10 Ascending the Abyss

Ying-Tai's plan begins to take shape as she climbs high into the shaft of darkness, but the descent could overwhelm even her reserves of strength. As the prisoners put their plan of escape into action, they discover there may be horrifying consequences.

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SPEAKER_01 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. Earth time. She jammed the toe of her boot onto the shallow rock ledge and reached over her head for a handhold. She raised her other foot and rested it on a small protrusion and let out her breath.

SPEAKER_00 0:56

Are you okay?

SPEAKER_01 0:58

A voice below called up. Ying Tai turned her head and looked over her shoulder at how far she had scaled the shaft. Otis and Tima stared up from below with their necks craned back. Fine! She estimated how high she'd climbed. Sixty feet. She swore to herself. Going to be a long climb. She had only been climbing for a few minutes, but she was breathing heavy and her muscles ached and sweat beated her brow. For once, she was grateful for the frigid air radiating from the shaft walls. The rigorous work of mining each day and rationing part of her food intake for the planned escape was beginning to take its toll. In the most recent escape planning meeting, it was decided that someone needed to make the climb up into the shaft and rig some sort of alarm that would alert the inmates when the soldiers were coming. Ying Tai, for a myriad of reasons, was chosen. So, with her cutter slung on her belt, she'd begun the ascent early in the day, seven days before the starship was scheduled to arrive in orbit. Why can't someone ride the orb in and jump off halfway up the shaft? Gecko had asked. Fool, Morston said. They'll note the change in wait halfway up the shaft and figure out something is up. Ying Tai didn't mind the climb. At least it was a change in the monotonous routine of cutting and breaking rock. For that she was grateful. Otis promised he would gather her or quota for the day. You'll need to climb to about a thousand feet, Morston told her. That'll give us about two minutes to prepare. She tilted her head back and peered up into the darkness while hanging on the wall. She closed her eyes and sent neural signals from her brain to her eyes, muscles, heart, and lungs. The darkness grew slightly lighter as her enhanced eyes adjusted, magnifying the small amount of ambient light from below. Strength flowed into her muscles and she began to climb faster. At first, her left cybernetic arm seemed to hinder her fluid movements, but as she focused on finding secure handholds, she found she could climb faster. Her right hand and fingers were quickly scraped and sore, while the cyber fingers withstood much more punishing treatment. The cyber grip was especially adept at creating holes in the shaft wall where her fleshy fingers found none. The bionic limb's extra strength easily supported her weight and held fast to the tiniest fractures or ledges. Where a handhold could not be found, the cybernetic fingers could scratch a hold into the softer portions of rock. She soon found she could support her entire weight with it and allow her fleshy limbs time to secure hand or footholds. After an hour of climbing, she paused to take a break and rest. Looking down, she was unable to see the bottom of the shaft, and looking up she couldn't see the top. I must be at least 500 feet high by now, she thought. After the rest, she decided to climb for another couple of hours. By then she hoped to be at least a thousand feet high. Hand over hand, she stretched and sometimes jumped to find a secure hold. The motions became a repetitive rhythm until she began to feel the aching of muscles approaching their limit of endurance. She paused at what she thought must be around a thousand feet and removed a piece of food stick from her pocket. Morston would kill me if he knew. Everyone was supposed to be saving part of their stick at every meal and to find a place to stockpile them. Ying Tai refused to reveal her secret stash of food. If Morston knew, he would have taken it. For the good of the group, he'd tell her. Somehow she knew any food he took from her would end up in his own private stash. Ying Tai consumed the bland stick and felt a slight easing of her achy muscles.

SPEAKER_00 4:54

Now to get to work.

SPEAKER_01 4:55

She moved over to the wall close to where the lift would pass and removed the cutter and began boring into the shaft wall. After about an hour, a small ledge was cut and shaped until there was room enough to stand on it. Then she began to cut and shape the piece of rock she would need for the alarm to work. The alarm idea was the brainchild of Dex, and he explained it to the convicts. All we need is a loud noise that will alert us to the guard's approach, he'd said. We can fashion a lever with a bunch of rocks piled on one end. The other end will stick out into the shaft so that when the platform descends, it will strike the lever and send the rocks tumbling to the bottom of the shaft. We'll hear the noise and be ready. Ying Tai could still remember the deflated look on his face when Tima pointed out that there still wouldn't be enough time to prepare unless it was placed high up into the shaft. They needed time to get ready. That's where Ying Tai came in.

SPEAKER_00 5:55

I can make the climb.

SPEAKER_01 5:57

Dex continued to warm to the idea of escape and had subsequently spent time with her carefully explaining his idea and what he thought would be the best technique for achieving the desired results. Ying Tai worked quickly, sweat beating on her face and evaporating just as quick in the cold, still air. The lever took the longest of fashion. When it was complete, she set it on the ledge, making sure it extended into the shaft far enough that it would be struck by the descending platform. She piled leftover waste rocks on the end closest to the shaft wall. When she finally piled enough rocks to hold the lever, she sat on the ledge next to it and rested. She looked down into the deep darkness, contemplating the arduous descent before her. She massaged her aching thighs and calves, feeling a general fatigue. Even with the artificial limb, the climb up had been strenuous and she fretted about the climb back down. She retrieved some more food stick fragments, devoured them, and drank some water from the remains of someone's boot fashioned into a water bag. She'd washed it out multiple times in one of the pools of collected water, but it still tasted funny. She finished it off anyway.

SPEAKER_00 7:14

Time to get moving.

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Turning onto her stomach, she dropped her legs over the side, felt for, found a foothold, then dropped over the ledge. She felt for cracks and small distortions in the shaft wall where she could grab hold and lowered one of her legs, seeking for a place to set her foot. She repeated this process until she developed a rhythm and inched her way down the chasm. The descent turned out to take much more time because of the difficulty in seeing where to put her feet. Several times the strength and dexterity of the cynetic arm caught her just in time to escape a fatal plummet. After a while, her muscles cried out in pain. As she forced them on, she summoned more of her reserve strength than she thought she possessed, and the biowired muscles responded as she slowly navigated her way, alone in the dark, down the shaft wall. She paused after it felt like she had been repeating the same downward rhythm for days. Clinging to the wall like an insect, she rested. She reduced her enhanced vision since she couldn't see her feet anyway, and shunted all energy into her muscles and limbs. Several times she looked down and could only see darkness. How high did I climb? Should be close now. She continued to descend, forcing herself to ignore screaming limbs. Even the joint where flesh met cybernetic alloy began to ache. She stepped onto a tiny ledge, and before she could find a suitable place for her hand, she felt her foot slip off. Her cyber lashed out, scrabbling for something to hold. Her finger clenched on the empty air. She twisted in the air to try to grab the shaft wall, but she was falling too far away. Suddenly Ying Tai felt herself arrested in the Somebody had caught her. I catched Ying Tai. Concern showed on Otis's face as he looked down at her, cradled in his massive arms like a baby. Ying Tai. Alright? He asked. She smiled weakly at him. Fine. Now that you got me. His smile beamed. Thank you, Otis. A voice from behind Otis said. After he gathered his and your share of ore, he hasn't left the shaft. Tina came around Otis's side as his face turned red. You can put me down now, Ying Tai said. Otis gently placed her on the ground and then reached for her arm to give support as she stumbled from the intense fatigue. You rest, Otis said, holding her arm securely with a hand the size of her waist. Otis, help you. Ying Tai held onto his arm, grateful for the support. How high did you go? Tima asked, walking beside the giant. Don't know. How long was I gone? Most of the day. Dinner should be here soon. I'm starving. Ying Tai slept late, and when she arose, her muscles complained. She ignored the stiff soreness and forced herself to stretch out. After, she made her way to the dining chamber and found a few prisoners working at the walls. Several prisoners stood at one of the walls with their cutters sunk deep in the rock. What's going on? She asked. Where is everybody? A woman with a shaved head glared at Ying Tai, stopped what she was doing, and turned to her. Oh, I'm sorry. Did we wake you? She said in a sarcastic tone, and then said, We started your plan. She turned back to the piece of rock she was carving. Morston told us to make weapons instead of gathering ore. Ying Tai grunted in acknowledgement. She'd seen the woman before, usually hanging out with Morston. She thought her name was Reva. She'd heard rumors that she and Morston had been more than friends at one time. So where is everyone? Reva nodded her head in the direction of the main cavern without looking up. Ying Tai left the surly woman and walked into the main cutting chamber. Most of the prisoners were hard at work cutting into the walls while some sat on the ground working on various shaped pieces of stone. She saw Tima and joined her. Still tired from her ordeal, she sat quietly and watched as the others cut and shaped rock into clubs, axes, maces, and other tools for warfare. Otis noticed her and came over. He handed her a portion of a food stick. For you. She took it while he trundled away. Otis, I'm not crippled, she said, embarrassed by all his attention. Ying Tai, tired. Otis, help today. Tima smiled at her. You deserve it. Enjoy it while you can. Ying Tai grew tired of fighting it and relented. Otis continued to wait on her hand and foot like a nursemaid. He became like a mother, seeing to her every need, and even gave her a surprisingly gentle massage when she mentioned her muscles cramping up. Gecko and Dex were also helpful as they not only fashioned weapons for themselves, but also managed to find time to make some for Ying Tai. Gecko was especially adept at carving out sharp-edged flat discs with pointed edges. He gave her a few of them. Dex tried to design a short sword but found it was far too brittle for combat until Gecko showed him how to design it to be stronger. Several times during the day, Morston would walk by and frown at her, but he didn't say a word about all the attention she was getting. It was probably a good thing that he didn't because she was sure Otis would have defended her like a mother bear. At the end of the day, the oar bin remained empty. The prisoners could only wonder about what type of reaction was taking place topside. The first sign that their unfulfilled quota had any effect whatsoever was the absence of food sticks and yellow pills that night. Each of the prisoners reverently ate a portion of some of the food sticks that they had squirreled away over the past few weeks, hoping it would be enough. Ying Tai didn't worry about the food. She and Tima had a sufficient stash. Her concern was the absence of the yellow pill.

SPEAKER_00 14:04

How long will the moon mites remain dormant?

SPEAKER_01 14:07

She asked Dex. He sat with his back against a wall, carving a short, sword-shaped rock. They'll remain inactive for several days while your body purges the drug. Then they'll begin to feast. He turned the stone shape this way and that, examining it in the dim light. I've heard it takes them a while to really feed in earnest. Maybe five or six days, then what happens? Boog asked from nearby. Well, this is just hearsay from some of the other prisoners who witnessed it. The organs start to fail, and then internal bleeding happens. The victim is essentially eaten from the inside out. Dex ran his finger along the stone blade, testing its sharpness. Of course, eventually the person dies before the mites finish their meal. The entire body, except the bones, are consumed within a couple of weeks. Ingtai's skin crawled as Dex painted a macabre image of millions of tiny mites lying dormant inside her body, waiting to begin a feast. Do me a favor, Dex. She stared intently into his eyes. Shove that sword through me in six days if our plan doesn't work. Same goes for me, Boog said, standing up. He reached down and picked up a stone club, slapping it into his hands a few times. Death by sword is preferable to being eaten alive. Ah don't worry. Dex waved his hand in front of his face. Those soldiers will be down here tomorrow or the next day. He rose from his seat on the ground. They'll surely want to find out what's going on down here. He turned to go and stopped short as Morston appeared in front of him. We need someone to keep watch for the guards, he said, jabbing a finger into Dex's chest. You take first watch. Someone will take over in a few hours. Morston stood with his hands on his hips, frowning at Dex. If you hear the alarm, you know what to do. No shouting or noise. Just come get us. We want to keep the guards guessing. Right, Chief? Dex Mock saluted and headed for the shaft. Booger, go get some sleep. I want you to take third watch. Yeah, yeah. Boog rose from the ground and turned to Ying Tai. If you get cold tonight you know where to find me. He smiled and gave her a wink. Night. Ying Tai shook her head, smiling at the salacious teenager. Has he given up on his girlfriend? She wondered. When Boog disappeared around a pillar, Ying Tai suddenly realized everyone else had gone to bed except for Morston.

SPEAKER_00 16:47

Alone with Moriston.

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She stared up at the glowering man. The words of how Tima characterized the man came to her mind. A shiver of revulsion made the hair on her neck rise. She stood up. I'm gonna go get some sleep, she mumbled. It's amazing how much you look like her. His hand reached out and touched a strand of her hair. She pulled away as a shiver of revulsion shot down her spine. If he tries anything, I'll hurt him bad. She wasn't fearful of her life. She was pretty sure she could handle him. There was just something about him that made her skin crawl. Just like when the moon mites invaded her body.

SPEAKER_00 17:31

Dormant, but potentially deadly.

SPEAKER_01 17:35

Physically he wasn't a threat. However, if he was armed, things could be different. You're referring to this Maya? She asked, looking over her shoulder. Yes. She turned and looked into cold, dead eyes. Did you have a relationship with her? Strictly professional. Like you? She was an assassin. Extremely talented. But he trailed off and looked away. At the word assassin, her ears perked up. Another assassin? Looks like me. But what? She asked, interested in spite of herself. Cold and aloof. She was as friendly as a cobra. He looked at her. Not like you. His hand reached for her arm. Ying Tai pulled out of reach.

SPEAKER_00 18:25

Better go get some rest.

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She began walking away and his strong grip seized her right arm. Her muscles tensed, ready to defend herself. Easy. No threat yet. Please let go. She controlled her soft voice. Black eyes bored into her, and then he let her go. She hurried away, wishing there was a shower available. She wiped her arm where his grip left a mark and felt goose pimples rise on her arms and legs. Evil. When she arrived at her and Tima's alcove, she found her roommate already asleep. She lay down on the worn mat, feeling the cold stone surface beneath, and stared up at the dim ceiling. That won't be the end of it. He'll keep prodding and testing, she thought. He'll continue until he either gets what he wants or I kill him. Only death will stop a man like Morriston. Sleep became slow. A mild, numb pain radiated from her temple, and a headache prevented her from sleeping soundly. She brought her hand up and felt stiff wires across her head.

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Sensors on my skull?

SPEAKER_01 19:58

After exploring the wires with her hand, she lay back and tried to return to sleep when she felt the almost imperceptible breeze of someone's breath close to her face. Her eyes remained closed, but she could almost see the person bending over her. Her heart leaped to her throat as she felt exploring hands on her neck. Fear raced through her as she lay still, afraid to awaken to the nightmare. She called forth her enhanced power and felt it flow into her, ready to fight. The soft wind of breath stopped. She dared to barely open one eye and saw her assailant. A woman, looking exactly like her, had turned away. Strike now. The woman was turned away, climbing back into bed. Sensing the opportunity, Ying Tai leaped from her bed and attacked the woman who moments before stood over her like some destroying angel. Her hands closed around the woman's throat and began squeezing. The woman's head flew back, slamming her in the nose. She felt it give. The soft crunch of cartilage seemed deafening, and fireworks exploded in her skull. She fell back. The duplicate attacked her with vicious ferocity. A hard elbow slammed into her stomach and her breath exploded out. The next thing she felt were the same hands around her throat again, only this time there was no careful exploration. This time, they sunk deep into her skin, crushing her trachea and constricting blood flow. She sensed death seconds away and did the only thing she knew how to do at this point. Give in. She breathed rapidly, fighting off the feeling of suffocation. She realized it had been a memory of another time and place. A bad place. Where duplicates were pitted against one another in mortal combat. The full recollection flooded into her mind. She should have died that night. For some reason, her body shut down and went into a type of suspended animation. She awoke in the infirmary the next day, still alive. Several days later, she was sold to Qinyao and had since learned even better fighting skills. Memories of that night were replaced by years of combat training in martial arts. The duplicate that tried to kill her then would have no chance today. She laid back down on the hard mat, still thinking about the memory.

SPEAKER_00 22:35

What stirred that up? Perhaps it was the talk with Morston earlier.

SPEAKER_01 22:42

Sleep did not return. 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.