Well, I have neglected this story for too long. So here's a new installment of "Hiro and GoGo Tales". And it centers on Mi-Na, Hiro and GoGo's daughter. And if you want to know more…read on!

It was Thursday, and as classes let out at San Fransokyo High, Mi-Na Hamada headed to the multi-purpose field. She saw the lacrosse team running drills- but that wasn't what she was focused on. She was looking at a player whose jersey had a 'C' on the front. He turned towards the stands, and saw Mi-Na. He raised his stick and waved it, and Mi-Na waved back.

Meanwhile, Hiro and GoGo- Mi-Na's parents- were enjoying the afternoon. Hiro was watching TV, and GoGo was exercising. Hiro's phone chimed, and he glanced at it and saw Hey Appa- hanging out with Steve. See you by 6 for dinner.

Hiro smiled, and sent back OK Mi. I'll tell Onma.

Back at the school, Mi-Na waited for the practice to end. She then saw the players heading for the locker rooms- except the guy with the 'C' jersey. He came up to her, and took his helmet off. Mi-Na smiled warmly at him, and said, "Hey, Steve."

Steve returned her smile, and said, "Hey Mi-Mi. Came to check us out?"

Mi-Na said, "Well…not really. Just watching you…" She had a slight blush as she said that.

Steve chuckled, and said, "Well, give me a few minutes. I wanna shower and change, and if we've got time, let's look over those chemistry problems."

Mi-Na said, "OK! Sounds good."

About 15 minutes later…

Steve and Mi-Na were headed off in Steve's car. They were unaware that another car-a black sedan- was following them. One of the occupants of the sedan spoke into a phone, and said, "Right. Acquiring package now." As Steve's car stopped at an intersection, the sedan stopped behind it. Steve began to drive through the intersection- only for the sedan to speed up, and plow into Steve's car. The force pushed his car into in a lightpole.

The occupants of the sedan, four in total, got out and headed for car. One opened the passenger door and forcibly pulled Mi-Na out. Another then pushed a handkerchief into Mi-Na's face, and she went limp. The driver said, "We have the package. Let's move!"

They then returned to the sedan, and sped off. The total time- less than 2 minutes.


It was 6:15 now, and Hiro was irritated. GoGo wasn't- but she was concerned. She asked, "Should I text Mi-Na again?"

Hiro nodded-it wasn't like Mi-Na to be late for anything without letting them know. Then, there was a knock at the door. Hiro motioned to GoGo that he'd get the door. He opened the door-to see two SFPD officers there. And behind them was Steve-with his arm in a cast.

Hiro asked, "What's this?"

One of the officers said, "Mr. Hamada…we believe that your daughter has been kidnapped."

Hiro could barely respond. When he did-it was soft. "Kidnapped?"

The other officer replied, "Yes, sir. This young man was with her."

Hiro said, "Steve…are you alright?"

Steve nodded, and Hiro said, "Are you planning to get involved?"

The first officer said, "No, sir. We feel that you can handle this…but the Mayor won't be pleased to know you're going to rip his city apart to find your daughter."

Hiro said, "I can deal with that." The officers left, and Hiro took Steve inside. GoGo had come into the room, and she heard the little bits of the conversation. She said, "Hiro…who…who would take our girl?"

Hiro said, "I don't know…should we call the others?"

GoGo shook her head, and said, "Let's not get them involved if we don't have to."

Hiro turned to Steve, who was softly saying, "Mr. Hamada…I'm sorry. I should have tried to help…"

Hiro said, "Don't blame yourself. Just tell me what you know happened."

Steve said, "We we're at an intersection. We had driven through it…and something rammed my car. I lost control and slammed into a lightpost. I could make out Mi-Na…and someone pulled her out of the car. Then, I heard another car pulling off. That's all I can recall."

Hiro nodded, and said, "That's good enough. Why don't you go home…and we'll keep you informed."


It hadn't taken long for word to get out about Mi-Na Hamada's kidnapping. Rumors swirled about the reasons…but no one could be sure why she had been snatched. And not even an hour after the news of the kidnapping spread, had the Hamada's phone began to ring. Hiro had expected that, of course. He'd answer the phone, speak quickly, and then hang up.

It was after 10 pm, and the latest 'dead-end' call. GoGo said, "I noticed you ask the same question…"

Hiro said, "It's to make sure we've got the genuine kidnappers, and not some crazies."

The phone then rang. Hiro let it ring. After four rings he picked up, and answered in a genial tone, "Hello?"

The voice said, "Mr. Hamada…we have your daughter, Mi-Na."

Hiro replied, "Sure you do. Like the other 50 calls have said. And like them- I have a question. If you can return this answer, then you're the right guy. Ready?"

Hiro spoke into the phone, then hung up. He said, "I hope this fish bites…"

Not even two minutes later, the phone rang. Hiro said, "Wow, that was fast."

The voice said, "I've your answer. 'Sasori'."

Hiro smiled, and said, "Good."

The voice said, "Then are you ready for our demands?"

Hiro replied, "I'm listening…"

The voice then spoke, issuing out demands. Hiro then said, "Wow…that's an awful lot. It will take time…"

The voice said, "Tomorrow night. You're a genius…you can make it work…"

The call ended, and Hiro exhaled. GoGo said, "So…what's the plan?"


The next day came- and the news of Mi-Na's kidnapping was the hottest story of the day. Hiro was fielding calls from reporters who wanted to know if he'd made contact. He simply stated, "Please, just respect me and my wife's desire for our privacy during this time."

Hiro had a good reason for privacy- he didn't want to leak his plan to the kidnappers-just yet, anyway. But the one thing he hadn't counted on was Rex Salters- one of the most critical members of press-especially to Hiro. And it was about 6 pm when there was a knock at the door. GoGo answered the door-to see Rex Salters there.

He spoke, "Good Evening, Ms. Hamada."

She replied, in a tone that was civil but laced with sarcasm, "Oh, Rex Salters. I knew it was you…could smell your slime as you approached my door."

Rex simply replied, "Charming, as always."

GoGo replied, "And for what purpose have you dragged yourself here?"

Rex said, "I must be the first to get the news of this story!"

At that, Hiro appeared, and looked at Rex. Hiro said, "Look Salters…I've told the rest of the press…and I'm gonna tell you- respect the privacy of my family during this time."

Salters said, "Hamada…surely you must know that someone as big and famous as you isn't entitled to 'privacy'. And the world must know what has happened-why was your daughter a target? An old enemy, perhaps? This is news that cannot be withheld from the rest of the world!"

Hiro then gripped the front of Rex's shirt. He then said, in a low and dangerous voice, "YOU want a story? Get your crew-and be back here at 8 pm. You'll get your story." He then pushed Rex out.

It was now approaching 8- and Rex and his crew were in front of Hiro's house. The door opened- and Hiro was wearing his battle gear. GoGo was also wearing her suit- a suit which still emphasized her body. The crew moved into place, and Rex said, "Alright, Hiro! Give me that story!"

Hiro looked at the camera, and spoke-"Good Evening. I am Hiro Hamada. This is my wife, Leiko. Yesterday, my daughter, Mi-Na, was kidnapped. The kidnappers reached out and issued their demands."

Hiro stood up, holding a case in his hand. He turned the case over, and out spilled several wads of cash. He said, "The kidnappers have demanded 5 million ransom for her release. To me, this is a small price-not because my genius had resulted in my accumulating of such wealth…but because Mi-Na is my
daughter…and there is no price too great to pay for her return."

He looked at GoGo, and she returned that look. Hiro then resumed speaking, saying, "But I have no intention of paying this ransom. Rather, this is a father entreating to the kidnappers' sense of decency. All I want is Mi-Na returned to me. I will not seek recourse if she is returned unharmed to me. But this is the only offer I will make to you. Because…mark my words…there is no place you can run…and no place you can hide."

Hiro then said, "That's all. End the feed." Rex did, and Hiro said, "There's your story."

it hadn't been five minutes before the phone rang. Hiro picked it up, and heard, "You've got balls, Hamada- Thinking we'd pass up a payday…because of decency…we all needed a good laugh."

At that, GoGo took the phone. She said, "Listen-all we want is Mi-Na back. Please."

There was laughs on the phone again, and the voice said, "I guess Hamada doesn't have balls- his wife does."

GoGo then said, "If that's how you want to play this game…you would have done well to heed Hiro. Because you're going to be dealing with a force you won't be able to stop."

The voice laughed again, and then said, "And what force has Hiro found now?"

GoGo smirked-and replied in a low tone, "Hiro doesn't have it…I do. And it's the force of one pissed off mother!" She slammed the receiver back down, and put her helmet on. She looked at Hiro, and said, "Well, dear…shall we?"

Hiro took GoGo's arm, and said, "And a-hunting we will go…"

And that's the end of part 1! Stay tuned for part 2!