4-14 I've Fallen Down

Pain. Pain is the great equalizer, the secret to life. From the time I was a boy, I learned to always inflict pain faster than my opponent, to never let pain guide my decisions, and always harness the pain for my own strength. The Great quake brought misery and death to a catless number of people, but it made me a god ruler of my domain, the greatest bounty hunter. Do you ever live? No one? No one dared run from TJ. Swinson except one. They call her the loan survivor, the savior of the refugees, But she is my greatest bounty ever. This is life on the changing Earth. Where are you headed? Boy? I want to get some air. Good back here versu Land. I will. Heard to believe this all used to be solid ground. Sure is Melvin Sanders? Just in case. Trouble on your mind? I yes, first time seeing the city. No, I saw it when it was still under federal control. Different place now, isn't it mature? Is what's up with the sun? And this ash? I heard? Yellowstone is erupted? But communications are down in the west right after the Mirk force has tooken. The radios went dead. The Denver yep to the West is. Free, free, free to do this. Hopefully law can be restored once the Feds have been taken out. It was nice met you, but I've gone to get back. Are you sure your name is justin case? Yeah? Why? You look a lot like someone I know you could be her son. The resemblance is so uncam Nope. Morning raised justin case. My mom passed when I was little. Look. I really happy to get back. I thought maybe you'd be swamped up with another handler. No, I'm gonna oh great boys. From here on out, we're heading north and to make ourselves rich. Where's Erica? Our team should have been here well before us. What happened, sir? I'm not sure what Merkley was up to, but Bennett didn't like it either. Something happened. I'll send out the scouts. Lieutenant Colonel, Sir Darren. How are your forces holding up? Bit sir, but we need to restock munitions staff. Star to Merkley be able to help you with that? I know, sir, but I can't find him. I haven't heard from him in a while either. Paul, I got nothing, Sir Stevens. Yes, Sir, find Merkley. You need to get these troops resupplied. Yes, sir, and Sir, I thought you'd like to know. Erica's daughter, Star is in the medcenter. Is she okay? Yes, sir, she had part of her earshot off. Oh damn, get me a radio. I need to talk to Bennett. Radio communications have becoming sporadic, Sir. They think it's because of the ash. Find me Merkley, I'll track down Erica's team. Yes, sir, how can I help you? Where Star? She's over on the left, Sir? Is any more of Erica's crew here? No? I haven't seen some. Should I be expecting to? I sure, hope? Carry on? Yes, sir, I got a bad feeling about this, Sir. I agree. It was weird that they would call for everything like that. And we haven't heard from them since. Now the feds are pulling. Out and high cold. What's going on? Can a guy come to check on a friend? Are my parents okay? They're headed back now, Thank goodness? How did they do? We're making progress on all fronts. Looking like you're feeling better. I didn't want to leave the battle to begin with. You did the right thing. You lose too much blood. You can't keep a clear head. That is not a good idea in a battlefield. As long as everyone is okay, then it was a good call. I'll let you know as soon as they get here. Thanks sir for checking up on me. Of course, we're headed home without Gerber. Don't worry. She'll pay for that, won't you. Girly, you don't need to. Anamore med center. Stars fight forward. I don't know why I had to sit all the way back here. I got us the vehicle. Shut up, Murcley, you. Shut up, Serge. I gave her to you guys, didn't I The Supreme General will put me in charge of the Western region now right, Carl. You'll get what's coming to you. And don't call me Carl. They all call you Carl. They're my friends. You can call me commander Great. Now, shut the hell up. We can do that. Pull over up here, mishap, Yes, Sir, put her mask on and get her out of the vehicle. TJ. Come on, Gurley, sulfessed good? Are you such a mouse? Surgery? That wasn't very nice, wasn't. We're gonna have to teach you some matters. Do you think you can fite me? Girly? You're not scared miss Wilder free. I'm going to DJ knock it off. The Supreme General want her to see this. Put her over here. Hello, this is L. Douglas Hogan, voice of T. J. Swinson. You can follow me at Amazon or go to Facebook dot com slash honor your oath. I look forward to seeing you there. Ron Ka. Team to the rear. We'll want to do. I'll get it done. That's the rowan back to the town square. Take out whatever is left. You hurt the man. Let's go, Daniel. There's a team of fats heading towards the school. Everything about the children. They don't want the children. They want me. Let's help. He's not here, look for me. Come here, boy, over my dead body. You will not hurt anyone ever. I can't. Reinforced my decided this way, sir. Let's take the children to my home and they will be safe there. Come on, guys, River is out there. We have to make sure the children are safe. I got them River, We go away. What are you doing? Come on the roads as roads cut off, we'll go to the shop. Mm boys, we're in the federal territory. Now, papers looks like you have a full load. Any other landowners in there. No, sir, who are your two young male friends refugee boys. I hired to help me transport the girls. Keep a tight lesha on those boys. If they're not with a handler, they'll end up the property of the Federal Republic of America. I won't let them out of my sight. You're free to go, just in time for the auction. Thanks you guys have heard him right. Unless you want to end up here forever, you better stick close. Well, welcome to Chattan, Newga. Here you go, sir. I was looking all that. Good job, Supreme General. Appreciate your efforts. Just doing my part. Their papers check out, Thank you, sir. How did we suddenly become slaves again? Johnny Central Region? No paperwork equal slaves. You boys stay here. I'm going to see if I can get a sale swot today we'll do. Stone no sunshine? What is going on? Excuse me, sir? What can I do for you? Son? What's going on? Where's the sun? Like that? Didn't you hear? Yellow Stone erupted? Little volcano? Yes, sir, the west side is buried in ash. Supreme General has abandoned it. There's nothing left. Thank you, sir. What the fuck Johnny, my whole family was there. I know, Dexter. I'm going to figure it out. How we're in the central freaking region. There's dark everywhere? Is everything okay? Here? Boys? Yes, sir, where are your papers? Our handler went to see if you could get a sales slot for the ladies. Keep your voices down or I will have to detain you. Is their problem? Yes, sir? Are you their handler? Yes, sir, papers. Here you are. Keep these boys under control. You sure wouldn't want to lose. Oh no, sir, thank you for correcting them. Good luck with the girls. They look fresh. Now what did I tell you to I'm sorry, sir. Get the girls moving, Yes. Sir, fine group of girls you got here. I'm expected to make a pretty heading. You're not wrong about that, Samuel. Check their teeth and measure their breasts. If you want to sell. The boys, they could make you rich. You know, I thought had crossed my mind, But I think I'll keep these ju around for a while. What are we doing here? To stay with me? He'll be breast too. We have one fine lady straight from the Din of the Blood Shirts. You'll start the din at fifty credits. You want to hear fifty five, fifty five, fifty five, sixty sixty. Let me hear it, let me hear it. Don't worry about that, think about all the credits these gonna make us. Look at her back. Doesn't it look like the letters TJ are cut onto her back? God? Oh, that's one of TJ. Swinson's girls. He is the finest bounty hunter in the Federal Territory. But that guy is a psycho and all his girls are used up. Don't ever buy one. She won't be worth the price you pay for her. He cuts his initials into her back. Yeah with a whip. Sounds like one sick dude. Here we go. Now, this girl is fresh from the West, beautiful with a strong bottle stretcher. Do I hear twenty five credits? I gotta get twenty five credits? Can I get thirty thirty? To that man in the corner? Can I get thirty five? Thirty five? Thirty five? Come on thirty five? So that game with the big news. I can't watch this. Go stand at the door. I'll finish this. I'm trucking. Thy faster. Back brother, help me up. I've followed down. This ship is crazy decks you're right. I had no idea it was gonna be like this. Why would they treat people like this? I don't know, but we need to find a way out of here. From fast we will. We're gonna eat good tonight. You boys ready to go spend? Some of these credits. Sounds good to me. Often far too. I can see. I'm chaffin. I faster. Back on me. It would soon. Brother help me. I've fallen down. Brother helped me up. I've fallen down. Hi. This is Sarah F. Papway, the creator of the Changing Earth series and the voice of Eric Moore. Visit Changing Our. Series dot com to explore the novels behind the drama and the survival knowledge behind the stories. Joined the Changing Earth Membership program and get one week early access to the show. We appreciate you helping the Changing Earth world go round. Visit us at www dot Changing Earth Series dot com. That's www dot Changing Earth Series dot com. Ted for sir? Can you hear me? Sir? Can you hear me? Air come back? Sir? Package has no part. The package has not arrived. Ten shit, what's wrong? I don't think Erica made it back. Let's go far your go I've got things under control here. We'll split up. We can't rely on the radio, So whether you find them or not, report back to the command and Cedelia. In two hours, we will find her. Eric Eric. Fence, Yeah, Fence, there you are. I've been looking for you too, everywhere. Fnce. What the hell happened here? Philip Hensley? Oh no, Kyle, they're all dead. Fence. Where's Erica? Vince? I don't know. My watch saved me. The bullet couldn't go through the vest and the watch. I think you got saved by much more than your watch. Look at your helmet. Oh shit, that's why my head's throbbing. You're lucky. A headache is all you have. What happened to Erica? Vince? Where's Erica? We made it through the fighting. We're ahead of the Sedalia Merkley, General Murkley, No, his fucking son, and those guys, those new recruits. We asked him for a vehicle to get Eric out, and he shot Philip. They shot all of us before we could even react, but not Erica. She's not here, Vince. I know. They took her pennant. Those pastors took her bennant. It looks like she got one of them. I don't remember this man, but he was killed with a knife to the chest, not a bullet. From the looks of that angle. It has to be someone small and stepped. There's a bar code tattooed on him, property of Froa. It's one of those new trackers. I'm going to write down the number. We gotta go find or. Vince. That's the wrong way. The first thing we have to do is give us some medical attention. Then they took her. They took her. We'll get her back, Vince. How did you know? I promise you we will get her back, and we'll do it together. But we have to get invote. And here she thinks I'm dead, Starr told me and Montana. When Erica thought I was going to die, she had never seen. Her like that. She was headed out to die the day you found her. We're not going to lose her. Events I promised I would protect her. Are those planes? How the hell can they fly in this They're heading for Denver. We can take them down. Where Where are they going? WHOA? I guess it didn't solve the problem completely. Where are they going? Put her on her knees? Watch do you know what that was. That was everyone you love blowing up in a ball of fire. Your husband is dead. Your son that mommy left behind at the homesteads is gone. It's only a matter of time until they find your daughter. We know right where she is. You see Erica. Your life is over. You are now the property of the Federal Republic of America. Bishop, do you have the tracker? Yes, sir, Hold still now, Taj. I need her arm. You heard the man. Be good, girly and give him your arm. Not a sound. She's got a high pain tolerance, sir. She doesn't even know pain, but she will. You see this the property of the Federal Republic of America. Your family is gone, and you belong to the Supreme General Nicholas Anderson. That is your life now, and the sooner you accept that, the easier your life will be. She doesn't local commediate, Carl, Look at it. Look out there. They're dead. I think she's going to cry. It's over. Stand her up. Let's go cool. Of her. I got her, I got pony jails me. Gray handles, get me more zips. Get over your purity. Nobody runs from me. Here's the zip ties. TJ. Put her back on her knees. She won't move, GJ. You should know, mister Bennick. The knees are easy targets. Kick them out and there's no choice. But in the end is a direct Gurly surgery. Put the ties on her legs. Cool? Where are you going? Gurly? Get back here? You are going to create that. Put her on her stomach. Do you like having air in your lungs? How about a knee in your bathroom? Can't you see old you'd like to run? Trying to run on. This is bullshit. Car. You don't let me have one strike at her so she understands what the penalties of her actions. She killed Gerber. You're just pissed because she knocked you on your tail. Get over it, TJ. She needs to know the pain, Carl, And you know what. The Supreme General said, TJO. Here and unbroken. Damn Carl, I'm not raping a girl. I just want to hit her one ricky time with Sheila. Fine, but just watch that chef search put her back on her knees. I do love watching Sheila. Or that's right, Sheila. We only get one step. She'll better be good. Nope, not yet, Sheila. She just freaking do. I said once, don't mess around, Dja, Supreme General, We'll put your heads next to hers. I'm sorry, I always mark my territory. That looks beautiful. How did you like that? Gurly? Come on, say something? Get her back in the car. Let's take that mask off and get a look at that pretty face. Does that feel good? Can you feel the blood running down your back? Come on? What does the Savior of the refugees have to say? Now? Wounded creature tales for you? Wills's bloody flank doing new? See? Lord, have mecy loadcy on a soul? Can he pay me? Does he come? See? What the hell just happened? I don't know? Oh, I get a static. We got to get back to the homesteads. What just happened? Bennett? I think they bombed the whole route vance all these people, the homesteads. We got to get you to a doctor. Sudden. I to stain. Thase. I'm i mos phoontic God, the emotion flick you and everything. No one could have got it beat. Talk for a little thing. We suprediction. Get to there. Wait a minute, then, what Vince the mit Siner's right up there? I know but I can't go in there. You can't either. For that matter, everyone will be asking where Erica is. She's gone, Vince, and you need a doctor. I know. But if we go in there and everyone finds out she's been captured, it might start dissension. Erica was just talking about the bigger picture. If everyone freaks out, it may really screw up the big picture. You're right, Vince. A lot of people joined the fight because of her. Cassidy died, and Eli's a fine leader, but Cassidy had charisma. If they found out Erica is gone, we could lose a lot of soldiers. Of course, Urgis comment first. Soldier, Sir, are you okay? Help me get him inside. Bennett, there you are. You got a cat in the back. He needs to go to the med center. Bennett, just rest fence. I'll get you a. Doctor, Stevens. Don't let him fall asleep. Yes, did you find her? Erica has been captured by the Feds? What? Oh? No, Vince needs a doctor. But neither of us can go in there without everyone asking us about Erica. If they know she's gone, how many will we lose? I'll go get one. There's a doctor named Stan that I know he came down with the mart forces. Find him, you got it? Where's Cassidy? She's dead, Cole. I'm sorry. She stood against the snipers and they tagged her. No, I feel Cole. I lost them both. They knew what they were getting into. What happened, Bennett? When Cassidy fell, they had his pant. Then the Fed started calling for us to hand over Erica. Berkeley gave his command coats. That's when I radiated you, and you gave the evat coats. They found staff Sergeant Merkley and told him they needed a vehicle before they could do anything. Merkeley and his men shot them all and took Eric. Erica got one of them, though. I found a tattoo on his arm with a barcode and this number. This must be their new refugee tracking system. How did they get her out of here? I don't know. Vince got shot in the head and chest. Thank goodness for ballistics and luck, but. He was out cold. First. Sergeant Bennett, how's the heck are you will? You can't be zet good if I'm. Here, We're in a pickle, Doc, who ease eat? Vince? He's back here? The Fed shot him in the head. His helmet stopped it, but it left a gnarly not and I don't think he's all there right now. They shot him in the chest too, but his dad's watch and his vest stopped it. There's Erica. That's why I ask for. You, Stan, because I know you are loyal to her. She was taken by the Feds. We're not sure how the people react, and we're going to try to keep it a secret for as long. As we can. Oh no, we've got to get Vince back on his feet. Let me go chick him out. Any communications yet, you've got nothing but static. The vigos are running because of all this damn ash. Even the once we converted the new air filteration system failed. I've got to get news from the homesteads. Michelle, Daniel and Nancy were there stars at the medical tent too. She's okay. I want to check on her. I didn't want to get her in stand at the same time, thought it might look too suspicious. I've got it. What are we going to do for now? You have to let him rest, But as soon as he's up, we have to get you guys out of here. You two are always with Erica. If anyone notices you and not her, it's over. I agree as soon as he's ready. Where is he in the back? Oh my gosh, Dad, are you okay? I'm okay started, He'll be fine. Let me finish my exper go on. Sure you got to live. Shute me down with. My gold is getting think of? Shut me down and shut me down? Check the har you peace did No? It was an ambush. No no, no, no no no. You don't keep your promises. Bennett. You didn't protect her, and now Kyle too. We will get her backstort. Oh baby, look at me, Swan tell me that you don't. We cray read it up. Fine, then you shut me down. What do you mean it won't start? It's to sir. Even with the modifications, the ash still clogged it up. What the hell is this? Markley? Sorry, sir, the scientist assured me it would work. It did for a while. Looks like we're having at now. Boys, get the girl and the gear out. You want her mask on? I think we're all good now. She's so limp, just like a rag doll. Bishop, you better take a look at the girly. Stand her up, lift her shirt up. With pleasure. In the back. Sure on, I might have to later. Now I could definitely use a woman right about now. A Supreme general said, pure and unbroken. Oh, come on, that's no fun. We have our orders, Merkeley. Grab me that jar of salve out of my pack. What is that? It's a special healing mixture. But it burns like a fire as a hell. Watch this. She looks fine to me. Impressive. I have to admit, TJ. That's a pretty good tea. And through her shirt. I almost think you could do it incursive. I could always try again. Now you cannot. You already did enough. Oh come on, Carl, you know this girl is going to earn it Jay eventually. Not now that we are going to need a chain. I got it. Here, drink this. That's enough. Here, TJ. We'll just wrap it around your waist like this is that rubbing on your back? No, let's make sure we get it nice up tight. There we go, nice and comfy. Where are we at the Bulls? We're almost to Texas. We'll start heading southeast when we cross the border. This is all Trader territory. So if we see anyone, she gets a hut. You got that, TJ? How did I get babysitting duty. You mark your territory right, Well, now you get the babysit that's okay. You just walk right out in front of me, and if I see that behind, move one direction other than the direction we're headed. There's going to be a little tiny tea on your buttcheet two. Isn't that right, Sheila? That would be a big broider, right, a little tea on the left side of the j on the right. I'll have to try that next time. Here, hold this like a groupio and alishe. H. Come on, girley, you're slowing down your shuffle. I could walk faster if my feet weren't tied together. Turn around. Nobody told you to stop walking. Turn around. We've walked for eight hours straight. We need a break. If we stop and eat now, we can do another eight before we sleep. Jikie, do wristal three miles of heat. Yum yum. You will over goo the wristal. I can't go three more miles at this speed with these things on. Stop? Turn around? What did you say? I can't go three more miles at the speed with these things on? You earn those remember they're your trophy to be worn with pride two more links. If I give you more links, what are you going to. Give me less time getting to the rest stop. You're so lucky you're going to the Supreme General. I usually get to have so much more fun with the female bounties I retrieve. See. That's why Commander Grace here to make sure you get back to the Supreme General on one piece. But marked by words. The General always loses interest in his toys, and then they go to the men when that day comes. Oh, I can't wait. Do I get the links or not? Girley, you better just give the girl the links, TJ. Her uncles are already bleeding and we may be walking for days. We need her healthy, or we'll have to carry her the whole way. If you insist, mister Medick, if. You kick me or pull any more of your tricks, I'll let TJ take you down to one link. Deal. Deal. Since miss whining girl got her links, we should be able to pick up the pace. Did he call me. Final place to sit out? You guys are crazy. We were just getting warmed up. Looks like a dog park with a pull too tight, a dog too Come on. Girdly dog wait, I have to go to the bathroom. You've only had sixteen ounces of fluid today and walked over twenty miles. There's no way you need to take a piss already. I really do. Oh, come on, give me the chain? Oh nasty, I kiss They have it cleaned it in a while. Go stand over there, turn around. Go aren't you going to turn around? Nope? Go pull your pants up and turn back around. Move smells good, doesn't it. You already got a reward today, didn't you what the extra links looks like all your rewards are used? Um, would you like to earn another one? Tell me TJ. I promised to never run from you. No, then no food? Was it? In? Salve is. Stuck between the bars? Strong hands collar? You can never go back? Don't you survive? Yeah? If your band yours? And then if you can't, forget take a quick podcast. Class. Let's get back auntie. Come on, curly. Gold let young one in. The eye. En to beat your record? D Oh, let's see not how I see old hug Let's see on her sad? Can he call me? Can it come for me? Oh? Let's see LOLd how see loads. See she's about to pass out? I'll kill your. Well, y'all? Can I. And waiting except. See Lord, let's see Lord, let's see on my soul. He called, hi, Dad, Star, where are we? We're in the command tent. Bennett brought you here? Oh yeah, Oh shit. We gotta go get her and the homesteads. One step at a time, Dad, take it easy. We can't Star. There is no time she thinks I'm dead. They shot me in front of her, remember Montana. Then we have to get to her. Now, what about the homesteads? No news yet? How long have I been out? About ten hours? The sun's just about up. What you guys? Let me sleep all night? Oh? We gotta get out of here. Dad, You need to rest. The hell I do. I'm going after Daniel and then I'm going to get an Erica. Let's at least get a meal in. You before we do. Chet, I'm fine, Stan. You have one hill of a conclusion. Want a broken rib above your heart? No? I have a broken heart because they took my wife. The faster I can get to the homesteads and make sure my son is alive. The quicker I can go and get her back here. Eat this. If you guys are going to walk, you'll need the nourishment. Yes, you're going to make the trip with him, right, Yes, sir, go get supplies from the mess. Make sure you have two days supply for each person. Yes, sir. Heard you were awake. Cole Cassidy, she I know Vince. She fought like a demon. That was something else to watch on that battlefield. Her brother would be proud. I just wanted the woman I loved to. Come home, don't we all? Okay, let's go here, Dan, let me help. I got it. Travel safely. You know where to find me. Take care, cool you, Tobe Hendrick. Of the. Fort, I can't see. I'm troughing up. I passed her. By. Come in, but see, brother, help me. I've fallen down. Brother, help me up. I've fallen down. Thank you for listening to the Changing Earth audio drama based on the Changing Earth novel series by Sarah F. Hathaway. Grab your copy on Amazon or get signed editions at Changing Earth series dot com. This content is copyrighted. For details on performers, sound effects, and music credits, visit Changing Earth series dot com, where you can subscribe to support the series and keep the adventure alive. 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