03x07 - The Book of Resistance: Chapter Two: Henderson's Opus

[bunniefuu]

[Jefferson] Previously on Black Lightning...

[Odell] The Markovians are on the outskirts of Freeland and they are marshaling their forces.

[Mosin in Russian] I am Colonel Yuri Mosin.

The Markovians want to capture or k*ll as many metas as possible.

[Williams] Markovians breached the compound.

-[Odell] Put Freeland on lockdown. -Copy.

Me, Reverend Holt, and a handful of other people, we started up our own Underground Railroad.

We've been sneaking metas and suspected metas outside the perimeter.

[Black Lightning] What happened?

[Blackbird] We got ambushed.

Hit us with some kind of poison.

[Gambi] It can't be.

This poison is breaking down your cells faster than anything I've ever seen.

-[gasps] -[typing]

-What are you doin' in my apartment? -Don't ask, you perv.

-Why do you have photos of my mom? -It's not even like that.

[grunts]

[panting]

What the hell was that?

[police sirens wailing faintly]

[voice shaking] Why is my life always so messed up?

The medicine isn't working anymore.

So I'm shape-shifting left and right.

I thought getting my feelings out in this video would help me stabilize, but...

I'm so scared.

[door opens]

[Anissa] Grace?

Hey, hey. What happened?

I keep shifting.

All day.

[sobbing] I can't control it, I don't know what's happening.

Okay. [shushes]

I've got you, Grace.

Now, your emotional state, it causes you to shift.

So you've gotta calm down.

You wanna do our routine together?

Okay?

-Shonda... -[Shonda] Yes, Anissa?

Play relaxation program.

[birds chirping]

Come on. Breathe in and out, okay?

[flesh rippling]

[Anissa] You're safe here.

Just listen to the sound of nature.

[flesh rippling]

Smell the trees and the flowers... as you sink your feet into firm, green earth.

All those fears that you have

-bundled up inside... -[sighs]

...let 'em go.

Breathe and let them all out.

See? It works every time.

Shonda, end relaxation program.

[Shonda] Program ended.

[sighs]

You're not always going to be around to talk me down like that.

Where am I gonna be?

Oh, snap.

So, you plan on breaking up with me?

-You so cold, but you so fine. Come here-- -No. I'm serious, Anissa.

I heard the ASA's going door-to-door now.

If they come here--

-They won't come here. -And that creepy Odell.

I mean, he already paid us a social call.

He could pop back in any minute, and if I can't control my shifts, I--

-Grace, Grace, Grace. -No.

I won't let the ASA take you.

Did your powers come back yet?

Not yet.

But we'll keep you out of sight until I figure something out.

All right?

[cell phone chimes]

[sighs]

[typing]

[beeping]

[Lynn] I don't appreciate being summoned, Gambi.

You obviously have no more respect for my work than Jefferson does.

What's... Did something happen with the girls?

No. They're fine.

So, what's so urgent?

Ever since the ASA had that firefight with the Markovians, the ASA has gone into overdrive with Jeff and Anissa smack in the line of fire.

Now, I can't protect them unless I stay ahead of the ASA's plans.

So, I need to access the ASA's mainframe.

Well, the only way to do that would be...

Gambi... the ASA picks me up in a sedan.

I'm blindfolded for the entire journey to and from the Pit.

I have no idea where it is.

I do. That's not what I need you for.

I need you...

[device beeps]

...to sneak in with this.

[sighs]

This Markovian att*ck has got the ASA so riled up, they're going door-to-door in Freeland looking for safe houses.

[Blackbird] Which will eventually lead them here.

I know for a fact churches have protective status during any m*llitary operation.

The ASA is legally prohibited from stepping one foot inside of this church.

Reverend, the ASA don't give a damn about international law.

And this new chick in charge, this Major Grey, she's got ice in her veins.

Look, they've already begun on the outside edges of the city.

Jamillah's getting the word out on the radio.

[Blackbird] How soon before they reach here?

Not long.

Well, I've got something in the works to breach the reinforced perimeter.

But it's not ready yet.

Well, then, the good reverend and I will have to improvise.

♪ Last night, I saw a superhero He was black ♪

♪ He said, "This is for the street Black Lightning's back" ♪

[exhales]

Uh...

[chuckling] My bad. Wrong car.

[Grey] Jennifer.

Sorry to meet like this.

I'm Major Sara Grey, ASA.

Great. Stranger danger. Bye.

Agent Odell was sh*t during a Markovian att*ck.

I'm acting Director of Operations.

I thought you'd want to know since you two worked so closely together.

He always spoke very highly of you.

[sighs]

-Is he dead? -Far from it.

He's in the hospital and expected to make a full recovery.

[exhales] Getting sh*t at his age?

He needs to go ahead and retire.

Start that rideshare business like I told him.

You know, there's an ancient warrior saying, "Beware an old man in a profession where men usually die young."

[scoffs]

Odell's as tough as they come.

He'll be back straightaway.

Maybe with a woman in charge, we'll finally get some stuff done around here.

Let me just go light up the fools that sh*t Odell, okay?

-Be done with it. -Absolutely not.

Why the hell not?

Odell said himself that I'm the best ASA has, so...

That's exactly why we can't risk you falling into enemy hands.

So no more using your powers and no more flying.

[chuckling] Are you serious? Y'all are grounding me?

Like I don't get enough of that from my parents already.

The Markovian thr*at is far greater than we thought, Jennifer.

We have good reason to believe the Markovians have safe houses throughout Freeland.

We've already encountered several of their embedded mercenaries.

You need to leave this to the pros.

Trust me.

[exhaling] Okay.

Trust is earned, right?

If there's anything I can do to make this transition easier--

Yeah, actually. There is something.

Everything the ASA has on Dr. Jace.

Jace?

Why?

Well, look. If Odell didn't tell you what he and I were working on regarding Jace, it's not really my place to say. Right?

I see.

Look, Eddie Munster, you want to be besties, I'm gonna need the full dossier on Jace. Okay?

[sighs]

[funk music playing]

Package has been delivered.

You sure this damn thing gonna work?

Look, I put a diuretic in the sports drink that Two-Bits gave him.

It won't be long.

Move over! You're squishing me!

[Holt] Natalie!

Settle down, y'all.

Don't make me have to come back there.

Everybody say a quiet prayer and buckle up.

[seatbelt buckling]

[funk music continues]

All right. Get ready.

[beeping]

[beeping]

All clear.

[electricity crackling]

Damn it!

Let this be a lesson, my children.

Skin folk ain't always kin folk.

This n*gro just messed us up.

[engine starts]

[Jefferson] Hey.

Yeah, okay. Nice to see you, too.

What's up, man? What's wrong with you?

Black Lightning is what's wrong with me.

Now, yesterday, he defused a b*mb and screwed up a diversion we had for our underground railroad.

What? Wait.

"Our underground railroad"?

Plan?

So, you were involved with planting that b*mb?

I'm more than involved, Jeff, and I want to bring you into the fold, but I don't know exactly where you stand.

Now, one minute, Black Lightning is roughing up the ASA over some damn graffiti, and the next minute, he's saving the ASA from a b*mb.

Whose side are you on, man?

You planted a b*mb, man.

You could have hurt innocent people.

I controlled the detonator, and made sure no one was in the vicinity.

No, no. You know bombs misfire all the time.

The shrapnel could've hit the guard, or you, or one of the children.

That's a calculated risk, Jeff.

What am I supposed to do? Let the ASA capture more metas?

No, of course not.

I'm talking innocent people, you're talking a calculated risk?

Are you hearing yourself right now?

"Hate begets hate, v*olence begets v*olence--"

"Toughness begets a greater toughness."

Yeah, man, I know.

You ain't the only one who can quote Dr. King from memory.

Now, look, the ASA, ever since they came to Freeland, they have forced me to push their agenda through press conferences, they have taken over my police station, they got one of my officers k*lled.

Yeah, the ASA locked me up, poked me like a lab rat, took me away from my family, b*at me down in the street.

So, I understand you're frustrated, you're pissed off.

So am I.

But I cannot get down with your methods, man.

Duly noted for the record.

I am only trying to do what I can to protect this city.

Yeah.

By living a double life.

Chief of Police. Member of the resistance.

Now, you remember how pissed off you were when I didn't tell you I was Black Lightning.

Who got the secret now?

Are you seriously trying to compare me keeping a secret for 30 days

-to you keeping a secret for 30 years? -No!

Look, the point is, we gotta get on the same page.

And by "same page," you mean doing things the way you would do them.

Now, look. This "my way or the highway" mess you run on your daughters, you can't run on me.

I know what I'm doing.

All I'm saying is that we gotta communicate our plans with each other.

Oh, okay. Great.

So then, uh, next time Black Lightning goes out on the street, he'll give me a call, right?

Huh?

Didn't think so.

Since we can't get on the same page, how about you handle the ASA your way, I'll handle them my way.

No, Heddy...

[angrily] Bill!

[door closes]

Guess who showed up in the nick of time to short out the b*mb?

-[Blackbird] Who? -Black Lightning.

Coincidence?

Hell no. I don't think so.

He's an ASA sellout.

They are closing in on us, Blackbird.

[Blackbird] I still don't have a way through the upgraded perimeter.

Well, I pray you get it posthaste.

The children will stay here with me hidden until you do.

[device beeps]

[Blackbird] Gambi.

What's the status on the updated perimeter?

I need a way out now!

[grunting]

[on speaker] That's enough.

[panting]

Expel your energy.

Mmm-hmm.

[Blair] Erica's holding stable at 100%.

[Lynn] Good.

That's great, Dr. Blair. Thank you.

Dr. Stewart, I just want to say... what an honor it is for me to be working alongside you.

Oh.

I've followed your career for several years.

Your writings published in the Journal of Neurosurgery are--

Sleep-inducing?

[chuckles]

[Blair] Brilliant.

Groundbreaking.

You don't strike me as the type of woman who's interested in accolades, but in my humble opinion, you deserve them.

All of them.

Uh, well, I'm grateful to have someone with your credentials working on my team.

Even if you are a shameless suck-up on your first day.

Can't really help that, Dr. Stewart.

I was born with a brown nose.

[chuckles]

[sighs]

[Grey] Stable at 100%.

Excellent.

Is that one of the Green Light metas?

[Lynn] Yes.

Erica Moran.

Absorbed kinetic converted into raw strength.

Hoo-frickin'-rah.

[grunts]

[pants]

Are you all right, Erica?

[Blair] Her output is dropping from 50%.

-40%. -Why? What happened?

Think of meta power like a muscle.

If you don't train that muscle, then--

-It becomes weak. -Exactly.

Metas can't maintain output at 80% for long without exhaustion.

Then build her stamina, Dr. Stewart.

-Sustained 100% output is required. -Hold on, Major.

If you want the metas to be stable for longer, Dr. Blair and I will need clearance to all the sectors in this facility, and access to all meta-related files.

You white coats are the most high-maintenance, annoying...

Fine. Granted.

On one condition.

You'll have additional access, but only to the Green Light metas.

Wait. Why only the Green Light kids?

Because I said so!

-[door closes] -[sighs]

I hope people are swiping left on her Tinder profile.

I can't believe I'm saying this, but she actually makes me miss Odell.

[exhales] Would you mind charting all the vitals from today's testing?

Not at all.

Thank you.

[device beeps]

Brandon. I've been looking everywhere for you.

You mean after you ghosted me for days?

Okay, look.

My bad. I just needed some time. All right? This is a lot.

But we need to talk about what happened at your place.

[loudly] Which part of what happened at my place do you want to talk about, Jennifer Pierce?

-[chuckles] -[student exclaims]

That's really cute, but that's not gonna raise your cred around here.

My goal was to lower your cred.

Okay, one, you wish, and two, why?

Payback.

For what?

[exhaling] I don't know.

You breaking into my place.

You trying to electrocute me.

All right. I'm sorry for all of that, too, but you know I'm trying to talk about the other thing.

I haven't the slightest idea of what you're talking about.

-Like, I don't even know, to be honest. -Really?

[announcer on PA] Attention. This is a Markovian att*ck drill.

I repeat, this is a Markovian att*ck drill.

Find a buddy, take cover, and shelter in place until the all clear.

[Brandon sighs]

All right.

Might as well just... read.

-Seriously, dude? -Deadass.

We're literally in the middle of an "in case your worst enemy att*cks" drill in the middle of an occupation.

Normal stuff like school and quizzes, it doesn't matter anymore.

Look. I don't have no family, nothing.

So, I'm gonna make my own with this education, 'cause this occupation thing won't last.

How do you know?

'Cause nothing ever does.

[sighs] All right. Screw this drill.

You tryna go smoke?

Nah.

[chuckles]

I can help you find Dr. Jace.

How?

You have to do something for me first, though.

What? Wait.

Jen, hold up.

You say you can find her?

[soldier] Two by two, move!

They're gonna snatch our asses.

Hush up, girl.

[indistinct radio chatter]

Now, everybody... everybody keep still.

Keep still.

"Only by your power can we push back our enemies."

[soldier grunts]

-Go, go, go! -Move! Move!

[soldier] Go! Move!

"Only in your name... can we trample our foes."

We are protected by the blood of Jesus.

The grace of God is protecting us.

Come on, now.

Come on.

[all scream]

Lord have mercy, Two-Bits!

About to send your ass to the promised land.

[stammers] Hey, man, I was just seeing how y'all was holding up.

-[Holt] Lord have mercy. -I figured y'all would be hungry, so I brought y'all some chicken wings, you know, some fries.

You know? Snacks.

-That's all right. -Yes.

-Come on, y'all. -Hey.

I got a little something stronger for you, Rev.

-That's just what I need. -[Two-Bits chuckles]

Come on, get something to eat.

Get some plates and get some chicken, some french fries.

-[Holt] I see you got my favorite. -[chuckles] Yes, sir.

Ah. Ah!

-Praise the Lord. -Praise the Lord.

[both chuckle]

Okay, so, before I come in, have you invited me here just so you can throw me out, yet again?

Dad, come in.

I need your help.

I want you to take my place escorting the children out of the perimeter.

You want me to help you with the underground railroad?

-Yes. -Okay, first I have to ask, did you know anything about Henderson planting a b*mb?

Look, I knew he and Reverend Holt were planning something, -but I did not know the specifics. -Reverend Holt, too?

[scoffs]

So now that you're aware, what are your intentions?

You going to continue to be a symbol for a movement that uses those kind of tactics?

Come on, Anissa, I taught you better than that.

The ends don't always justify the means.

Well, if we lived in a world that was black and white, yes, but we are living in an occupation.

And if I'm being honest, I had to do some things that I'm not proud of

-to make the underground railroad work. -Such as?

Please, please, do not do this right now.

Besides, this is not about me or the resistance.

It's about the people who need Black Lightning.

I need Black Lightning.

There. I said it.

Are you happy?

[scoffs]

[voice breaking] Grace can't control her shape-shifting.

And I'm worried that she'll be captured by the ASA.

-[whispering] Oh, Anissa. -Dad.

I love her.

And I would get her out myself, but I am still hurt from bringing Tavon back like you asked.

Now, I know I'm always saying that I'm a grown-ass woman and that I've got this.

And most days, I do.

But today?

[voice breaking] Today, I don't.

And I am asking you... to help.

[sighs heavily]

The mainframe is around the corner, second door on the left.

[indistinct clamoring]

Let her go!

[man] Hey!

-[man] Hey! Get off her! -[woman] Get off me!

-[woman] Get off me! -[man] Hey!

Markov-what? I don't know nothing about that.

-[grunts] -[soldiers clamoring]

[woman grunting]

Stay down, old man.

Hey! Leave him alone.

[Grey] Next house, Sergeant Grayle.

[grunts]

[soldiers clamoring]

Team Bravo, advance!

-[a*t*matic weapons f*ring] -[grunts]

[grunts]

[Grey] Take cover!

[grunts]

Team Bravo, fall back!

Fireteam Alpha, lay down suppressive fire.

[grunts]

[soldiers panting]

[device beeping]

[typing]

Well, we were very fortunate to have you in the area.

You turned my city into a w*r zone.

-[g*n f*ring] -[man grunts]

[choking]

-We don't execute people in Freeland. -[Grey] Let him go.

You had no right to commit cold-blooded m*rder.

[Grey] I said put him down!

I don't take orders from you, lady.

Black Lightning, you will obey my commands, or I will order enough airstrikes to turn this craphole into Hell on Earth, and I will simply pick the enemy from the rubble.

[soldier whimpering]

-Ugh. -[soldier gasps]

Commandos, police the area.

Collect our dead.

[exhales]

[indistinct chatter on radio]

[groans]

And you've never been here before?

No. Grey only recently gave me access to...

[gasps]

Khalil?

[breathing heavily]

Khalil.

He can't hear you.

[Lynn gasping] How is that possible?

We buried him.

[Gambi] It's in stasis.

The most humane thing we can do is unplug it.

No!

Khalil is still in there somewhere.

[Lynn exhales]

[Gambi] Lynn, stop this.

The Khalil we knew d*ed.

The ASA is going to know that you tampered with this thing.

It looks like they've completely wiped his limbic system.

He's got an advanced chip in his brain.

I've seen experiments with prosthetics and the blind, but... but this...

Wait.

I found his memory files. I'm gonna open one.

[Lynn] His memories are intact.

The Khalil we know is still in there.

[Khalil screaming on video]

[screaming]

I'm gonna wake him up.

Lynn, let this go. Please.

[Khalil exhales]

[Khalil sighs]

Your staring is less than professional, Doctor.

Stewart. Lynn Stewart.

[sputters] I'm sorry, I just...

Do you recognize me?

Well, of course.

Your CV is in my files.

Dr. Lynn Stewart, prize-winning respected neurosurgeon and scientist.

Specialty, metahumans.

What do you require, Dr. Stewart?

[exhales]

State your previous missions.

Eliminate the smuggler known as Sinzell.

Check.

Destroy Markovian safe house.

Leveled.

Exterminate the Blackbird.

Done.

k*ll Nichelle Payne.

Terminated with prejudice.

Oh, my God.

Is there a problem, Dr. Stewart?

No, I just need you to return to stasis so I can run a few upgrades on your brain chip.

That thing k*lled Khalil's mother.

You need to shut this monster down, Lynn, before the ASA uses it to slaughter anyone else!

He's not a monster!

Don't call him a monster, or an "it," or a "thing," or any other word that isn't "Khalil."

I lost 14 kids, Gambi.

Fourteen people d*ed because of me.

And I won't lose another person ever again.

I'll save Khalil if it's the last thing I do.

Lynn. I beg of you to set your emotions aside here--

You should go before you're discovered... or I turn you in myself.

[sighs]

I've given you administrative rights to the ASA network.

You'll have full access to the ASA's database... and all their surveillance footage from inside the Pit.

I hope, in the end, you'll do the right thing.

When have I not?

Now, go.

Peter!

Jen can never know about this.

[pop music playing faintly]

Man, Jen, quit playing around.

Tell me what you know about Jace.

All right.

But first things first.

Touch my hand.

[smacks lips] No, that's stupid.

I need to know what happens when our powers merge, okay?

Why are you still on this?

Do you want to find Dr. Jace or not?

[sighs]

[electricity crackling]

[Jennifer scoffs]

Brandon, do your powers do this with anybody else?

No.

[Brandon] All right.

That's it. That's done.

Now tell me what you know about Jace.

Okay. Do it one more time.

Man, stop messing around.

Just do it one more time and I'mma tell you.

[sighs]

You know what?

You don't even know nothing about Dr. Jace.

Get out.

Brandon, you need to chill out. Things ain't never that serious.

Jace k*lled my mom!

So, yeah, it's that serious, Jen.

And I ain't got time for your games right now.

So here, get out.

Fine. [clears throat]

-It's like that, huh? -Yeah, it's like that.

Don't slam my door.

[door slams]

[Anissa coughs]

This is as far as I can take you, okay?

Someone else is gonna guide you the rest of the way.

No, no, no! I don't want to go with anyone else.

Don't leave me, Anissa.

Look. I know you've been abandoned in the past, Grace, and I would never ever do that to you.

I don't have my powers yet, so I have someone who's super strong to protect you.

Who?

I don't know him.

Don't make me go with him.

-He'll hurt me like the other men. -Hey.

Black Lightning would never hurt you, Grace.

I trust him more than anybody in the world.

So can you.

Grace... I will protect you.

Let me take you somewhere safe.

Look. This necklace is very special to me.

And I want you to have it.

Now, if you get scared, you just touch it.

And I'm always with you.

Now, you gotta go. Okay?

We won't be apart for long.

Promise?

Yeah. I promise.

Go ahead.

[cell phone beeps]

Gambi just sent the coordinates of where you can breach the perimeter.

I'll send them to you and the Perdi.

All right. Tell the others I'm on my way.

Let's go, Grace.

Black Lightning?

Thank you.

Let's go, Grace.

[Holt] Yeah, Blackbird told me you'd be coming.

See, I'm still not convinced I should turn these kids over to the ASA's boy.

We don't have time for this.

And Judas betrayed Jesus for a mere 30 silver pieces.

What's the ASA's price for your soul, Black Lightning?

I don't work for the ASA.

Yeah... and I'm the first black pope.

[Two-Bits] The ASA is a block away.

They'll be here any minute!

Lord help you if you're lying to me, Black Lightning.

Now, I put down my arms, for I know the God I serve moves in mysterious ways.

He may not come when you want him to--

But he's always right on time. Yeah.

I still don't trust your black ass.

[typing]

According to the ASA schedule, there's a patrol to your north.

Turn east on Gibson to avoid it.

[Black Lightning] Copy.

[all gasp]

You're officially a pain in my ass, Black Lightning.

Surrender.

Like I said, lady, I don't take orders from you.

-Drop them. -No!

-[g*ns f*ring] -[grunts] Run to the rally point!

[g*nf*re continues]

[all exclaiming]

[soldiers exclaiming]

[grunts]

[screaming]

[Gambi] We have zero visibility.

I'm going out there.

-Not without your powers, you're not. -[device beeps]

[door locks]

Sorry, Anissa, but it's way too dangerous out there for you.

Uncle Gambi, come on.

No. No way.

You haven't recovered enough yet.

[sighs]

[soldiers coughing]

[panting]

Hey. Everyone okay?

Yeah.

Wait. Where's Grace?

[sighs]

I gotta go find her.

[sighs]

I'm the oldest.

I'll watch the other kids while you go find Grace.

All right. Thanks, Natalie.

[breathing heavily]

[animal growling]

-[roars] -[soldier screams]

[Black Lightning] I lost Grace.

-Anybody got eyes on her? -Negative.

I can't get a visual on anything. I've lost her in the fog.

[Anissa] I've got her coordinates. I'm sending them to your visor now.

-[typing] -[breathing heavily]

I put a tracker in the necklace that I gave Grace.

Right here.

What in the world?

[growling]

[roaring]

[growls]

[flesh rippling]

Grace?

You came back for me.

Yeah, of course I did.

I told you I wouldn't leave you.

[flesh rippling]

Come on, Grace. Let's go.

Anissa's really lucky to have such an amazing family, Mr. Pierce.

I wish that I had a dad who cared for me as much as you care for Anissa.

What? How?

[chuckles] I keep my leopard sense of smell in my other forms.

Your scent matches Jefferson Pierce's.

But don't worry, I'll never tell anyone.

Promise?

[chuckles]

I promise.

[chuckles]

Let's go.

[Gambi] I've got them.

The image from the visor finally cleared up.

Goodbye, Grace.

I know it hurts like hell, but you did the right thing, Anissa.

Grace is safe.

That's all that matters.

I'll be fine.

[laptop chimes]

[rock music playing]

I asked for a better sparring partner and they sent me you, Vernon.

[breathes heavily]

[grunts and groans]

I'm metahuman... with five times the strength of the average man.

[Vernon grunting]

[whimpers]

Unfortunately, for you...

[choking]

I'm no average man.

[screams]

-[bones cracking] -[Vernon groaning]

-And that cracking sound? -[choking]

That's your lumbar vertebrae.

Its nerves connect your brain to your legs.

[screams]

That was your T7 thoracic, which controls your kidneys, spleen...

[monitor beeps]

Hold that thought.

[grunts]

[Vernon whimpering]

[rock music continues]

[dramatic music playing]