Beyond the Dark Productions - ‘The Strata’ - Chapter 9 | Original audio drama
William Turbett for Morton
Word count: 1300
Role: Supporting
Payment: $50 flat rate
Morton is the ambitious leader of a clan of mercenaries who inhabit the Deadlands, a bleak and unforgiving wasteland outside The Strata. He is intelligent, well spoken and has a keen understanding of what it takes to survive in such an inhospitable environment. He is pragmatic and even cynical at times. Although he is often quick to win strangers over with his charming demeanour, he is also known to be both methodical and calculating when he needs to be.
Under his guidance the clan has risen from a small band of desperate marauders into a large, well-organised group that rivals the most powerful clans in the Deadlands. After living hand to mouth for many years, squabbling over resources with other outcasts, Morton realised that the only sure way to survive was by strength in numbers. Using his abundant charisma, he went about recruiting outcasts from across the Deadlands. With Morton calling the shots, the clan worked tirelessly to establish an underground enclave where they could gather and store resources.
In recent times Morton has made a name for himself in the Deadlands and not everyone looks favourably upon his methods. He has adopted a hard and ruthless approach to gathering resources, oftentimes taking over smaller encampments by force. This has led to a number of violent confrontations and now the inhabitants of the Deadlands have become wary of Morton and his clan. For his part, Morton makes no apologies for these attacks - he simply understands that this is what it takes to survive.
(Calmly telling newcomers about the clan) “Us? We’re no one special. Just a community of like-minded travellers who occupy this region. We’ve banded together for our mutual benefit. Safety in numbers, I suppose you could say.”
(Upset, agitated as he addresses a subordinate who has failed to carry out a vital task) “I told you to check those units before you began the retreat! Clearly you did no such thing. They should have gone off minutes ago, and yet here we are still waiting!”
(Firm, flinty and hard-edged as he addresses the inhabitants of an encampment that he and the clan are invading) “Attention, residents of this bunker. My name is Commander Morton, and I’m in charge of the strike team that’s currently taking action against you. I’m going to keep this brief, so I suggest you listen very carefully to every word I have to say. Your facility has been found in violation of the laws laid down by myself and the clan council. As the rightful owner of these lands, the clan demands that certain obligations are met. Not only have you failed to pay tax or tithe as decreed by law, but you have also been found guilty of the assassination of clan officials on no less than fourteen separate occasions. This is a despicable transgression against the clan and must be punished to the full extent of the law.”
