09 Schemes in the Dark

A new inmate to "The Hole" shatters the daily monotony of too short nights and long dark days, breaking rocks deep below the crust of the Moon for the League. The new prisoner brings rare news of events topside, and Ying-Tai dares to hope.

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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. Forced to work in the mines under the moon's dead surface, most convicts were considered expendable. Over a period of five years, it is estimated 38 million died in the mines on the moon. Causes of death were many and varied. From frequent cave ints, loss of air, cold exposure, various untreated wounds, moon dust lung, and almost 42% by suicide. With a severe reduction in labor, the ELN was losing a significant amount of their workforce, and a severe drop in resource production prompted them to take steps to mitigate prisoner loss. Not until 2092 were steps taken by the Enlightened League of Nations to reduce prisoner mortality. Mine conditions were improved, safety programs put in operation, and with the advent of life-prolonging treatments, some convicts worked in the mines for hundreds of years before successfully killing themselves. Enlightened World Empire. October 27th, 2097. Earth time. Days passed measured by the arrival and departure of the ore bin twice daily. Ying Tai became accustomed to the frigid temperatures, strenuous physical labor, and hazardous environments. Her biowired enhanced physiology gave her quite an advantage over the other inmates, as she could easily produce her quota of stone. For the time being, she chose not to reveal her biowired abilities. When asked, she attributed her superhuman strength to her bionic arm. Of course, Morston knew. He eyed her angrily and warned her to only fill her quota and not try to help those who struggled. He told her, if the Orbin arrived topside too early in the day, the guards would suspect the demand was too easy and they'd surely increase it. Ying Tai avoided Morston whenever possible. He always had a strange look whenever he saw her that frankly creeped her out. She enjoyed Otis's innocent personality and big heart, and speaking with Dexter Tima was good for stimulating conversation. Gecko kept to himself and avoided the others most of the time. She'd noticed him on occasion, after less grueling days, practicing with his cutting tools, the same Eurasian combat techniques she'd been taught. She wondered what it would be like to cross blades with Gecko. Whenever she approached, he grew somber and introspective, avoiding personal conversation about himself. Once, after a brutal long day, he spied her saving a piece of her food stick. Did you not work so hard that you can afford not to eat it at all? She surreptitiously swept it into her hand and mumbled. Never know when extra food might come in handy. He looked at her with his dark, heavy-lidd eyes. Wouldn't it be better to just die? She looked hard at him. I don't plan on dying for a long time. And not down here. He smiled without mirth. Oh. You think you'll escape? She just smiled back at him. Later, when she was sure no one was looking, she deposited the morsel of food in a hole she'd fashioned at the base of her stone bed. She replaced the stone cover so it looked like part of the surface and looked around again. Best be prepared for any opportunity that might present itself, she told herself. She'd approached the subject of escape several times, and each time Worston, Dex, or Tima asked the question she couldn't answer yet. Where are you going to go once you're out of the mine? Even if you make it past all the obstacles and manage to steal a shuttle, who's gonna pilot it? And where where could you go? Dex asked one evening, after dinner, clearly exasperated with the futility of trying to escape. She didn't have a good answer yet. But that didn't prevent her from preparing for the day when the answer would come as she knew it must. The answer came thirteen months into her sentence. The cutter bit deep in the rock wall as she used her left cybernetic arm to slice a line between two horizontal cuts already made. When the cut was complete, she shifted positions to the side and cut the last remaining connection to the rest of the wall. Eight hundred pounds of solid rock in the shape of the cube crashed to the cavern floor. How do you cut them so big? Tima stopped cutting and looked at the rough cube lying on the floor. Ying Tai held up her scuffed and dirty cyberarm toward Tima. We should all be so lucky. Tima muttered and went back to the block she was cutting, approximately a third the size. Ying Tai continued to study her artificial replacement. It made some things much easier, but trying to rest your head on it while sleeping or massaging tired muscles after a long day was not included in that list. But no one would feel sorry for her. She retrieved the ultrasonic hammer and bent down to begin breaking up the large stone cube. She could have lifted it if she wanted to, but she continued to keep secret her extra strength. Besides, if she finished her quota too early, Morston would demand she finish his. As a chunk of rock broke off and clattered to the floor, she heard Otis's voice echoing in the tunnels. Hey, we got someone new. The convicts stopped what they were doing and hurried to the vertical shaft. Otis stood, pointing to a kid that couldn't be older than 18, wrapped in a fetal ball shivering on the lowered platform. By the time everyone arrived at the lift, the kids sat up and stared at the crowd of grimy prisoners anxiously watching him. Must be having some kind of nightmare, he muttered, rubbing his head. Everyone watched the skinny young man struggle to his feet. He had messy brown hair and grey blue eyes. What's your name? Otis asked. The boy looked up at the towering giant. Whoa. What are you? Head cave troll? When Otis didn't answer, the boy responded, My name is Carl Bogarin, my gigantic friend. Who are you? Morston stepped out in front of the others before Otis could answer. The troll is Otis, and my name's Morston, boy. I'm in charge down here. Carl looked Morston up and down. Right, old man. There anybody my age down here? Morston's eyes grew wide as he stared at him, and then with a sneer etched on his face, he turned back to the prisoners. Dex. Before I break Booger's neck, show him what we do here in hell. He walked past Dex. Everybody else, get back to work. Uh Booger? Carl said and watched Morston retreat as Dex came forward. Hey. What's with the old fart? He gestured with his thumb in the direction Morston had gone. Dex strode forward while the inmates shuffled back to their work. He extended his hand to Carl. Dexter Simmons. Everybody calls me Dex. Right, Dex. Carl shook his hand. Got it. Dex waved toward the cavern. I'll introduce you to everybody and tell you what goes on down here in Hell's Little Paradise. I'll bet it's no fun, Booger said. Dex smiled and pointed to Tima and Ying Tai, who'd ignored Morston's order to get back to work. This is Tima Decello and Ying Tai. And the troll. Dex turned Carl toward the giant. Otis Lich, you've already met. Yeah, the ginormous troglodyte. He smiled at his characterization of Otis and then turned toward Ying Tai and Tima. His gaze ran up and down each of them, and a huge grin split his face. Well, I guess things won't be so bad after all. He took Tima's hand. My pleasure. He then turned to Ying Tai and seemed to lose a little of his confidence. His hand shook slightly as he took hers. Ying Tai. Funny. You don't look Eurasian. I get that a lot. Ying Tai said. It's a long, boring story. His smile came back and with it some of the initial confidence. Perhaps later you can tell me all about it. He took her grimy hand and was in the act of bringing it to his lips when she pulled it from his grasp. How old are you? she asked, looking at him with her head cocked to the side and an amused smile on her lips. Just turned seventeen a few months ago. But my girlfriend swears I'm much older. He winked at Ying Tai. Boog. Tima shortened the nickname Morston had christened him, and looked up and down his scrawny frame. What brings a little boy like you down here? Boob frowned when she said little boy. That Eurasian anus, Chin Yao, wanted to punish you. You know Chin Yao? Ying Tai, suddenly alert, grabbed his shoulders. How do you know him? Everybody knows the dude. He was uh made Emperor of the League only recently. Emperor? Ying Tai's eyes stretched wide. Oh, I suppose you wouldn't be aware. Huh. How could you? He looked from Ying Tai to Tima. I was working on the computer system for his new starship and thrashed secret access codes into it so I could control all the systems. When Tima held up a hand and cut him off. Okay, okay. Back to Chinyao? Becoming emperor? Oh right. Uh where was I? He brought his skinny hand up to his pointed chin. Uh after the assassination of Amerop's compliance leader Ross over a year ago, Chin Yao began snatching up more power and quickly made alliances with power-hungry traders, allowing them to live in exchange for them helping him take over their region. He had the leaders of other regions assassinated until he was the last one standing. He changed the name of the Enlightened League of Nations to the Enlightened World Empire and declared himself Emperor. Boog shook his head. Now, there's no other regions strong enough to resist. Boog glanced from Tima to Ying Tai, continuing to speak. Anyway, you know. After I completed the programming and design of his new starship systems, I guess he didn't want me blabbing all the secrets about its existence. What's so special about his starship? Dex cut in. The League's been building starships since 2087. Boog grinned from ear to ear. By your ridiculous smile, I take it there is something special about it, Tima said. It has special capabilities. Boog seemed to enjoy his captive audience. Uh what? Otis asked. Boog turned to look up at Otis. Well, for one thing, my large mutant friend. It has incredible speed. How fast? Dex asked. Boog folded his arms. Maximum speed is very close to light. Wow. That fast? Tima rubbed at her face, smearing fresh grime over old That's not all, Hoog said, drawing out their attention. It has hibernation technology for long voyages. Ying Tai leaned against a stone pillar. So someone finally figured out how to do it. What's it good for? Dex folded his arms and leaned against a pillar. If Qin Yao is the Emperor of Earth, does he now think he's gonna conquer the galaxy? Boob put a finger to the tip of his nose. Bingo, baby. Einstein, you win this round. He said. That's exactly what he wants to do. Something called the God Project. I stumbled across to it just before I was snagged. He'll begin testing the new starship in a little over two weeks when he parks it at the ring station above the moon. Boo pointed overhead. Then he plans on taking the starship on a little tour of the solar system. Kind of a test run for the ship. He's already established a few small unmanned bases out there. He's planning on starting at Mars and then extending his influence outward to places like Titan, Galileo, Europa, and several other moons which have been targeted for exploitation and colonization. How you know so much? Otis asked, plopping down on his enormous bum. Like I said, I used to work for the dude. He pointed a thumb at his chest. I designed the ship's computer systems. Except for the God Project. He muttered to himself. That that must have been too long. So that's why he sent you here? Tima pointed at him. Well that and uh Boog squirmed. Uh other things. What other things? Dex asked, scrubbing at the beard on his neck. Boog looked down at the floor and mumbled. He caught me with one of his pleasure companions. Yeah, I I heard he's kind of jealous and protective of his harem. Dex burst out laughing. You? Timo looked down at Boog. You were putting the moves on one of his concubines? Ying Tai smiled at him. Boog looked up. Yeah, well, she really liked me. Didn't like being a sex slave for old Chinny. She wanted me to help her escape. Dex was laughing harder. And you fell in love. Hey, old man. You would have too, Boog said defensively. She was like a dream fantasy. Boog looked off into the distance and then shook himself. Anyway, uh that's how I ended up here. He folded his arms. The Youster apparently doesn't like anyone messing with his girls. Dex's laughter diminished to giggles. Ying Tai ignored Dex. She tingled with excitement at Boog's information about the starship. This is the opportunity we've been waiting for. A plan began to take shape in her head. Boog and the others continued chattering back and forth when her voice cut through their pointless craddles. Can you pilot the starship? They all stopped and stared at her. Boog scrubbed at his head and stretched. Well, I designed most of it. The computer systems do the majority of the work. His smile returned. What you got in mind, YT? She grabbed a handful of his jumpsuit. Can you fly her? Well, I uh Book looked nervous as Ying Tai pulled him close. Uh of course. Uh I g I can fly her. Of course I can fly her. Ying Tai Yanked moved closer and planted a kiss on his lips. I think I love you. Book stared back open-mouthed a hole. October thirtieth, twenty ninety-seven. Earth time. Horston shifted on the cold, hard bench to find a more comfortable position as he scowled at Ying Tai. He was exhausted from lack of sleep, incessant cold, and a brutal day of work. The disturbing dreams had returned the night before with a vengeance. He couldn't recall the last time he'd dreamed anything. Usually, after a day's labor, he'd collapse after dinner into a coma-like sleep. But last night, 3,000 victims of his vicious cruelty tormented him throughout the night. The same 3,000 he'd tortured and slain to send a message to the Libernicks ten years ago. In the nightmare, he'd been shot, had his neck twisted until it snapped, beheaded, and dismembered by the victims. During the night, he relived the pain, terror, and horror hundreds of times without ever dying. He shivered involuntarily and pushed the dark thought from his mind and focused on Ying Tai. Let her try, he thought. I haven't had my way with a woman in a very long time. He allowed a thin smile to form on his lips as he entertained dark thoughts of what he would do to her. After the food sticks had been consumed, Ying Tai asked for everyone to remain for a short meeting. Nobody held a meeting without his say-so, but he let it slide. This time, she's making a good case. After explaining how she planned on getting the inmates out of the hole, she said, This is our best chance. She scanned her fellow convicts surrounding the table. Escape? Where? Tima asked. Haven't you been listening? Ying Tai threw her hands up. It's a starship. We can go wherever we want. Wait a minute. Dex slapped the surface of the table. You mean to tell me you have a plan to get out of here? Get to the surface and somehow get to a ship in orbit that may not even show up. Uh there's an elevator from the moon's surface to the docking hub. Boog interrupted. Dex wiped his hand down his face.

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Whatever.

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Well, Dexie, it makes getting to the starship easy, Boog said, looking around. Dex looked at Boog impatiently. May I continue? Oh right. Sorry. Boog decided to study his hands. Dex started again. Get to the ship if it shows. Somehow overpower the crew. Hijack it. He fixed YT with a hard look. And you don't have a destination in mind? Ying Tai folded her arms and frowned at Dex. It's better than rotting down here. Can we go back to Earth? Otis looked like a puppy about to receive a treat. Shut up, Otis? Tima said. Oh okay. He dropped his massive head and remained silent. Gecko, who had remained silent throughout the discussion, spoke. Ying Tai. It's a good plan, but with nowhere to go, what good does it do us? If any of us show up on Earth, we'll be immediately executed or thrown back into the mines. And we can't just live on a starship forever. Ying Tai sat back down, her face a mask of frustration. Hunched over with hands clasped on top of the table, Morston looked around the group of convicts. Probably enough of us. He thought as a plan churned in his head. A long shot. Have nothing to lose. It's a good plan. Everyone stopped talking and looked at Morston, who continued. Besides a few minor tactical oversights. Ying Tai's plan could work. Dex hung his head and spoke to the table. The question still remains. He looked up through stringy hair. Where do we escape to? Finding a good excuse to relieve his sore backside, Morston stood. Ten or so years ago, a large starship evaded capture by the League and set out on a journey for a distant Earth-like planet. Morston deigned to comment on his role in the matter. I thought that was just rumor, Tima said. Morston smirked and continued. Orbitable planet orbiting a far distant star. Morston paced behind the seats. That's right, Hoog said. I remember doing a little research on the matter, although I never found out where they went. For Yao's ship. That's what I researched when I was working on the light speed problem. There were rumors about the Libernik ship using some form of propulsion created by hm noticed everyone was looking impatiently at him. Well, anyway, it was all top secret and such, I suppose. But the the old fart is right. Boob looked around the table. They left in twenty eighty-seven, I think. Morston stood across from the boy with an angry expression. Bulgar shut it. He said and continued. Their voyage was expected to take a long time. Even if they traveled ten times the fastest possible speed at the time. Their voyage would last around two thousand years. Actually, the research indicated that the vessel could travel just over two percent light speed. Boog said, then ducked when Morston glared at him. Dex looked up at Morston. And just where were they headed? That it would take Dex gazed up at the ceiling for a moment and then continued. Give Boog's right eight hundred years. A far distant destination. Morston grinned and looked like the cat that ate the canary. I know where they went. All eyes turned their attention to Morston. Ying Tai asked. Where? Morston grinned even more. I'll tell you later. Boog suddenly stood up and a huge grin spread across his face. Wait a minute. We can beat them to it. Morston smiled at the annoying young man. Exactly. He looked directly at Boog. You can do this. Easy. Easy as Chin Yas girls. The starship computer contains all-known star charts. All we have to do is choose a star and the computer spits out the navigational data. Ying Tai stood up straight, placed her hands on her hips, and looked at Morston. Good. Now where? Morston's face lost all humor. I'm preserving that knowledge for myself. Until we're all aboard the starship. What, Morston? Don't you trust us? Dex held out his hands innocently. He nodded knowingly at Dex. I know how you all feel about me. Call it my insurance policy. Against an unfortunate fatal accident. He sneered at Dex. This is all well and good. Gecko looked at Morston from beneath locks of stringy hair. But you're all forgetting one very important thing. Ying Tai sat back down, realizing what Gecko was thinking. Moon mites. She said and shuddered. Morston looked at her. I know you've managed to save extra food sticks. She looked up at him, surprise showing on her face. How dare you saved any yellow pills? Morston finished with a smile. If you're asking, have I skipped taking a pill and saved it instead? The answer is no. I haven't dared. Is it uh possible to break off tiny pieces and save them? Dex asked. I tried that, and it crumbled into powder. Ying Tai rubbed the sides of her head. Does anyone know what dosage is required to be effective? Hook scratched his head. Probably won't be a problem in hibernation. The mites will be in suspended animation as well. Morston swore and plopped back on his seat. They must have a stockpile upstairs somewhere. We can take enough to last for a long while, but eventually we'll run out. His fist slammed the stone's surface with a meaty smack. This then is the wicked problem that must be solved in order to even attempt an escape. Gecko clasped his hands on the table. Wait a minute. Deck snapped his fingers and combed his hair back with his hand and stood. Kidnap somebody upstairs who knows something about creating the pills andor mites. He looked at Ying Tai. Surely there must be someone upstairs who makes the pills andor the makes the moon mites. We'll force them to divulge their secrets. There's gotta be a way to kill the parasites. At the very least, he can give us the recipe for the pills. Tima perked up. Ying Tai's gaze roamed around the cavern. Boog, when will Qin Yao's ship arrive? Ying Tai asked. Twelve days. He'll probably only park in orbit for three or four days. Enough time to unload a shipment of supplies and prepare the ship for a trip. So we have to move quickly. Boog looked at the group. We don't want to attempt anything until the ship docks. If we're premature, old Chenny'll lock down everything and order the ship away. Horston stood again. Twelve days away. From this moment on, everyone needs to stockpile some food sticks. Save at least a quarter of the stick. More, if you can. We're going to need extra food if this plan is to work. What about the mites? Tima asked. It will take several days before they begin to feed, Dex said. By then we should be topside and we can find some pills. Morston suddenly felt a glimmer of hope. A genuine smile spread across his lips. He couldn't remember the last time he felt this happy. 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.