by John Charles
"Before I even suggest this to Aaron, I want to know your entire plan. And I want to know how the agency will protect and back up everyone in the field."
At Hank's insistence, Declan called his supervisor, put him on speaker, and included him in the conversation. They talked for over an hour. A plan was worked out that would include Aaron, if he agreed, Natalie as field supervisor, Akerheart, Robins, and two agents from MI5 as support.
"I'm still not sure about this, but if Aaron agrees, we can start today," said Hank as he stood. Before opening the door, he turned to Declan and said, "Are you sure you can pull off your role in this wild scheme?"
Declan nervously nodded, swallowed, and said, "I would never have thought of myself in this position but it does make sense."
They walked to the I.T. lab in search of Aaron. In route, Hank asked the dispatcher to call Natalie, Akerheart, and Robins. Tell them to meet us in the conference room in half an hour.
Aaron and the MI5 network guru were in conversation when Hank and Declan walked into the lab. Aaron was telling the man on the phone that he didn't agree. "No I can show you he didn't take that route. Look at the time stamps on the message when it passed through the relay." After a minute of silence, Aaron said, "Yeah, that's what I mean. He is smart, but even smart guys leave a trail." He listened for another minute then said, "Okay, I'll wait for your call." He removed his headset, leaned forward and placed his head on his desk, not aware that Hank and Declan were standing behind him.
Not wanting to scare Aaron, Hank cleared his throat. Aaron jumped, looked over his shoulder and said, "This guy is smart." He looked at Declan standing next to Hank and realized that something was up. "What's happening? Something I should know?"
"Actually yes," said Hank. "We'd like to meet in the conference room in half an hour. So go grab something to eat and bring it with you. In fact, I think we should order take out. So tell the dispatcher what you want. Then join us for a strategy meeting."
Sitting around the conference table, eating Thai take out, the Andrews team, Declan included relaxed for a few minutes. The situation with Ethan and Kristoff had taken all of them to new levels of stress. Hank felt this lunch break was just what everyone needed.
When Hank finished his second helping, he slumped back in his chair and said, "I enjoyed that. Haven't had good Thai food in a while and considering Carol doesn't enjoy eating Thai, this is one of the few times I get to enjoy it." Others agreed giving their comments about Thai and other ethnic foods they enjoyed.
When everyone had finished, plates and extra food taken to the lunchroom, Hank began. "This situation with Kristoff and Ethan has gone too far. I, we need to get this guy and bring Ethan back to his parents. By the way, I stopped at hospital and chatted with Kristoff this morning. He is extremely upset knowing that he was not able to protect Ethan. We all have to be aware of that when we visit him. He was asking about all of you, especially you, Aaron. He asked if you had ventured out yet. I told him we've kept you too busy for that."
Aaron looked at his coworkers with a little nervous smile, and then said, "What? I'm still new here and don't want to wander out on my own. And frankly I doubt any of you would want to go to The Hoist or some other gay club with me, right?"
Everyone laughed at his comment about The Hoist. "Yeah, I know that place, Aaron. Never pegged you as a leather type of guy," said Akerheart. "But I'd go with you just to see what it's like and to see you in action, too." He smiled at Aaron's discomfort.
"Well you might just get to do that if Aaron agrees to Declan's plan," said Hank, looking directly into Aaron's eyes for reaction. He saw a hint of curiosity and more than a hint of fear. Turning to Declan he said, "Tell them what we discussed."
Declan told everyone what had been agreed to, in Hank's office, earlier. "We are thinking that you could pose as an interested buyer and help us get details on who is holding Ethan."
"You're kidding, right? I'm no agent. Sure, I am gay, but this is far beyond anything I would think of doing. Damn, I'm not even sure I like the leather scene yet," he said as a blush crept up his face.
Akerheart came to the rescue saying, "No, he is too young for this. I don't mean to belittle you Aaron, but you are too young to pose as an interested buyer. We need someone considerably older who can flash some money as well as authority."
A lively discussion followed Akerheart's comments, with Declan saying there were no other agents available that would be able to walk into this case right now. "Besides, Aaron has the body to fit the leather scene. In fact he would be a hit in any gay club," he said looking directly at Aaron, and watching him blush even deeper red.
Aaron felt all eyes on him when he said, "If I am going to do this I have to have a say in how it comes down. I agree with both Akerheart and Declan. I don't fit the role of a dom looking for a slave, but I could fit the role of a representative of a dom who is looking for a boy slave."
"Never thought about it that way, said Declan. We'd need to have someone in the background willing to help us out, though." Everyone agreed.
"Okay, let's put our heads together and develop a plan. I want to find out who is holding Ethan but your safety is a high priority, as well," said Hank.
As they discussed the plan, Declan said something that surprised not only Aaron, but also the others in the room. "I know you are a novice at this stuff, but I am not," said Declan. "I've been in some crazy places over the past few years. Since I probably fit the role better than anyone else does, I'll pose as your boy, Aaron. I'll make you proud to show me off when we get to the clubs."
Akerheart choked on his drink as Declan made that statement. "You know what you are offering? Could you really put yourself at Aaron's feet and act as his boy? You botch this and the plan is blown."
Declan looked from one to the next, ending at Aaron. "You say you haven't thought of yourself as a leather stud, but you fit the role perfectly. I can put myself into the scene. Do you think you can pull it off?"
Aaron looked at his mentor for guidance. Hank stood, walked to the window, opened the shades, and looked outside. The room was silent. When he turned to face his staff again, Hank said, "Aaron, I would never have agreed to this if I didn't think you had it in you. I know you are shy and this is asking a great deal from you, but I think with everyone's help you can pull it off, unless you have a better idea?"
All eyes fell on Aaron. He kept silent for several minutes, and then said, "I will do it, if you will help me," he said looking at everyone in the room.
Natalie would act as field supervisor. Aaron and Declan would play the role of dom and boy. Akerheart, Robins and the two MI5 people would act as back up and protection. Aaron and Declan would wear mikes linked to the van nearby.
They spent the afternoon culling a list of leather clubs that might also provide a good place for dom / boy interaction. They would visit two clubs each night, starting tonight with the intent of seeking out a dom with a slave for sale.
"Do either of you have leather gear?" asked Akerheart.
Declan said he did not. Aaron continued to surprise his coworkers and said, "Yeah, I do. I wasn't sure if I should bring it with me last year, but I did. We probably should get you fitted as a boy, though," he said looking at Declan.
Declan visibly swallowed and agreed.
"You know of an adult store with a good leather section?" asked Aaron.
Akerheart said he did. "While I'm not into the gay scene, I do get into the leather stuff now and then. My girlfriend thinks it's hot, too. So yeah, I'll take you guys to the place we buy our stuff."
Aaron, Declan and Akerheart went to Aaron's bedsit to see what he had. "You live here?" asked Akerheart. "I can touch both walls if I extend my arms out. After this is over, we need to get you a big boy apartment," he said teasing Aaron.
After checking out Aaron's leather stash, they went shopping. At the store, Declan looked at the low-rise shorts Akerheart gave him to wear with some relief. "I can wear these with no problem," he s
aid. Seeing Akerheart's smirk, he knew he was in for something more.
"Yeah you wear the shorts into the club, and then you take them off and wear this." He spotted the leather thong Akerheart held and froze. The thong was barely large enough to cover his hand never mind his package. He swallowed and said, "Do I really need to be that exposed?" Akerheart nodded, gave Declan the thong, and told him to model it for them.
At ten thirty, Akerheart and Robins were seated at the bar as Aaron walked into The Hoist with Declan two steps behind him. When they approached the coat check area, Declan dutifully removed Aaron's leather jacket and stripped down to his leather thong. Akerheart fitted Aaron with a smart leather strap vest that showed off his extremely muscular chest. He insisted that Aaron wear chaps and boots.
The two entered the bar, and looked for a suitable table. The place was not packed, but it was crowded. Seeing two new patrons, just about everyone stopped and checked them out. An extremely buff guy, wearing a leather vest emblazoned with the club's logo approached them and guided them to a vacant table. "New here?" he asked.
Aaron sat in a chair facing the room. He pointed to the floor next to him not saying a word. Declan sank to his knees, kept his eyes lowered, and crossed his arms behind his back in the typical slave rest position.
Aaron said he had been told about the place and wanted to check it out for himself. As he talked to the leather stud, he patted Declan's head and shoulders, a show of affection for his boy.
Well then, your first drink is on the house. "What would you like?"
Aaron ordered a local beer for himself. Leather stud looked at Declan and said, "And for your boy?"
"He's been exceptionally good this week so I think he is in line for a treat. Give him the same, but of course in a doggie bowl. He is not good enough to hold a bottle yet."
As if on cue, Declan brought his eyes up partially and said, "Thank you master." Aaron patted his head.
They looked over the room spotting some interesting couples. Several masters were sitting with their boys at their feet. One of them noticed Aaron and Declan. He patted his boy on the head and whispered something to him. The boy stood, kept his eyes low and approached Aaron. "My master extends his invitation to you and your boy to join him at his table," said the boy kneeling at Aaron's feet.
Aaron looked up to the dom, raised his glass and smiled. He stood, snapped his fingers to signal Declan to follow, and made his way to the other table. Declan and the other boy followed - two steps behind Aaron.
After introductions were made, both Aaron and the other dom, chatted about their boys, discipline, and other topics typical to the leather scene. Aaron felt good considering he had only recently read about the topics. When Aaron said he was on a mission, the other dom was all ears.
"I have been commissioned to find a decent boy for my client. He is an older man and wants, well, he wants a new slave. I wonder if you might know of anyone with a young virgin slave for sale."
That brought a smile to the other dom's face. "I don't know of any right now, but I do hear of them from time to time. Give me a way to contact you and I'll let you know what I find."
Aaron snapped his fingers at Declan, who reached into a small side pocket on his thong, removed a card, and keeping his eyes down, handed it to Aaron.
"There would be a finder's fee, in it for you, if my client approves the slave you recommend," said Aaron handing the card to the other dom.
Aaron's nerves were frazzled by the time they left the club. He was so exhausted from staying in role that he felt his body begin to slump as he walked down the street. Declan had played his part perfectly as well, remaining two steps behind his dom as they left the club.
Akerheart and Robins, maintained their dom roles through the evening. They left shortly after Aaron and Declan.
By the time they made their way to the van, Aaron felt sick. Natalie opened the side door allowing Aaron and Declan to enter. She drove off as the two buckled their seat belts. "I got it all on tape. Your mike did a good job. Declan I got your commentary as well, but we need to have a better place for your mike. Your thong muffled your voice too much."
Much to Declan's astonishment and surprise Akerheart had the solution for Declan's mike. He fitted a slave collar around Declan's neck, with the mike placed into one of the snaps. Declan now looked more like a slave than an MI5 agent.
They worked the clubs for two consecutive nights. Aaron began to enjoy the leather scene and felt more comfortable in his role. Declan didn't enjoy his position as Aaron's slave. His knees hurt, he was always cold, and he couldn't get used to having his rear end and groin fondled by anyone who passed him. This was an opportunity to learn something new and would definitely help his career in the agency, if he didn't punch someone out in the process.
Chapter 12
"Never thought that clubbing would be such hard work," said Aaron as he met Hank in the lunchroom for his morning coffee fix. "I need this," he said after his first sip.
The clock on the wall showed six thirty. "What time did you get in last night?" questioned Hank, sipping his own coffee and eyeing an open box of pastries.
"A little after two. I was so wiped; I fell onto my bed thinking I'd get up in a few minutes to change. Yeah, right, I woke to my alarm still clothed in my leathers." Aaron broke his eating rule, snagged a chocolate croissant and took a bite. His smile let anyone looking at him know that this little indulgence hit the spot. "We met some interesting people last night. Gave that card to a guy who said he often hears about slave auctions. He told me he sees young and older guys give themselves up as slaves. I can't imagine anyone living the life of a slave, especially doing it voluntarily. "
"Declan went to the agency to debrief, so he'll be in around ten," said Hank as he took the other chocolate croissant from the box. "Have you heard from your network contact yet? We need to find out how this guy is hiding his emails and video links."
Aaron said he had to make the call and left Hank standing in the lunchroom.
Declan sought out Aaron as soon as he arrived at Andrews. "How are you doing this morning? I know you were really tired last night." Aaron and Declan talked about the club scenes and both wondered how people functioned the following day if that was their normal evening routine. "Anything from our guys on the emails, yet?"
Aaron told Declan that they were able to trace the two emails to a fake address but couldn't get a real location as yet. "Your MI5 interface is one hell of a network genius, yet our kidnapper has him stumped, too. I am beginning to think he is not the one doing this. Could there be others involved?"
When Aaron answered his phone, he looked at Declan and mouthed, "it's your network interface." Then he began typing on his keyboard. Declan could see that he had opened Robert's email account. There, about five messages from the top, was another one from the kidnapper. Aaron listened to his MI5 contact and jotted down several notes, while Declan looked over his shoulder. "Okay, I understand the theory, but I've never done this before, so I'll bow down to your expertise." He listened again and answered, "Yeah, I'll call you as soon as we're ready to open the email."
When he finished the call, Aaron contacted Hank telling him about the new email and about the procedure that would be in place when it was opened. "I've changed the password on Robert's account so he can't open it by mistake. Will you please call Robert and Gabi?"
Gabi and Robert were conspicuously absent from the meeting that followed. Knowing not to question Hank, Aaron sat near the computer terminal and waited. Hank explained, "I've decided to keep Robert and Gabi away this time. They don't seem to have anything else to contribute and these videos only cause more stress. Aaron says he and his MI5 network interface might have a plan to track the location of the email or the video." He signaled Aaron to take over.
Aaron made the call from the phone on the table, put the call on speaker and waited for the go-ahead to continue. Several minutes passed when they all heard the words, "Okay Aaron, open the email, but
wait for my signal to open the video, presuming there will be one."
Aaron opened the email as everyone watched the wall monitor. As with the prior messages, this one only contained a link. When they heard the phone voice give permission to proceed, Aaron clicked on the link.
The screen showed Ethan kneeling on the floor in what looked like the same room as the prior videos. The X-frame could be seen in the background and other equipment could be seen around Ethan. Akerheart shuddered as he saw the room from this wider angle, recognizing some of the equipment from his leather and bondage play.
Off camera voice told Ethan to lift his head and look at the camera. When he did, it was clear that Ethan had been crying. His eyes looked blood shot and his face was tear stained, but his lips seemed to be healing and no other marks could be seen on his face or body. "Tell daddy what you've been doing Ethan. Actually I should start calling you boy or slave since that is what you are now."
Ethan looked at the camera and seemed hesitant to speak, but off camera voice said, "Tell daddy what you’ve been doing, boy. Tell him what you've learned."
Through hard sobbing, Ethan said, "I've been learning how to please men in the most intimate ways." He dropped his head, cried out in anguish, and shuddered violently.
Off camera voice then said, "Go ahead slave, finish what we talked about. Tell our daddy."
Akerheart looked at Declan and Hank as he mouthed the words "Our Daddy?"
Ethan looked into the camera and said, "Daddy please do not try to buy me because all the bidders are being vetted and he will know. If he finds out that you are trying to buy me, he will kill me - or worse."
Then he was dragged screaming and crying to a padded bench and forced to lay on it. His hands and feet were fastened to hooks below his body leaving him powerless to fight or even to move. The camera panned the room showing the lower bodies of four naked and aroused men, waiting for their prize to be offered to them.
