The man leaned back in his chair, smoking a cigar in the brightly lit room. He wore a suit, his hair cut close, his face slim, his jawline strong. His eyes as dark has hair, looking like an abyss compared to his skin that was not pale but had a tan that showed his time kissing the sun. In the corner the radio lightly played, much of it Draconian opera and symphonies, but with some imported American Jazz. The local Jazz scene was still not nearly as respected.
In front of him was his boss. “I'm glad you could make it Charles.” His boss said as he put out his own cigar as he rubbed his lip. He had recently shaved his bushy mustache that had made him look like a cowboy, but the latest fad was clean shaven, but he still wasnt use to the feeling. “Granted in a three person meeting we would have waited for you.”
Charles chuckled. “Sorry boss, the slave workers are still working on the new highway.” He put out his cigar now as he looked to his right to a blonde haired man. “Can you believe their laziness Johansen?”
Johansen smirked and shrugged his shoulders. “Knowing you're driving I'm just happy no one was killed!”
“Cheeky.”
His boss smiled. “Gentleman.” He said, regaining their attention. “As you know, for the last several decades our little intelligence agency, like many of the infant ones throughout the world, has done some excellent work. However, we have been focused in two areas, making sure slave rebellions do not emerge, and gathering intelligence within foreign governments.”
“Hence the 'intelligence' part of the D.I.O.” Charles said, referencing the acronym for 'Draconian Intelligence and Observation'.
His boss just gave him a look. “Continuing, these have been intel gathering operation. But even with the war still fresh in the world's memories we already see blocs emerging.” He paused. “Dracon stayed out of the horrors of that world, and look at us! Prosperous, untouched. With buyers around the world in need of our natural resources and ammunition production!” He walked over to a map, a map that had been reshapened over the course of the previous decade. “East versus West, capitalism versus communism. Fools. Threatening total war over not power, but ideology.” He looked over his shoulder. “They do not understand as we do. What is ideology but the longing to have power to decide fates?”
Johansen leaned back in his chair. “We should not concern ourselves. The Yanks and the Ruskies, they're both so self-righteous. I miss the old days, when my father told me about the Russian civil war, and how we got so much product from both sides whenever they conquered enemy territories.”
Charles nodded. “The time of the Great War and inbetween was quite a boon. My father's favorite slave was a gorgeous damsel from East Anatolia. The damn Ottomans wanted to kill so many, such a waste. We provided a humane alternative to which we all prospered.”
His boss shrugged. “Yes, these days operations of that size will be harder. Though not impossible. The world will face upheaval no doubt.” He turned from the map. “We are in a grand position. Both sides claim to despise us, our culture. Yet we have one politician speak fondly of red politics and the Yanks will have a heart attack and continue to ignore the trangressions that they despise. Meanwhile we can be a destabilizing force to old world empires, and a source of resources to the east. They will not be able to lift their noses to us.”
Charles looked at Johansen. “We will play both sides.”
“Yes.” His boss said, taking out a couple of manilla folders. “However, forget such large operations that your fathers and grandfathers organized. You are intel, you need to be more- targetted in your approach.” He slid the folders towards them. “Realize that there are targets worth your specific skills and specific commissions.”
Charles opened his folder. The young woman who smiled and appeared in the photos within the folder was exquiste in her beauty. He knew of her, if not her specifically. “Are you asking what I think you are?”
Johansen smirked. “Come now, kidnappings is part of the job requirement.”
Charles grinned. “Yes, but this isn't some nurse who knows of troop movements or a daughter of a senator or cabinet minister that few people have heard of. This is an actress.”
His boss nodded. “Europe is still rebuilding, some cities still in rubble. East Asia is much the same. Yet humans crave entertainment. This woman is a ballerina and an upcoming actress in recent times. As you might have seen from the imported moves, she just had the first movie that she got wide acclaim for. 'A Vacation in Venice', you might have seen it.” He said looking at them.
“Perhaps.” Johansen muttered. “Still, we usually kidnap either local, or low level. For all of me and Charles comments the daughters of that senator and cabinet minister was an extreme circumstance that only worked because they had no security. These is a starlet.”
“A starlet who's first public comments after her first major success was to talk about her humanitarian aspirations; which condemned our nation by name simply because we have slaves.” He put his hand on the table. “She angered many with those comments, she's young, she's beautiful, and many would pay our government top dollar for the opportunity to bid on her.”
Charles looked at his partner. “Dossier says she has little to no security most days. Fluent in four languages. Has a couple of months off before shooting begins on her next movie.” He looked at the photos. “Miss Audrey would look splendid all tied up.”
His boss nodded. “I'm sure you two would enjoy the operation, as will Mr. Tyler when he arrives back in country and is told the news. He will be the third member of your team. Miss Audrey has arrived back in Europe after her time in America celebrating the success of her movie. No security was observed during her previous vacations to the Swiss lakehouse. Capture her, we have agents in an airport an hour drive away. From there you will fly to the Azores, and from there a private ship will bring you and your new merchandise back to Dracon.”
Charles felt almost giddy. “Imagine if this goes off without a hitch. She's beautiful, but the silent message it could send!”
“It needs to work.” His boss replied. “You are the proof of concept. That our reach is global, that our intelligence operatives can reach out and seize any target. Especially beautiful targets that dear speak down to our nation. I assume you are up for the challenge?”
Charles nodded as Johansen spoke. “When do we leave sir?
(1 week later)
Audrey sighed as she closed her eyes, feeling the water of the lake lap against her feet. The water was chilly, but peaceful in the summer air. Her life had not been the easiest, the war, the occupation, it lead to hardship. But afterwards she struck out, she had always danced, and now her mother set her up with opportunities to perform in plays. That lead to a movie. She smiled with her eyes closed as she remembered working with Gregory. But success had a stress all its own. She liked the calmness of a summer afternoon alone along the lakeshore.
The young lady leaned her head back in the sun and smiled. Her beautiful face lit up, her hair combed to the side but also in pigtails. Her top was modest but designed for swimming, being sleeveless and stopping at her navel. Her bottoms likewise were modest but made for swimming like many of the swimsuits designed in the past decade. She hoped the 50s brought more peace and prosperity than the 40s she had to suffer through.
She didn't hear three men approaching, not that it mattered. She wanted to swim, but she had promised her mother and friends she would not swim alone. Instead she let her feet feel the water before turning to go back to the lakehouse. Charles looked at Johansen. “My word, she's even more beautiful in person.”
His partner laughed. “We have permission to enjoy her mouth and throat during the trip back to Dracon correct?”
Charles looked at him and gave him a wink. “She'll have to endure training afterall. Why shouldn't we start it? Her buyers do not want her to be completely broken, but she'll need so training in how to be a proper slave. To know her place.”
Tyler, their dark haired comrade nodded. “Very slim, she'll break easily. Will still be fun though. And with a body that beautiful and a soul that pure.” He chuckled. “She'll be perfect for the auction block.”
–
Audrey meanwhile soaked up the sun for a few more minuets before walking back towards the small lake cabin she was staying in. It was furbished enough, and was a good place to decompress. She had gotten her big break now, and with so many interviews and awards she had any more movies lined up. She was already planning on saving money in order to donate it to those in need still recovering from the war.
The young lady didn't notice the footsteps of the three men as she turned on the radio to listen to some relaxing classical music. She was reading a letter when she heard the footstep right behind her. She tried to turn but only felt a hand clamp over her mouth and another hand grab her arm. “Mmmmphhhh!” She cried out as she felt the large hand clamp over most of her lower face. Pressing against her lips so only a soft muffle could escape her lips.
She also felt metal against the small of her back. “Calm down sweetheart, if you do you'll come out of this very healthy and in good shape.” A man with a drawling accent said. She realized that there must be at least two men in the room, but then she heard footsteps as another one walked around her.
He looked like a movie star. Handsome and in good shape. He took out a cigar and lit it. “Now.” He said, with a drawl that was softer than the man who held a harsh hand over her lips. “We just want your cooperation. My friend will remove his hands, and in return for you not being hurt you do not scream, understood?”
Audrey, terrified, nodded. “Mmmphh.” She whined into the hand. Charles smiled, her petite body looked splendid as well as delicate.
Charles nodded to Tyler, who took his hand away from her mouth slowly. “No screaming, good, glad to see you can follow orders.” He said as the young lady gave him a nervous look. “You are Miss Audrey yes?”
Audrey nodded. “Y- yes. Who are you? What do you want?” She asked nervously as Charles walked over and turned up the radio. They could still hear, but it was turned up just a bit louder.
“Miss Audrey, you have said some truly vile things about my country recently.” He said as he placed a bag on a chair. Unzipping it he started to take out strands of rope. Audrey's heart was beating very quickly now. “Very unkind of you.”
Audrey tried to look over her shoulder but the man just put a hand on her shoulder. “Who are you?” She asked again.
Charles smiled. “Miss Audrey, we're from Dracon.” He said with an award winning smile. Audrey's heart was starting to pound in her chest. After experiencing evil and seeing it vanquished, she wasn't going to ignore where it still existed in the world. “You have been very cruel in your wording about my country and our culture sweetheart.” He tossed the rope to the man holding her arm. “Tie up her arms, we'll be getting an apology from her.”
Audrey felt a little bit of relief as he said they just wanted an apology. “Please.” She said softly as her arms were pulled behind her back. She felt her wrists tightly tied together, followed by her elbows that were forced to touch. “Owww, please thats tight.” She moaned.
“You've been meaner with your words.” The man muttered.
Charles just walked up, looking her over. Tying her elbows forced out her petite chest just a bit, and it raised her top, he could see some of her navel now peering out from her shorts, and her midriff was now on display. “Pretty.” He muttered.
She swallowed and grimaced before composing herself. “Please, you want an apology. Okay! I can apologize. I did not mean to offend, I only sought to speak on behalf of an issue that I see in the word.” She paused. “I am very sorry if I have offended you or your nation. That was not my intent.”
“Not your intent.” Charles said scoffing.
Audrey continued. “Not my intent. Please, how do you want me to apologize. I can write a letter, make a public statement! If feelings were hurt how would you like me to make amends?”
Charles grinned. “Why, we intend for you to apologize by selling on one of our auction blocs you spoke so much about!”
