The Book of Occupation: Chapter Three: Agent Odell's Pipe-Dream

[JEFFERSON.] Previously on Black Lightning The Markovian War is coming. Every meta-human in Freeland is in danger. Markovians breached the compound. Put Freeland on lockdown. There is a clear and present Markovian threat, and until that is eliminated, we cannot allow you to leave. Or you, Dr. Stewart. I picked this up a few moments ago. That's Grace. I'm a reporter for Clap Back News. You always come to bars lookin' for stories? I don't usually do this kind of thing. I'm not judging. The case belongs to Tobias Whale. He'll find me if I got his. Ask him again. What's in the briefcase? Odell was sent to Freeland to follow three orders. Obtain all meta subjects. Turn the metas into weapons. And clean the Freeland project of anything and anyone who could link POTUS to the program. - I thought you came to kill me? - I did. [COMMANDER WILLIAMS.] Sergeant King. Your officer is a Green Light user and a possible meta-human. King? [AGENT ODELL.] The brain chip is in place and it's working. It hasn't been tested. This is the test. Look at you, son. Nichelle Payne? How come you don't know your own moth [GASPS.] [THE VOICE.] How many martial arts do you know? Wing Chun. Aikido. Kali. Wrestling. [GRUNTS.] Western boxing. Judo. Tae kwon do. Jujitsu. [SCREAMING.] Muay Thai. Silat. - [BONE CRACKS.] - [SCREAMING.] I've mastered 23 different martial arts. Did you know that if you apply enough force at the right angle, you can snap both the fibula and tibia with one strike? Or a twist? Mastering 23 different marital arts seems extreme. Uh, there's no extreme in war. And, "To kill the grass you must kill the root. " Pol Pot. You're quoting someone who killed 10% of the population of Cambodia? 25%. Pol Pot killed 25% of the population of Cambodia. [JENNIFER.] Uh-uh, you ain't gonna creep up in here like you haven't been out all night. You're awake. Of course I'm awake. You're gallivanting all over Freeland having fun, not checking in. You don't even have your phone on, Anissa. How was I supposed to make sure you were okay? Why are you smiling? - No, it's just - Is this funny to you? No, no, it's just You sound just like Dad. Well, the next time you think you're gonna be out all night, why don't you just pick up a phone and send a text? Let me know you're all right. - I got it. - Do you? I do. Okay, look, I spent the night with my friend Jamillah. I promise that the next time I think I'm gonna be out all night, I'll check in with you and let you know that I'm okay. - Okay? - Thank you. [LAUGHS.] That's all I wanted. Sheesh, come here, give me a hug. Mmm-mmm. I ain't hugging you. - I said, come here. - [LAUGHING.] [SIGHS.] God, you get on my nerves. [SIGHS.] I know, but I'm tired, please, don't bother me. Good night. Good morning. You see the sun out? And who's Jamillah? - Good night. - [JENNIFER LAUGHING.] Oh. [MALE GUARD.] Quiet down. [GUARDS TALKING INDISTINCTLY.] What is all this about? Precautions. Precautions for what? There's some type of virus going around. People are getting sick. - How are you holding up? - I'm a cop in jail. How you think I'm holding up? I'm sorry. It's just Whatever is going around, I got it, too. [CRYING.] You want me to get a doctor? I already seen two. They have no idea what's wrong with us. Well, I'm sure they'll figure it out. I don't know about that. You know, you could've told me you were a meta. It wouldn't have changed anything. No, I couldn't. Because then you had to choose between helping me and turning me in. I would never put you in that position. Look, I need you to do something for me. Anything. In my service locker, there's a false bottom. In it, there's a key to a safe deposit box. I'm sorry. I saw an opportunity. They were criminals. So are you. I know. I'm sorry, but I took that money for a moment just like this. I need you to give that money in that safe deposit box to my husband. If you don't, my family will have nothing. [CLICKS TONGUE.] Thank you. [BREATHING SHAKILY.] - Oh, man. - Hey. Oh, I'm having another one. - Hey, hey! - [GROANING.] We need some help over here. Right now! [GUARDS SHOUTING.] Get over here, we need your help in here. [WOMAN.] Take her vitals! [DOORBELL BEEPS.] Enter. Hello. - Sorry to disturb you. - What do you want? There is a problem at the meta camp. And, um, I We need Dr. Pierce's help. What about what we need? A virus has broken out. That's what happens when you pack people into a high-density environment with inadequate infrastructure. I haven't stabilized the pod kids yet, and my husband asked you a question. This disease is only affecting the metas, and it appears to be fatal, so it takes precedence over the pod kids. If you help me solve this problem, I will do everything in my power to address your needs. Mmm-mmm, I don't believe you. The only reason you're here is because you can't afford to lose more metas. Yes, that is correct. And although we disagree, we both want the same thing. To save these people. This disease is so virulent that if we do not find a cure soon, every meta in Freeland could die, including your daughters. So you gonna help me or not? What are the symptoms? [JAMILLAH.] Authorities are chasing Blackbird in response to reports that she freed several suspected metas from the ASA. [MACHINE GUN FIRING.] Again, I'm Jamillah Olsen, and I'm here at the perimeter where ASA commandos have Blackbird cornered. I'm gonna see if I can get closer. [MACHINE GUN FIRING.] Dibs. Do you know who Jennifer Pierce is? [JENNIFER SCOFFS.] "Dibs"? - Really? - Yeah. You're still mourning your dead boyfriend, so - Yeah. - Uh-uh, that was unnecessary. Sorry, but it's true. - Hey. - Hey, are you Jennifer Pierce? No, I'm not. - Who's asking? - I'm Brandon. I'm new. I'm getting bussed here because of the occupation, and I was told to ask Jennifer Pierce for a tour. Told by who? Are you Jennifer? Maybe. Well, the people at the front desk, they said no one knows Garfield better than you. - Is that right? - Yeah. Follow me. Hey, what's going on with all the guns? They're here to keep us safe. - From what? - [SCHOOL BELL RINGING.] [DOORBELL BEEPS.] [SIGHS.] Enter. We have reason to believe that Dr. Jace is just outside the perimeter with Markovian troops. We've sent several ASA commandos to do recon, but they were captured. - Oh, that's too bad. - Luckily one of the majors dropped a tracking device before they were abducted. The Markovians are on the outskirts of Freeland, and they are marshalling their forces. This threat is imminent. - What's that? - Why don't you open it and see? It's a watch. Try it on. Like I have a choice. - Doesn't work. - Run some current through it. Oh, hey, it tells the time. Great, thank you. It does a lot more than just that. That watch has more technology in it than the space shuttle, but it can only be activated with your unique skills. But all I see is a watch. Hmm. Why don't you try to hit it with around ten volts and see if your perception changes? - But that'll fry it. - Will it? Okay. I'll humor you, okay? Ten volts. Wha This is the reason why we have you here, why we're testing you, why we're putting you through so much pain and struggle. - Oh. - It's so we can create tech that will help all metas to live better. The Markovians are planning on killing or capturing all of the metas in Freeland. I cannot stop them without your help. If you help me with this, you can go home and be with your daughters. [SIGHS.] Well, damn. [INSPECTOR HENDERSON.] This is bad. Yeah, it is. Some of these officers have been serving Freeland for decades. They shouldn't be treated like this. Well, they've been registering and testing regular folks for the meta gene for the past month. Why should y'all be any different? Excuse me. William Henderson? Yes? I have orders to put you through the registration process. I'm the chief of police. We are aware of that. We still need to get you registered and tested. If you could get in line, we'd appreciate it. Thank you. Okay. You should feel hydrated in a few hours. And these are for your arthritis, high blood pressure, heart disease, and bladder function. [TOBIAS GROANING.] What's happened to aging gracefully? Privacy, please. I guess it's true what they say, youth is wasted on the young. I know how you feel. I take 18 different pills a day. Your body has reverted to its natural age and is experiencing withdrawal from the serum that's kept you virile for the last 30 years. They tell me that coming off of that serum is ten times worse than kicking heroin. Where's your truth, boy? We had to let Issa go. So you killed him? [CLEARS THROAT.] Makes sense. I'd have done the same thing. Can't have some kid running around knowing about all your dirt. Tell me, Agent Odell. Did you smoke him yourself? You did, didn't you? [CHUCKLES.] [CLEARS THROAT.] [COUGHING.] I knew you did. We both know it's your fault that Issa is dead. You didn't want that boy dead, you shouldn't have put him in there with me. Point taken. Well played. But from now on, you will be dealing with me. And I promise you, you will tell me where I can get the information from that briefcase. - [GROANS.] - Oh. You know I just realized [SCOFFS.] you You haven't been out of your cell in over a month. I owe you some time in the sun. Open. [GRUNTS.] My understanding is that one minute in this concentrated UV light is like an hour on the beach. If only you were more melanated. [GROANING.] Let me know when you're ready. [SCREAMING.] [CONTINUES SCREAMING.] You know, I'm really digging that jacket. Yeah, whatever. I don't usually see black kids wearing $1,000 shoes. I don't see what being black has to do with it, but Really? Race influences everything in America. Say it doesn't, then you're either lying, or you're too naive to be alive. Well, then I guess I'm naive. I really believe the content of your character determines how far you go in life. [SCOFFS.] I know you didn't just quote Martin Luther King to me. Yeah. - I think he was right. - Okay, first of all, that's not how the quote goes. It's, "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged" [BOTH.] "by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. " Yes, I was paraphrasing. And second, that was a dream, okay? It wasn't reality. Well, you have to admit things have gotten better. [LAUGHS.] What Pollyanna-ass school did you come from? - Springbrook. - Springbrook. Okay, well, things at Garfield are done a little differently than Springbrook. To the right is where my ex-boyfriend attacked the school and sent over a dozen kids and teachers to the hospital. - You're making that up. - [SCOFFS.] I wish I was. This is the classroom where my sister and I got abducted by a drug dealer at gunpoint. Do you give this tour to all the new students? Yeah, pretty much. And that's the gym where they had the prom I couldn't go to because a gangster named Tobias Whale ripped my boyfriend's spine out of his back before he could ask me. I don't even know what to say to that one. You could say thank you for the tour. - Thank you for the tour. - You're welcome. [SCHOOL BELL RINGING.] [GRUNTING.] I need you geared up and ready to head out at 0900. May I ask the nature of this mission? We're hunting Markovians. Should I bring the full kit? You should bring as many weapons as you can carry. Did you know that you can cause a lethal disruption of the heart's rhythm with one fatal blow? It's like hitting a person with a defibrillator. Can you do that? Yes. It's called commotio cordis. Oh. You should add that to your repertoire. I already have. You know you didn't have to come. I wanted to. It's a good look for the current chief of police and next mayor. It shows that you care for your family. That you care for the citizens of Freeland. Well, I don't know, Veretta, I'm supposed to protect Freeland. But I feel like I'm failing. You only fail if you quit. I'm not gonna quit, but look around you. This is not good. Excuse me, Chief Henderson. - Yes, ma'am? - I need to speak to you. - How can I help you? - When is all of this gonna stop? Well, unfortunately, ma'am, I don't know. All we can do right now is try to make this as painless as possible. Does this look painless to you? Now, hold on, this isn't his fault. It's okay, Veretta. I asked you the question. Does this look painless to you? No, ma'am, it does not. You told us that you were going to give us a police department that we deserved. You said that you were going to look out for us. We finally got a black man in charge of police, and this is what we get? Things are worse now than they were when white folk ran it. You should be ashamed of yourself. - [OFFICERS.] Ma'am. - Who do you think you are? - [OFFICERS CLAMORING.] - Who do you think you are? - Let her go. - Sir, she just assaulted Let her go. Yeah, go on, get. Get off me! Are you okay? Yeah. I owe you an apology. [BREATHING DEEPLY.] I lost my temper. I took it out on you. I shouldn't have done that. It was unprofessional, and for that, I am sorry. Mmm-hmm. I know that I cannot get what I need from you without proposing something of value in return, so I'm prepared to make you an offer. - This ought to be good. - I'll let you out and help you reclaim your old territory in exchange for the briefcase. [EXHALES DEEPLY.] So you gonna free me, massa? - It's a good deal. - It's a long way from that. If you wanna do business with me, you're gonna have to come up with a number with a whole lot of zeroes and commas behind it. On top of that, I want my freedom, territory, and a host of other considerations I've yet to think of. If I were you [INHALES DEEPLY.] I'd reflect on my current condition before I started turning down offers. I'll take that under advisement. [TOBIAS CLICKING TONGUE.] I've thought about it. And the answer's still no. [TOBIAS BREATHING DEEPLY.] Open. [DOOR OPENS.] [AGENT ODELL.] Dr. Stewart. I have identified the DNA of the virus making the metas in the camp sick. It's manmade. Has mutations in it that I created, the only other person that knew about these mutations is Dr. Jace. So Dr. Jace created the virus? We know the Markovians had her, but it seems that they've coerced her into working for them. How'd she get the virus into the camp? I believe the delivery system was Cyclotronic, the meta who attacked the camp a few days ago. I ran a computer model, and the outbreak coincides with his demise. He must've infected the other metas during the battle. So you're saying Dr. Jace purposely sent an infected meta to contaminate the camp? Yes, I think it was a biological attack. For now, the virus is contained inside the camp. How close are you to finding a cure? I'm making progress. But over half of the metas in the camp are infected. These people are depending upon you to save their lives. It's only a matter of time before it spreads to Freeland proper. You need to fix this. I know. Look, I don't work for you, okay? I'm not your employee. I'm helping you. So I'm going to need you to change the way you talk to me. My apologies. Thank you for all your work. Call me if you need anything. [SIGHS.] [SIGHS DEEPLY.] [DOORBELL RINGING.] - Hey. - Chief Henderson? Herbert. I'm so sorry for your loss. You have my deepest condolences. Your wife wanted you to have this. [CAR ENGINE STARTING.] [CAR DRIVING AWAY.] Chief! [SCOFFS.] So you're just showing up in my living room in the middle of the day? Really? That's what we doing now? I forgot how impertinent teenagers can be. The Markovians killed Khalil's mother, Nichelle. I wanted you to hear it from me first. I'm sorry for your loss. [VOICE BREAKING.] How do you know it was them? We have surveillance footage of a known Markovian agent who entered Mrs. Payne's home shortly before her body was found. - Why would they kill her? - We don't know, but we're looking into it. The Markovians want to capture or kill as many metas as possible, so they can be the greatest superpower in the world. The Markovians are the reason there are tanks on the street. Soldiers in Garfield. And your parents are away. As soon as the Markovians are gone, everything will go back to the way it was before. Why are you telling me this? There's a Markovian data farm that they're using for a command center on the outskirts of Freeland. We need to take it out. But we can't find it. With your ability, you may be able to detect where it is. I'm telling you this because we need your help. What do you want me to do? [MEN SCREAMING.] Hey! - Where's Dr. Jace? - What? Do you have Dr. Jace? No, Dr. Jace wasn't my mission. The mission was to rescue you and the commandos. I didn't need rescuing. This was the plan, I get taken, put eyes on the target, and call in fire support. - That's you. - That's not what I was told. Follow me. Okay, where are we going? To smoke out Dr. Jace. [MEN CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY.] I'll cover you. [ALL GRUNTING.] [SCREAMING.] - [MAN SPEAKING RUSSIAN.] I don't know who that is. Where is she? - Hmm? - [BREATHING HEAVILY.] She's in the back office. [GROANS.] Damn it. Grace? Where the hell have you been? Okay, what are you doing here? Waiting for you. I knew you'd walk this way to get to your car, so I thought I'd stop by and say hello. Hi. I missed you. And I just wanted to see you. I missed you, too. And I've been Grace, listen to me. I wanna be with you, okay? I don't care that you're a leopard or an old man or a shapeshifter. I love you. Are you sure? Yeah. Damn. I don't even know who I am. - So how can you? - I-I just do. Why are you looking at me like that? - You said you knew. - I did, I just I've never seen anything like that before. Can you change back? Yo, how long you been able to do that? As long as I can remember. So it's weird to you? No, yes, well A little. But I really don't care that you can do that. I think it's cool that you can do that. It's a gift. - No, it's not a gift. - Look you're not gonna run me off. You wanna be with me, I wanna be with you, let's just be together. What are you talking about? I just stole drugs from the clinic where he works so I can keep my gift under control. [SIGHS.] I have some serious problems. You're self-medicating, I get it. - We can get you help. - Help? Look, there's no help for this. Yes, there is. [SIGHS.] Look, I'm tired of running. Okay, well, then just stop running, Grace. I'm here for you. Okay? [SOFTLY.] Okay. - Hey. - Hey. Look, thanks for meeting me. No problem. So I found who I was looking for. Uh-huh. My ex, Grace. The woman who I'm in love with. Okay. Look, this doesn't have to be anything other than a friendship. We had a good night, and maybe we'll have another one. Again, but it's all good. [SIGHS.] Listen, I I have a habit of making really bad decisions when it comes to relationships. I'm trying to be a better person. I don't wanna leave a trail of hurt people behind. So you thought we were gonna have sex, - and I was just gonna lose my mind? - [LAUGHS.] - No. - Yes, you did. - No, I didn't. - [LAUGHS.] Yes, you totally did. You need to get over yourself. I mean, everything you're saying is really sweet, but I'm not hurt. I'm good. We're good, and if you wanna be with her, you go be with her. Thanks. I will. Cool. - Let me buy you a drink. - Okay, sounds good. - Yeah? - Mmm-hmm. Your target is the data farm up ahead. It'll have a much higher electrical output than the surrounding areas. You know, my parents can't know about this. [AGENT ODELL.] They won't. - I found it. - Good. Now take it out. [YELPS.] Really? It's like that? - You okay? - Yeah, I'm good. I have to go offline for a second though. Nichelle, this is for you. [GRUNTING.] [AGENT ODELL.] The data farm is down. We have the address, 324 Oglethorpe. [BOTH GRUNTING.] [GROANS.] Thank you for your service. Well, thank you for the watch. - I'll see you tomorrow. - I'll send a car. Are you, uh waiting for something? Waiting to see what else you're gonna pull. See, I don't trust you. Hmm. In spite of what you may think about me, I'm a man of my word. I said I would do my best to meet your needs. You need to be with your family, so go see your family. Safe travels. - [LYNN.] Hey. - [JENNIFER WHOOPS.] - [ALL LAUGHING.] - Hey. [JEFFERSON EXCLAIMING.] [LAUGHING CONTINUES.] - Oh. - Oh. - I missed y'all. - I missed y'all so much. [BOTH SIGHING.] Thank God that's over. I'm going to bed. - What? - [JENNIFER LAUGHING.] - Hold on, we can catch up. - Good night. What's up with you? Can we catch up later? I kind of got to go. - Seriously? - Yeah, we'll catch up tomorrow. I love you guys, bye. - Bye. - Love you. Have a good night. Thank you, bye. Well, hey, hey, since, uh the girls don't seem to want to hang out with us, we can celebrate coming home. Oh, no, not tonight, honey, I'm beat. - Take a rain check? - Okay. Good night. Good night. [LYNN YAWNING.] Great. [MAN.] This is exactly where you belong. In a deep, dark hole. [BLACK LIGHTNING LAUGHING MENACINGLY.] And the best part is, I put you here. You'll never beat me. 'Cause you are weak and stupid. [LAUGHS MANIACALLY.] I'm gonna get out of here, and I'm gonna reclaim what's mine, then I'm gonna kill you and everything you care about. I'm gonna have fun doing it. [BLACK LIGHTNING.] You will never, ever beat me. And here's a little secret. You will never, ever get out of here. [BLACK LIGHTNING LAUGHING MANIACALLY.] You ghetto glowworm. I'm gonna kill your black monkey ass.