The Book of Occupation: Chapter Two

[JEFFERSON.] Previously on Black Lightning - [THE VOICE.] Name. - Maryam Luqman. I can blend into any environment. There is a clear and present Markovian threat, and until that is eliminated, consider this protective custody. There's no way I'm going on television and letting myself or this department become the face of your experiment gone wrong. You will follow orders. The experiments they did on me must have opened a door in me in some kind of way. This vision comes from within. Like, clearer. Markovians breached the compound. - Put Freeland on lock down. - Copy. A room full of scared meta children ain't a good combination. We'll get them through and across soon. Guys, come on. Let's go, quick. [SCREAMS.] [THE VOICE.] Describe your current condition. Bad. I don't know how long I can take it. I get muscle spasms all over. [TEETH GNASHING.] [SCREAMING.] [MARYAM.] I can't eat. I'm falling apart. Literally. I'm losing all my hair. I don't know what else to say except help me. Please. [STONE KILLER.] What's in the case? I don't know. How come the screen is blank? I can't turn it on. [STONE KILLER.] Then what do you want with it? The case belongs to Tobias Whale. It's important to him. I don't know where to find Tobias. But, as God is my witness, he'll find me if I got his. And I'll be waiting. It is my sad duty to announce that the five young service members who were wounded when the Markovians attacked the meta-human processing center have passed away. The Markovians learned of the processing center through the media. Consequently, all media inside Freeland has to be cleared with the ASA prior to broadcast within Freeland. The blackout for outside media will continue until further notice. No media goes out, and nothing comes in. The ASA will spare no effort to rid Freeland of this foreign nuisance and this department will give total and full cooperation. [PHONE WHINES.] Thank you. Good morning. This is Truthteller Johnson with your Resistance Alert. What Chief Henderson just said was straight up bull. The only ones responsible for anybody dying is the ASA itself. They've been doing our kids wrong for 30 years. Listen to what they did to this sister. [NICHELLE.] What they did was help Tobias Whale turn my child into a monster. And when he decided to stop and do the right thing, they killed him. They murdered my baby. [DISAPPROVINGLY.] At least disguise her voice. [TRUTHTELLER JOHNSON.] That's truth, people. And we won't stop telling it until Freeland is free. [INTERCOM PINGS.] Katie? [KATIE.] Unable to trace, sir. Sir, encrypted, eyes-only message from Langley coming on your screen. Give me Commander Williams. [KATIE.] Dialing now, sir. - You okay? - I feel awful. I'm worried about our daughters. [LYNN.] I keep reminding myself that Anissa's there. She's been helping out at the house since they brought you in for testing. I looked at her the other day, I realized she is all grown. Yeah, just ask her. You want to go through some of this data with me? Seriously? [STATIC BUZZING.] Why do you think Odell's letting you see that data? Huh? He's playing you. Odell can have his little agenda. But I'm not going to let these children die just because the ASA wants to exploit them. [SIGHS.] Strange. The testing is making you stronger. You think everything about me including my powers is strange. - What is that - What's going on? We can't hear anything in this room. You doing that? It's none of your business what I say with my wife. I'm just doing my job, Mr. Pierce. Get out of here. I'm about tired of all of y'all. Commander, we're gonna need some privacy if we're gonna stay here for an extended time. Of course. How long do you expect us to be here? - Can't say. - No, you mean you won't. I mean what I say, meta. Why does that sound like a curse word coming out of your mouth, man? Jefferson. [GRUNTS IN FRUSTRATION.] Commander, have our children been kept out of this as Odell promised? As long as they refrain from using their abilities they have been authorized to remain home. I want to talk to them myself. Can't do that. Though we have secure communications on this end, there's a remote possibility of tracing a call from your home. No, that is unacceptable. [SIGHS.] We have a teenage daughter, there must be a way. I'll have a secure phone brought in for you to record a message. - Thank you. - You're welcome. In the meantime, please follow me. Here. [SCANNER BEEPING.] Your new niche. I hope you'll be comfortable. It's been stocked with your favorite foods and beverages including your scotch and your red wine. Dr. Stewart, I'm glad you're looking at the data. We have four Green Light babies and two pod kids deceased with a dozen others not far behind. We could use your help. You've have the run of the set. Don't get lost. It's better. See how he made a point to let us know they know our habits. It's always about more and more power with the ASA. I've had it. [LYNN.] How can you be so certain? These people weren't scared of Tobias but they're scared of the Markovians. Doesn't that say something to you? What if the Markovians are some sort of pretext like the so-called weapons of mass destruction in Iraq? The ASA has been dogging Freeland my whole life. Now we only hurt ourselves if we help them weaponize these kids. What about the Green Light babies? And the pod kids? Look, listen to me. Now, if you don't help them, the ASA will see that they can't get their meta-human weapons here. Eventually, they will abandon their masterplan and leave Freeland. Eventually? You sound just as ready to sacrifice innocent children as Odell. Well, I'm not. [MEN SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY.] [CONTINUE INDISTINCTLY.] [EXHALES.] [IN RUSSIAN.] Quarantine be damned. We're still police officers. Sinzell Johnson. I want his grimy ass off the streets. Effective immediately, we are going to stake out every known whereabouts [COMMANDER WILLIAMS.] Listen up. I'm Commander Williams. Here under authority of martial law. Detective Sergeant King. Identify yourself. Take her. Wait. What? [HANDCUFFS CLICKING.] Why? We have intel that your officer is a Green Light user and a possible meta-human. King? [MAN.] Blackbird, are you okay? I'm fine. Don't worry about me. I heal fast, okay? Now we have a ways to go and I can't have any of you cramping up. Blackbird. Another group? - So soon? - Look, I had to. Is there a problem? Besides soldiers looking for them who are liable to shoot us or lock us up? Look, isn't it enough you already killed a dozen Perdi, - including my mother. - Okay, whoa, whoa, whoa. Wait a minute. You came to me then. We risked our lives taking on Looker and the Sange. We saved Perdis' lives including your babies. Yeah, and I still have babies. They don't need this trouble. None of us do. Well, I made a deal with your father, okay? Like I was saying, please make sure you are hydrated. I need you to make sure you have enough food in your system, we have a lot to do. [SIGHS.] Yeah, that was a good one. You know we have a doorbell, right? You don't appear to be in distress. Yeah, well, I just broke my microwave. Wasting food during food rationing is pretty tragic. I'm going to exempt your family from rationing. Mmm-mmm. Don't do that. We don't deserve to be above everybody else. I need you to accept that you do. You have unique gifts that require unique responsibilities. So unique perks are appropriate. Look, my dad would never Why are you here? The surveillance system crashed. That's 'cause I crashed it. It's creepy anyway, you watching me all the time. Okay, all right. Forget surveillance. Where's Anissa? She's in the shower. You wanna watch her too? We nev [SIGHS.] There is a video from your parents on this. They wanted you to have it and so do I. Why? [AGENT ODELL.] This is not fair. But it's necessary. I want you to know we're on the same side. If you, uh, need anything, anything at all, you can reach me on that phone any time, day or night. - [JEFFERSON.] Hey. - [LYNN.] Hi, sweeties. We're all right, okay? Perfectly fine. We're just here as a precaution. We'll be home soon. Okay? We miss you. - [JEFFERSON.] Love you. - [LYNN.] Love you. [VEHICLE APPROACHING.] There they are, right there. All right. [LALA.] Rayvon. What's good? [RAYVON.] Lala? Man, what, you going camping or something? That's some cool threads, man. [CHUCKLES.] You remember who gave you your start, don't you? Yeah, all you, bruh. [LALA.] It's time for you to start again. All y'all. And how we do that? We got tanks and troops up the ass. Soldiers need drugs more than anybody else. They stressed out. Yeah, but how? We ain't got no product. [LALA.] There's always a way. Even in the joint, there's product. Remember Sinzell? Yeah. He lost my money and went to the pen. Well, he got back. Right before the wall went up. He's running protection. He got a whole black market out here. Eleven blocks on lock. Then we take it back. Man, Sinzell's a whole beast out here with a dozen guns behind him. And all you got is, you know you. [SIZZLING.] [MAN GROANING FAINTLY.] Don't worry about it. [MAN.] Hey, can I get one more scoop of that, though? Make sure the line is moving. Olay? [BLACKBIRD.] We have to talk. Really, Anaya? Listen, I know you have to consider the safety of the Perdi. I don't want to bring any harm to you either. On top of that, our business is limited with Freeland's quarantine. So giving away all of this food Whoa, whoa, whoa! I paid for this food. We made a deal for safe passage through these woods. We need to establish some limits. We need Thierry, Anaya, people are in trouble. They need help. And the Perdi need to help themselves. Look, you took the money. There's more where that came from, but you're not backing out. Do you hear me? You are a guest here. You don't tell us how to do this. I will tear this place down. And you know I can. Am I threatening you? Hell, yeah! [RIFLE COCKING.] [CHOKING.] [GRUNTING.] Why did you hit him so hard? He could have been crippled for life. He could have been dead a lot longer. You're almost just as bad as the Sange. Test me and I'll be worse. Everybody eat. [SOLDIER.] Northwest perimeter is secure. [SOLDIERS CONTINUE INDISTINCTLY.] What the hell do you want? [DEVICE BEEPS.] Well, get in the car, man. [GRUNTS.] Do you ever run out of weird ass tech? I know you're working closely with the ASA. They have comm drives that can get through the firewall. All I need is one. Okay. Well, I don't want to go to Leavenworth for stealing one. Anissa is outside the perimeter. The ASA will put her in a cage if they catch her trying to get back in. And there's no way she stays outside with her family inside. With a comm drive, I can bring her home safely. - Otherwise - Look, that girl is my heart. I was there when she took her first steps. I cheered for her at her graduation, but I've got a wife to look after. And this job, it's more than a job. - I swore an oath. - Screw your oath! This is no time to be worrying about oaths. It's a matter of life and death. You think I don't know that? - Look - Get the hell out of my car. No, look. Hard times, hard choices. You're the only one that can help Anissa, the only one. What's it gonna be? [COMPUTING.] I'm so glad you're here, Dr. Stewart. I think I'm dying. No, don't think like that. I'm gonna help you, okay? You lost your hair your fingernails. Anything else? My eyes bleed. That must be scary. Your brain scans are almost normal. What's wrong with me? [SIGHS.] Human body wasn't designed to do what a meta can do. We know how to stabilize the cells but [EXHALES.] it doesn't last if you use your powers. [MARYAM.] Fine. I-I won't use them. [SIGHS.] The damage is already done. It's like a crack in a windshield. It keeps getter bigger until the glass breaks. No, I'm not going to let it get that far. [MARYAM BREATHES SHAKILY.] I promise. Okay? All right, all right, all right, all right. Don't you put your hands on me. Get off of me. Where's your Commander? What can I do for you, chief? You give back Sgt. King. That's a non-starter. [INSPECTOR HENDERSON.] Where is she? At the processing center. [INSPECTOR HENDERSON.] You mean that prison camp? [COMMANDER WILLIAMS.] Chief, I strongly suggest you watch your tone and keep your distance. I don't need your damn suggestions. You put a sworn police officer in a prison camp. She's a public servant with a perfect record on the force where I got problems out the ass. You snatch her up over some damn rumors about Green Light? [COMMANDER WILLIAMS.] My orders are clear and so are yours. I don't care about your fricking orders. I'm talking about some common damn decency. I'm the damn Chief of Police! [LOCK BEEPS.] [DEVICE CLICKS.] [CIRCUITS SCRAMBLING.] [INDISTINCT TALK.] - [MAN 1.] Ain't that your man? - [MAN 2 RESPONDS INDISTINCTLY.] Aw, hell, no! Y'all gouging the people? For food? For bread and crackers? For bread and crackers? This ain't right, man. Ain't none of this is right. The 100, the warrior class of Freeland and y'all out here fighting over crumbs? [VEHICLE APPROACHING.] Okay, okay. You owe me money. I'm taking all this back. [INDISTINCT SHOUTS.] Y'all thought I was just gonna let him talk all that? Huh? Move the truck to the next spot. [MAN 1.] Oh, hell, no. [MAN 2.] Damn. [MAN 1.] Oh, my God [MAN 2.] That did not happen. Damn! [TSKING.] [MAN 1.] Oh, my God. [FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING.] [ANAYA.] It's all set. We leave at sundown. That wasn't so bad, was it? And you have a bunch of temporary farmhands. No, you don't have a choice. I'm sorry, Thierry, but it is what it is. Maybe we can work something out. Just know we'll never trust you again. Yeah, I know. You better keep the promises. [GAMBI.] Anissa, are you reading me? Uncle Gambi? How did you make the call out of Freeland? I'm inside the ASA system. Look, I can bring you in anytime, sweetheart. But I've got some bad news. What is it? The Markovians have got special forces units patrolling the area around Freeland's perimeter. Looks like pathfinder units doing a pre-invasion reconnaissance. And I'm reading a patrol that's within spitting distance from where you are. No, if-if they find out where the Perdi farm is, it jeopardizes everything. Guide me to them. And there's another unit at six o'clock. Wait until they pass by. Now. [GRUNTING.] You're close, 15 yards. [GRUNTING.] [IN RUSSIAN.] [GRUNTING.] [GAMBI.] Get out of there, Anissa. [DIGITAL BEEPING.] [IN RUSSIAN.] Okay, I'm gonna need you to blast the plate and keep building your output. Maryam, I need you to blend with each hologram. Okay? Good. Keep going. Keep building. Little more. Good. That's good. Keep going. Keep building. That's really good. Keep going. More. - That's good. - [GRUNTING.] Little more. Keep going. Keep building. Okay. Maryam? Oh, my God. [GASPS.] Lynn, is she okay? I don't know. [MARYAM GASPING.] That's Khalil's drawings, aren't they? Yeah. Boy could draw. He actually did some of me. Look, check them out. Tavon, does it look like I want company? No. Wait. I'm sorry. Jen! I'm Jamillah Olsen inside ASA-occupied Freeland. Though the ASA has instituted a ban on all outgoing communication, and censorship on all communication inside of Freeland, this reporter will continue to exercise her First Amendment rights. Scores of people have been pulled off the streets by ASA troops and commandos. People resisting have been beaten and shot. ASA tanks and heavily armored checkpoints enforce the total isolation of Freeland with curfews and rationing inside it. Nevertheless, Markovia recently launched a daring attack on an ASA detainment facility resulting in ASA causalities. Meanwhile, a resistance has begun to arise and their symbol is a meta-human the people call Blackbird. It is perhaps the unanswered questions that are the most troubling. Where are the city's heroes, Black Lightning and Thunder? And what is the ASA doing with the pod kids and the Green Light babies? I'm Jamillah Olsen. [THE VOICE.] Name. Painkiller. [THE VOICE.] Confirm. - [THE VOICE.] Is your brain chip up and working? - Yes. - [THE VOICE.] Spinal implant functioning? - Perfectly. - [THE VOICE.] Legs? - Fully functional. - [THE VOICE.] List pre-installed software. - Human anatomy. Small arms marksmanship. Military history. Add a classical education. [THE VOICE.] Adding. [THE VOICE.] List new capacity. Master's degree level in Literature, Philosophy and Mathematics. Good. Commander Williams. Painkiller, what is your function? I'm a biological weapon system. Katie. Now. [AGENT ODELL.] This is your target. Terminate with prejudice. Yes, sir. Permission to speak freely, sir. Be brief. I believe it unwise to send the Painkiller asset to that particular target, first time out. The brain chip is in place and it's working. It hasn't been tested. This is the test. But having him kill his own mother? If there's anything that could reverse a mindwipe Meaning the brain chip doesn't work, but if he kills her Then we know it does. And can be applied as required for human and meta-human alike. Maryam? Hi. Uh Are you okay? No. No, I'm not okay. They told me to take a break and eat. But what's the point? I'm just going to throw it up. Yeah, I feel you. I felt the same way. Hold on. There. Now, we can talk privately. You have powers like Black Lightning's. Yeah, uh, kind of. Look, have you seen more like us? Mmm-hmm. They even make us fight. Really? [MARYAM.] People get hurt really bad here. But I guess we'll fall apart on our own anyway. I know one girl who lost her fingers and her toes. They just fell off. [STAMMERS.] Have you seen a 6' albino man? No. Okay, thanks. Make sure you get some rest. All right? Never underestimate the power of a good nap. I trust you're making progress? Some. Good. Help me out here. I've been reviewing data myself and I noticed a a spike in Mr. Pierce's neuron activity that correlates with an energy flux that we're reading at the lab. Can you tell me about this? [LYNN.] I've no idea. Neuron spikes and energy fluctuations happen all the time. [ELECTRICAL STATIC.] It's probably nothing. [AGENT ODELL.] Hmm. That's funny because [STATIC CONTINUES.] we're detecting the exact same energy flux right now. Mmm, this is good. I want to thank you for helping me with Maryam today. I-I really appreciate it. [SIGHS.] Her condition worries me. Well, I saw her. She seems to be recovering. You saw her? Yeah, I checked on her while you were in the lab. That was nice of you. It turns out I was right. The ASA has them fighting each other. Wait. You pumped a sick teenager for information? Do you even consider the kind of trouble she could get into? No, no. I threw up the static field like I use for our privacy. Yeah, "used" is the right word. You used Maryam because you just got to be in control, jeopardizing all of us in the process. Wait, wh-what're you talking about? I told you. - They-they couldn't hear. - They don't need to hear us, Jeff. They've got your energy signature. They know when you're using your powers. All I did was ask questions that you should be asking. Look, I think I understand what she's going through - a lot better than you. - No, you don't. You've had all the life experiences to deal with this. She hasn't. None of us know what she's going through. All I'm saying is I understand As for questions, I'm a doctor. I think I know what questions to ask my patients. But you're so convinced that everybody has to follow your lead, you're making this into something that it's not. Wow, Odell has finally figured you out, hasn't he? Guy's got you running and telling him anything and everything as long as he lets you play in the lab. I see Odell perfectly clearly and I am not "playing. " Tell me you weren't just talking to him just now behind my back. I don't need your permission to talk to anyone. No, you don't. Talk about me, tell him exactly how my powers work. Lights out. You should trust me. [KNOCKING ON DOOR.] Oh, my God! Oh, my God! I don't believe it! [SOBBING.] Thank you, Lord. Let me look at you, son. Khalil? Are you okay? Nichelle Payne? You don't know me. I don't need to. What's happened to you? How come you don't know your own moth [GASPS.] [GASPING.] Oh, God [NECK SNAPS.] [BELL RINGING.] [INDISTINCT CHATTER.] Stop, stop, stop, stop! Yo, just 'cause we're in here like animals does not mean we have to act like it. [ANGRY BOOING.] Can we please hold on to our dignity? Damn, hold on to something? Hey, shut up, bitch. You're next. [STUDENTS.] Ooh! Y'all are the bitches. And believe me, this ain't a problem you want. Hold up, hold up! Where you goin'? Come back. [SCREAMS IN PAIN.] [GRUNTING.] [STUDENTS.] Ooh! [BOY.] Get up, come on, get up. [GRUNTING.] [STUDENTS CHEERING.] Stop! Stop! I guess we can't hold on, huh? Everything's different now. And so am I. [ALL LAUGH.]