15 Space Elevator Obfuscation

Wounded and running on fumes, the desperate prisoners race to the space elevator, one step closer to freedom. But trouble looms ahead. Ying‑Tai hatches a wild plan to hijack Chin‑Yau’s starship, but not everyone is ready to leap into her firestorm of a strategy, and tensions flare as the elevator nears the ring station. Freedom is close—but still seems out of reach.

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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. A dark-haired beauty's fingers probed deep into Qin Yao's tense muscles. Her slender hands moved up from his shoulders and rubbed his stiff neck, easing tension away. A red-haired vision with ample breasts that Qin Yao couldn't keep his eyes from wandering to knelt on the floor and massaged his left foot, while another gorgeous brunette administered to the right. He smiled in deep satisfaction as the red-haired woman sent tingles of ecstasy shooting up his leg. He breathed a heavy sigh of contentment and gazed at the earth outside the window. The stars were dim as earthlight flooded his pleasure chamber through the transparent window wall. Other beautiful women reclined on the many couches that filled Qinyao's pleasure chamber. He had only brought fifty companions with him on this trip and hoped it would be enough. The large pleasure chamber ceiling hung low overhead with irregularly spaced coffers. Finely crafted Eurasian tapestries hung on the walls, mirrors and a grid of colored LEDs decorated the ceiling like stars. Ornate couches, chairs, tables, and beds were randomly spaced throughout the room. In three places the floor sank below the deck filled with luxurious soft mats and silky pillows. Two jacuzzies and a long swimming pool completed the chamber's decadent atmosphere. Soon Yi. Closer to the spine on the left, he said softly. The turquoise eyed brunette shifted her hands. Mm-hmm. Yes, yes, very good. He murmured. Soon Yi was the only girl in the room with Asian features. Her turquoise eyes gin altered to please his color choice for her. Ming. My right ankle has been somewhat stiff lately, he suggested to the red-haired northern European. She pouted as her hands moved immediately to his ankle, and he winced as she tended to the sore joint. Not so hard, my lovely Rose. She's still mad at me for throwing Boogerin into a mine. He smiled to himself and thought back to the day he confronted her with her crime of disloyalty. When he sentenced her to death, she seemed happy. He decided a more fitting punishment was for her to remain alive in his service, knowing that her boyfriend suffered in the mines. In time, she'll get over him. Chin Yao bought, tutored, and trained girls from all over the world to serve as his companions. He had painstakingly taught each one ancient traditional Asian techniques and culture for pleasing the masculine sex and to answer to traditional Asian names. Any man caught with one of his companions was killed or punished severely. A number of men who'd been caught ogling his women had been castrated and now served as eunuchs to guard his women. His eyes closed and he began to drift off. Somewhere between dozing and sleep, a buzz announced a visitor, and his eyes popped open. He looked narrowly toward the door. This better be good, he thought. Yes. Emperor Chinyao, may I interrupt? The voice over the speaker said. You already have Captain Lao, he growled, recognizing his starship captain's voice. Come. The door across the chamber slid open, and a short, thin man dressed in a dark green EWE uniform strode across the chamber, trying unsuccessfully to ignore the scantily clad eye candy surrounding him. He paused next to Chinyao, stood straight, and consulted his digipad. Emperor Chinyao, the ship is nearly refueled and stores are being loaded. May we begin preparing for departure? Of course, Captain. Remind me of our next destination. Emperor Chinyao, we are going to put the starship drive through a number of tests on our way to Mars at light speed, uh no. Emperor Chinyao, the distance is too short for that high of a velocity. The captain bowed graciously as he corrected the Emperor. I didn't spend trillions of credits to build a starship and travel at speeds less than light. I want to see this ship hit light speed. He raised his head off the massage chair, glaring at the captain. The captain bowed again. Stopping at each to allow probes and research scientists to set up orbiting observatories. We'll travel at half-light speed to visit these places, all the way out to Neptune. And then we'll return to Earth traveling at our top speed, just under light. Chin Yao nodded and rested his head back on the chair. All right. Very good, Captain. Let me know when we are ready to leave. The captain remained standing, trying to avert his eyes from Chin Yao's female masseuses.

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Mm-hmm.

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Is there something else, Captain? Chin Yao had closed his eyes. Uh yes, Emperor Chin Yao. Uh we're receiving readings of high bursts of energy from Moon Mine No. 9. The captain paused, looking uncomfortable. I fear there may be a problem. Chin Yao's eyes popped open. Find out what it is and report back at once. Yes, Emperor Chin Yao. He bowed, took one last glance at the ravishing pleasure fantasies, turned, sauntered through the many pleasing obstacles, and exited the chamber. Chin Yao pondered what his captain had reported. Mines are too valuable to lose. Could set us back years in colonizing the solar system. Several tubes led to research facilities, others to housing for the mine's soldiers and staff, and one led to the mine's reactor. One of the tubes was larger than the rest and extended across the barren moonscape to the ring station elevator terminal. Ying Tai stared down its long length and counted her blessings. It seemed completely deserted at the moment. Tima wrapped an arm around her waist and led her hobbling down the tube. Dex, out in front, led the motley trail of ex-prisoners toward the elevator terminal. Makeshift gurneys had been fashioned using several equipment carts they found for the wounded that couldn't walk. The fierce battle back in the mine had taken its toll on the group. Almost everyone had been wounded in some way. Eleven, including Morston, were unable to walk. Even the irrepressible Otis looked worn and tired as he plodded along, pushing the cart where the wounded Morston lay. Clearly, he'd lost too much blood, but still he insisted on walking and helping with the wounded. Ying Tai feared he might collapse, but so far he'd shown no indication of flagging. Ying Tai's wounded leg sent another reminder that it too needed attention. She sent neural transmissions to the extremity and reinforced the barrier against pain. The only thing that kept her, all of them, going, was the small morsel of freedom they'd just tasted and the sight of the starship miles overhead. Right now, to her, it symbolized freedom and escape from this hellhole. Are we close? Tima whispered. Ying Tai looked ahead toward the terminal's entrance. Another hundred feet. She adjusted her bionic arm that held on to Tima. Dex's fist shot up into the air and the group stopped. Gek, come with me. Dex whispered and dropped his helmet faceplate down. He and Gekko slunk forward and entered the terminal. Ying Tai shifted more weight to her good leg and waited. She didn't hear ensuing gunfire, and after several minutes, Dex and Gecko raced back down the tube. Only three troops. He cocked a thumb at his chest. Gek and I took care of them. Dex waited forward and the group finished the last hundred feet, emerging into the elevator terminal. Ying Tai looked overhead and saw the elevator shaft disappear into the velvet lunar sky. The long starship hung at the ring station on one of the docking arms. She set Tima down on a cushioned chair along one side and limped toward decks. He glanced at her and asked, Uh, have you a plan on how we get aboard? He gestured to the elevator doors. The elevator car is up at the station. How are we going to convince them to let us come up? She patted his shoulder and took the helmet off his head and placed it on hers. Got it all figured out, Dex. Where's the comm panel? She asked as she slid the faceplate down. He pointed, and Ying Tai moved to a room off the elevator. Inside, three mine security soldiers, two males and a female, sat on the floor with hands and feet securely tied and mouths gagged. Three pairs of angry eyes peered up at her as she entered the room. She smiled pleasantly at them and found the calm panel. She studied it a moment and then tapped a key. Elevator ring control, the speaker announced. Ying Tai slid her faceplate halfway up to speak, still concealing her features. Send the elevator. Mine's reactor is hot. We got injured that need attention. The voice demanded. Ying Tai glanced down at the female trooper's name badge. This is Lieutenant Carol Steadman. Send the lift now. The entire facility has been contaminated. Hold on. The gag lieutenant protested in a soft, muffled shout. Ying Tai tapped her fingers on the wall while she waited, smiling at the three restrained soldiers. The captain swallowed. They say they have injured that require immediate medical attention. Chin Yao stroked his chin. The lift had been secured earlier to make sure no one could approach the starship. Risky to send it down to bring up anyone. Do they not have medical facilities down there? He asked in a tired voice. Yes, Emperor Chinyao. But the facilities have been contaminated, and apparently some of the physicians have been injured. Chin Yao pinched the bridge of his nose. A voice inside warned him, Precious research could be lost. He needed the scientist to expand his power throughout the solar system. The decision became clear. Send it down. Admit them to the docking ring facilities. Recall all hands back to the ship. Then prepare for immediate departure. Emperor Chinyao, the ring medical facilities are small. Treat the scientists first. The rest can wait. But Emperor Captain, you have your orders. Yes, Emperor Chin Yao, at once. The captain bowed and his hologram collapsed. Chin Yao sat thinking as his pleasure girl soothed his freshly tensed muscles. Ying Tai said. No doubt the elevator car will be monitored. We need to appear like mine security and scientists. The group of ex-cons began putting their weapons away. Those that had one, while the rest adopted the role of scientist or mine worker. Most had managed to get their hands on either light combat armor from one of the guards back in the mine or a lab coat. Ying Tide examined the dirty, disheveled group. A few inmates still wore the prisoner garb. Can't be helped. On the elevator, we'll huddle in the middle while I attempt to explain the plan for hijacking the starship. She looked around. Where's Boog? She asked, suddenly worried. In poorly fitted armor, the young thrasher came forward, looking somewhat shell-shocked. He blinked a few times and rubbed his eyes. Alright, Boog. I need you close by my side. Ying Tai, relieved, put a hand on his shoulder. Do you know the layout of the starship? Uh well, well enough. I've been all over it. It took the elevator fifteen minutes to descend to the terminal. Dex and Gecko helped everyone aboard, and then the door slid shut. The elevator car's rocket propulsion fired, and a dull rumbling sound filled the space. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief as the moon's surface diminished and the elevator surged upward. Captain Lau's voice interrupted the two ship security soldiers. Kinsaki turned from chatting with his friend and looked at the bank of security monitors spread across the wall in front of them. Hold one, Captain. He said and tapped a key. Indicator lights flashed above two of the vid screens. Looks like they're just getting on now. His friend said. Captain Lau Kinsaki said. Just getting on now. A bunch of He looked closely at the screens. One showed the backs of the group, and the other showed them walking toward the camera. Looks like men and women, some in light armor and some wearing lap coats, and a few with dirty jumpsuits. Many of them look pretty beat up. I can see a few injuries. Keep an eye on them. Report anything amiss. Yes, Captain Lau. He made an obscene gesture toward the speaker and his friend giggled. Kinsaki, you should be careful, or they will throw you in the brig. Kinsaki glanced back at the bid monitor showing the injured mine workers filling the elevator car. You know something, Chun? I really don't care at this point. He turned his attention back to his friend. Please don't speak this way. I have an obligation to report it. You'd report me? Chun, seeing the pain in his friend's eyes, shook his head. I guess not. But you must be careful, my friend. Kinsaki glanced back at the elevator video feed. Nothing but a bunch of miners, soldiers, and scientists. He turned back to his friend, ignoring the feed. So what did you do to get demoted? Chun asked, leaning back in his chair, ignoring the monitors. I accidentally looked at one of the emperor's girls. He said, getting up and going to a cooler sitting against one wall. He withdrew a drink bulb and looked back at Chun. You want one? Yes, thank you. Chun sat forward as his friend handed him the bulb. So that's all you did? Kinsaki nodded. Crazy, isn't it? He plopped back into his chair and stared at the bank of monitors, not really seeing them. He took a sip from the bulb and turned back to his friend. One of them dropped a veil that landed at my feet. He wiped his face with both hands, recalling the incident. No. You didn't. Chung leaned forward. I couldn't help myself. I didn't even think about it. I just acted. Bent down, picked it up, and handed it to her. He leaned back and put his hands behind his head. Captain Lao said I was ogling her breasts. Were you? Kinsaki looked at his friend and laughed. Of course I was. They were magnificent, Toon burst out laughing. And then And then Captain Lao stripped my rank down a notch. Said he was doing me a favor by not reporting it to Chin Yao. Kinsaki finished his drink bulb burped, then casually tossed it on the control console and called the captain an unkind word. I guess it's better than being a eunuch. Chun continued to giggle. Was it worth it? Kinsaki paused, and his smile grew as his mind returned to the delicious memory. He nodded his head. Oh yeah. It was well worth it. Kinsaki and Chun continued to chat, ignoring the video monitors. Boog. How many people on board Chin Yao's ship? Ying Tai asked. Boog pressed a finger to his lips. Hmm. Probably five hundred combat soldiers. A bunch of scientists and colonists. Numbering around a hundred, I guess. The captain and his crew. He looked wistful for a moment and then continued with a funny look in his eye. Chinyao will also have some pleasure companions. Usually around forty. That makes almost a thousand total. Ying Tai sighed. Right. She remembered Chin Yao's penchant for having loads of companions to see to his every need and pleasure. He reportedly had somewhere in the neighborhood of 800 total. Good boy, Boog. She turned and looked around at the group of ex-prisoners gathered in a circle around her. Probably seventy left? Seventy. Against a thousand. She sighed, turned back around. Annell on the deck of the elevator. Alright. Gather round. She waved with her hand. The scraggly group of men and women surrounded her on the floor as best they could, as she explained in a soft voice. Here's my plan. Once we get to the station, we head directly for the starship. Won't they expect us to stay at the station's aid center? One of the women interrupted. The station's medical capabilities and capacity aren't equipped to handle more than a few people, Hoog answered. Starship has a regular hospital facility and it's not far from the entry point. Ying Tai resumed speaking. With all the commotion, Qinyao won't be waiting around. He's probably preparing to leave already. We have to get to the ship as fast as possible. Once on the Starship, we'll head to the ship's hospital. She knelt on one knee with her arm across the other as if she were the coach of a sports team, and began tracing with a finger her plans on the elevator deck. There, we'll subdue the medical staff, get the injured submaid, and set up a defense perimeter. From the hospital, we'll send teams to attack the engine and control room. There was murmuring from the group. Look at us! One of the men spoke up. She thought his name was Pavel. She'd seen him fawning over Morston a couple of times and hanging out with Jake and Donald. He gestured around the space at the ex-convicts. His stolen uniform fit a size too small, and he had a bandage around his forearm and thigh. We're all wounded, look like crap, and exhausted from escaping the mine. He folded his arms, looking down at her. Now, you want us to mount an offensive and take over the engine and control rooms on an unfamiliar, heavily defended starship. A few of the ex-cons nodded their heads and agreed with him. Gecko stepped into the circle. Well, now just what do you propose we do, Pavel? Ask nicely, that we'd like to borrow the ship indefinitely? He looked steadily at the man from behind greasy locks of his black hair. The man named Pavel looked around at the group. All eyes were on him. He cleared his throat, clearly arrogant. Why don't we just lay low? Rest in the hospital. Allow their staff to treat the wounded, and then when we're rested, then we act Who is this penhead? Ying Tai asked herself. She glanced at Dex and Gecko, who returned her look. Go easy on him. Don't need a civil war here and now. She thought as she looked back at the man's smug smile. That's a great idea, Pavil. She started. He looked around at the group, proud of himself. How long before they figure out we're not who we say we are? His smile disappeared, and Ying Tai said, It wouldn't take long to figure out. We're all a bunch of ex-prisoners. Your idea's too risky and stupid, she added silently. The group seemed to agree with Ying Tai, and one of the women spoke up. Let's hear the rest of your plan. Ying Tai bent forward and continued circling a spot with her finger. As I was saying, once we take the engine and control rooms, a group of us, led by me, will make our way toward the barracks. She drew an imaginary line on the deck and looked up into the eyes of the group. Chinyao's troops are seasoned professionals, well trained. Shoot to kill. They'll give no quarter. She looked back down and continued to sketch her invisible strategic diagram on the deck. Once we neutralize the troops, we'll head for the ship's command. Her finger traced another line as she quietly trailed off, noticing blank looks and fear staring back at her. Pavel smirked. Oh! Is that all? She stood up and sighed. Look, I know it won't be easy. Try impossible! A short, skinny man whose armor hung limp on his frame said, and folded his arms across his chest. That's your plan. He paused. No one said anything, and he continued. Fight on until we either conquer or I'll die. Disgusted, Ying Tai put her hands on her hips. Suppose I just go do this by myself. I'll come get you when I've killed everyone. Is that what you want? No. But we thought you had a better plan. Where most of us survive. A head taller looked down at the little man. Perhaps you'd like to return to the hole. Another woman, wearing men's armor with a nasty gash over her left eye, spoke up. I don't know how to fight. She looked around the group. Some of us are just political prisoners. With the exception of today. We we've never been involved in combat. A number of them nodded their heads. Ying Tai looked back at them. I say, now is the time to learn. Or die trying. Better to die free than remain a prisoner. The group now started talking all at once, and Ying Tai threw her hands up in frustration and stood up. Another man holding his helmet by his side spoke out. Easy for you to say, you have training and will probably survive. Unnoticed by the rest, Boog knelt down on the deck with an intent look on his face. More of the ex-cons were voicing their opposition to the plan. His young, trembling voice cut through the noise. There might be a better way. Everyone stopped talking and looked down at Boog. Ying Tai, the group, having rebelled against her plan, folded her arms and looked down on the young man. There's a chance this will work without anyone getting killed. He began tracing imaginary lines on the floor of the elevator. The infirmary is here. His finger pointed to a fastener in the deck. Not too far from the entrance to the ship or here. He moved his finger to another point. Barracks back here, close to midship. Hey. We follow Ying Tai's plan up until we have the engine control room captured. He looked up with a triumphant smile. Once we have the engine room, we'll threaten to blow up the ship by overheating the engine core. The ship's not under propulsion. How can you do that? Ying Tai asked. Boog smiled up at her. They designed the systems. During the design, I installed all kinds of tricks, traps, secrets, and back doors into the ship's computer control system. His eyebrows popped up confidently. Trust me, that's two fronts we'll have to defend. Gecko pointed out. One team is gonna have to take out the barracks. He looked at Ying Tai and then Boog. Otherwise, Chin Yao's troops will cut us to pieces. What if I lock down the engine room? Boog stood up. The engine room is heavily reinforced. Give me five men to assist, and I can lock it down so it won't need to be defended. Gecko nodded his head. Alright. We can defend the hospital, but I still think a group of us should neutralize his troops. He glanced up at Ying Tai. She looked down at the deck where Boog had drawn his imaginary battle plan. Okay, but you'll still need help getting to the engine room. A team will get Boog and his five men safely into the engine room, and then head toward the barracks. The group seemed to murmur agreement, and Ying Tai looked at the elevator car readout to check the elevator's progress. Another five minutes. She motioned to Dex and Gecko to follow her as she drew away from the main body of the group. What's up, Dex asked? There are a hundred things that can go wrong with this plan. Two hundred. Gecko said, smirking. Aren't there always? Ying Tai nodded her head. Go pick out ten combat-capable men or women we can count on. Yep, you got it, Dex said. They both moved off into the group. Ying Tai looked at the ragtag group of ex-cons, most with ill-fitting armor stolen from the mine. This will take a miracle. Moonbound is a pulse-pounding sci-fi thriller from the Exodus series by Warson 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.