We're Alive

We're Alive: Descendants - Chapter 16 - Train Through the Pain - Part 3 of 3

24 min
May 20, 202511 months ago
Listen to Episode
Summary

This episode concludes the train infiltration sequence of the We're Alive: Descendants audio drama, where characters Nicholas and Vera successfully board a moving train by jumping from an oak tree, then navigate the passenger car while maintaining their cover as UA contractors. The episode intercuts between their dangerous train heist and a parallel training sequence where Vera undergoes weapons combat testing with Vincent, culminating in a confrontation with Vincent's father, a mysterious enforcer figure.

Insights
  • Improvisation under pressure is critical—the characters adapted when their tree-blocking plan failed and jumped onto a moving train instead of waiting for the next one
  • Cover stories require active intelligence gathering—the characters learned to listen and fill in details from other passengers rather than relying on pre-planned narratives
  • Authority figures in this world operate with hidden hierarchies and enforce rules through intimidation and physical demonstration of power
  • Training sequences reveal character development through conflict—Vera's resistance to authority and Vincent's role as enforcer create tension within family structures
Trends
Audio drama production quality and narrative complexity continue to drive engagement in the sci-fi/post-apocalyptic fiction spaceMulti-threaded storytelling that intercuts action sequences with character development and world-building expositionEmphasis on practical problem-solving and improvisation as core character competencies in survival narrativesExploration of institutional power structures and enforcement mechanisms in fictional societies
Topics
Undercover infiltration tacticsTrain-based action sequencesCover story development and social engineeringCombat training and weapons proficiencyFamily hierarchy and authority structuresCharacter interrogation under duressInstitutional enforcement and punishmentSurvival strategy and risk assessment
People
Casey Wailand
Writer and director of We're Alive: Descendants series
Vincent
Character serving as combat trainer and enforcer; son of Angel Tenudo Senior
Vera
Protagonist undergoing weapons training and combat testing; daughter of Vincent
Nicholas
Protagonist infiltrating the train alongside Vera under false contractor identity
Angel Tenudo Senior
Mysterious enforcer figure and patriarch who intervenes in Vera's training; known as 'Angel of Death'
Oliver
Character referenced as patriarch figure; provided supplies to Nicholas and Vera
Quotes
"What you see is what you get with me. Well, I find that very refreshing after all the boys should lay me."
VeraEarly in episode
"You know, I'm going to miss this car. Eh, we banged it up enough. Next one we fix up and go cruising in will be Jerry."
Nicholas and VeraBefore train sequence
"This is a box car. Only car go in, so I don't think so."
VeraAfter boarding train
"You've been spillin' my flesh and my blood on the floor and my own house."
Angel Tenudo SeniorFinal confrontation
"I'm the angel of death. And, uh, well, if that don't ring any bells, I'll fucking angel, tenudo."
Angel Tenudo SeniorEpisode conclusion
Full Transcript
Construction shapes our communities. It's why the industry's most innovative companies trust ProCore's leading technology partner for every stage of construction. We know that anything is possible when we build together. Learn more at ProCore.com. We get it. Making tax digital can sometimes feel daunting. But with zero's HMRC recognize software, you quickly get to feeling confident. If you're a sold trader or landlord whose income tax is going digital, not only is zero MTD ready, it also gives you better control of your finances, like having the clear financial visibility you need every quarter to avoid end-of-year tax surprises. Change the way you see MTD. Search MTDReadyWithZero. We're alive. Descendants. Written and directed by Casey Wailand. Chapter 16. Train Through The Pain. Part 3 of 3. No. No. No. No. No. No. Don't know what I expected. No. No. No. No. How long has I been? Just a little while. Don't worry, man. I have this handle. No. You didn't know where we... You had to go, because I had the roads. I had them memorized. I had it... You good now? This is... We're headed the right way. I remember what highways you said. If I got lost, I would have woke you up. Don't worry. Okay, wow, wow, that sleeping really helped. It's no tired, but I needed that. This is... It's working out. You know? You got my back. It's not going to stop me. In mine. Or anything like that, right? Like Vincent? Or Dean? Dean? Who's... Oh, that's... That's the guy... No, no. No, I wouldn't do that. What you see is what you get with me. Well, I find that very refreshing after all the boys should lay me. Thank you. For being you. Hey, we're not that far now. Yeah, I know. Should probably put on those UA contractor uniforms. How much time do we have? An hour, maybe. All of us said that the train comes through the city in the late afternoon, so it arrives in the Republic before dark. There isn't an exact time, so we just need to be ready. Oh, look. I've a loose ass one mile. We made it. We made it. Yeah, yeah, I'm right we did. Now, we just need to figure out the best spot to try to get on board. So, how does yours fit? Yes. The uniforms a little tight, Chris, but I don't think anyone will notice on the train. Just two contractors from the UA, on a special assignment. That's right. Oh, stop, stop, stop, stop, there. I think this spot will work. Look, there's an overhang of oak trees above the track to jump down from. I think it's a little tight, but it's a little tight, but it's a little tight, but it's a little tight, but it's a little tight, but it's a little tight, but the same happens here. All right. All right. All right. Oh man. Climbing more trees. None of the buildings are close enough to the tracks. There's no other place to jump from. You want to get on this train, right? I mean, yeah, hell yeah, I do. Okay, then if it's a passenger train, it's not like we can come from the sides. Someone will see us through the windows so the only way possible is from above. I know, I know. I get it. I just don't like it. Me neither, man. I just need to figure out how to pull another tree onto the tracks. You really think that they're going to stop for this? Oh, I mean, if they think it'll derail the train, they'll have to. Can you imagine getting stuck out here? Yeah, that could be us. Just pick one. Okay, well, it needs to be a decent amount of distance from our jump points. And there, there, the dead Hickory tree on the right. Drive the car over there. I'll get the chains ready. You know, I'm going to miss this car. I felt like it was our own. Eh, we banged it up enough. Next one we fix up and go cruising in will be Jerry. That's what they say about cars. Yeah. I like the sound of that. Okay, okay. Oh, you know, I wonder if... Well, what are you doing? I'm checking if I can hear anything on the steel rail. It might be able to hear the vibration of the train coming. But the car's too loud. All right, well, well, here then. Oh, shit. Oh, shit. Oh, shit, start the car. Hurry! Well, wait, you heard it? Yes, yes, whoo! Okay, chains are on. Drive, drive! Come on. We got to move, Nick! Working! Uh, I'm not going to be able to fix that. Well, is the Hickory tree on the tracks enough? Will that work? I sure hope so. Put it in neutral. Chains are clear. Push! Ugh! Okay, that's good enough. Climb the oak tree. We need to get above it now. Oh, man, I can't. Get a good grip on the part. We, uh... Oh, we have broken the supplies that Oliver gave us, right? Oh, yeah. Yeah, here. Okay, give me a boost. I'll tie it off when I get up. Yergh! Ugh! Ugh! I need to get higher. Someone's going to see me down here. Drop the rope, man! Okay, climb, climb! Man, that was close. I don't think anyone saw me, but the train is right there. Okay, you ready? It should only be a few feet to jump down to the roof, right? I don't know, maybe. I don't know what this train is like. So, boy, okay. We'll see when it stops for the downhickory tree. Here it comes. Um, uh, well, isn't it be slowing down? Yes. Yes, it should. Well, it's not... It has some plow on the front. A cow catcher. The tree's not going to do anything. Well, the tree's gone now, and it's not stopping. Okay, um, do-do-do-do-do-wee wait and try again for the next train, or do we jump? Oh, jump! Do you jump or I jump? We both jump. I'm not saying behind. Oh, my gosh. Okay, okay, okay, okay. Okay, together. Ready? Okay, set. Go! Go! Go! The End Descendants will continue after a word from our sponsors. At New Balance. We believe if you run, you're a runner. However you choose to do it. Because when you're not worried about doing things the right way, you're free to discover your way. And that's what running's all about. Run your way at NewBalance.com slash running. Construction shapes our communities. 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Package holidays you can trust after a night are protected, subject to availability of ambitions. And now we continue with descendants. Set, go! I got you! Oh my god! Oh my god! Don't let go! Black guy would do that! There we go. That was so risky. I lost my MP5, my gun. That doesn't matter now, okay? We need to get off the roof. Crawl this way, we can get down between the cars. You think someone hurt us? This is a box car. Only car go in, so I don't think so. Help me down here. Yeah. Is it safe down there? We are so lucky. Get down here. Oh, no way. The very next car was the passenger one. Someone would have heard us jump on for sure. Should we go in there? Anyone see us? Nope. Perfect. We are right next to the bathroom. So sneak inside to the latrine. No one's looking. Go! Go! No one's all. The car is pretty empty. We're lucky. Yeah, I can't even believe that we made it. Yeah, but I lost my rifle, but I'm so sorry. Well, I didn't see anyone carrying weapons around anyways. I should probably stash mine. Up here, hemmy rifle. I'll stash it in the ceiling. Here. And there. The mod of pistol is small enough. I can keep it in my bag. You don't think they'll search it, do you? I have no idea. Oh, you definitely want to keep that covered. Your guardian mark on your wrist? The barcode will really give you away. Damn, you're right. I'll keep it under my sleeve. Good luck and I will. No, come on. Okay. You go first. Find a seat near the back. Got it. Oh! Hey, sorry. I didn't know anyone was... Oh. So... Hi, we were just... Yeah. Hey. Listen, no judgment here, man. But I'd be careful with that sort of thing. Once you get to the Republic, they kind of look down on you know. Right, right. Yeah, thanks. Good looking out, man. Totally, yeah. Wow, this was embarrassing. I can come back later if you... Oh, no, no, no, no, no. We were done, I mean... Look, go right ahead. It's all yours. Oh, I think I'll get a puke. Hey, okay. That's insulting. No, no. I'm not that ugly. No, no. That's not what I was saying. Almost getting caught, nearly falling off. Can we just have a seat? Look, he was just another contractor. Look, there's a bunch on the train with the same uniform as us. This was damn near perfect, will. Okay. Well, if everything else goes right, Hey, I could live with 50-50. Oh, heads up. Hey, uh... By the way, do you know where you two are going to get assigned? We... We weren't told yet. What about you? Dias Air Force Base. Middle and nowhere. But I heard it's a good gig. What do they have you doing exactly? Being assigned a squadron maintenance, so... Anyway, nice to meet you guys, Chris and Jess. Well, hey, good luck out there, guys. Yeah, you two, man. Okay, we didn't think about cover stories, did we? I was more worried about getting on the train. Not really the next part. Well, Chris, we better start figuring it out now, before the Republic. And then we got to figure out how the hell we're going to make it some pegs at that Lachigia place. You've, uh, never been there. The Republic? Nope. So, we need to get our story straight before then, for sure. How are we going to do that? Uh, well, we already got a little info from that guy in like 60 seconds of talking to him. I say we move around. Listen in, pick up what others are talking about and fill in our own details. If anyone asks us questions, you do the talking. Here, obviously, the smooth one. And you're the smart one. So, this won't be too hard. Compared to what we just went through, this is nothing. Easy for you to say. Okay. Um, I think I'm good now. After you. Alright. Let's see what else is on this train. The train is on. Did you protect it, Gearfit? Little big, but I'll deal. You've been doing very well today. Just one more module. Bladed weapons. Finally, one of these I actually have a chance with. Eh, maybe, maybe not. Vincent, you're in charge of this one too. What can I say? I'm multi-talented. In a way, this is perfect. Here, take yours. A foil, really? Like for fencing? That's the weapon we're using. Safe for this way. Training rules. These are tiny. There's no weight. No one would ever really fight with this. Why not use real blades? I don't want anyone getting hurt. Why afraid of what might happen to you? Huh. Fine. Go get your katana from the rack. I have a rapier I can use. I warn you, it's blade is quicker. If you say so. Better be careful. I'm not all drugged up this time. This isn't a pissing contest. As long as you follow my lead and show them you know what you're doing, I'll just sign off and you can move on. What if I don't want to? Then someone could get seriously hurt. You know, I was holding back before, and we did this in prem. So was I. Dark me, then shock me, and now you think I'd let you cut me? You know, you might actually thank me eventually. Being brought here, getting to know your true nature, your family, becoming one of us. We'll see about that. What do you really think you're going to teach me here? You might be surprised. Fencing masks down. Now, you want to lead with... I already know the basics. And the counter attack? Next lesson. Footing? What do you think? Easy now, others are watching. I expect them to. Hey, now, that one almost got me. You have to expect to get a little hurt in training, right? Okay, then. You ready to begin? What? What are you talking about? We have. Where are you from? Does that matter? Lie. We're really doing this. Try again. Confident with specifics. Who are you? You think this is funny, don't you? I don't. Lie. Okay, what the fuck? Is this really necessary? Only when I think you're lying. You said you're a nomad, but who are you? Really? Just Vincent. Lie. Would someone stop this? Seems like they don't care. I'm warning you, Vera. This isn't funny. Why did you bring me here? To become one of us. Lie. Fuck! This armor isn't meant for those kinds of attacks. I know. You better start telling the truth. I fucking am. Why did you really bring me here? I... Because I know I would look good. Give me a chance to move up. Was that so hard? Again. No. I'm done with this. I want to drop that if I were you. You can't be serious. Holy shit! What were you doing before Nakoma picked you up? My task! Lie. It's the truth! Then what was your task? Gathering until I'm Lake Matthews. Lie. Oh shit! God damn it! I'm only gonna ask one more time. What were you doing outside of Westport? Fuck you. That's it. That's enough! The hell do you think you're doing? I had this handled. Yeah, I can see that. Get on your feet, boy. When'd you get here? This morning, luckily just in time. Now get up. I'm fine. Just get up. Not another word, idiot. You'll fix yourself. You'll bleedin' all over the place. And from an initiate, it's disgraceful. An embarrassment. Vera, that wasn't smart. Who the hell is this? Who the hell is this? Vera Zhang. I'm sorry. What was that? You're gonna have to speak up into my good ear, please. Vera Zhang. My daughter. First, so we need another cocky blackbird running around here. Out of care for your, bro. I should clock you one for using real blazing training. You know that? Five? Why does he have five rings? Oh, it doesn't even know our past. Has no respect for her elders and breaking the fucking rules. She's definitely your daughter, that's for sure. Excuse me? I was about to step in. But you didn't. Did you? Thankfully I got here in time. Stop your kid from making my own. If I was a few years younger, I'd pick up that blade and show you how to use it. Maybe I still should. Excuse me? Your Vincent's dad? That's right, Missy. You've been spillin' my flesh and my blood on the floor and my own house. I thought Oliver wasn't charged. He may be the patriarch, but I'm still in charge of my household. Your atchism? Please. No way. We only married into them. You wanna know who I am? Some of the unlucky ones, they know me as one of the enforcers. That's right. The angel of death. And, uh, well, if that don't ring any bells, I'll fucking angel, tenudo. Sign. To be continued in the next episode of Where Alive Descendants. And now a word from our sponsors. You've been listening to We're Alive Descendants, produced by Wailand Productions, written and directed by K.C. Wailand, starring Ditton Gilbert as Nicholas. Hagen Cho as Vera. Michael Ursu as Vincent. Sam Skolnik as well. Hussuz as Oliver. Paul Benvicta as Angel Tenudo Senior. And I'm Michael Swan, additional voices by Ibrahim Kourashi. Phil Mieto. Nassaka Malenba. Shannon Zimmerman. Hero Carlisle. Amy Newman. Eric Daines. Cade Holdbrook, produced by K.C. Wailand, editing and sound design by Gino Jang. Additional editing by Ryan Liu. Traylor editing by Vicky Lucas. Post-production supervisor K.C. Wailand. Original music by Robert Mai. Theme music by Danny Berkov Hopkins. Score assistance by Evan Tomani. Recording and engineering by Wailand Productions. Sound engineering by Gino Jang and Victoria Chang. Script supervisors Gino Jang, Aaron Rydon, Kelsey Hughes. And Lynn McKayla. Audio production manager Dmitry Kio. Associate producers Jace Holden, Mistress Zeneca. Raul Miller, John Grills, Mandy Arndt, and Christoph Flaputka. Co-produced by Rusty Quill, executive producer Alexander J. Nuh. Chief marketing officer, Kalam Dowerty. Marketing assistant, Hadi Quinn. Network liaison, Tom Park. Thank you to the following Kickstarter backers. Melanie Referzo, Daniel Tasha, Chloe Seaman, and Adam Richendolle. For more info about the show and a complete list of cast and crew, visit us at www.WirLive.com. Access exclusive content and lore on our Patreon and follow us on social media for regular updates. Special thanks to our patrons and Kickstarter backers for making this series possible. This has been a theater for the mind by Wailand Productions. At New Balance. We believe if you run, you're a runner. However you choose to do it. 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