23 Captain Ying-Tai

Dex and Gekko assist Boog in the cryo‑chamber, preparing to yank Morstyn back from the frozen edge of oblivion. They debate how to shape the moment for the repulsive man, but with Boog’s and Morstyn’s lives linked, they’re forced, reluctantly, to exercise restraint. Later, when the entire crew gathers in the Dining Hall, the reunion crackles with tension. The news delivered is anything but good.

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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. wasted on him. Dex said, maneuvering the cradle holding Morston to a new position over the deck above the cryo bat. He says, ugly as ever. Morston bellowed as the cradle hovered near the edge of the landing. Blue cryo puke exploded from his mouth and splashed onto the landing, just missing Gecko's feet before it fell through the metal grate. Just it was eloquent, too. Gecko said. You and me working our tails off, Morston, shouting obscenities. Almost brings a tear to my eye thinking about it. Yeah. Seems just like yesterday. Gecko grunted and stood back, glancing over at Boog, who stood by the cryo Vat control display, watching them. Is this how we all came out? Boog smiled but didn't say anything, and went back to checking the display. All of the icon lights but four were now red. Ying Tai asked him to wait for everyone to be awakened before having a funeral service for the four people that didn't survive hibernation. He looked back down at Morston, lying face down strapped inside the cradle. His body shook in convulsions despite the restraints. Look, Gek, I think Ugly's trying to say something. Morston arched in the cradle as much as the restraints allowed, and then. More blue fluid exploded from his mouth. I think he wants us to pound on his back. Deck said. Come on, Gek. Help me beat the fluid out of him. Gecko joined him and they bent over Morston and raised their fists and were about to bring them down. Uh, guys. They looked up at Boog. I appreciate your help, but I'd rather you didn't. He made a motion between himself and Morston. Our connection in his fragile state could have personal consequences. Oh, yeah. He's right, Gek. Dex came over to Boog and put his arm around him. After all, we still need Boog to apply this thing. And he kissed him on top of the head. We kinda like you, Boog. Dex released him and stood back. Just make sure our cranky friend doesn't hurt himself or me. Boog said. Right. That's what the boss asked us to do. Gecko said. He took in several heaves of breath and then began coughing. Can I slap him on the back now? Dex looked at Boog hopefully. Boog shook his head. Maybe I should have had white tea. Ask someone else to do this. I'll keep him in line. Gecko said and smiled at him. Who's gonna keep you in line? Dex asked. I have a much more calm disposition. I'll keep myself in line. Dex laughed. That's why I like you, Gekko. You're hilarious. Morston finished coughing and began taking in loud breaths. Sounds like a water buffalo. What's a water buffalo? Gecko asked. Dick scratched his head and folded his arms. Not sure. It was just a word that popped into my head. It seemed to fit the moment. A stream of profanities burst from Morston and War. Ah. Now, there's the voice night. Come on, help me lose him. The cradle hummed and rose from the floor, then flipped Morston vertical. Morston's body gleamed pale white in the glow from the lights above. A scar ran from his brow across the left empty eye socket and down into his neck. Deck said, grunting to undo one of the restraints. More obscenities poured from the lethargic man as the last restraint was loosed. And he tipped forward. Easy, big fella. Where? Morston burbled. Welcome to hell. I'm your host, Beelzebub. Now, you just relax and we'll prepare a lake of molten brimstone for ya. Dex. Morston screamed around a mouthful of thick fluid. I don't think he believes you, Gecko said. It's my middle name. Dexter Beelzebub Simmons. He placed an arm around the bulk of Morston. Named after my mother, charming. Gecko said, taking the other half of the man. Together they began to escort Morston along the deck to the exit. Shall we take him to his I was thinking the nearest airlock would be more appropriate, yes, but we do like our friend Boog. There's always a catch, isn't there? Make sure you tell him about the meeting tomorrow in the ballroom. Boog called after them. Morston bellowed, followed by more cursing his decks and gecko escorted him. The table from the last occasion, 800 years ago, had remained and everyone took a seat around it. Off to the side were several large urns where each of the crew stopped to fill a glass with pale, thick orange fluid. Without fail, each person sipped timidly and grimaced at the nasty concoction. Doc insisted everyone shouldn't eat until their systems could handle more substantial food. Doc said it would take about a week to readapt to a regular diet. Those who tried to eat normal food had become violently ill and ended up in the infirmary. Beyond the head of the table, the floor-to-ceiling bulkhead window looked out at the darkness in the ellipsoidal sun out air. Ying Tai stood at the head of the table, flanked by Tima on the left, Foog and Ming on the right, and Dex and Gecko sitting next to Otis several seats away. Horstone chose to sit opposite Ying Tai and her gang, as he now referred to her close-knit group of friends. A black patch covered his left eye, and his mouth was turned down in a perpetual frown as he gazed distastefully around the large table. Seated next to him were some equally sour-looking men and women. Ying Tai glared across the table at them. Morston had been nurturing a few alliances with some of the less trustworthy men and women prior to their departure from Mars.

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Has he had time to create any loyalty among them?

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She asked herself. The red-haired Donald wore an amused sneer. Jake, next to him, darted his black eyes back and forth around the room. The powerful bald Corbin sat next to a woman Ying Tai didn't recognize immediately. She wondered how the man had had time to develop new allies, since they'd been placed in hibernation only a few days after leaving Mars's orbit. She felt in her bones he would prove to be troublesome sooner or later. When the last of the crew filed into the room, she removed a pistol from her holster and wrapped on the table with its handle. Everyone turned their attention to her. As soon as this meeting is over, I will have Boog begin a scan of the system and begin to search for a habitable. More applause broke out. Boog's face turned red and he bowed his head at the group. Ming snuggled up closer to him and whispered in his ear, which only caused his face to redden some more. When the applause waned, Ying Tai cleared her throat and said, Unfortunately, not all of the news that I have to share is good. The room fell silent, and she could hear fans humming, recirculating the air. She placed her hand before her with the thumb and forefinger almost touching and continued. Complicate? Otis asked, and Dex reached up to grab his wrist while whispering to the giant. Ying Tai glanced at him from the corner of her eye and smiled at him. Ying Tai, Otis's friend, he said. Some of the crew within earshot broke out into soft chuckles. Across the table, Morston's and a few of the people's faces sitting next to him soured further. Thanks for the vote of confidence, my enormous friend. Ying Tai said and went on. It seems our friend, Chinyao, left a departing gift aboard the starship. Book detected a computer bug that caused a malfunction of the star drive system. He is still running some diagnostics and working to clean up this little problem. This bug caused our journey to take much longer than we anticipated. How much longer? A stocky man with musked brown hair sitting halfway around the table asked. The room fell dead quiet. Faces of shock stared back at her. She saw Morston's arms extend straight out on the table. Even from across the room, she saw them tremble and his hands clinch into fists. The woman sitting next to Corbin burst out. Ying Tai suddenly recognized her from the mine. She worked as little as possible to escape Morston's notice. Or maybe he did notice and didn't care. Yes, that's what I saw. That means everyone I know back on Earth has probably died. My friends, family, spare us the sobster. Ging Tai said. You were thrown into the mines and would have died there had we not escaped. The woman scowled and fell silent. I thought Boog took precautions and made sure that the ship's systems were okay. Another man asked. Boog stood and rested his hands on the table. I was in the system when Chin Yao's thrasher attacked me. He was infecting all the starship systems with computer pathobytes. You remember when we lost air and gravity? A few around the table nodded. Well, I fought them, neutralized them all, and then I fought his avatar. An extension of his mind. Ming latched onto his arm, and he glanced down at her. I defeated him and he left the system. Or so I thought. He must have had just enough time to plant one more bug. He sat back down and held Me's hand. So far I've only found the one path of bite. There could be more. And I'm still checking. I see. Booger. Morston's deep voice rumbled from across the table. Due to your incompetence, we've arrived 800 years late. The room seemed to drop in temperature as Morston glared across the table at him. What's done is done. Difference, you stupid whore. Morston rose up with his hands on the table. Is that the Ark could already be here? The room rumbled into conversations around the table, but Morston wasn't finished. Perhaps if Booger hadn't been distracted by his slutty girlfriend and paid more attention to the ship and its systems, he could have located the problem and solved it before this happened. He looked around the table to see if he was gaining any support for his argument. Things would have worked out the way they were supposed to. Ming's face turned red and she glared at Morston while snuggling closer to Boog. Deck stood up and cut through all the chatter. Hey, go easy on the little fella. He rested his hand on Boog's shoulder. He's a 17-year-old with raging hormones. 817. Someone quipped as Morston sat back down. Nervous laughter came from some of the crew around the table. Deck smiled easily. Yes, but in reality, he's still just a kid. He gazed around the table. Thanks to Chin Yao's clever foresight, he left us with many wonderful and beautiful women to make our new life more enjoyable. Boog's story of how he met Ming is a touching, happy story. He risked his life for her, was thrown into the mine thinking she'd been killed, and then finds her on board Chin Yao's ship. I can't fault him for wanting to spend time with such a lovely young girl he thought been killed. Can you he winked at a red-haired woman seated to one side of the table. The first one of you that didn't spend time with someone of the opposite sex may cast the first stone at this fine young man. He gazed around the now silent room. We should be grateful that this young man has been able to help us escape from certain death on the mines. He knows how to pilot the starship, keep it functioning, and has piloted us safely across the galaxy. He focused his gaze on Morston and those sitting nearest him. How many of you could have done all that? Let alone pilot the ship. Gecko leaned over and whispered. Well said. You almost made me cry. Deck smiled and replied, I do have my moments. Thank you, Dex. Okay. Now there is still going to be a wait as we search for a suitable planet. There's a lot of work required to keep the ship in order. I will be coming up with a duty roster and make assignments for each of you just who put you in charge. A voice from her right asked. She glanced in that direction, but couldn't identify the speaker. She cleared her throat. Well, since I've been leading since we left, I thought it would be prudent to continue until we're planet side. Then, gladly, someone else can take over. Or you can all just fend for yourselves. I have no intention of leading you any longer than is necessary. Maybe we should vote on this. A woman near one of the table's corners said. That way everyone can support you if the majority votes in your favor. Ying Tai nodded and turned back to address the group. All in favor of having me continue to lead, raise your hand. More than half of the people's hands shot into the air.

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Tima, can you count them, please?

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Tima stood up and her gaze went around the table. After a moment, she turned to Ying Tai.

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Seventy-two in favor. Those opposed?

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Ying Tai asked. Not many hands went up. I count seven, Tima said. Ying Tai glared across the table. Morston and those closest to him had not cast a vote either way. She mentally counted and memorized the fourteen faces who stared back in defiance. Tima, who had remained standing, said, The vote is in favor of Ying Tai retaining leadership. Then she sat down. Ying Tai gazed at the assembled group. Thank you for your support. I pledge to make sure we all safely get down to the plant. The audience remained silent. I'll post work assignments in the galley on the holo board. Please check to see what you are supposed to do. If we all cooperate, things should move along smoothly. She looked around the table one last time. Morston had folded his arms and fixed her with a one-eyed, withering glare of intense contempt. He's gonna cause trouble. Her mind told her. Well, if there is no other business, she wrapped the table with her gun. Meeting adjured. The buzz of conversation resumed as men and women stood and stretched. Ying Tai gestured at Dex and Gecko, and they came over to her. Across the table she saw Morston talking to several of those who refused to vote.

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Congratulations, Captain.

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Dex patted Ying Tai on the back.

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Better you than me.

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Ying Tai gathered them close and waited for the people around her to disperse. Dex, I'm appointing you my second in command. Oh what? Dex's brows popped up. Now, wait a minute. Let's not get too hasty. I'm not cut out for this kind of thing. He turned to Gecko with an appealing look. Tell her Gek no Dex. I think she's right. You'll make a great second in command. He smiled. Besides, she might pick me instead, if not you. He slapped Dex on the back. Ying Tai I got stuff to do. I I've been real busy lately and and I just I won't be able to. Ying Tai smiled and nodded. Yes, I know you and the red haired woman. Uh what's her name? Dex looked down at the floor. Chin called her Dong. But I call her Rusham. Gecko interrupted, smiling. No, that's not it. Dex blushed. Hmm. Could have swore I heard you call her that. Gecko said softly. Dex glared petulantly at his friend. No, Gek, it's Dee Dee. Ying Tai stifled a laugh and smiled. Right, Dee Dee. You and Dee Dee will have plenty of time together once we're safely down on the planet. Dex folded his arms and looked like a little pouting boy. Oh right. He sighed heavily.

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What do you want me to do?

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Ying Tai looked across the room. Morsten and his cronies had departed. She grabbed Gecko and Dex's arm and lowered her voice. I want you two to keep an eye on Morston and his followers. I counted about 14 sitting close to him that refused to vote. I'm sure he means to cause trouble. See Gek, I told you we should have put him in an airlock. Gecko shrugged. I couldn't do that to Boog. Gekko's right. We need to make sure both Boog and Morston remain unharmed. If one dies, so does the other. Not only do we need Boog, but I have grown very fond of the young man. What does Ming think about that? Dex asked. Ying Tai ignored him. Find out if anybody else is hanging out with Morston. Let me know. Dex bowed graciously. Your wish is my command. 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 5 book series, available wherever digital and physical books are sold.