19 Ju-Long Strikes

Ying-Tai and her cohorts blast away from the Ring Station, engines screaming to put some distance between them and Chin-Yau. But the Emperor still has one weapon to wield in his arsenal; he turns to the head of his technical systems: Ju-Long expert thrasher. At long last, Ju-Long has the opportunity to crush his foe, Carl Bogeran (Boog). As he hacks into the fleeing ship’s systems, shutting down critical functions, Ying-Tai's chance of escape vanishes in a single devastating instant.

Transcript

SPEAKER_02 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. You will regret this, he thought as he watched the display. Almost 18 interminable minutes had elapsed from the time the ship had fled the space station. Tension hung like a palpable creature in the command center. How far are they away now? The commander stood behind him, orchestrating her technician's efforts to track the fleeing ship. She looked across the room. How far, Thorne? A man at one of the screens turned toward her. She's just passed 28,000 miles. Do we have any fighters we can send? Chin Yao asked. We have some at our disposal, the commander said. Chin Yao chose to ignore her lack of protocol when addressing him. I want you to send all that you have after that ship immediately, Commander. She bowed from the neck and turned to a woman standing nearby. Scramble the fighters. Have them pursue at full speed. His hands flew across the key display, and holo screens began popping up in the air before him. Ying Tai stepped back and watched him work. Alright, too long, you Eurasian heinus. Prepare to be humiliated. Hoog stared at the screens floating before him. He grabbed one, scanned its data, and then tapped in a code. Backdoor number one? He continued to select screens and tap in codes and then moved the holo screens to one side. I have contacts originating from ring station. A man seated at the tactical holo display shouted. Ying Tai swore and glanced at Boo. He was completely immersed in the holo screens. He's working as fast as he can. She reminded herself and turned back to tactical. How many? How fast? Looks like ten. Speed holding steady at twenty miles per second. They'll close in twenty-five minutes at our current speed. Ying Tai looked at the holo screen next to her, showing the ship's speed. Down to three miles per second. The readout continued to slow. She watched the speed decrease to 3,600 miles per hour, and looked at Boog again. Sweat stood out on his brow and he seemed in a trance as hole screens disappeared and new ones appeared, while others were shifted into position. She leaned next to his ear. Running out of time, Boog. He nodded once. He heard the words, felt their urgency, but remained focused on the screens as he fought a remote battle with his unseen foe. Chulong had deployed an arsenal of digital pathobites into the ship's control system. Zombites, ghosts, replibites, null gins, viral ghouls, maljins, and a host of other nasty pathobites. Boob tapped furiously, eradicating each pathobite before they could further block his effort to stop the leaking air. Most of the pathobites were easily defeated, with the exception of the replibites and zombites. As he destroyed one, two took his place. Tima's voice sounded alarmed. He heard her cry out, pulled himself from his trance, and looked at Yintai. I can't defeat him this way. He swallowed, and his voice trembled. I have to go in. For a few moments of startled shock, he hesitated. Bulgarin? How? He recognized the digital signature of his foe almost immediately. He's still alive. After the shock passed, he smiled. My turn, Bogaran, white monkey. No match for me. He thought triumphantly as he placed a zombie into the escaping ship's environmental system. Hundreds of thousands of miles away. Once the pathobite was deployed, he selected another screen and tapped in a complex alphanumeric code. The screen's image changed to that of a schematic of an engine system. His fingers blurred as he tapped a few replibites in the engine control system. He thought and started to giggle as he deployed another. Nearby, the Tex glanced nervously at each other and drew back. As Julong worked, he thought back to the last time he'd seen the white monkey shackled in Qin Yao's quarters aboard the ship. At the time, he wanted to inflict great pain and make the young man suffer for all the times he'd been humiliated by him in front of the other techs. He hadn't had the opportunity at the time. Chin Yao made sure of that. But now, you are mine. It may not be physical pain, but I will mentally crush you. He created another zombie and proceeded to access the gravity control inducer or GCI system aboard the fleeing vessel. After Carl had been removed, Chin Yao demanded Jiulong fill the void. He didn't want to admit it to himself, but Carl Bugarin had been an exceptionally talented thrasher, and the void had been difficult to fill. Chi Long had spent all his off hours working, barely had time for sleep. He'd forced himself to keep at it in order to keep Chin Yao satisfied and retain his head. It had not been easy, and he'd curse Bugarin every second, of every minute, of every hour, of every day, until he realized how much he'd been forced to learn. You'll regret making me your enemy, white monkey. He smiled as he placed ten replibites in the GCI's system and then programmed them to shut it down. What do you mean? Go in, Ying Tai asked. I've only done it a few times before, he muttered mechanically, not acknowledging her. Not easy. I'll need a virtual of the ship. Ying Tai grabbed his arm. What the hell are you talking about? She shouted in his face. He forced her hand to let go, stood, and jumped to another key display. His fingers blurred as he tapped. I need the virtual model of the ship. Gonna use an avatar to go into the system computer net and go after Ju Long. Ying Tai's brow knit together. You have an avatar in the system? He stopped and offered her a tight smile. Of course. I thrashed the entire system on the ship. I hit a few goodies in the system, including an avatar for just such an occasion. Although I never thought I'd have to use it. Well, what are you waiting for? Boog nodded. Right. He turned back to the display and continued tapping. Above the deck, a glowing translucent model, the starship appeared and hung in space. Air supply at sixty percent and still dropping Kima shouted. Ying Tai turned from Boog and glanced at the ship's speed. It had dropped to a mere 800 miles per hour. Status on fighters? She asked, her head suddenly feeling lighter. On us in 11 minutes, 30 seconds. Tactical reported, sounding like he was speaking in a tunnel. She turned back to Boog and felt as though she'd suddenly lost 30 pounds. What the devil? I've got really bad news. Tima looked up from the environmental control display. Why should things be any different? Ying Tai said and looked at Tima as her head swam. What now? Gravity has dropped 10%. She swore and reached for the calm. Attention, shift, this is Ying Tai. We're about to lose gravity, and our air supply is rapidly diminishing. Find emergency oxygen masks and prepare for weightlessness. Ow! She sat in one of the seats and strapped herself in. No one said freedom was easy, she muttered and looked over at Boog. A temporal transducer sat askew on his head and his face hung slack, as if he were dead. Got him on the run. Now, I'll just take my time. Chulong thought, remotely accessing another system on board Chin Yao's starship. He tapped at the key display, more deliberate and less frantic. It's about to get really cold, White Monkey. He thought as he finished accessing the ship's temperature control system. He laughed as he shut it down and conjured up some more zombies to hinder the white monkey's efforts. He sat back and looked at the stack of holo screens he'd already thrashed floating to his left. He leaned back in the chair. What else can I access? He grabbed one of the screens he'd already worked on. Air supply. That's what he'll try to fix first. His grin decreased slightly as he stared at the screen. What? There were 30 zombites, but as he watched, two vanished without replicating. Juong's grin began to fade as he watched his pathobites disappear. How is he doing the thought remained unfinished as he watched more zombites vanish. Zhu Long swore loudly, and the texts in the room looked at him. Realization hit him, and a cold knot of hatred formed in his breast. He's gone in. Oh well, what she doesn't know won't hurt her. He didn't worry that when he came out again, he could be completely useless to his new friends in piloting the ship. If I don't risk it, we won't be going anywhere. Unless it's to one of Chen Yao's torture chambers. He reasoned. He tuned out the sounds of the desperate activity taking place on the command deck, adjusted the transducer to his head, took in a deep breath, and braced himself. The sensation of part of his mind being vacuumed slammed into him and he slumped forward in the chair. When his consciousness returned, he was surrounded on all sides by pale, semi-opaque walls. Glowing green lines defined the joints of the space, and he looked for an exit. Beyond the hazy virtual model, he saw the blurred space of the command deck and his own body slumped up against the control console. He ignored the creepy feeling of seeing his body as if lifeless and focused on the task. Now, where am I? He exited the model's virtual room and looked at the sign next to its door. Storage 37. Dang. Not where I wanted to be. Going in never quite worked the way it was supposed to. At least he hadn't quite mastered deployment yet. There was always the possibility of a miscalculation in targeting position. The Starship system was extremely complex, and navigating it would challenge the most experienced thrashers. He touched his left forearm and a small map of the ship appeared above it. A slow, flashing red light represented his position, and he looked to see where the waist lock was located. He spotted it not far from his present location. He focused on the map and thought about the space he wanted to go to. Another brief, uncomfortable, sucking sensation engulfed him. When the transport was complete, he found his avatar staring down at the leaking waistlock. The deployment left him feeling slightly lethargic. Revulsion shivered along his virtual spine. He thought ferozely, knowing if any of them struck his virtual head, he'd be vacant for the rest of his life. Upon sensing his presence, they all turned toward him and approached. Shambling horrors, a reflection of Ju Long's sick, twisted mind, opened gaping mouths and uttered digital shrieks. Claw-like hands reached out to kill his mentality. Tima asked in a soft voice. Ying Tai glanced at Boog's slump form at the console.

unknown 15:50

I don't know.

SPEAKER_02 15:50

Let's hope he knows what he's doing. She brushed a greasy lock of hair behind an ear and looked at the speed on the readout. Command shouted back. Ying Tai turned to a view outside the ship, didn't see anything but stars, and then felt a distant vibration. A hologram of one of the men in the engine room appeared on the command deck. Someone just hit the side of the ship back here. Any damage? Ying Tai asked, suddenly feeling very dizzy. None that we can see. His voice tinny and distant. But we don't know what we're doing back here. Few of us have been near an engine. Where's Boo? Is my hearing damaged? She asked herself. Voices were beginning to sound thin and tinny. He's busy up here. Stay at your post. Keep me informed. The man's face looked back at her, bleeding. She added in a softer tone. Do what you can. Right. The man's image disappeared. Tima! Her voice seemed to squeak. What's the O2? Tima scanned her screen and then looked back, shaking her head. Down to 55%. With one eye, Dex glanced over at Gecko. His friend had fallen asleep on one of the plush couches in Chinyo's pleasure room. A petite Eurasian woman with long flowing black hair massaged his uninjured foot, while a short blonde girl with stunning blue eyes knelt on one side of the couch and concentrated on meeting Gecko's right arm. Opposite the blonde, a brunette massaged his left arm. He moaned softly and smiled. Dex gazed curiously at the draping fabrics the women wore. They flowed back and forth in the air as if underwater. Strands of their hair also seemed to be floating. Ooh, that's interesting, he thought, and then closed his eyes and dozed. I haven't been this relaxed for I feel floaty. He giggled.

SPEAKER_01 18:17

I sure do like friends.

SPEAKER_02 18:19

Gekko said in a strange, soft, high tone. The soft hands of the tall blonde applied musky oil to Dex's upper back, kneaded it into his skin, and then kissed his neck. Chills raced down his spine.

SPEAKER_01 18:34

Your friend should go to the infirmary for that leg.

SPEAKER_02 18:37

She whispered next to his ear.

SPEAKER_01 18:39

Uh he'll be fine. After a little rest.

SPEAKER_02 18:43

Dex opened one eye again and looked at Gecko. Right? Furled his brow and sucked in a lung full of air.

SPEAKER_01 18:51

Whatever you say. Dexter.

SPEAKER_02 18:55

Seems hard to breathe. The couch vibrated beneath Dex's body. He raised his head and looked around the space.

SPEAKER_01 19:02

You feel that?

SPEAKER_02 19:03

Gecko moaned.

SPEAKER_01 19:06

Yeah. Feels so good. I I feel like I'm floating.

SPEAKER_02 19:13

Dex raised himself up on his elbows.

SPEAKER_01 19:15

Something just shook the ship.

SPEAKER_02 19:17

He sucked in more air. Gecko propped himself up and looked up at the ceiling.

SPEAKER_01 19:23

What are you?

SPEAKER_02 19:24

He looked surprised and sucked in a lung full of air. Another tremor vibrated beneath the deck. Dex tried to inhale a breath and found the air seemed thin. Something's not right. He coughed and sat up. The women moved away from the couch and Dex saw their thin clothing floating around them. He barely felt the weight of his body on the couch.

SPEAKER_01 19:54

I think we're losing gravity.

SPEAKER_02 20:02

He said.

SPEAKER_01 20:03

No, something's up. You stay here. I'll go check it.

SPEAKER_02 20:08

As he rose to his feet, he felt himself launch into the air. He floated close to the ceiling and then pushed himself back to the deck and swam toward the door. Out in the hall, several people clung to a rail on the side of the corridor.

SPEAKER_01 20:22

What is happening?

SPEAKER_02 20:23

One of the men asked in a tinny voice. Dex shook his head and began leaping down the corridor toward the command deck.

SPEAKER_01 20:31

Don't know, but I'm gonna go find out.

SPEAKER_02 20:36

He gasped for air. When the door to the command deck opened, Dex all but floated into the room.

SPEAKER_01 20:47

What in the hell is happening?

SPEAKER_02 20:50

His voice screeched thinly.

SPEAKER_01 20:51

I can barely breathe. Chinyo has somehow commodity our computer system. Taking control of the ship. He's venting our air into space. Reducing the gravity, and he's brought us essentially to a halt.

SPEAKER_02 21:06

Ying Tai said, whirling around as he came into the room. She opened her mouth and inhaled like a fish out of water.

SPEAKER_01 21:14

I think it's starting to get cold.

SPEAKER_02 21:16

Dex glanced at Boog's dill figure slumped in a chair. What's up with him? Ying Tai shook her head.

SPEAKER_01 21:22

He said he was going into the system. Don't ask me what that means.

SPEAKER_02 21:27

Dex noticed the large holographic model floating above the room.

SPEAKER_01 21:31

It means he's using a part of his brain to occupy and guide an avatar into the system.

SPEAKER_02 21:38

He scanned the virtual model a moment and then spoke. He pointed at a portion of the model.

SPEAKER_01 21:46

That must be him. He's trying to fight off Chin Yang from inside the net, yeah. Well.

SPEAKER_02 21:54

He turned back to the screen.

SPEAKER_01 21:55

We got other problems, Mike. Chin Yang's fighters are closing fast. Eight more missiles have just been launched.

SPEAKER_02 22:02

The man at Tactical shouted. Ying Tai swore and looked at Dex.

SPEAKER_01 22:06

See if we can operate our defenses.

SPEAKER_02 22:08

She pointed at one of the empty stations. Dex pushed off from a seat and floated to the waiting station. He stared down at the flashing keys on the display console. Wish this thing came with an instruction manual. As the hundreds of codes filled his mind, a long staff of shimmering blue light grew outward from his right hand. He took hold of its end with his left hand as the staff continued to stretch outward and codes streamed through his mind. Within seconds, the staff measured twice his height and pulsed with blue light. Okay, too long. One of the pale humanoid pathobites came too close. Boot thrust the staff at its head. It penetrated and he withdrew it, preparing to strike the next zombie. The head shrank. Brilliant light crackled from the staff of the zombite's neck and torso and then shot into its extremity. Tendrils of blue light raced across the thing's skin. And within nanoseconds, the sparkling color completely encapsulated the humanoid and neutralized it. He already thrust the staff into four of the zombite heads, and they too were neutralized. Bring it on! He taunted, knowing his enemy would hear his digital voice. He reveled in the surge of victory he felt.