July 10, 2026 • 31 mins
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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SPEAKER_00 (00:00):
The author of the Exodus series is intentional
about avoiding profanity andexplicit sexual content.
However, this episode doescontain scenes of violence that
some listeners may finddisturbing.
Listener discretion is advised.
(00:50):
A dark-haired beauty's fingersprobed deep into Qin Yao's tense
muscles.
Her slender hands moved up fromhis shoulders and rubbed his
stiff neck, easing tension away.
A red-haired vision with amplebreasts that Qin Yao couldn't
keep his eyes from wandering toknelt on the floor and massaged
his left foot, while anothergorgeous brunette administered
(01:14):
to the right.
He smiled in deep satisfactionas the red-haired woman sent
tingles of ecstasy shooting uphis leg.
He breathed a heavy sigh ofcontentment and gazed at the
earth outside the window.
The stars were dim as earthlightflooded his pleasure chamber
through the transparent windowwall.
(01:36):
Other beautiful women reclinedon the many couches that filled
Qinyao's pleasure chamber.
He had only brought fiftycompanions with him on this trip
and hoped it would be enough.
The large pleasure chamberceiling hung low overhead with
irregularly spaced coffers.
Finely crafted Eurasiantapestries hung on the walls,
(01:57):
mirrors and a grid of coloredLEDs decorated the ceiling like
stars.
Ornate couches, chairs, tables,and beds were randomly spaced
throughout the room.
In three places the floor sankbelow the deck filled with
luxurious soft mats and silkypillows.
Two jacuzzies and a longswimming pool completed the
(02:18):
chamber's decadent atmosphere.
Soon Yi.
Closer to the spine on the left,he said softly.
The turquoise eyed brunetteshifted her hands.
Mm-hmm.
Yes, yes, very good.
He murmured.
(02:40):
Soon Yi was the only girl in theroom with Asian features.
Her turquoise eyes gin alteredto please his color choice for
her.
Ming.
My right ankle has been somewhatstiff lately, he suggested to
the red-haired northernEuropean.
She pouted as her hands movedimmediately to his ankle, and he
(03:01):
winced as she tended to the sorejoint.
Not so hard, my lovely Rose.
She's still mad at me forthrowing Boogerin into a mine.
He smiled to himself and thoughtback to the day he confronted
her with her crime ofdisloyalty.
When he sentenced her to death,she seemed happy.
(03:22):
He decided a more fittingpunishment was for her to remain
alive in his service, knowingthat her boyfriend suffered in
the mines.
In time, she'll get over him.
Chin Yao bought, tutored, andtrained girls from all over the
world to serve as hiscompanions.
(03:43):
He had painstakingly taught eachone ancient traditional Asian
techniques and culture forpleasing the masculine sex and
to answer to traditional Asiannames.
Any man caught with one of hiscompanions was killed or
punished severely.
A number of men who'd beencaught ogling his women had been
(04:05):
castrated and now served aseunuchs to guard his women.
His eyes closed and he began todrift off.
Somewhere between dozing andsleep, a buzz announced a
visitor, and his eyes poppedopen.
He looked narrowly toward thedoor.
This better be good, he thought.
(04:27):
Yes.
Emperor Chinyao, may Iinterrupt?
The voice over the speaker said.
You already have Captain Lao, hegrowled, recognizing his
starship captain's voice.
Come.
The door across the chamber slidopen, and a short, thin man
dressed in a dark green EWEuniform strode across the
chamber, trying unsuccessfullyto ignore the scantily clad eye
(04:51):
candy surrounding him.
He paused next to Chinyao, stoodstraight, and consulted his
digipad.
Emperor Chinyao, the ship isnearly refueled and stores are
being loaded.
May we begin preparing fordeparture?
Of course, Captain.
Remind me of our nextdestination.
Emperor Chinyao, we are going toput the starship drive through a
(05:13):
number of tests on our way toMars at light speed, uh no.
Emperor Chinyao, the distance istoo short for that high of a
velocity.
The captain bowed graciously ashe corrected the Emperor.
I didn't spend trillions ofcredits to build a starship and
travel at speeds less thanlight.
(05:35):
I want to see this ship hitlight speed.
He raised his head off themassage chair, glaring at the
captain.
The captain bowed again.
(05:57):
Stopping at each to allow probesand research scientists to set
up orbiting observatories.
We'll travel at half-light speedto visit these places, all the
way out to Neptune.
And then we'll return to Earthtraveling at our top speed, just
under light.
Chin Yao nodded and rested hishead back on the chair.
(06:18):
All right.
Very good, Captain.
Let me know when we are ready toleave.
The captain remained standing,trying to avert his eyes from
Chin Yao's female masseuses.
unknown (06:28):
Mm-hmm.
SPEAKER_00 (06:31):
Is there something else, Captain?
Chin Yao had closed his eyes.
Uh yes, Emperor Chin Yao.
Uh we're receiving readings ofhigh bursts of energy from Moon
Mine No.
9.
The captain paused, lookinguncomfortable.
I fear there may be a problem.
Chin Yao's eyes popped open.
(06:52):
Find out what it is and reportback at once.
Yes, Emperor Chin Yao.
He bowed, took one last glanceat the ravishing pleasure
fantasies, turned, saunteredthrough the many pleasing
obstacles, and exited thechamber.
Chin Yao pondered what hiscaptain had reported.
Mines are too valuable to lose.
(07:14):
Could set us back years incolonizing the solar system.
(07:51):
Several tubes led to researchfacilities, others to housing
for the mine's soldiers andstaff, and one led to the mine's
reactor.
One of the tubes was larger thanthe rest and extended across the
barren moonscape to the ringstation elevator terminal.
Ying Tai stared down its longlength and counted her
blessings.
(08:12):
It seemed completely deserted atthe moment.
Tima wrapped an arm around herwaist and led her hobbling down
the tube.
Dex, out in front, led themotley trail of ex-prisoners
toward the elevator terminal.
Makeshift gurneys had beenfashioned using several
equipment carts they found forthe wounded that couldn't walk.
(08:33):
The fierce battle back in themine had taken its toll on the
group.
Almost everyone had been woundedin some way.
Eleven, including Morston, wereunable to walk.
Even the irrepressible Otislooked worn and tired as he
plodded along, pushing the cartwhere the wounded Morston lay.
Clearly, he'd lost too muchblood, but still he insisted on
(08:56):
walking and helping with thewounded.
Ying Tai feared he mightcollapse, but so far he'd shown
no indication of flagging.
Ying Tai's wounded leg sentanother reminder that it too
needed attention.
She sent neural transmissions tothe extremity and reinforced the
barrier against pain.
(09:16):
The only thing that kept her,all of them, going, was the
small morsel of freedom they'djust tasted and the sight of the
starship miles overhead.
Right now, to her, it symbolizedfreedom and escape from this
hellhole.
Are we close?
Tima whispered.
Ying Tai looked ahead toward theterminal's entrance.
(09:39):
Another hundred feet.
She adjusted her bionic arm thatheld on to Tima.
Dex's fist shot up into the airand the group stopped.
Gek, come with me.
Dex whispered and dropped hishelmet faceplate down.
He and Gekko slunk forward andentered the terminal.
Ying Tai shifted more weight toher good leg and waited.
(10:01):
She didn't hear ensuing gunfire,and after several minutes, Dex
and Gecko raced back down thetube.
Only three troops.
He cocked a thumb at his chest.
Gek and I took care of them.
Dex waited forward and the groupfinished the last hundred feet,
emerging into the elevatorterminal.
Ying Tai looked overhead and sawthe elevator shaft disappear
into the velvet lunar sky.
(10:23):
The long starship hung at thering station on one of the
docking arms.
She set Tima down on a cushionedchair 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 elevatordoors.
The elevator car is up at thestation.
(10:46):
How are we going to convincethem to let us come up?
She patted his shoulder and tookthe 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 thefaceplate down.
He pointed, and Ying Tai movedto a room off the elevator.
Inside, three mine securitysoldiers, two males and a
(11:08):
female, sat on the floor withhands and feet securely tied and
mouths gagged.
Three pairs of angry eyes peeredup at her as she entered the
room.
She smiled pleasantly at themand found the calm panel.
She studied it a moment and thentapped a key.
Elevator ring control, thespeaker announced.
Ying Tai slid her faceplatehalfway up to speak, still
(11:31):
concealing her features.
Send the elevator.
Mine's reactor is hot.
We got injured that needattention.
The voice demanded.
Ying Tai glanced down at thefemale trooper's name badge.
This is Lieutenant CarolSteadman.
(11:52):
Send the lift now.
The entire facility has beencontaminated.
Hold on.
The gag lieutenant protested ina soft, muffled shout.
Ying Tai tapped her fingers onthe wall while she waited,
smiling at the three restrainedsoldiers.
(12:50):
The captain swallowed.
They say they have injured thatrequire immediate medical
attention.
Chin Yao stroked his chin.
The lift had been securedearlier to make sure no one
could approach the starship.
Risky to send it down to bringup anyone.
Do they not have medicalfacilities down there?
He asked in a tired voice.
(13:11):
Yes, Emperor Chinyao.
But the facilities have beencontaminated, and apparently
some of the physicians have beeninjured.
Chin Yao pinched the bridge ofhis nose.
A voice inside warned him,Precious research could be lost.
He needed the scientist toexpand his power throughout the
solar system.
The decision became clear.
(13:32):
Send it down.
Admit them to the docking ringfacilities.
Recall all hands back to theship.
Then prepare for immediatedeparture.
Emperor Chinyao, the ringmedical facilities are small.
Treat the scientists first.
The rest can wait.
(13:53):
But Emperor Captain, you haveyour orders.
Yes, Emperor Chin Yao, at once.
The captain bowed and hishologram collapsed.
Chin Yao sat thinking as hispleasure girl soothed his
freshly tensed muscles.
(14:33):
Ying Tai said.
No doubt the elevator car willbe monitored.
We need to appear like minesecurity and scientists.
The group of ex-cons beganputting their weapons away.
Those that had one, while therest adopted the role of
scientist or mine worker.
Most had managed to get theirhands on either light combat
armor from one of the guardsback in the mine or a lab coat.
(14:56):
Ying Tide examined the dirty,disheveled group.
A few inmates still wore theprisoner garb.
Can't be helped.
On the elevator, we'll huddle inthe middle while I attempt to
explain the plan for hijackingthe starship.
She looked around.
Where's Boog?
She asked, suddenly worried.
(15:17):
In poorly fitted armor, theyoung thrasher came forward,
looking somewhat shell-shocked.
He blinked a few times andrubbed his eyes.
Alright, Boog.
I need you close by my side.
Ying Tai, relieved, put a handon his shoulder.
Do you know the layout of thestarship?
Uh well, well enough.
(15:37):
I've been all over it.
It took the elevator fifteenminutes to descend to the
terminal.
(16:11):
Dex and Gecko helped everyoneaboard, and then the door slid
shut.
The elevator car's rocketpropulsion fired, and a dull
rumbling sound filled the space.
Everyone breathed a sigh ofrelief as the moon's surface
diminished and the elevatorsurged upward.
(17:06):
Captain Lau's voice interruptedthe two ship security soldiers.
Kinsaki turned from chattingwith his friend and looked at
the bank of security monitorsspread across the wall in front
of them.
Hold one, Captain.
He said and tapped a key.
Indicator lights flashed abovetwo of the vid screens.
Looks like they're just gettingon now.
(17:27):
His friend said.
Captain Lau Kinsaki said.
Just getting on now.
A bunch of He looked closely atthe screens.
One showed the backs of thegroup, and the other showed them
walking toward the camera.
Looks like men and women, somein light armor and some wearing
lap coats, and a few with dirtyjumpsuits.
(17:49):
Many of them look pretty beatup.
I can see a few injuries.
Keep an eye on them.
Report anything amiss.
Yes, Captain Lau.
He made an obscene gesturetoward the speaker and his
friend giggled.
Kinsaki, you should be careful,or they will throw you in the
brig.
Kinsaki glanced back at the bidmonitor showing the injured mine
(18:11):
workers filling the elevatorcar.
You know something, Chun?
I really don't care at thispoint.
He turned his attention back tohis friend.
Please don't speak this way.
I have an obligation to reportit.
You'd report me?
Chun, seeing the pain in hisfriend's eyes, shook his head.
I guess not.
But you must be careful, myfriend.
(18:31):
Kinsaki glanced back at theelevator 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 getdemoted?
Chun asked, leaning back in hischair, ignoring the monitors.
I accidentally looked at one ofthe emperor's girls.
He said, getting up and going toa cooler sitting against one
(18:54):
wall.
He withdrew a drink bulb andlooked back at Chun.
You want one?
Yes, thank you.
Chun sat forward as his friendhanded him the bulb.
So that's all you did?
Kinsaki nodded.
Crazy, isn't it?
He plopped back into his chairand stared at the bank of
monitors, not really seeingthem.
(19:20):
He took a sip from the bulb andturned back to his friend.
One of them dropped a veil thatlanded at my feet.
He wiped his face with bothhands, 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.
(19:41):
Bent down, picked it up, andhanded it to her.
He leaned back and put his handsbehind his head.
Captain Lao said I was oglingher breasts.
Were you?
Kinsaki looked at his friend andlaughed.
Of course I was.
They were magnificent, Toonburst out laughing.
(20:03):
And then And then Captain Laostripped my rank down a notch.
Said he was doing me a favor bynot reporting it to Chin Yao.
Kinsaki finished his drink bulbburped, then casually tossed it
on the control console andcalled the captain an unkind
word.
I guess it's better than being aeunuch.
(20:26):
Chun continued to giggle.
Was it worth it?
Kinsaki paused, and his smilegrew as his mind returned to the
delicious memory.
He nodded his head.
Oh yeah.
It was well worth it.
Kinsaki and Chun continued tochat, ignoring the video
(20:48):
monitors.
Boog.
(21:09):
How many people on board ChinYao's ship?
Ying Tai asked.
Boog pressed a finger to hislips.
Hmm.
Probably five hundred combatsoldiers.
A bunch of scientists andcolonists.
Numbering around a hundred, Iguess.
(21:30):
The captain and his crew.
He looked wistful for a momentand then continued with a funny
look in his eye.
Chinyao will also have somepleasure companions.
Usually around forty.
That makes almost a thousandtotal.
Ying Tai sighed.
(21:52):
Right.
She remembered Chin Yao'spenchant for having loads of
companions to see to his everyneed and pleasure.
He reportedly had somewhere inthe neighborhood of 800 total.
Good boy, Boog.
She turned and looked around atthe group of ex-prisoners
gathered in a circle around her.
Probably seventy left?
(22:13):
Seventy.
Against a thousand.
She sighed, turned back around.
Annell on the deck of theelevator.
Alright.
Gather round.
She waved with her hand.
The scraggly group of men andwomen surrounded her on the
floor as best they could, as sheexplained in a soft voice.
(22:33):
Here's my plan.
Once we get to the station, wehead directly for the starship.
Won't they expect us to stay atthe station's aid center?
One of the women interrupted.
The station's medicalcapabilities and capacity aren't
equipped to handle more than afew people, Hoog answered.
Starship has a regular hospitalfacility and it's not far from
(22:55):
the entry point.
Ying Tai resumed speaking.
With all the commotion, Qinyaowon't be waiting around.
He's probably preparing to leavealready.
We have to get to the ship asfast as possible.
Once on the Starship, we'll headto the ship's hospital.
She knelt on one knee with herarm across the other as if she
were the coach of a sports team,and began tracing with a finger
(23:18):
her plans on the elevator deck.
There, we'll subdue the medicalstaff, get the injured submaid,
and set up a defense perimeter.
From the hospital, we'll sendteams to attack the engine and
control room.
There was murmuring from thegroup.
Look at us! One of the men spokeup.
She thought his name was Pavel.
She'd seen him fawning overMorston a couple of times and
(23:42):
hanging out with Jake andDonald.
He gestured around the space atthe ex-convicts.
His stolen uniform fit a sizetoo small, and he had a bandage
around his forearm and thigh.
We're all wounded, look likecrap, and exhausted from
escaping the mine.
He folded his arms, looking downat her.
(24:02):
Now, you want us to mount anoffensive and take over the
engine and control rooms on anunfamiliar, heavily defended
starship.
A few of the ex-cons noddedtheir heads and agreed with him.
Gecko stepped into the circle.
Well, now just what do youpropose we do, Pavel?
(24:23):
Ask nicely, that we'd like toborrow the ship indefinitely?
He looked steadily at the manfrom behind greasy locks of his
black hair.
The man named Pavel lookedaround at the group.
All eyes were on him.
He cleared his throat, clearlyarrogant.
Why don't we just lay low?
Rest in the hospital.
Allow their staff to treat thewounded, and then when we're
(24:46):
rested, then we act Who is thispenhead?
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 andnow.
She thought as she looked backat the man's smug smile.
That's a great idea, Pavil.
(25:07):
She started.
He looked around at the group,proud of himself.
How long before they figure outwe're not who we say we are?
His smile disappeared, and YingTai said, It wouldn't take long
to figure out.
We're all a bunch ofex-prisoners.
Your idea's too risky andstupid, she added silently.
The group seemed to agree withYing Tai, and one of the women
(25:30):
spoke up.
Let's hear the rest of yourplan.
Ying Tai bent forward andcontinued circling a spot with
her finger.
As I was saying, once we takethe engine and control rooms, a
group of us, led by me, willmake our way toward the
barracks.
She drew an imaginary line onthe deck and looked up into the
eyes of the group.
Chinyao's troops are seasonedprofessionals, well trained.
(25:53):
Shoot to kill.
They'll give no quarter.
She looked back down andcontinued to sketch her
invisible strategic diagram onthe deck.
Once we neutralize the troops,we'll head for the ship's
command.
Her finger traced another lineas she quietly trailed off,
noticing blank looks and fearstaring back at her.
Pavel smirked.
Oh! Is that all?
(26:14):
She stood up and sighed.
Look, I know it won't be easy.
Try impossible! A short, skinnyman whose armor hung limp on his
frame said, and folded his armsacross his chest.
That's your plan.
He paused.
No one said anything, and hecontinued.
Fight on until we either conqueror I'll die.
(26:36):
Disgusted, Ying Tai put herhands on her hips.
Suppose I just go do this bymyself.
I'll come get you when I'vekilled everyone.
Is that what you want?
No.
But we thought you had a betterplan.
Where most of us survive.
A head taller looked down at thelittle man.
Perhaps you'd like to return tothe hole.
(26:57):
Another woman, wearing men'sarmor 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 politicalprisoners.
With the exception of today.
We we've never been involved incombat.
A number of them nodded theirheads.
Ying Tai looked back at them.
(27:18):
I say, now is the time to learn.
Or die trying.
Better to die free than remain aprisoner.
The group now started talkingall at once, and Ying Tai threw
her hands up in frustration andstood up.
Another man holding his helmetby his side spoke out.
Easy for you to say, you havetraining and will probably
(27:41):
survive.
Unnoticed by the rest, Boogknelt down on the deck with an
intent look on his face.
More of the ex-cons were voicingtheir opposition to the plan.
His young, trembling voice cutthrough the noise.
There might be a better way.
Everyone stopped talking andlooked down at Boog.
Ying Tai, the group, havingrebelled against her plan,
(28:03):
folded her arms and looked downon the young man.
There's a chance this will workwithout anyone getting killed.
He began tracing imaginary lineson the floor of the elevator.
The infirmary is here.
His finger pointed to a fastenerin the deck.
Not too far from the entrance tothe ship or here.
(28:24):
He moved his finger to anotherpoint.
Barracks back here, close tomidship.
Hey.
We follow Ying Tai's plan upuntil we have the engine control
room captured.
He looked up with a triumphantsmile.
Once we have the engine room,we'll threaten to blow up the
ship by overheating the enginecore.
(28:45):
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 installedall kinds of tricks, traps,
secrets, and back doors into theship's computer control system.
His eyebrows popped upconfidently.
(29:05):
Trust me, that's two frontswe'll have to defend.
Gecko pointed out.
One team is gonna have to takeout the barracks.
He looked at Ying Tai and thenBoog.
Otherwise, Chin Yao's troopswill cut us to pieces.
What if I lock down the engineroom?
Boog stood up.
The engine room is heavilyreinforced.
Give me five men to assist, andI can lock it down so it won't
(29:29):
need to be defended.
Gecko nodded his head.
Alright.
We can defend the hospital, butI still think a group of us
should neutralize his troops.
He glanced up at Ying Tai.
She looked down at the deckwhere Boog had drawn his
imaginary battle plan.
Okay, but you'll still need helpgetting to the engine room.
A team will get Boog and hisfive men safely into the engine
(29:51):
room, and then head toward thebarracks.
The group seemed to murmuragreement, and Ying Tai looked
at the elevator car readout tocheck the elevator's progress.
Another five minutes.
She motioned to Dex and Gecko tofollow her as she drew away from
the main body of the group.
What's up, Dex asked?
There are a hundred things thatcan go wrong with this plan.
Two hundred.
Gecko said, smirking.
(30:12):
Aren't there always?
Ying Tai nodded her head.
Go pick out ten combat-capablemen or women we can count on.
Yep, you got it, Dex said.
They both moved off into thegroup.
Ying Tai looked at the ragtaggroup of ex-cons, most with
ill-fitting armor stolen fromthe mine.
This will take a miracle.
(30:47):
Moonbound is a pulse-poundingsci-fi thriller from the Exodus
series by Warson T.
Badger.
If you crave rebellion, highstakes heists, and lunar
warfare, this science fictionaudio drama will leave you
breathless.
Read the entire Exodus five bookseries.
(31:08):
Available wherever digital andphysical books are sold.
The author of the Exodus series is intentional
about avoiding profanity andexplicit sexual content.
However, this episode doescontain scenes of violence that
some listeners may finddisturbing.
Listener discretion is advised.
(00:50):
A dark-haired beauty's fingersprobed deep into Qin Yao's tense
muscles.
Her slender hands moved up fromhis shoulders and rubbed his
stiff neck, easing tension away.
A red-haired vision with amplebreasts that Qin Yao couldn't
keep his eyes from wandering toknelt on the floor and massaged
his left foot, while anothergorgeous brunette administered
(01:14):
to the right.
He smiled in deep satisfactionas the red-haired woman sent
tingles of ecstasy shooting uphis leg.
He breathed a heavy sigh ofcontentment and gazed at the
earth outside the window.
The stars were dim as earthlightflooded his pleasure chamber
through the transparent windowwall.
(01:36):
Other beautiful women reclinedon the many couches that filled
Qinyao's pleasure chamber.
He had only brought fiftycompanions with him on this trip
and hoped it would be enough.
The large pleasure chamberceiling hung low overhead with
irregularly spaced coffers.
Finely crafted Eurasiantapestries hung on the walls,
(01:57):
mirrors and a grid of coloredLEDs decorated the ceiling like
stars.
Ornate couches, chairs, tables,and beds were randomly spaced
throughout the room.
In three places the floor sankbelow the deck filled with
luxurious soft mats and silkypillows.
Two jacuzzies and a longswimming pool completed the
(02:18):
chamber's decadent atmosphere.
Soon Yi.
Closer to the spine on the left,he said softly.
The turquoise eyed brunetteshifted her hands.
Mm-hmm.
Yes, yes, very good.
He murmured.
(02:40):
Soon Yi was the only girl in theroom with Asian features.
Her turquoise eyes gin alteredto please his color choice for
her.
Ming.
My right ankle has been somewhatstiff lately, he suggested to
the red-haired northernEuropean.
She pouted as her hands movedimmediately to his ankle, and he
(03:01):
winced as she tended to the sorejoint.
Not so hard, my lovely Rose.
She's still mad at me forthrowing Boogerin into a mine.
He smiled to himself and thoughtback to the day he confronted
her with her crime ofdisloyalty.
When he sentenced her to death,she seemed happy.
(03:22):
He decided a more fittingpunishment was for her to remain
alive in his service, knowingthat her boyfriend suffered in
the mines.
In time, she'll get over him.
Chin Yao bought, tutored, andtrained girls from all over the
world to serve as hiscompanions.
(03:43):
He had painstakingly taught eachone ancient traditional Asian
techniques and culture forpleasing the masculine sex and
to answer to traditional Asiannames.
Any man caught with one of hiscompanions was killed or
punished severely.
A number of men who'd beencaught ogling his women had been
(04:05):
castrated and now served aseunuchs to guard his women.
His eyes closed and he began todrift off.
Somewhere between dozing andsleep, a buzz announced a
visitor, and his eyes poppedopen.
He looked narrowly toward thedoor.
This better be good, he thought.
(04:27):
Yes.
Emperor Chinyao, may Iinterrupt?
The voice over the speaker said.
You already have Captain Lao, hegrowled, recognizing his
starship captain's voice.
Come.
The door across the chamber slidopen, and a short, thin man
dressed in a dark green EWEuniform strode across the
chamber, trying unsuccessfullyto ignore the scantily clad eye
(04:51):
candy surrounding him.
He paused next to Chinyao, stoodstraight, and consulted his
digipad.
Emperor Chinyao, the ship isnearly refueled and stores are
being loaded.
May we begin preparing fordeparture?
Of course, Captain.
Remind me of our nextdestination.
Emperor Chinyao, we are going toput the starship drive through a
(05:13):
number of tests on our way toMars at light speed, uh no.
Emperor Chinyao, the distance istoo short for that high of a
velocity.
The captain bowed graciously ashe corrected the Emperor.
I didn't spend trillions ofcredits to build a starship and
travel at speeds less thanlight.
(05:35):
I want to see this ship hitlight speed.
He raised his head off themassage chair, glaring at the
captain.
The captain bowed again.
(05:57):
Stopping at each to allow probesand research scientists to set
up orbiting observatories.
We'll travel at half-light speedto visit these places, all the
way out to Neptune.
And then we'll return to Earthtraveling at our top speed, just
under light.
Chin Yao nodded and rested hishead back on the chair.
(06:18):
All right.
Very good, Captain.
Let me know when we are ready toleave.
The captain remained standing,trying to avert his eyes from
Chin Yao's female masseuses.
unknown (06:28):
Mm-hmm.
SPEAKER_00 (06:31):
Is there something else, Captain?
Chin Yao had closed his eyes.
Uh yes, Emperor Chin Yao.
Uh we're receiving readings ofhigh bursts of energy from Moon
Mine No.
9.
The captain paused, lookinguncomfortable.
I fear there may be a problem.
Chin Yao's eyes popped open.
(06:52):
Find out what it is and reportback at once.
Yes, Emperor Chin Yao.
He bowed, took one last glanceat the ravishing pleasure
fantasies, turned, saunteredthrough the many pleasing
obstacles, and exited thechamber.
Chin Yao pondered what hiscaptain had reported.
Mines are too valuable to lose.
(07:14):
Could set us back years incolonizing the solar system.
(07:51):
Several tubes led to researchfacilities, others to housing
for the mine's soldiers andstaff, and one led to the mine's
reactor.
One of the tubes was larger thanthe rest and extended across the
barren moonscape to the ringstation elevator terminal.
Ying Tai stared down its longlength and counted her
blessings.
(08:12):
It seemed completely deserted atthe moment.
Tima wrapped an arm around herwaist and led her hobbling down
the tube.
Dex, out in front, led themotley trail of ex-prisoners
toward the elevator terminal.
Makeshift gurneys had beenfashioned using several
equipment carts they found forthe wounded that couldn't walk.
(08:33):
The fierce battle back in themine had taken its toll on the
group.
Almost everyone had been woundedin some way.
Eleven, including Morston, wereunable to walk.
Even the irrepressible Otislooked worn and tired as he
plodded along, pushing the cartwhere the wounded Morston lay.
Clearly, he'd lost too muchblood, but still he insisted on
(08:56):
walking and helping with thewounded.
Ying Tai feared he mightcollapse, but so far he'd shown
no indication of flagging.
Ying Tai's wounded leg sentanother reminder that it too
needed attention.
She sent neural transmissions tothe extremity and reinforced the
barrier against pain.
(09:16):
The only thing that kept her,all of them, going, was the
small morsel of freedom they'djust tasted and the sight of the
starship miles overhead.
Right now, to her, it symbolizedfreedom and escape from this
hellhole.
Are we close?
Tima whispered.
Ying Tai looked ahead toward theterminal's entrance.
(09:39):
Another hundred feet.
She adjusted her bionic arm thatheld on to Tima.
Dex's fist shot up into the airand the group stopped.
Gek, come with me.
Dex whispered and dropped hishelmet faceplate down.
He and Gekko slunk forward andentered the terminal.
Ying Tai shifted more weight toher good leg and waited.
(10:01):
She didn't hear ensuing gunfire,and after several minutes, Dex
and Gecko raced back down thetube.
Only three troops.
He cocked a thumb at his chest.
Gek and I took care of them.
Dex waited forward and the groupfinished the last hundred feet,
emerging into the elevatorterminal.
Ying Tai looked overhead and sawthe elevator shaft disappear
into the velvet lunar sky.
(10:23):
The long starship hung at thering station on one of the
docking arms.
She set Tima down on a cushionedchair 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 elevatordoors.
The elevator car is up at thestation.
(10:46):
How are we going to convincethem to let us come up?
She patted his shoulder and tookthe 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 thefaceplate down.
He pointed, and Ying Tai movedto a room off the elevator.
Inside, three mine securitysoldiers, two males and a
(11:08):
female, sat on the floor withhands and feet securely tied and
mouths gagged.
Three pairs of angry eyes peeredup at her as she entered the
room.
She smiled pleasantly at themand found the calm panel.
She studied it a moment and thentapped a key.
Elevator ring control, thespeaker announced.
Ying Tai slid her faceplatehalfway up to speak, still
(11:31):
concealing her features.
Send the elevator.
Mine's reactor is hot.
We got injured that needattention.
The voice demanded.
Ying Tai glanced down at thefemale trooper's name badge.
This is Lieutenant CarolSteadman.
(11:52):
Send the lift now.
The entire facility has beencontaminated.
Hold on.
The gag lieutenant protested ina soft, muffled shout.
Ying Tai tapped her fingers onthe wall while she waited,
smiling at the three restrainedsoldiers.
(12:50):
The captain swallowed.
They say they have injured thatrequire immediate medical
attention.
Chin Yao stroked his chin.
The lift had been securedearlier to make sure no one
could approach the starship.
Risky to send it down to bringup anyone.
Do they not have medicalfacilities down there?
He asked in a tired voice.
(13:11):
Yes, Emperor Chinyao.
But the facilities have beencontaminated, and apparently
some of the physicians have beeninjured.
Chin Yao pinched the bridge ofhis nose.
A voice inside warned him,Precious research could be lost.
He needed the scientist toexpand his power throughout the
solar system.
The decision became clear.
(13:32):
Send it down.
Admit them to the docking ringfacilities.
Recall all hands back to theship.
Then prepare for immediatedeparture.
Emperor Chinyao, the ringmedical facilities are small.
Treat the scientists first.
The rest can wait.
(13:53):
But Emperor Captain, you haveyour orders.
Yes, Emperor Chin Yao, at once.
The captain bowed and hishologram collapsed.
Chin Yao sat thinking as hispleasure girl soothed his
freshly tensed muscles.
(14:33):
Ying Tai said.
No doubt the elevator car willbe monitored.
We need to appear like minesecurity and scientists.
The group of ex-cons beganputting their weapons away.
Those that had one, while therest adopted the role of
scientist or mine worker.
Most had managed to get theirhands on either light combat
armor from one of the guardsback in the mine or a lab coat.
(14:56):
Ying Tide examined the dirty,disheveled group.
A few inmates still wore theprisoner garb.
Can't be helped.
On the elevator, we'll huddle inthe middle while I attempt to
explain the plan for hijackingthe starship.
She looked around.
Where's Boog?
She asked, suddenly worried.
(15:17):
In poorly fitted armor, theyoung thrasher came forward,
looking somewhat shell-shocked.
He blinked a few times andrubbed his eyes.
Alright, Boog.
I need you close by my side.
Ying Tai, relieved, put a handon his shoulder.
Do you know the layout of thestarship?
Uh well, well enough.
(15:37):
I've been all over it.
It took the elevator fifteenminutes to descend to the
terminal.
(16:11):
Dex and Gecko helped everyoneaboard, and then the door slid
shut.
The elevator car's rocketpropulsion fired, and a dull
rumbling sound filled the space.
Everyone breathed a sigh ofrelief as the moon's surface
diminished and the elevatorsurged upward.
(17:06):
Captain Lau's voice interruptedthe two ship security soldiers.
Kinsaki turned from chattingwith his friend and looked at
the bank of security monitorsspread across the wall in front
of them.
Hold one, Captain.
He said and tapped a key.
Indicator lights flashed abovetwo of the vid screens.
Looks like they're just gettingon now.
(17:27):
His friend said.
Captain Lau Kinsaki said.
Just getting on now.
A bunch of He looked closely atthe screens.
One showed the backs of thegroup, and the other showed them
walking toward the camera.
Looks like men and women, somein light armor and some wearing
lap coats, and a few with dirtyjumpsuits.
(17:49):
Many of them look pretty beatup.
I can see a few injuries.
Keep an eye on them.
Report anything amiss.
Yes, Captain Lau.
He made an obscene gesturetoward the speaker and his
friend giggled.
Kinsaki, you should be careful,or they will throw you in the
brig.
Kinsaki glanced back at the bidmonitor showing the injured mine
(18:11):
workers filling the elevatorcar.
You know something, Chun?
I really don't care at thispoint.
He turned his attention back tohis friend.
Please don't speak this way.
I have an obligation to reportit.
You'd report me?
Chun, seeing the pain in hisfriend's eyes, shook his head.
I guess not.
But you must be careful, myfriend.
(18:31):
Kinsaki glanced back at theelevator 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 getdemoted?
Chun asked, leaning back in hischair, ignoring the monitors.
I accidentally looked at one ofthe emperor's girls.
He said, getting up and going toa cooler sitting against one
(18:54):
wall.
He withdrew a drink bulb andlooked back at Chun.
You want one?
Yes, thank you.
Chun sat forward as his friendhanded him the bulb.
So that's all you did?
Kinsaki nodded.
Crazy, isn't it?
He plopped back into his chairand stared at the bank of
monitors, not really seeingthem.
(19:20):
He took a sip from the bulb andturned back to his friend.
One of them dropped a veil thatlanded at my feet.
He wiped his face with bothhands, 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.
(19:41):
Bent down, picked it up, andhanded it to her.
He leaned back and put his handsbehind his head.
Captain Lao said I was oglingher breasts.
Were you?
Kinsaki looked at his friend andlaughed.
Of course I was.
They were magnificent, Toonburst out laughing.
(20:03):
And then And then Captain Laostripped my rank down a notch.
Said he was doing me a favor bynot reporting it to Chin Yao.
Kinsaki finished his drink bulbburped, then casually tossed it
on the control console andcalled the captain an unkind
word.
I guess it's better than being aeunuch.
(20:26):
Chun continued to giggle.
Was it worth it?
Kinsaki paused, and his smilegrew as his mind returned to the
delicious memory.
He nodded his head.
Oh yeah.
It was well worth it.
Kinsaki and Chun continued tochat, ignoring the video
(20:48):
monitors.
Boog.
(21:09):
How many people on board ChinYao's ship?
Ying Tai asked.
Boog pressed a finger to hislips.
Hmm.
Probably five hundred combatsoldiers.
A bunch of scientists andcolonists.
Numbering around a hundred, Iguess.
(21:30):
The captain and his crew.
He looked wistful for a momentand then continued with a funny
look in his eye.
Chinyao will also have somepleasure companions.
Usually around forty.
That makes almost a thousandtotal.
Ying Tai sighed.
(21:52):
Right.
She remembered Chin Yao'spenchant for having loads of
companions to see to his everyneed and pleasure.
He reportedly had somewhere inthe neighborhood of 800 total.
Good boy, Boog.
She turned and looked around atthe group of ex-prisoners
gathered in a circle around her.
Probably seventy left?
(22:13):
Seventy.
Against a thousand.
She sighed, turned back around.
Annell on the deck of theelevator.
Alright.
Gather round.
She waved with her hand.
The scraggly group of men andwomen surrounded her on the
floor as best they could, as sheexplained in a soft voice.
(22:33):
Here's my plan.
Once we get to the station, wehead directly for the starship.
Won't they expect us to stay atthe station's aid center?
One of the women interrupted.
The station's medicalcapabilities and capacity aren't
equipped to handle more than afew people, Hoog answered.
Starship has a regular hospitalfacility and it's not far from
(22:55):
the entry point.
Ying Tai resumed speaking.
With all the commotion, Qinyaowon't be waiting around.
He's probably preparing to leavealready.
We have to get to the ship asfast as possible.
Once on the Starship, we'll headto the ship's hospital.
She knelt on one knee with herarm across the other as if she
were the coach of a sports team,and began tracing with a finger
(23:18):
her plans on the elevator deck.
There, we'll subdue the medicalstaff, get the injured submaid,
and set up a defense perimeter.
From the hospital, we'll sendteams to attack the engine and
control room.
There was murmuring from thegroup.
Look at us! One of the men spokeup.
She thought his name was Pavel.
She'd seen him fawning overMorston a couple of times and
(23:42):
hanging out with Jake andDonald.
He gestured around the space atthe ex-convicts.
His stolen uniform fit a sizetoo small, and he had a bandage
around his forearm and thigh.
We're all wounded, look likecrap, and exhausted from
escaping the mine.
He folded his arms, looking downat her.
(24:02):
Now, you want us to mount anoffensive and take over the
engine and control rooms on anunfamiliar, heavily defended
starship.
A few of the ex-cons noddedtheir heads and agreed with him.
Gecko stepped into the circle.
Well, now just what do youpropose we do, Pavel?
(24:23):
Ask nicely, that we'd like toborrow the ship indefinitely?
He looked steadily at the manfrom behind greasy locks of his
black hair.
The man named Pavel lookedaround at the group.
All eyes were on him.
He cleared his throat, clearlyarrogant.
Why don't we just lay low?
Rest in the hospital.
Allow their staff to treat thewounded, and then when we're
(24:46):
rested, then we act Who is thispenhead?
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 andnow.
She thought as she looked backat the man's smug smile.
That's a great idea, Pavil.
(25:07):
She started.
He looked around at the group,proud of himself.
How long before they figure outwe're not who we say we are?
His smile disappeared, and YingTai said, It wouldn't take long
to figure out.
We're all a bunch ofex-prisoners.
Your idea's too risky andstupid, she added silently.
The group seemed to agree withYing Tai, and one of the women
(25:30):
spoke up.
Let's hear the rest of yourplan.
Ying Tai bent forward andcontinued circling a spot with
her finger.
As I was saying, once we takethe engine and control rooms, a
group of us, led by me, willmake our way toward the
barracks.
She drew an imaginary line onthe deck and looked up into the
eyes of the group.
Chinyao's troops are seasonedprofessionals, well trained.
(25:53):
Shoot to kill.
They'll give no quarter.
She looked back down andcontinued to sketch her
invisible strategic diagram onthe deck.
Once we neutralize the troops,we'll head for the ship's
command.
Her finger traced another lineas she quietly trailed off,
noticing blank looks and fearstaring back at her.
Pavel smirked.
Oh! Is that all?
(26:14):
She stood up and sighed.
Look, I know it won't be easy.
Try impossible! A short, skinnyman whose armor hung limp on his
frame said, and folded his armsacross his chest.
That's your plan.
He paused.
No one said anything, and hecontinued.
Fight on until we either conqueror I'll die.
(26:36):
Disgusted, Ying Tai put herhands on her hips.
Suppose I just go do this bymyself.
I'll come get you when I'vekilled everyone.
Is that what you want?
No.
But we thought you had a betterplan.
Where most of us survive.
A head taller looked down at thelittle man.
Perhaps you'd like to return tothe hole.
(26:57):
Another woman, wearing men'sarmor 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 politicalprisoners.
With the exception of today.
We we've never been involved incombat.
A number of them nodded theirheads.
Ying Tai looked back at them.
(27:18):
I say, now is the time to learn.
Or die trying.
Better to die free than remain aprisoner.
The group now started talkingall at once, and Ying Tai threw
her hands up in frustration andstood up.
Another man holding his helmetby his side spoke out.
Easy for you to say, you havetraining and will probably
(27:41):
survive.
Unnoticed by the rest, Boogknelt down on the deck with an
intent look on his face.
More of the ex-cons were voicingtheir opposition to the plan.
His young, trembling voice cutthrough the noise.
There might be a better way.
Everyone stopped talking andlooked down at Boog.
Ying Tai, the group, havingrebelled against her plan,
(28:03):
folded her arms and looked downon the young man.
There's a chance this will workwithout anyone getting killed.
He began tracing imaginary lineson the floor of the elevator.
The infirmary is here.
His finger pointed to a fastenerin the deck.
Not too far from the entrance tothe ship or here.
(28:24):
He moved his finger to anotherpoint.
Barracks back here, close tomidship.
Hey.
We follow Ying Tai's plan upuntil we have the engine control
room captured.
He looked up with a triumphantsmile.
Once we have the engine room,we'll threaten to blow up the
ship by overheating the enginecore.
(28:45):
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 installedall kinds of tricks, traps,
secrets, and back doors into theship's computer control system.
His eyebrows popped upconfidently.
(29:05):
Trust me, that's two frontswe'll have to defend.
Gecko pointed out.
One team is gonna have to takeout the barracks.
He looked at Ying Tai and thenBoog.
Otherwise, Chin Yao's troopswill cut us to pieces.
What if I lock down the engineroom?
Boog stood up.
The engine room is heavilyreinforced.
Give me five men to assist, andI can lock it down so it won't
(29:29):
need to be defended.
Gecko nodded his head.
Alright.
We can defend the hospital, butI still think a group of us
should neutralize his troops.
He glanced up at Ying Tai.
She looked down at the deckwhere Boog had drawn his
imaginary battle plan.
Okay, but you'll still need helpgetting to the engine room.
A team will get Boog and hisfive men safely into the engine
(29:51):
room, and then head toward thebarracks.
The group seemed to murmuragreement, and Ying Tai looked
at the elevator car readout tocheck the elevator's progress.
Another five minutes.
She motioned to Dex and Gecko tofollow her as she drew away from
the main body of the group.
What's up, Dex asked?
There are a hundred things thatcan go wrong with this plan.
Two hundred.
Gecko said, smirking.
(30:12):
Aren't there always?
Ying Tai nodded her head.
Go pick out ten combat-capablemen or women we can count on.
Yep, you got it, Dex said.
They both moved off into thegroup.
Ying Tai looked at the ragtaggroup of ex-cons, most with
ill-fitting armor stolen fromthe mine.
This will take a miracle.
(30:47):
Moonbound is a pulse-poundingsci-fi thriller from the Exodus
series by Warson T.
Badger.
If you crave rebellion, highstakes heists, and lunar
warfare, this science fictionaudio drama will leave you
breathless.
Read the entire Exodus five bookseries.
(31:08):
Available wherever digital andphysical books are sold.
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