06 Prisoners

At the bottom of the deepest, darkest pit, Ying‑Tai encounters a ragtag band of condemned prisoners. Each carries a past steeped in secrets, yet even among these so‑called bad apples, a few stand out as truly rotten.

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SPEAKER_00 0:00

The author of the Exodus series is intentional about avoiding profanity and explicit sexual content. However, this episode does contain scenes of violence that some listeners may find disturbing. Listener discretion is advised. Ying Tai ventured to the edge of the platform and looked down as it tilted with her weight. Below she saw a large metal container filled with dark rocks and a giant of a man dumping more rocks into it. When the platform jolted to a halt on the ground, the giant turned and peered at her. Ying Tai tensed for action. The giant, with his massive head nearly touching the cavern's ceiling, stared at her for a moment and then his lips parted in a semi-complete toothy grin. Pretty. He can speak too, Ying Tai thought. He began calling out a bunch of names and the cavern echoed with his loud voice. In short order, a number of dirty, shabbily dressed men, and possibly a few women, it was difficult to tell, sauntered into the space from other parts of the cavern and stared at her. Ah, the welcoming committee, she thought. One man came around the edge of a passageway breathing out threats when he stopped in mid-sentence and stared at her. His stare immediately made her uncomfortable. He had a cruel demeanor. She shifted her stance, preparing for what might come. Then he spoke. Maya? He thinks I'm someone else. Do you know? Pretty lady, Jimmy? The giant asked, towering behind her. The man walked toward her, and as he drew close, his left hand shot out and slammed into the giant. Don't call me Jimmy. The giant arched his back and let out a wail of pain. The man stood staring at her. Maya? He asked again. Ow. Where? Ying Tai. My name isn't Maya. You have me confused with someone else. He stopped and drew close to her face. But you look. He was at a loss. His hand stretched out toward her hair. Ying Tai's cybernetic arm shot out and grabbed the man's grimy wrist before it could touch her. My name is Ying Tai. Don't ever touch me. A gasp came from the gathering throng of disheveled slaves. His gaze crawled up the gleaming metal limb and he drew back. She released him and he massaged his wrist with the other hand. She hadn't wanted to break it, but she applied enough pressure so he got her message. Don't mess with me. He backed up and seemed to gather his composure. Hmm. You look exactly like someone I used to know. He rubbed his wrist. What kind of name's Ying Tai? You don't look Eurasian. I was property of a Eurasian leader in the ELN. He bought me when I was young and named me. She shrugged. Don't see any reason to change it now. A tall, skinny man stepped past the cruel man, hand extended. He bowed slightly. Dexter Simmons, at your service. Everyone calls me Dex. You can He paused to allow his gaze to roam up and down her body, then smiled and said, You can call me Smitten. His eyebrows bounced up and down a few times. Are you for real? She lifted an eyebrow but made no move to take his hand. Who's the mutant? She asked, nodding toward the giant who was still massaging his back where he'd taken a blow. The cave troll is Otis Litch, Dex said and turned back toward the crowd of men and women who'd gathered. That's Tima D'Cello. A tall, dirty blonde with short hair stepped forward. And that's Gecko, Nakasoni. A medium-sized, dark-haired Eurasian man pulled a lock of hair out of his eyes and nodded. You'll meet the others over time. The cruel man pushed Dex to the side and pointed at his chest. I'm James Morston. I run the show down here. He turned to the gawking inmates. We're way short of quota. Get back to work. He barked. The inmates reluctantly shuffled off in different directions back into the cavern's depths. Otis, I've got another pile of rocks, Morston said. Groaning, Otis picked up the container he'd just emptied and headed back into the cavern. This is the hole? Ying Tai asked herself. More like boot camp for misfits. She watched the giant duck his head as he disappeared down a passageway. He forced the rest of the cave's denizens to work, under threat of bodily injury, if they slacked at all. Even Ying Tai was ordered to work until the quota had been met. Tima had shown her what to do, and she'd quickly caught on. Later, in almost ritual fashion, they gathered at the shaft to watch the day's efforts finalized. Morston stood watching as Otis dumped the last container into the large metal bin. A digital readout next to it read 294,001.14 pounds. He reached in and pulled out several chunks, tossing them aside until it read 294,001.09 pounds. Alright. That's close enough. Stand back. The man with red hair said, backing up as the large bin began to rise. Ying Tai watched it rise and wished she could hop on it and ride out. She leaned toward Dex standing next to her. What's with the 294,000? Half the day's quota. We sent up the other half at midday. That's two hundred and ninety-four tons. Yep. Dex arched his neck back as he watched the bin disappear into the shaft. Three tons per person per day. His gaze dropped back to her. It ensures dinner will arrive at the end of the day. He leaned against a stone pillar, eyes roving up and down Ying Tai. She noticed and hugged herself, feeling suddenly more exposed than she had been when wet and naked with all the new prisoners earlier in the day. How do you know what time it is? he asked. He shrugged. Eh, we don't. Our day is defined by producing two bins full of ore each day. He sighed and then pointed to one of the LED lights attached to the cavern's wall. Every eighteen hours the lights dim for six hours. That's when we sleep. The rest of the time we look back at the now empty shaft. Why don't you just hop on top of the ore bin and escape? Oh ho if only it were that easy. Switched his interest to his ragged black fingernails. The bin is dumped into a smelter before it gets to the top. If and that's a big if. You manage to hang on past that. There are strategically placed heat-seeking guns that shred anything with a temperature higher than stone. He peered at her from under his brow. Now, if you manage, by some miracle, to get past that, there is an army of armed soldiers trained to fill you full of holes. He gestured back to where the bin had rested. Some have tried. In the gloomy dim light, Ying Tai could just make out shattered bones and skulls that appeared to have been repeatedly crushed by the ore bin. They just toss them back down here. Nice. Yeah, the hole is hell off earth. He pushed away from the wall, standing erect. Come on. I'll show you two our luxurious accommodations. Dex led her deeper into the cavern. She saw many tunnels leading off in various directions and decided to stick close to Dex. Easy to get lost. The cavern opened up in several areas with tall columns of stone left uncut, acting as pillars to support the ceiling. Large chunks of rock littered the floor of the cavern, and she found herself favoring her good hip as she stepped over and around the scattered debris. Dex showed her a number of spaces carved out that now served as rooms for the convicts. Each austere chamber's furnishings consisted of a thin mat for a bed and a table and stools fashioned from stone. In one spacious chamber, the floor had been carved around a long stone table with a stone bench on each side. The dining room he pointed out with a regal flourish. Dining room? Of course. You think we're all uncivilized animals down here? She kept her peace. I'll reserve judgment for later, she thought, remembering Dex's lustful gaze earlier. At last they came to what appeared to be two rooms with a relatively thin stone division between them. Dex pointed to the one on the left. She peeked into the room on the left and saw three raised areas of rock with a flat surface and thin mats on each. She folded her arms across her chest. I'd prefer to have private quarters. Ha ha Only Morston has a room of his own. You have to get permission from him before you can cut one out for yourself. Look, contrary to what your eyes are telling you about us down here, and I'll admit we all look pretty rough and shabby. A hand patted her on the back and she tensed. Well, home sweet home said. She looked at his hands on her shoulder. Dex hesitated and then removed his hand and left her standing there. Ying Tai watched him go. What kind of animal are you, Dexter Simmons? She turned, entered the dim room, and stood near the entry, looking around at the hard surfaces, longing for the soft padded mats and pillows of Qin Yao's palace. She heaved a heavy sigh. Nothing like the palace. The thought sparked a flurry of vengeful emotions. Chin Yao betrayed me. She'd recognized Pu Shang's style in the team that had rescued her. At least at first that's what she thought.

SPEAKER_01 12:14

Rescued?

unknown 12:16

Idiot.

SPEAKER_00 12:17

She chided herself. Pu Sheng's team had put her on a hover car and then sedated her. Ying Tai awoke on the shuttle halfway between the Earth and the Moon. She suddenly accepted a hard truth. She'd only been a tool in the Qin Yao arsenal, used merely to help him acquire more power. The realization she'd always known that fact dawned on her. Just never wanted to admit it to myself. Yingtai clenched her fists, thinking of what she would do to the man if she ever escaped. She sat on one of the mats, feeling cold, dirty, tired, and abandoned. Watch yourself around decks. Ying Tai bolted upright at the unexpected voice, then realized it was her roommate. He'll put you at ease and then try to come on to you later when your guard is down.

SPEAKER_01 13:06

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 13:07

Otherwise, he's pretty harmless. Tima glanced over at Ying Tai, who sat back down on the edge of the hard bed. So uh what brings you to our little paradise? Assassination. She brushed lightly at some grime on the polished metal of her cyber limb. Tima rolled over onto her side, propping her head up with her hand. Who? Ross? Pff Arless Ross? Supreme head of the League's compliance arm? She smiled. Yeah, I can see why they threw you down here. Ying Tai shrugged. What about you? She nodded toward her. Tima sat up on the edge of the bed. Her very dirty blonde hair hung over her intense green eyes. She must have been quite beautiful before landing here, Ying Tai thought. Tima offered a thin smile. Poison's my specialty. Under command of someone under command of someone under command of your former victim, I administered a particularly nasty brew to Hensley Cowell, one of Europe's league chiefs. My poison supplier ratted me out. She shrugged. I was fortunate enough to gut him before they arrested me. Ying Tai cocked a thumb toward the cavern. What about the others? Well, there's Dex. She cocked her thumb toward the room behind her. He says he used to be a Libernik. She lowered her voice. Defected at some point to the league, and then got stealing some top secret equipment. She brushed a greasy lock of hair behind her ear. I think he was still working for the Liberniks. He probably got tossed down here mainly because he used to be a Libernik. But don't mention it to Morston. He'd kill Dex if he knew. Otis? Now he's an interesting one. Dom's a rock. A powerhouse of violence when he gets mad. But really just a big teddy bear. Most of the time. Tima grinned and laughed, pointing to her chest and then her head.

unknown 15:19

Haha.

SPEAKER_00 15:20

Big heart empty head. What's he doing down here? That's the funny part. He used to be one of the compliance minions guards. Worked at a facility where slaves were held before shipping to some other location. He got caught helping a female slave escape from the league. The facility commander pulled some serious strings to land him here. Tima shook her head. I'll bet anything. The commanding officer was boinking the woman, and that's why Otis helped her escape. Like I said, big heart to match his huge body. When he runs amok, though, stay out of his way. Yeah, he's enormous. Yeah. He was some sort of genetic experiment that went bad. They wanted a giant warrior instead. They got a giant baby. Ying Tai smiled at the analogy. Who's the long haired Eurasian? He seems skilled. Gecko Nakasoni. He's like one of those ancient ninja warriors. Low key. Keeps to himself. Good with blades. What was his crime? A grin split Tima's face. I fell in love with one of the Eurasian leaders' daughters. Ying Tai nodded her head. So essentially, everyone down here is an enemy of the League. Yeah, you might say that. With a few exceptions. There are a few others that I'd tell you to watch out for. She glanced toward the room's opening and lowered her voice. Corbin, he's a big burly guy. Donald. You can't miss his red hair, and obnoxious a personality. Reva, she keeps her dark hair shaved and pals around with Donald. Pavel has blonde hair, but with all the grime it's hard to tell. All of them can sometimes be seen with Morston, the self-appointed leader down here. If he has any friends at all. These are the closest people that could be called that. I'll point them out to you if I get a chance. Ying Tai relaxed. Evidently she was in good company here in the hole, but she'd still have to watch her step. So what about Jimmy? She smiled, remembering how Otis referred to the cruel man. Tima stood, put a finger to her lips. Shh. If he hears you Surprised, Ying Tai tensed. Tima nodded. I'm sure you can, but out of everyone down here, he's She struggled for the right word and then settled for Evil. Evil? Ying Tai smirked. A bit extreme? Yes. Well no. Tima sat back down and her voice dropped a few decibels. He's mean and downright ruthless. Loves to inflict pain. Watch yourself around him. He's one of the main reasons for the hole's hellish reputation. Why is he here? Tima shook her head. No one knows. And he won't reveal it. He was the first one down here. She looked down at the rocky floor. He sorta runs things down here. We all do what he says. Most of us down here are political prisoners. We've killed. She looked up, intensity etched in her green eyes. Not him. He enjoys killing. How do you know? She shrugged. Stories, rumors, and intuition. Timo massaged the side of her neck. Not long ago. One of the others made him mad. The guy had been fine one day, healthy and strong. The next day he winds up dead. That could happen to anyone down here. With the longevity treatment we're all given? Most don't die from natural causes. Death comes usually by some accident, suicide, or murder. Tima lowered her voice. Morse didn't scene the very next day with the guy's hammer, before anybody else had a chance to claim his tools. Ying Tai wasn't entirely convinced, but she decided to drop the subject. So what happens now? Food will be here soon. Ps such that it is. After that we sleep. Tomorrow's another long day. As if on cue, someone shouted, It's here! Tima stood. There it is. Dinner. Ying Tai followed Tima from their room, back through the large dining chamber, and back to the shaft she had come down earlier. The ore bin had been returned, empty for the next day. From inside it, one of the inmates held up a tray filled with food sticks and a bowl with yellow pills piled on a worn metal tray. One of the prisoners took the tray and the inmate clambered out of the ore bin. In an almost orderly fashion, the inmates took turns grabbing one food stick and a pill, then retreated to the dining chamber. Tima grabbed a stick and pill for Ying Tai and handed them to her, and then got one of each for herself. Ying Tai looked at the somber inmates as they walked back to the dining chamber. Maybe I misjudged, she thought. They all behaved civilly and friendly toward one another. There was no squabbling over the rations or complaining. At least that she could tell. Amazing. In the large dining chamber, Ying Tai found an unoccupied seat and sat down. Just then, Dex slipped into the seat next to her and placed an object next to her foodstick. She saw that it was a cup made from stone. A bit of fluid had sloshed over the top. Mind if I join you? He asked. Just as Ying Tai was about to reply, he was jerked from his seat, landing in a heap on the floor at Morston's feet. That's my seat tonight, Morston said, plombing down heavily next to Ying Tai. Sorry, Chief. I didn't know you'd made reservations. Tech stood, rubbed his backside, and walked around the table to the other side. Across from her, Tima flashed a look at Ying Tai and mouthed the word careful. The rest of the inmates began to eat, and she picked up the pale six-inch green food stick and rolled it between two fingers, debating whether she was hungry enough to eat it. This is all we get? Yep. One a day, Tima said, biting a small piece of her stick off. It's some kind of concentrated food substance. It'll fill you up and give you enough nourishment to ensure you can supply your quota of rocks for the league. She finished in a sarcastic voice. With the other hand, Ying Tai pinched the yellow pill in two fingers and held it up. What's this? Morston leaned close to her and she caught a whiff of sour breath. That's your anti suicide pill. Nervous laughter came from inmates within earshot. Dex, who found a seat next to Tima, smiled. If you want a painful death, don't take the pill. He popped his yellow pill into his mouth and swallowed. What will happen if I don't take the pill? Dex took a bite from the pale green food stick and chewed while he talked. Well, when you were processed, I'm sure you got uh experienced the moon mite treatment. Right? She physically shivered at the memory. Yes. Awful. Dex grinned, showing pale green food pasted on his teeth. The pill is preventative medicine. It keeps the mites dormant. If you stop taking the pill, they awaken and eat you from the inside out. His tongue attempted to dislodge the paste from his teeth with slurping sounds. It's uh not an easy way to go. Ying Tai popped the pill in her mouth, quickly chewed it up, grimaced at its taste, and then started to devour the food stick. The inmates surrounding her laughed. And Tima smiled as she too swallowed the little yellow lifesaver. Ying Tai then grabbed the stone cup. Is this water? Yep. She tipped the cup back and swallowed the funny tasting water, washing down the nasty tasting food stick and pill. Dex continued to speak as she drank. Yeah, the water trickles down through the moon's strata from mining operations above. By the time it gets down here, it's been filtered sufficiently for us to drink. You can find little pools of it throughout the cavern. He gestured at the stone cup. You can use that cup. The previous owner won't need it anymore. She looked at the curious stone cup. Where did you get the cup? Tima chimed in. You'll learn. The mining tools given Topside are good for more than just mining rock. Tima knocked the stone table with a knuckle. Table, chairs, and other stone creations have been fashioned to make life a bit more civilized down here. Ying Tai glanced up and down the table, seeing the men and women eating, drinking from similar stone cups, and talking as if they were in some fine restaurant. She easily imagined them dabbing at their lips with a fine linen napkin. Civilized. Or at least as much as possible. From behind she heard a familiar voice. You bad man, James. Otis can have dinner if he carried rocks, you said. She turned her head. Otis stood towering over her and Morston. Did I? Morston kept chewing the food stick. He won't ever help you again, Jay. Dex pointed at Morston with the remaining segment of his food stick. Morston picked up the last portion of the puke green stick and looked at it, then handed it to the giant. Here, Otis. A deal's a deal. With surprising grace, Otis plucked the proffered stick with his pudgy thumb and finger, and retreated to a larger than normal stone seat. Grinning stupidly, he slurped down Morston's remaining food stick, followed by another, and then sat looking contented. The entire table of diners stared wide-eyed in awed silence at Morston. Jay, that's the nicest thing I've seen you do for a long time. Yeah? Well, I guess I'm not feeling too good. I know something that might make you feel better. Tima rested her elbows on the table and glanced briefly at Ying Tai. Morston glared at her. There's only one thing that'll make me feel better. And that's to get the hell out of here and kill that piece of crap, Ross. Ying Tai stopped and glanced sideways at Morston, not sure how he would react to the news she'd killed him instead. What if you could just escape? Tima smiled, her green eyes glittering as she asked the question. What are you talking about? He frowned at Tima. Is there something you want to tell me? Tima laughed, held out an open hand and gestured at Ying Tai. She is a permanent guest here in the hole because Ying Tai assassinated Ross. Ying Tai held her breath and sent neural signals to her limbs, preparing for action. Morston turned his head and looked at her. His face remained impassive. She detected no emotion whatsoever in his face. After several moments of tense silence, he cleared his throat and said, I hope it was a painful death. She watched, offering no comment, ready for a sudden outburst of violence. He rose from the table and turned away. As he walked past Otis, his foot lashed out in a vicious kick to his leg. Otis howled in pain as Morston stalked away. Moonbound is a pulse-pounding sci-fi thriller from the Exodus series by Orson T. Badger. If you crave rebellion, high stakes heists, and lunar warfare, this science fiction audio drama will leave you breathless. Read the entire Exodus five book series. Available wherever digital and physical books are sold.