16 "...More Fun Than Mining Rocks?"

The plan was simple—inconspicuously board the Ring Station, and head directly toward Chin‑Yau’s starship, lock down the Infirmary and Engine Room, and commandeer the ship before anyone could blink. But the second the prisoners step into the Ring Station, everything goes sideways. Sirens blare. Gunfire lights up the corridors. Their discreet entry becomes what they feared, and the exhausted crew must improvise fast or watch their escape dream go up in smoke.

Transcript

SPEAKER_03 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. While brooding on his throne, Qin Yao steepled his fingers under his nose and looked through the forward viewport. The Imperial royal seat sat positioned on a dais above and behind the captain's chair for a complete view of the starship's command deck. Forward of the captain's chair, on a lower elevation, were all the ship's control stations, and beyond that, large deck-to-ceiling windows looked out on the starry void. Qin Yao's eyes drooped, and to anyone watching, it might appear as if he were sleeping. His crew knew better. He breathed deep and exhaled as he considered the events that had led to this triumphant occasion. His mind reveled in his relatively new power and how he had outsmarted and subdued the world and all its leaders. Perhaps I was successful because of boldness and a fantastic vision for myself. He thought as a thin smile crept upon his lips. The League's futile attempt to gather and maintain power over just a few continents was no match for my lust for complete and total control over the entire world. The God project will ensure my complete and total control.

SPEAKER_00 1:51

But why be happy with just one planet?

SPEAKER_03 1:55

He asked himself rhetorically. First Mars. We're all set up a small colony of loyal scientists. He was sure Mars held unimaginable wealth and resources to amass and further solidify his imperial dynasty. Soon I'll be the emperor of an eight-planet empire. His smile became a grin as he continued to scheme. He considered the possibilities of his growing empire, but a feeling he tried to suppress kept interrupting his thoughts of solar system conquest. A nagging feeling deep in his mind demanded attention. He reluctantly turned his thoughts to the moon mine's reported accident and the scientist escaping a reactor leak. Now en route to the ringing station. His eyes popped open. Something isn't right, Captain. His head rose and he looked down upon Captain Lao. Do we have visual of the elevator's interior? Yes, Emperor Chin Yao. He came forward and bowed. We have hidden cameras watching them. They boarded the elevator about 15 minutes ago, and should be almost to the ring station. I want to see them at once, Emperor Chin Yao. A hologram of two screens appeared in front of Chin Yao, and he watched the mine scientist and workers emerge from the lift. He peered closer at the screen. Evidently some of the mine workers were in armor. A number of individuals wore grey work suits, but their physical appearance was shocking. Awfully dirty. He'd heard the moon dust infiltrated everything and was extremely difficult to control. It was like a virus that invaded everything.

SPEAKER_00 3:52

Filters are changed every day, but these scientists seem caped with it.

SPEAKER_03 3:58

He continued to observe several different people. Some had poorly bandaged wounds, and they all looked half-starved. An alarm went off in the back of his head and increased in persistence. Wounds look like gunshots. Not injuries from a reactor. He bolted from his seat, standing in the midst of the holo screens. Captain, secure the ship.

SPEAKER_01 4:21

Emperor Chinyao.

SPEAKER_03 4:22

The captain rushed to his side. Is something the wrong Chin Yao's hand shot out and grabbed the man's throat. Shut all access to the ship, you fool! He thrust the captain away. Of course! Emperor Chin Yao! Immediately! The captain stumbled down the day's steps to the command deck and hurried to the crew, who stared at the Emperor in shocked silence. Jangling Klaxons blared in the orbiting ring station. Ying Tai looked overhead at the flashing red lights. Voices began shouting around them, and she could hear the hissing of doors opening and the tramping of boots. She turned toward Dex, who wore an alarmed expression, and Gecko, who brushed hair from his eyes. So much for our plans, she yelled over the noise. Now what? One of the ex-prisoners asked. Station security began approaching from both directions, and the ex-cons drew guns and unslung their rifles, preparing for the fight of their lives. Service people and other bystanders dashed for doors or to hide behind furniture scattered in the space. Ying Tai looked down the corridor encircling the hub. In front, she saw the uniform of Imperial soldiers standing guard at a wide docking tube entrance. The door was just beginning to drop down in place. Get to the door, she shouted and took off sprinting. As if on cue, weapons exploded in the corridor filled with smoke, tracers, and flying bullets. Two well-placed shots dropped the two Imperial guards at the entrance to the docking tube. One fell across the door's threshold, causing the door to withdraw. Ying Tai looked behind. Station security troops advanced in their rear. Get into the tube! She roared. A group of ex-cons sprung out across the corridor, seeking shelter from the unlimited furniture, raced forward, shooting down the trees coming through. Ying Tai feared that maybe the X-Cons didn't get enough drive or experience. Several of the prisoners screamed in pain, taken down by bullets. She ducked into the tube and turned and began providing cover fire for her ragtack parties as they dashed for the security of the wide tube. One of the prisoners grabbed the dead Imperial guards and tossed them aside. When the prisoners, who managed to survive, ran into the tube, they backed up and the door descended.

SPEAKER_02 7:01

Whitey! Get up here!

SPEAKER_03 7:03

Dex called from further down the tube. She pushed her way through to the front and stared down the long tube leading to the starship. Chin Yao's soldiers! Dex pointed with his muzzle at armed soldiers running toward them. We're gonna get slaughtered in here. Wait a minute, Ying Tai said. She grabbed Otis's arm and looked at Tima. Hold them off. I'll take Dex and Gecko with me. We'll get aboard the Emperor's ship and surprise them from behind. How? Tima asked, firing a burst down the long tube. Ying Tai looked toward the ceiling and Tima nodded once and ejected the empty magazine from her weapon. Right! Go! She slammed another magazine into the longarm and unloaded on the approaching soldiers. Ying Tai glanced overhead at one of the regularly spaced vents about 12 feet high above the deck. Dex, gecko, follow me. She leaped up and grabbed hold of a pipe with her bionic hand, stuck her fingers in the grip, and dripped it from the frame. She swung herself up as returned gunfire thundered in the corridor.

SPEAKER_02 8:06

Dex, come on!

SPEAKER_03 8:07

Dex looked up at Ying Tai. I can't jump that high, he shouted, ducking down as a volley of fire flew past his head. Ying Tai unslung her rifle and held it by the muzzle and extended it down toward Dex. Grab it! Dex still had to jump, and when he caught hold, she yanked him up into the duct. Next, she did the same for Gecko. Gecko squeezed his eyes shut as he was pulled up. I'm hit. Dex grabbed his friend and grunted, pulling him past Ying Tai. Funny! You don't look that heavy! He strained to pull Gecko further into the duct.

SPEAKER_01 8:44

Could you help me out a little? Leg ain't working too well.

SPEAKER_03 8:49

Gecko moaned as they pulled him in. Ying Tai turned in the cramped space and looked at the ragged bullet wound that seemed to pass between the tibia and fibula in Gecko's left leg. Lucky, missed the bones. Dex, give me something to wrap it in. I got it. Just gotta loosen the armor. Dex said as she heard a ripping sound. Gek? Don't let anyone ever say, I wouldn't give you the shirt off my back. He handed a wide dirty rag to Yin Tai. She wrapped it tightly around Gecko's wound.

SPEAKER_01 9:28

Can you move? Through clinched teeth, he said, Won't be doing any dancing, but I'm not hanging out here. Good, let's move.

SPEAKER_03 9:37

She said and turned back around in the tight space and slithered forward. Dex and Gecko followed behind. The muffled sound of gunfire reached them in the duck, and she heard shouts and screams of men and women in pain or dying.

SPEAKER_01 9:53

My crew isn't the one taking the beating.

SPEAKER_03 9:55

They quickly passed over drills where she caught a glimpse of the mayhem below. It appeared Qin Yao's security forces were being schooled. White T, what's your plan? Dex asked. Simple, really. Get aboard. Attack from behind. Keep the entry to the starship open long enough to get everyone on board. The sound of Gecko's grunting efforts reached her ears. Dex, is he okay? Uh, he's back a ways, but he's still moving. Good. Captain, are we ready to go? Jin Yao asked. Captain Lau rushed over, bowing. Emperor Jinyao, many apologies. Some of the soldiers are assisting Ring Security to fight the mine works. Those are prisoners, fool. They're trying to hijack this ship. Of course, Emperor Chinyao. The captain bowed again. I want the ship underway now. Jin Yao barked, leaning forward and pounding on the armrest of the throne. Yes, Emperor Jin Yao.

SPEAKER_02 11:11

What about our troops in the tomb? Leave them. Yes, Emperor.

SPEAKER_04 11:16

At once.

SPEAKER_03 11:37

Under thunder of gunfire, the warning claxon changed its beat and frequency. Ying Tai paused and listened for a second. Hurry!

SPEAKER_02 11:47

I think the ship is leaving!

SPEAKER_03 11:48

She said, dashed forward, crawling on her belly. Down the length of the duck, she spied the seal between the docking tube and starship. Twenty feet. Her arms and legs became a blur as she scuttled forward.

SPEAKER_01 12:02

Hey! Wait up!

SPEAKER_03 12:04

Dex called.

SPEAKER_01 12:05

No time!

SPEAKER_03 12:06

She called back. Ten feet. A sealed door ahead was beginning to drop down. She pulled herself forward and jammed her bionic arm ahead and managed to get two fingers under the door. It whined in protest as it tried to seal off the starship. A junior officer waved his hand. Captain Lao hurried over to him. The relief air duct is it's malfunctioning.

SPEAKER_01 12:43

Why?

SPEAKER_03 12:43

Captain Lao stared at the display. A red light on the schematic diagram flashed at the starship's main portal.

SPEAKER_01 12:50

The air duct is stuck open, and I I can't get it to close.

SPEAKER_03 12:55

The junior officer sounded panicked.

SPEAKER_01 12:57

Override it! I I've tried that. It it won't respond. RETRACTAN TRY IG.

SPEAKER_03 13:03

The junior officer tapped on the display keyboard and the light switched to green.

SPEAKER_02 13:08

RETRACTING NOW.

SPEAKER_03 13:29

The door continued to whine and grind as Ying Tai fought to push it back up with her two cyber fingers. Then, without warning, it retracted. Wasting no time, she pulled herself across the seal.

SPEAKER_00 13:41

Welcome aboard Jin Yao Starship. Surprise, Chin.

SPEAKER_03 13:46

She smiled grimly.

SPEAKER_02 13:48

Hey! Wait! It's closed!

SPEAKER_03 13:50

Nexa's voice was cut off as the seal door fell firmly into place behind her. Ying Tai crawled forward, thinking, Still time. She found a vent opening and peered below. Six soldiers milled around the portal to the docking tube, preparing to close it. She heard loud gunfire emanating from the corridor beyond. As quiet as she could, she pushed the vent grille until it popped out of its frame and set it inside the duct in front of her. Slithering out of the duct, she dropped headfirst toward the deck below, spread her legs, and arrested her fall by wedging her feet into the opening. She hung upside down, unnoticed by the busy soldiers. Drawing her gun, she took aim and fired. Within three seconds, six soldiers bled out on the deck from a hole in their head. She released her feet and flipped, landing on top of the deck in front of a storage container. Ying Tai reached back, grabbed the heavy container with her bionic arm, and drug it to the entrance just as the door began to shut.

SPEAKER_04 14:55

This allowed it open.

SPEAKER_03 15:09

Captain? Captain! The junior officer shouted again. You won't believe this. What now? Captain Lau advanced toward him, looking extremely stressed. The main portal entry! It won't shut. Hold up, visual. He barked. Something's not right. Why are we not moving? The Emperor appeared, standing over the control display. What is going on? The whole screen appeared and showed the antechamber and six soldiers lying on the deck. A large storage container was wedged into the entry.

SPEAKER_02 15:40

Captain, get some soldiers down there now!

SPEAKER_03 15:43

The Emperor shouted. The captain had already begun relaying orders to the barracks, realizing that the starship was in immediate danger of being Shanghai. Ying Tai raced into the docking tube. Now, behind Qin Yao's soldiers, she jumped overhead, raised the vent cover from its place, and poked her head inside.

SPEAKER_02 16:18

Dex! Back this way!

SPEAKER_03 16:19

She couldn't see Gecko and looked the other direction. Gecko was still further down the duct.

SPEAKER_01 16:25

Gecko, get up!

SPEAKER_03 16:26

You're coming, he said, grunting. Ying Tai dropped back down into the corridor and fired a long burst into the Imperial troops further down the corridor. Soon, Dex dropped down next to her and began hosing down the troops in the corridor. The smell of smoke and burning flesh filled the space, and Ying Tai shouted over the racket.

SPEAKER_02 16:50

Get on the ship!

SPEAKER_03 16:52

Expect compassion. Dex turned toward the starship portal and pulled himself up and over the wedged container.

SPEAKER_01 16:57

Mighty, a hand, please.

SPEAKER_03 17:00

Ying Tai looked behind her. Gecko dangled down from the duct. She helped him down and kept glancing down the corridor. She couldn't see any more chiny and a soldiers. Gecko, get into the ship. She turned back toward the ring station.

SPEAKER_02 17:13

Otis! Tima.

SPEAKER_03 17:24

A large shadow appeared ahead in the dense smoke. Otis, is that you? A welcome, familiar voice rose above the gunfire further down the tube.

SPEAKER_02 17:32

Otis here! Ying Tai!

SPEAKER_03 17:34

She smiled at the sound of his sweet voice and familiar bulk. Otis, get everyone onto the ship! She said and passed him, heading toward the fight further down the corridor. As she progressed further down the tube, she saw with satisfaction dead imperial soldiers, and then she began to see that station security and Chin Yao's troops had also taken a toll on her crew. She stopped one of the ex-prisoners racing past. Where's Tima and Boo? The female ex-con pointed back the way she'd come and hurried on. Ying Tai moved toward the sound of fighting. Soon she saw her friends laying down a line of fire down the tube. Get to the ship! She yelled above the din. One of the men turned to see who was shouting, and his head disappeared in a spray of blood. Ying Tai pushed her way forward and began to hose down the troops at the end of the corridor.

SPEAKER_02 18:28

Start, start moving back, she ordered.

SPEAKER_03 18:31

Tima continued to fire her weapon as she moved closer to Ying Tai.

SPEAKER_02 18:38

Where's Dex and Gecko?

SPEAKER_03 18:41

On the ship! She fired a burst at a bunch of soldiers trying to climb up toward one of the ducks overhead. They fell in the heat. Where's Ooh? She asked. Haven't seen him. Tima laid into two security men hugging the wall.

SPEAKER_01 18:58

We're getting cut to pieces here, one of the ex-prisoners said.

SPEAKER_03 19:02

Move back! I'll cover! Ying Tai shouted. Find Boo! She grabbed a discarded gun and holding two automatics, swept them back and forth down the tube, causing troops to duck or hug the walls. She began to shuffle backwards while laying down cover. In seconds she felt almost alone. One other person remained by her side, providing cover. Tima wore a grim smile. Can't let you take all the glory. Ying Tai swung her bionic arm, catching a round of bullets in the tough alloy. The gun went flying and shoved her arm behind her. She lost her footing and toppled back, tripping over someone's body on the deck.

SPEAKER_01 19:45

Ying Tai!

SPEAKER_03 19:46

Tima shouted and reached with one hand to try to pull her up. Ying Tai hit the deck on her back and her injured leg flared with pain. She glanced to the side and saw a face she recognized. Boog. She rolled next to the body. He was buried beneath a pile of bodies. Could use a little help here, Tima shouted above the racket. Ying Tai pushed the bodies off Boog. He was covered in blood and the helmet's face mask had shattered. Could be someone else's blood. She told herself. I found Boog! She shouted up to Tima. Great! Have him grab a gun and help out! A small metal cylinder lay on the deck, next to a bloody, outstretched, bodiless hand. Ying Tai recognized the device. Flash Pod. She reached for it. Must have fallen from one of the soldiers. Tima! She shouted above the racket. Flash Pod! Tima flew up against the wall with eyes shut and her hands moving to cover her ears. Ying Tai twisted the bottom of the cylinder, flung it down the tube, and covered her ears. A horrendously loud concussive explosion and a flash of white hot light blasted the tube, and then the corridor filled with blue smoke. Come on! Move it! Tima! Ying Tai grabbed Boog's slender frame and swung him over her shoulder. She chased after Tima ahead of the smoke. Her leg in agony protested the extra load the whole way. Out of the corner of Dex's eye, he saw Old Man handling the wounded weapon over the wedged container. He looked over at Gecko with a wry smile. Isn't this more fun than mining rocks? Easy for you to say. Gecko said, firing a burst at a soldier who dared to poke his head up.

SPEAKER_02 22:05

You haven't been shot. What do you call this?

SPEAKER_03 22:08

Dex raised his injured arm. A scratch. Gecko called back and ducked behind the support calling. The glass barely raised your arm. Glass! Dex exclaimed. It was a cannon ship. You're lucky I'm still alive. I could do without such luck. Dex fired a burst down the corridor and plants. Yeah. That truly hurt, you realize. Echo popped up from behind the column and fired another long burst at three soldiers attempting to mount a charge. This is suicide. Better than slow death in the mine, Dex shouted out, throwing himself behind the wall as a hail of tracers flew down the corridor. Gecko just nodded. 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 5 book series. Available wherever digital and physical books are sold.