18 "...Where's My Ship?"

After a brutal battle for survival, the escapees finally catch a breath—brief, shaky, and hard‑won. Under significant duress, Chin‑Yau is forced to make a difficult choice, and Dex and Gekko hit the jackpot. Suddenly, life seems very, very good. But the Emperor isn’t done. Not even close. His loyal soldiers are on the move, ready to slam the door on Ying-Tai and company.

Transcript

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. Abandon ship. Repeat, all hands abandon ship. That'll wake 'em up, Boog said as he turned off the PA system and smiled at Ying Tai. Most will flee the ship in panic. I suppose a few stalwarts may remain. Excellent work, Boog, she said and added. Boog laughed. I've only made the computer think the engine core is overheating. He gestured with his hand toward a row of engine displays behind him. As you can see, the engines are running normal. No sign of problems. She turned away and motioned to Dex, Gecko, and about 20 other individuals. When they gathered near, she spoke. Okay. Here's where it gets fun. We have to get to the helm so we can pilot the ship and escape. Her eye measured each of the ragtag ex-prisoners. Not all of them had body armor, and most had abandoned their helmets. Scorch marks were visible on everyone's armor, and each face dirty and streaked with sweat, smoke, blood, and the pervasive moon dust. The smell of sweat, the odor of fear, and adrenaline was close to overwhelming. A smile stole across her face. These poor battered souls are perhaps the best team I've ever worked with. She realized. I could trust them with my life. What's so amusing? One of the men with a scorch mark across the left side of his face and neck asked. All of you look like crap. You should see things from our perspective, one of the women said. She laughed and the group joined in. I probably look just as bad, Ying Tai agreed silently. Let's do this, Ying Tai said and slapped a fresh magazine into her rifle. She led the group to one of the exits. Otis came lumbling toward them. Otis, wanna go? Otis can help, he said. Ying Tai looked up at the Hulking giant. The bandages covering his wounds seeped blood. Otis, I need you to stay here. Protect Boog and the others. Aww. Otis! Wanna go fight. She looked up into his sad face and placed a hand on his forearm. Need you here, big man. The engine room must be protected at all costs. Otis's head drooped. It's critical that we maintain the engine room, and Boog must be protected. With his head hanging low on his chest, he said in a soft voice, Alright. And then shuffled away. Ying Tai swung around to the ex-cons guarding the door. She nodded, and they swung their weapons and proceeded to open the door. The heavy door slid open to a scene of complete pandemonium. The wide corridor was filled with starship crew members rushing down the hole. In their flight to escape the doomed ship, no one seemed to take notice of Ying Tai and the room of dirty, smelly, bloodstained communicates. Alright, this way to the left. She ran along with her battery, but not beaten, former moon slave army following. Chinyao slid the gleaming short Wakazashi sword from its shoot and held it by the blade toward the captain. The captain's trembling hands reached out for it, and he stared in shock at the gleaming weapon. The Emperor continued to speak. You have failed me, this ship, and your crew. They run like scared rabbits at the first sign of trouble. Emperor Chinyao turned away from the captain, still speaking. Obviously, the escaped prisoners have infiltrated the engine room and done something to make us think the engine will explode. Emperor. The captain tried. A ruse. He pointed at the short-bladed Wakasashi. Do yourself the honor, or I shall do it for you. He walked away and spoke to the few remaining stalwart officers on the command deck. Your captain has failed you. But you at least still have some honor for choosing to stay while your comrades fled. He folded his arms and brought his chin down and glared from under his brow. Find out what's going on and recall the soldiers back onto the ship. We shall hunt down the convicts and kill them all. A sudden intake of breath and an anguished moan of pain came from behind the emperor. The officers looked past the emperor and saw Captain Lao force the Wakazashi higher into his stomach, and then crushed across and up as blood and entrails splashed onto the head. With a last exhalation, the captain's body fell to the floor with the sword still buried in his gut. Find the convicts now! The Emperor yelled. Before the Emperor could finish his commission, Lord of the Convict. A stream of armed and armored men and women entered and began to handily shoot all the soldiers who attempted to fire at them. The Emperor turned as the armed group crowded in. He watched as the last of his soldiers fell to the deck without a sound. Qin Yao. I was hoping you remained on board. A dark-haired woman strode forward, holding the automatic rifle aimed at his head.

SPEAKER_00 6:47

Who dares?

SPEAKER_01 6:48

The words caught in his throat as he recognized the bionic arm and face beneath the smudges and dirt.

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Ying Tai.

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His mouth dropped open.

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But How? Where? What happened to you?

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Ying Tai raised the long arm and aimed the muzzle at Chin Yao. Please. Don't insult me with an excuse that you didn't know. Chin Yao dropped his hands to his sides. You were caught. I could do nothing for you when they hauled you away. At least they let you live and gave you medical attention. I made sure of it even if I couldn't have you released. She glanced down at her metal arm. A gift from Chin Yao. At least he didn't allow your execution, she reasoned. Her finger tightened on the trigger. I'd really like to pump a bullet into you for every day I spend in that hellhole. She lowered the gun. But that's too easy for you. A wide smile split her face. No I'm not gonna kill you. Instead, I'm taking your starship. Chinya's eyes grew wide and he advanced toward Ying Tai. The clicking of multiple weapons stopped him short. Ying Tai might not kill you, but I might. And we'll still take your ship, Gekko said from her side. He smiled graciously. Choice is yours. If you'd like to build another, I suggest you abandon this ship. Chinya's hands opened and closed in tight fists, and Ying Tai swore she heard teeth grinding. You can't just take my We can, and we are, Dex said, advancing toward him with Gecko limping behind. They motioned with their guns to the exit. The crew of ex-prisoners stepped aside as Dex and Gecko prodded Chin Yao and the remaining officers toward the command deck exit. Chin Yao narrowed his eyes as he walked stiffly past Ying Tai and her crew. You ungrateful, slutty. If our paths ever cross again. Yu ungrateful. Ying Tai slapped him across the face with her right hand hard. Dex, Gecko. See that Chin Yao and the others get off our starship. Gecko hobbled by. Come on, Dex. You're slowing me down. As soon as the Emperor and his minions had left and the door opened into place, the remaining Xcons erupted into shouts and cheers of joy. Ying Tai smiled at the merry-making and nodded her head. When the excitement came to a lull, she broke in. Congratulations, everyone! Now, before we really celebrate, let's get out of here. She limped to one of the chairs and said, Engine room? Boog? She called out. Yo! Are we good? Yeah. We're good. Dex and Gecko are escorting Chin Yao and the last of his crew off our ship. We have one problem. None of us knows what we're doing up here. Give me a moment to program the engine computer.

SPEAKER_00 10:31

Hey. Gecko. You hear that?

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Dex asked. What? Gecko glanced at Dex, keeping his gun on Chinyao and the handful of officers as they escorted them down the wide, now empty corridor. Sounds like screaming, Dex said. As they turned a corner, the screaming increased in volume, and now they heard pounding. It's coming from that door right there. Gecko motioned with his head. Chin Yao stopped in the corridor and turned to face them. Dex's gun came up quickly, and he put his finger lightly on the trigger. Keep moving. I must insist that you open that door. Chinyao pointed at the door from which the pounding and screaming was emanating. Well, Yao, it doesn't look like you're in any position to demand anything. Dex said. Keep moving, or I'll shoot an idiot. Those are the Imperial concubines. Jin Yao folded his arms across his chest in defiance. They must accompany me. Girls? Dex asked and quickly cast a glance at Gekko. Yes, the royal consorts. Chin Yao held. Let them out. Gecko and Dex looked at each other and smiled. What do you think, Gek? Dex asked. Should we release Yao's herald? Gekko moved the muzzle of the gun under Chin Yao's jaw. How long do you think we were in the mine, Dex? Oh boy. Dex blew out of breath. Uh least five years for me. Not many girls were there. Nope. Dex smiled and shoved his gun into Chin Yao's stomach. Okay, Yao. Move it. But you can't. We can, and we are. Geckel started pushing the man with his gun. We'll take real good care of him for you. Dex followed Gekko's example and pushed Chin Yao and the others toward the exit. Boog sat at the helm and guided the vessel safely away. She looked far below toward the moon's surface. She could just barely make out the mining facility, the shape of the prisoner processing dome partially embedded in the lunar mountain. She cast her gaze to the moon's horizon and saw the stars glittering in the velvet black. She continued to scan the heavens, looking for Earth, but it wasn't visible. Be nice to see it one last time, she thought. Somewhere out there, a habitable planet waited to be found. It would have to wait, though. Morston had yet to reveal where they were going. She watched as the moon began to pass behind the starship. Suddenly she felt someone standing near. Boog, won't they try to pursue us in fighters? Tima asked, having just walked over to stand next to Ying Tai. Bah. We'll be gone before he can get close enough, he said. Ying Tai looked up at Tima, who'd just returned from the infirmary. She had a fresh bandage over her wound. How are our patients? Cranky, she said. Orston is demanding to be taken to the command deck. Wish we could have left him. Nobody else knows where we're going, Tima said. She nodded. Don't remind me. The stars steadied, and Ying Tai watched a screen showing the docking ring and hub quickly falling away. Uh where's Gecko and Dex? Uh, we probably won't see them for a while, Tima said. They were successful forcing Chin Yao to leave something precious and dear behind. Ying Tai looked up at her, a question in her eyes. Tima shrugged her shoulders. They're getting acquainted with the Imperial Harem. They looked at each other for a moment, trying to read each other's thoughts, and then they both burst into laughter. Once the ship's access door slammed into his threshold, Chin Yao looked at the officers who'd remained while the others fled. He spent a moment memorizing each face and then walked past the carnage in the access tube. The bodies of the escaped prisoners, his troops, and soldiers from the ring hub littered the floor. Schools of blood and body parts attested to the vicious battle that had been fought a short time ago. Fire still burned here and there, adding to the stomach turning acrid smell of blood, smoke, ozone, and mechanical fluids. The tube shook and he felt vibrations in the deck. He turned his head back toward the end of the access tube. My starship. She's stolen it, he thought as he felt the tremors subside. He cursed silently, turned, and continued down the tube. At the entrance to the ring, he stopped and raised his hand. All of you who have remained loyal will be spared if you help me round up the cowards who abandoned ship. One of the officers stepped forward and bowed his head with a sharp nod. Yes, Emperor. I'll personally ensure that none escape. Chinya waved his hand casually, and the officers filed past him into the ring station. See to it then, Lieutenant Pak, he said, glancing back at the bodies and wreckage in the tube. He whirled around and followed his men into the station. The officers advanced forward through the shambles of what once had been a waiting area for passengers. More bodies, dead or dying, littered the deck and several medics attended to the wounded. Chinyao walked toward one of them and stood behind her. Where's the ring station control room? He asked. The female medic ignored him, remaining focused on staunching a bloody stomach wound in one of the troopers. She spoke over her shoulder in a curt tone. I'm a little busy here. Go ask someone else. Chinyao's lips twisted in a snarl. He reached down and grabbed the medic's hair and hauled her to her feet.

SPEAKER_00 17:40

Hey! What the?

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She shouted as she struggled to get her feet under her. The wounded trooper moaned and blood spurted from his wound onto Chinyao's boots. He glared at the young female medic. Control room now. The young female's eyes bulged in their sockets. Her skin was pulled tight against her scalp and she swallowed, looking at him. She raised a hand and pointed over her shoulder. Down there. Through that orange door. She gasped. He dropped her and she sprawled on the floor. He turned and strode down the wide corridor toward the orange door. A sign next to it read, Ring Operations, and he pushed the keypad. Yes? This is the Emperor. My ship has just been stolen. Let me in. There was a short pause and then the door shooshed aside. Chinyao swept into the room and stood looking at the men and women working at an array of control displays. A woman rushed up to him. By the decorations on her uniform, he knew she was the commander of the ring station. Emperor Chinyao, how can he raised his hand, cutting her off. Where's my ship? The woman stood at attention and pointed to a window. He strode toward it and looked out. His starship had pushed away from the docking tube and was sliding past it, picking up speed, pointed into the vast field of stars. He clenched his hands at his side. What's its heading? The commander appeared at his side, bowing slightly. Please forgive Emperor Chinyo. But she has only just now left the dock. It will take a few minutes to analyze her trajectory. I will wait here. Yes, of course, Emperor. Whatever you wish. He strode to a chair near the window and sat, watching his starship recede into the glittering stars. I will be displeased if I must wait much longer. She bowed from the waist. Yes, Emperor, and turned to her technicians scattered around the room behind the glowing displays. The starship diminished to half its size and kept growing smaller in contrast to Qinyao's anger, which grew exponentially as each second passed.

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How dare she should have killed her?

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He silently rehearsed the pain and torture he planned when Ying Tai was back in his clutches. When the massive starship disappeared in the stars, he cursed and turned toward the control room. His face a mask of fury. He spoke, his voice soft and threatening. If I don't get some answers. The station commander rushed over to him, bowed deep, and stood with her hands behind her back. Emperor Chin Yao, we are tracing her trajectory now, and she is headed away at incredible speed. We've never seen such speed in a ship before. And he leaned forward. Spare me your surprise. I know what it is capable of. Where is it going? We believe it's headed on a path to pass Mars, but we he leaned toward the commander and spoke in a threatening tone. Contact Earth. I must speak to my computer operations in chief. He thought as the ship's status showed speed, trajectory, and other information in a box below the display. The image zoomed in several times to keep the starship within its view as he watched Chin Yao's ship leave the moon far behind. He gazed about the large control center tucked away in the heart of the sprawling Imperial Palace. Numerous men and women stood before hundreds of holo display tables. Arrayed throughout the large space, observing the actions of the entire empire. Zhu Long sat at a bank of control displays placed on a raised floor that overlooked the entire room. He'd so much wanted to be one of the crew members on the starship, but Chinyao had assigned him to watch over ground operations ever since the ship had been completed. Sir. A woman with a round, chubby face appeared at his side and handed him a holo screen. The latest report from Ring Station. He took it from her, glanced at it, without really digesting its information, and set it next to two other equally neglected holo screens. Fine. I'll check it later. Uh, sir. You should check it now. It seems there was an escape from one of the moon mines. Julong held up his hand and waved at the woman. You're dismissed, he said and turned his attention back to the speed of the starship. Awfully fast for a first run. He watched the speed increase twice as much again. He looked up at the army of techs in front of him. He noticed the woman still stood next to his seat. I told you to leave, sir. With all due respect, you should read that report. A burst of anger flared in his breast, and he was about to rail on the woman when a chime sounded. A moment later, a calm tech on the floor below stood and looked up at him. Ji Long, sir? It is the Emperor for you. He swallowed. A flurry of thoughts raced through his mind as the image of the Emperor materialized, standing on the edge of his holo display table. Julong struggled to rise from his chair and face the holo of the emperor. He bowed from the waist while speaking. Are you tracking my ship? Of course, Excellency. We show it. Can you access its control systems? Juong raised a hand and scratched at his scalp. Yes, but I the ship has been hijacked, you fool. He glanced at the hole screen he'd ignored and stammered. Hijacked? Excellency, yes, idiot. Hijacked. But how is that possible? And listen, I need you to take control of her immediately. Julong shook himself, realizing this was no mere nightmare. He gathered his thoughts and pieced together what had happened from the little he knew. The woman had mentioned a breakout from one of the mines. Mine prisoners must have stolen the ship. Emperor, I will get to work on it at once, but it will take some time. No excuses. Take back control, or you'll find yourself without a head. Yes, Emperor Qing Yao, at once. The Emperor's image collapsed, and Zhu Long's tech staff, within earshot, grew silent, staring down at the floor. Get me into the ship's system. His staff of techs on the raised floor and below began rushing to and fro, chattering in nervous voices. That old Chenny wasn't gonna push her this fast. Just get away as far as possible. We have plans to make. Ying Tai said from over his shoulder. Not to worry. This baby is so fast, they'll never catch up. No, but they can still track us, Tima said. A lot of good it'll do 'em, he said. The number on the display seemed to slow, and Boog leaned forward and peered at it. What is it? Ying Tai asked. Boog whispered. Seems slower than before, he thought. Boog continued to watch, and after a minute he was sure the numbers were slowing. What's going on? Ying Tai must have noticed as well. Why are we slowing? she asked, leaning forward with her hand on the console. The accelerating numbers slowed more so that he could see each digit change. Our speed is dropping. Boog wiped sweat from his brow. I can see that. Do something, Tima said, seating herself at one of the control consoles. He tapped at the key display and glanced at the holo screens. The numbers continued to slow. Tima scanned a holo screen floating above the console in front of her seat. Her eyes narrowed and she pulled the screen closer. It's venting, she whispered. Then louder. Air is venting from the ship. She pointed at the screen and looked toward Ying Tai. Ying Tai whirled on Tima. What? She looked desperately at Ying Tai while her hands danced across the key display. Someone aboard the ship is venting our breathable air into space. Where? Tima gestured to the holo showing a map of the ship. Seems to originate at this waist lock. The image showed the ship's outline in glowing shades of green. She pointed to a geyser of swirling yellow blasting from a point on the exterior outline of the ship. Ying Tai reached for the calm. I'll get someone on it. No. Boo grabbed her arm. No need. Someone is thrashing into the ship's computer. Sabotaging the systems. And I'll bet I know who. Smells like Juong. Could it be ghost data? The way we fooled Chin Yao? Ying Tai asked. Ju Long? Who or what is Ju Long? Tima asked. An old friend. They both looked at him. It's complicated. Book said, furiously tapping at the keys. He works for Chinyao. And apparently he's trying to commandeer the ship from a remote location. It'll do no good to send someone to the wastelock. The ship's computer system will keep it open. He glanced at Ying Tai. This is not ghost data. Can you stop him? She asked. Book stopped tapping and looked at the screens floating before him. The warning displays tinged his face red as they flashed. His eyes narrowed and he stared hard at the screens. Oxygen levels have dropped to 74%, Tima shouted. Do something before we run out of air. Can you stop him? Ying Tai asked again and grabbed his shoulder. 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.