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"Niko-San," the Sensei had said, "I don't believe this situation is as it appears. Go to Yoshi. Sneak in if you have to and find out what is really going on. If Mr. Mason is innocent as I believe he is, then both he and Yoshi may be in grave danger. There's no time to lose. Please go now."

Hurrying into the hospital Niko bypassed the information desk, stepped directly into the elevator and went up to the third floor. At the nurses' station she gathered up her courage and walked right past. Slipping into Yoshi's room while heaving a sigh of relief at not being challenged Niko hurried to his bedside.

"Yoshi," she called softly. "Yoshi, it's Niko. Are you awake?" Niko gently stroked his face, saw his eyes flutter, then open as he tried to focus on her.

"Niko?" Yoshi's voice was hoarse and cracked. "Niko? I can't see you well."

"Yes, Yoshi. I think you've been drugged to ease your pain." Niko saw Yoshi was slipping off to sleep again and touched his face. "Yoshi! You have to stay awake just a little longer. I must ask you something! Did Skipper Mason do this terrible thing to you?"

Again Niko saw the effort on Yoshi's face as he tried to focus on her and nearly succeeding this time.

"Skipper? No, he tried to save me when I was attacked. Is he all right? What's wrong?" Concern for his friend was beginning to beat the drugs in Yoshi's system and he had Niko in fairly good focus now.

"Officer Sasaki arrested Skipper for the attack on you and the murder of another policeman and the houseboy. One other policeman was also injured in the fight. They locked Skipper in special solitary confinement. No one is allowed to see him. Bert Johnson, Skipper's friend, called from America and told Sensei Mashuta that Skipper's girlfriend has been kidnapped. Tell me, Yoshi. What's going on?" Niko was beginning to lose her composure and fought to maintain control.

"I have trouble thinking, Niko. They keep me drugged too much here. More than is necessary, I think. I don't think it's for the pain. Can you get me out of here? I'm worried about Skipper -- and you, too, now."

"What do you mean? I don't understand, Yoshi. You must remain in the hospital until..."

The door burst open and a hospital orderly and a nurse entered. The nurse demanded to know Niko's business and the orderly took her by the arm. Yoshi tried to rise but fell back, suddenly too dizzy to function.

"I'm Yoshi's fiancé. I was worried about him and came over to see if he's all right. His mother and father are very concerned but can't get to Tokyo until tomorrow." Niko's mind was racing trying to understand what was going on and trying to throw the nurse off guard. Yoshi realized what she was doing and feigned being even more drugged than he was.

"Niko," Yoshi whispered, "Tell my honored parents I'll come home tonight to make plans for our future." Yoshi's voice trailed off and he pretended to sleep.

The nurse checked Yoshi's pulse then turned to Niko and said sternly, "You must obey hospital rules. Just because you are his fiancee does not exempt you from proper conduct."

Niko had begun to cry, tears streaming down her face, her chest heaving; but she allowed no sob to be heard.

The nurse softened, believing Niko was only distraught about her fiancé. "Please go home now. He'll sleep through the night and will be well enough to go home soon. Go home and reassure his parents." The orderly escorted Niko out to the main entrance then watched as she walked up the crowded street.

Niko's mind was in turmoil. She finally decided Yoshi had been trying to tell her to return tonight to get him out of the hospital. "But how? I'm not strong enough to carry him if he can't walk and, even if I could, that would surely attract attention. What can I do?" Again Niko's chest heaved in great sobs as she fought back the tears.

Sensei Mashuta was the only person she felt she could trust now who might also be able to help her. She gathered her courage and resolved to see this through no matter what the cost. Niko hailed a taxi and gave the driver the address of Sensei Mashuta's dojo.

Yoshi fought to remain awake after Niko and the others left. He had to think. Slowly, his mind began to clear and it became easier to concentrate. As he tried to piece together the events which placed him in the hospital he realized he had no idea how long he'd been here.

A throbbing pain began in his right hand and his fingers itched a little. Yoshi reached over to scratch and found -- nothing. The events of the fight flooded into focus and Yoshi pressed his eyes shut. He was a brave man and within minutes he regained control. He'd have time to grieve his loss later, but for now he concentrated on formulating a plan. His drugged thoughts were confused.

The nurse appeared on her rounds and tried to awaken him but Yoshi feigned deep sleep. Checking his vital signs the nurse seemed satisfied and decided not to administer another dose of Demerol. When Yoshi woke up she'd give him more. She didn't understand why the doctor wanted this patient kept so heavily drugged but she was busy and didn't have time to worry about it.

Yoshi prayed Niko understood his veiled reference and would return this evening to help him escape.

Niko was afraid Sensei Mashuta might refuse to help her free Yoshi from the hospital. She didn't know the sensei well though Yoshi always referred to him with great respect. Maybe he'd insist on merely requesting the hospital pay closer attention to him. She just didn't know what he would, or could, do.

She explained her case as best she could and her confusion was clearly evident to Sensei Mashuta. She didn't understand much of what was going on.

"Sensei Mashuta please help me. You were right, something is very wrong. Yoshi needs your help. He says we have get him out of the hospital tonight. I'm not sure what's happening but something is very wrong. Please..."

"Niko-San. Be still a moment." Sensei Mashuta admonished her sternly but the look on his face was gentle. "I didn't say I wouldn't assist Yoshi. You haven't given me an opportunity to say anything" His words brought a soothing calm to her heart. "If you'll stop pleading long enough we may be able to make a plan before nightfall and successfully gain Yoshi's liberty from modern medical science."

Sensei Mashuta allowed a slight grin to crease his face and Niko almost leaped into his arms with joy.

"We must devise a workable plan, Niko. You have seen this hospital and I have not. Also, I have a few students who are employed there. Perhaps this will be an easier thing than we think."

The corporate jet carrying Choi and Patti banked sharply and skimmed over the top of a jagged ridge, then descended rapidly toward a small airfield. The field had been used by the Americans during the Korean war. Later the South Korean government had used it sporadically. Later still when a private company offered many times its value to a corrupt official, the government sold it. Now, certain Customs Officials looked the other way when flights came in here from overseas and customs' clearance became a rubber stamp operation without actual inspection. The airfield hadn't actually been visited by a customs' agent, or any other government employee, for nearly two years.

The pain in Patti's ears caused by the jet's rapid descent made her moan through the gag over her mouth. Strong hands restrained her as the straps tying her to the stretcher were tightened.

Choi chuckled to himself and thought, "Surely Pak will be pleased with this present! Surely, also, he will return these goods to me when he has no more use for them."

As he fondled Patti's breasts he wished he could crush them and make her scream. Patti tried to struggle free but the straps bit tightly into her already bruised arms and she gasped in pain. "Oh yes Miss White, I will make you die so exquisitely. You will know the ecstasy of pain as you leave this world." The jet lurched as the landing gear made contact with the asphalt runway. As the engines reversed Choi pulled Patti's robe around her and strapped her even more tightly to the stretcher. His lust was strong and tonight his wife would suffer for it.

Yoshi heard the door to his room open and detected the sounds of at least two people walking to his bed.

"Sensei Nakagawa. Can you hear me? It's me, Eiji. Sensei Mashuta sent us to sneak you out of here. Your fiancé is waiting for us outside. Can you hear me?"

The man's voice was hushed and urgent. Yoshi opened his eyes and recognized two fellow students from Sensei Mashuta's dojo. They'd wheeled a gurney to the side of his bed and already Eiji was gently pulling him onto it.

"I think I can walk," Yoshi said.

"No, Sensei. Stay on the stretcher. It's all arranged. This way will not attract attention. Please, Sensei."

Yoshi gratefully laid back and watched the ceiling race by in front of his eyes. Soon he closed them, giving himself up to pain and fatigue. Outside he heard Niko's voice quietly giving commands and expressing thanks to the men who had whisked him out from under the noses of the watchful nurses.

"Niko?" Yoshi called softly.

"I'm here, Yoshi. Are you all right? Do you need anything?"

"I'm all right," Yoshi lied. Several wounds were throbbing painfully and the burning agony at the end of his right arm was almost unbearable. "Where are we going?"

"To Sensei Mashuta's home. Sensei has arranged for a doctor to be there when we arrive."

"We've got to get Skipper out of jail soon, Niko. We don't have any time to lose. I fear for his life there."

"Be still, Yoshi. We'll soon arrive at Sensei's home. There we can discuss these things." Niko stroked Yoshi's forehead. He was perspiring heavily but Yoshi didn't feel feverish and Niko knew it was caused by his pain.

The Sensei waited at the gate to his home. Beside him was an old and trusted friend, Doctor Ogawa.

After examining Yoshi's wounds, Dr. Ogawa said they were healing well. He gave Yoshi a pill, saying, "Eat a little food and then take this pill. It might make you a little light headed and might also upset your stomach but your pain should greatly subside in about twenty minutes. I have given Niko more of them along with instructions for your care. Rest Yoshi, and if you need me further, Sensei Mashuta knows where to reach me. Good luck to you."

"Thank you, Doctor. I owe you a debt of gratitude that will be hard to repay." Yoshi bowed his head as far as he could from his reclining position.

"You owe me nothing, Sensei Nakagawa. This has been my pleasure to do for your Sensei. Call on me immediately if you need me." With that the doctor left, bowing formally to Sensei Mashuta on his way out.

"Sensei," Yoshi said, "we've got to get Skipper Mason out of jail." Yoshi dared to be too forward, hoping his condition and the urgency of the situation would justify his lack of manners.

Sensei Mashuta took a seat on the floor next to Yoshi's futon. "Tell me, Yoshi, what's the reason for your concern. If I knew the situation better I might be of more assistance."

"Sensei, I don't know everything in this matter. My first contact with Skipper Mason was at your request. He impressed me very much and we became good friends in a very short time. He's a very capable man. He didn't explain exactly what he's looking for but he considers it worth his life to find. That in itself, knowing him, is reason enough for me to help him. Both my friendship for him and your request that I do so, make it a matter of personal honor."

"Yoshi, I understand your position and I honor you for it. I too have gained respect for Mr. Mason. His teacher in America is a great man and speaks highly of him. I saw in his eyes during our single meeting that he's worthy of our trust. We will help him. Have you any suggestions?"

Yoshi and Sensei Mashuta, with Niko's help, discussed the recent events trying to piece it all together. When the sun rose again they'd worked out a plan they hoped would free Skipper. If it cost their positions in life -- even if they became wanted criminals -- it was a matter of honor. This was Bushido.

Skipper had received several visits from Sasaki and his men during the past eighteen hours. Every minute with them had been painful. Sasaki continually questioned him about his business in Tokyo. When Skipper refused to answer Sasaki or his assistants inflicted pain -- whole oceans of pain. Skipper knew he wouldn't be able to endure much more without telling them what they wanted to know. He felt himself dropping into a dark pit of depression, a place in his mind he recognized all too well. Depression and Skipper had been waging an almost daily secret battle since early in his military career. Fighting off the hopeless, lonely feeling he took stock of his situation as he saw it. To his knowledge he was completely on his own. He didn't know whether Yoshi had survived or not; and, even if he had, Skipper was sure his friend was in no condition to help.

If Skipper waited in jail much longer he'd never be able to escape. Rule number one of captivity: the longer you're a captive the worse your chances of escape. He may have been here too long already.

During his visits to interrogate Skipper, Sasaki had grown overconfident. He'd heard of Skipper's work out with Nakagawa (who had a well-deserved reputation as a fighter) and saw for himself what had transpired in Skipper's apartment. His last few visits, though, had reduced Skipper to the point where he seemed unable to defend himself at all. His resistance to the beatings was now virtually non-existent. This gave Sasaki a boldness he showed only with prisoners who couldn't fight back. During his last two visits to Skipper's cell, Sasaki had only brought one "interpreter" with him. This time he wouldn't need any. He didn't expect Skipper to answer questions so he didn't plan to ask any. He only intended to inflict more pain on his prisoner, then hang him. He'd never cared if Skipper answered the questions anyway. He just wanted to show himself he was a powerful man.

Skipper was ready to kill both men when they returned, or die in the attempt. He'd observed that when they came into the cell they only brought the one riot baton with which to inflict pain. He sat cross-legged in his corner and meditated, washing away his pain and concentrating his strength for the ordeal ahead.

Striding confidently down the hallway, Sasaki slapped his right palm with the baton as he walked. The empty concrete hallway echoed with the sound. Throwing the bar off Skipper's door he stepped inside with the confidence of a conquering hero.

The noise in the hallway brought Skipper back to full alertness. He no longer felt the pain in his arm or the fatigue brought on by the beatings and lack of food. He felt strong and ready.

Skipper caught Sasaki by the right wrist as he enter the cell. Twisting it up into the air behind him he drove the man's face into the concrete floor halfway across the room. At the same time he swung the door almost shut with his foot and jumped on Sasaki's back, feeling the vertebrae snap under his knee. Sasaki could only gasp through the blood pouring from his nose. The wind had been knocked out of him and his legs were paralyzed. Quickly Skipper caught hold of Sasaki's left hand, breaking the wrist and taking the baton from him.

Calmly, Skipper pulled Sasaki's head back by the hair. "Well now, Officer Sasaki, we Americans have an old saying. 'If you want to dance, you have to pay the piper.' And it's time to pay up now, isn't it?" Skipper slid the heavy ash baton beneath Sasaki's throat and placing his knee on the back of the man's neck, crushed his larynx and cut off the carotid arteries supplying blood to the brain. Sasaki's eyes bulged and he heaved for several seconds, trying vainly to suck air past his crushed throat. His movements slowed and he lay still, his eyes staring at the floor, unseeing.

Taking the riot baton with him Skipper checked the hall. No one was in sight. He quietly stepped out, turned to his right and slipped along the wall the door at the end of the corridor. Looking through the little window Skipper saw an officer sitting at a small desk. Beyond him, there was a gate made of bars and what appeared to be an office. He rapped sharply on the door three times with the stick.

The officer heard the customary three sharp raps of Sasaki's baton echoing in the hallway behind the door and got up quickly to unlock it, his attention still on the magazine laying on his desk. Already turning the key he'd left hanging in the lock he finally glanced up to look through the window and saw who was there -- too late. Skipper kicked the door open, striking the guard in the face and chest with it. Stepping through he made short work of the guard, knocking him unconscious. He grabbed the keys and unlocked the gate leading into the outer office.

At that moment Niko and three members of Yoshi's special branch of the Tokyo Police arrived at the jail with bogus papers ordering the release of Skipper Mason into their custody, but they were ready to take him by force if necessary. Entering the jail office from the compound the sight that greeted them brought guns to the hands of the three policemen accompanying Niko.

Skipper was standing behind the desk dangling a police sergeant by the neck from the ash baton he held locked in the crook of his arm. He let the unconscious man fall to the floor. "Too bad I didn't make it further." he thought briefly, then quickly dismissed the thought as he leaped over the desk prepared to fight for his life.

Niko looked at the muscular giant of a man in front of her. The clothing he wore was stained with blood, sweat, vomit and urine, and his blond hair was matted. His left arm was swollen and almost black, the hand a mottled blue color. As he jumped over the desk Niko called out, "Skipper?"

Recognizing Niko's voice Skipper stopped but remained in a fighting stance, unsure what side she was on and who the men with her were. He was ready to die, but looking for every opportunity to live.

"Yes, Niko-San" he said. Gesturing toward the officers with her he asked, "Who are they?"

"Yoshi sent us to get you out of here. Come quickly before we're discovered. Please. Pretend you're our prisoner."

He wasn't sure why the telephone operator at the police department would help him (the subject of Yoshi's relationship with Niko had never come up), but he relied on his instincts which told him to trust her and help of any kind was more than he'd had up till now. He allowed the men to surround him and noticed gratefully they carefully held him where it hurt the least. They quickly exited through the outside doors to the waiting sedan. When they arrived at the gate leading out to the street the guard on duty waved them through. He was outside.

"Where are you taking me?" Skipper asked.

"We're going to Sensei Mashuta's home. Yoshi's there. I see you're hurt, Mr. Mason. We'll also get medical help for you there."

Skipper suddenly felt very tired. He fought valiantly to maintain consciousness but the genuine look of concern on Niko's face robbed him of his resolve and he passed out.