings was thinking how to get past them, when he heard Inspector Panna's voice in his headset.
'Mr Jennings. 'The man's voice was still polite, but firm as he was asked. 'What do you think you are doing?'
Jennings checked that the two men were out of earshot. He kept his reply to a whisper. 'I'm getting my sisters out of this hellhole, Inspector. I'm going to help get all the other girls out, your daughter as well. Where are you?'
'Just across the street from you. You'll need assistance. There is no way you can do this on your own. '
Jennings knew he was right, but he was still determined to get Sarah and Louise out quickly. However, he didn't want to snub the Thai police officer.
'Well, I hope you brought plenty of friends, Inspector. '
'My men are with me. 'Panna answered. Across from the target building, a number of Thai policemen waited. All were armed with their handguns. Some held shotguns. They looked a mean sight, but all patiently waited for the order to go in.
'That's good to know. 'Jennings told him. 'I'll let you know when to come in. Understood?'
'You are not helping us, nor yourself. 'The Inspector chided him. 'Why won't you let us help you?'
Jennings told him the truth. 'Inspector, if you and your men come in now, you'll get slaughtered. These people outgun you by a mile. Just leave it to me, ok? I've planted a few nasty surprises for them, then I'll let you know when you can come in. '
There was a pause, then much to his relief, Panna agreed to wait. Though, he warned him. 'You have fifteen minutes, then we are coming in. '
'Got it. 'He then reassured him. 'Don't worry. Your daughter will be okay. I promise.'
With that done, Jennings closed the transmission. He could now concentrate on getting to the girls.
The two men were now coming towards him. Both appeared alert. He'd have to take care of these two quickly. As they passed his hiding place, Jennings silently crept up behind them, and slammed their heads together. Both men fell, knocked out by the blow. He breathed a sigh of relief, then he dragged the two unconcious men out of sight.
There was a lot of faint moaning just up ahead, and he hurried up to the source. Sure enough, the girls were here. Every one of them was still bound and gagged, but they all gaped at his entrance. The suprise and astonishment was fully evident on all their faces. Jennings clearly saw the relief in all of them though, and he found himself next to Kelly.
He smiled gently at her, she mumbled ineffectively through her gag, but she placed her head against his chest. He cut away her ropes, he couldn't believe how much rope had been used on all the girls. Removing Kelly's gag, the girl hugged him warmly.
'John! I'm so glad to see you. 'She kissed him affectionately on his cheek, and still wouldn't let go of him. 'Are you okay?'
'It should be me asking you that, Kelly. 'Jennings responded. He glanced anxiously at his friend. 'They didn't hurt you?'
Kelly shook her head. 'No, but I was so scared. 'She kissed him again. 'You saved my life. Thank you, John. '
'I owe it to you, Kelly. 'He told her. 'You saved my neck. I don't know what you injected me with, back at the hospital, but it did the job. '
Kelly gave him a lovely, warm smile. 'What are friends for?'
He grinned, then he asked her. 'Will you help free the other girls? There's not much time.'
Kelly nodded eagerly, always willing to help other people.
Jennings then recognised Angela Lee, the undercover officer from Hong Kong. Like Kelly, she was still dressed in her white naval uniform, and she presented, a very sexy sight. Her eyes pleaded at him to free her, and he did so. Just as Kelly had done, Angela hugged him in deep gratitude.
'Thank you for helping me. '
'You okay, Miss Lee?' Jennings asked, concerned. She nodded, wincing in pain as she rubbed her sore wrists, finally free of the ropes. It felt as if she'd been tied up for days. Jennings could see the rope marks fully evident on her body. Angela was looking at him curiously.
'I don't understand. They said you went down with the ship. '
Jennings kindly explained to her. 'I did go down with the ship, but I was blown back up to the surface. Air pockets escaping, I guess. '
The Chinese girl smiled at him. 'I'm glad you're okay. That's twice you've saved me.'
Jennings smiled in return. 'Believe me, Miss Lee. You're worth saving. '
She blushed faintly at his compliment. Then, he asked her to assist Kelly, to untie the others. Angela nodded, glad to help.
Then, he saw Su. The girl was just unable to move, as she lay on her side. Her own bonds making her totally immobile. As he freed her, he'd had to admit, that he'd never seen so many beautiful women bound and gagged. Removing Su's gag, he hugged her. She held him tightly in return, and she started to cry.
'It's okay. 'Jennings whispered comfortingly into her ear. 'You're safe now. '
He could see Su had been really terrified by her ordeal. He took off his headset, and gave it to her, saying. 'Your father's just outside. You can talk to him. '
He gently squeezed the girl's shoulder, and it had a calming effect on her. She began speaking to her father, in her native Thai.
Jennings glanced around the room, checking to see if anybody else needed help; most of the girls had been freed.. He then saw two girls bound and gagged back to back. He knew who they were: the two TV girls from Hong Kong. Michelle Chan and Jane Yeoh were just as pleased to see him, as he was them. Both were mumbling like mad, through their tape gags. He made short work of their bonds, and gently peeled away the large strips of black tape from their mouths.
'You girls okay?'he queried. They both hugged him. Jennings had to admit he enjoyed their gratitude towards him, but he still had to check them all. He scanned anxiously for Sarah and Louise, but saw no sign of his sisters. Angela and Kelly knew what he was looking for. Jennings came up to them, after failing to find them in the room.
'Where's Sarah and Louise?'
Angela tried to break the bad news gently to him. 'They kept them seperate from all of us. I saw them take Sarah out, just before you came. I think they were taking her to be sold.'
Jennings clenched his fists in frustration. How the hell had he missed her? 'What about Louise?'he hurriedly asked.
'That Chen bitch has her. 'Angela shuddered. 'I think they're holding her, for when you come. '
He realised he'd better get a move on. Kneeling quickly down by Su, he asked for the headset back. Su gave it to him.
'Okay, Inspector. ' He kept his voice calm, despite the raging emotions inside him. 'I'm bringing the girls out now. '
The reply came back instantly. 'We'll cover you. My men are in position. '
'I'll need a favour. 'He prayed his family were okay. There was also Kieko to worry about. He explained, and was glad to hear Inspector Panna offer him, any help he so desired.
'Thank you. 'Jennings meant it. 'I owe you one. '
'No, my friend. We owe you. '
Again, Jennings thanked him. He checked that all the girls were okay, and then called them all together.
'Okay, ladies. ' Despite the worry burning away inside him, Jennings made sure he showed confidence to the girls. After all, it was up to him to get them out of here safely. 'I'm going to get you all out now. With a bit of luck, the bad guys' attention will be diverted. I've taken care of that. If any of Madam Chen's thugs turn up, take cover immediately, and I'll deal with them. Okay?'
He couldn't help, but speak the woman's name with some venom. However, the girls nodded their understanding.
'Right, then, let's go, ladies. '
He led the way out. Jennings was confident he'd get them all out safely. He just hoped he would be able to get Kieko away from that Shiek, and still have enough time to rescue Sarah and Louise.