03x03 - Eminent thr*at

[bunniefuu]

Brace for light-speed, people.

I'm your very own "Stargirl," Courtney Whitmore!

And today we're rocketing across the galaxy for another Goode World Studios exclusive interview!

We're hanging out with the most transformative young actor in Hollywood!

The star of the hit Sci-fi series, Space Trek Thirty-Sixteen!

That's right! It's Lieutenant Tork, himself:

Garfield Logan!

My friends call me Gar.

[giggles]

Well, just between friends, Gar, I'm dying to know more about a certain special friend you've been seen with:

Queen Perdita of Vlatava?

[chuckles] What can I say?

She's my queen, and I'm her fool-in-love.

Aww. That's so sweet!

Tell the kids at home about how you two lovebirds became "Gardita."

Um, well, it's... it's not a cheerful story.

We... We met at a funeral for a...

[sighs] fast friend of ours.

Oh... I'm so sorry for your loss.

But I'm sure your friend would be happy knowing he helped unite the hearts of his two besties.

And speaking of unifying hearts, you've recently begun a campaign to unify the world in vigilance against a growing thr*at.

Totally, Courtney.

As one of the very few openly meta-civilians in the world, I want to raise awareness about Meta-Human Trafficking.

Kids our age are being targeted and kidnapped into an underground market for meta-experimentation.

So in solidarity, we all have to rise up and fight back!

Remember: If you see something? Scream something!

[gasps] Don't do this! Please!

No! [choking]

[theme music playing]

[Artemis] You sure you're recovered?

[Black Lightning sighs] Enough. Conner needs us.

[Artemis] Lightning powers?

[Black Lightning sighs] Still hoping we won't need those.

[Artemis] All right. [sighs]

We are climbing up into that ominous, dark hole in the cliff to rescue our super-friend.

You are going to stay right here with our Super-Cycle.

Understand?

[sighs] Just keep her out of trouble, okay?

[Super-Cycle trills]

Thanks. Let's move.

k*ll.

[Nightwing] Always.

[clang] [groans]

You are supposed to be on my side.

[sighs] I'm in. Status?

[Artemis] We're two minutes out.

[Nightwing] S.B.?

[exhales] Follow. [beeps]

[Vertigo] We're shutting this place down.

Prepare the shipment.

[Henchy] On it, boss. Let's go!

[Artemis] Receiving video.

[Black Lightning] Nightwing, stop this before they finish loading those kids.

[Nightwing] Negative. Those pods aren't going anywhere fast on rails.

I need to locate S.B. and the Prince first.

[Black Lightning] Activate the spy gear we planted. Might help you find them.

[Nightwing] Might. If they weren't in a thousand pieces.

Got eyes on Ecks and...

Huh, Dr. Helga Jace.

They've got S.B.

Unconscious, in a pod.

[Artemis] Oh, he is not going to like that.

[Nightwing] Nope. Brion's in the next pod over.

I think they tried to make him meta-active.

[Black Lightning] Arriving now.

[Nightwing] Then I'm going in. [door opens]

What is going on here?!

[Artemis] Ready to move in and--

[Nightwing whispers] Hold up! Something's happening.

Explain yourselves!

Count Vertigo, we--

I have just spoken with His Highness, and he gave no orders for the podding and tarring of a Prince of the Realm!

[Nightwing] His Highness? Gregor?

I want answers! Now!

You lied to me.

You said this was all done by the boss's command!

I had to! His so-called "Highness" is out of control!

The things he has made us do...

But now we have someone with the power to stop him, to stop Bedlam!

You ignorant peasant.

[groans]

The plans set in motion here far exceed your short-sighted morality.

To get what I need, I will deliver control of Markovia to him!

And you will do nothing to interfere!

[Black Lightning] If Vertigo's helping Gregor take Markovia...

[Artemis] It's a good bet Gregor will help Vertigo take neighboring Vlatava in return, [sighs] finally giving the Count the kingdom he's always wanted.

[Nightwing] And both countries will wind up under the Light's dominion.

[groaning]

[coughing]

His Highness will be here any second to decide what to do with all of you.

[Artemis] Nightwing. New arrival.

[door opens]

[pants] Well, if it isn't Baron Bedlam himself.

One night.

I only required this organization to operate without me for one night, so I might play the role of Regent to the King without interruption.

But it seems that was too much to ask.

Baron DeLamb! Dr. Jace has betrayed us all.

[Nightwing] How did I not notice that DeLamb is an anagram for Bedlam?!

[exhales] I totally should have seen this coming!

[Artemis] Look out! [grunts] [Black Lightning grunts]

[Plasmus growling]

[Black Lightning] No! No!

[Plasmus roaring]

No k*ll.

[Plasmus groans]

[Artemis] So glad you didn't listen!

Uh, Halo-Girl.

[Super-Cycle trills]

[Plasmus growling]

[Black Lightning] We can't fight him in here. It's too tight.

[Artemis] Then we go up. Super-Cycle, clear a path!

[DeLamb] Helga, this betrayal will cost you more than--

[expl*si*n]

[Plasmus roaring]

[Nightwing] Guys? [Black Lightning] We need an exit! And back-up!

We'll secure the shipment.

Make sure she doesn't go anywhere.

Happily, sir.

[grunts]

[Nightwing] Don't worry. I'm here to rescue--

[grunts] Out of my way.

[Jace grunts]

Brion? Brion?

[retching, coughing]

[Nightwing] Come on, buddy. We need ya back.

[Superboy groans]

We're shutting this place down, destroying every ounce of Tar.

I'll show you how.

[Artemis grunts]

[henchmen coughing]

[all grunting]

[grunts]

[Artemis] Uh... Nightwing?

[Nightwing] Workin' on it.

No k*ll!

[Artemis] Nightwing! [Nightwing] I'm workin' on it!

Shipment's loaded!

Send it! Now!

[blares]

[all grunting]

[Black Lightning] No! The kids...

The kids in the pods, they boomtubed them away! We've lost them!

[Nightwing] We have to get out of here!

[all grunt]

[Henchy grumbles]

[g*ns cocking]

[alarmed chatter]

Ladies and gentlemen, it has come to my attention that Prince Brion Markov is a meta-human working with other meta-humans to destabilize Markovia's national security!

That is preposterous!

No, my Prince.

Sad to say, I have evidence to prove it.

[Nightwing] We've got the evidence we need to bring down DeLamb and all of Bedlam.

Dr. Jace's testimony will seal the deal.

[Black Lightning] We lost eight kids!

Plus that... that Plasmus kid they had their hooks into.

[Nightwing] We saved Artemis' friend here and the Prince, and countless other kids who would've been Bedlam's next victims.

It's not the victory we wanted.

But it is a victory.

[groans] Neh. Neh! You get away from me.

Brion, please! Calm--

[grunts] No! [gasps]

[grunts]

Who are you people?

What... What is happening?

[grunts]

[all gasp]

Brion!

[muffled grunting]

[gasping]

[shouts in Markovian]

Help me! Help me! You must calm down!

Your meta-gene has been activated.

Your body is now manipulating geologic forces.

Make it stop! Make it stop!

The more you panic, the less control you'll have.

[Brion gasping] Focus on your breathing.

Just focus on controlling your breath.

[breathing shakily]

[Nightwing] Guys!

This footage shows Prince Brion undergoing an illegal meta-gene activation.

This evidence irrefutably links Brion Markov to meta-human trafficking in Markovia and, quite possibly, to the abduction of his own sister, Princess Tara.

And given their stance against meta-trafficking, Brion is most likely responsible for the assassinations of his own parents, King Viktor and Queen Ilona. [grunts] Lies!

[grunts]

[gasping]

[Black Lightning] This just keeps getting worse.

[Superboy] Following him with infrared. He's headed for the palace.

I'll try to cut him off-- [loud boom]

[Super-Cycle trills]

[Artemis] And he used a Fatherbox to track Super-Cycle.

[Nightwing] S.B.! We'll protect the doctor and the girl.

Get Brion! [Superboy grunts]

[Vertigo laughing]

Sending your heavy hitter away?

Not very good at this game, are you?

I see you're down one Superboy.

I'll raise you one, two, three, four...

[Artemis] Well, now we know why he's called Count Vertigo.

[Black Lightning] We're outnumbered.

[Nightwing] Then let's level the playing field.

Bring me their corpses.

[Plasmus growls]

Prince Gregor, the palace is clearly not safe.

My guards will escort-- [rumbling]

[yells] [panicked chatter]

[all gasp]

[Brion grunts] DeLamb!

[grunts]

[yelling]

[people gasping] [DeLamb grunts]

[grunting]

[woman gasps] Prince Brion! [guests gasping]

Brion?

[people gasping] [man] And DeLamb's a meta too!

[growls]

[Superboy] Prince Brion, we gotta go.

There's a better way to handle this.

And we can help you find it.

And so our worst fears are confirmed!

Prince Brion Markov!

In league with meta-human assassins!

But you're a meta-human, as well!

I had to become one to defend us against them!

Liar! That's why I did it!

To defend my country from you!

[Superboy] Brion, no! [Brion yells]

[people whimper]

[both grunting]

[yells]

[gasps]

[grunts] That hurt.

But remember, I'm not only the meta-trafficking doctor, I'm also a client.

[Nightwing grunts]

[Black Lightning yells]

[both grunting]

[Super-Cycle trilling]

[Jace] Look out, child!

[grunts]

[both grunt]

[Artemis grunts]

Enough of this.

[all groaning]

[Artemis grunting and straining]

[groans]

[Artemis] Halo-Girl? Dr. Jace?

But where is-- [girl] Here.

[girl screams] [Artemis] No!

[Plasmus growling]

[girl screams, groans]

[roars]

[both grunting]

[Black Lightning] No! The kids!

We've lost them!

It cannot be dead!

I don't want to see any more dead kids.

[Plasmus growls]

[Black Lightning] Come on!

You want to k*ll something?! Try me!

[Plasmus growls]

[Artemis sobs]

[both gasp]

No k*ll. No dead. Not dead. Me!

[trilling]

[Artemis] Whoa!

[both grunting]

[woman grunts]

[both grunting]

Finish him! Open fire!

Disregard that order! Arrest Baron DeLamb.

Little Prince, you dare?!

The security forces are mine to control now that I've proven--

What you've proven here is your hypocrisy.

You've been scapegoating meta-humans, though you yourself were a meta-human.

Clearly, you've done business with the meta-human traffickers my parents were trying to stop.

You lied to them!

No, no--

And your great skill with your meta-ability?

That, no doubt, required time to master.

Which tells me you received your powers long before Brion.

Oh, I know you, uncle.

And it's clear your deceptions were the groundwork for a coup against my family and Markovia.

You have no hard evidence!

We have enough to mount a lengthy investigation into your affairs.

I place you under arrest for the m*rder of my mother and father.

[grunts, yells]

[grunting]

[groans]

Thank you.

At least you're safe now, brother.

[g*ns cocking]

What are you doing?

DeLamb is the criminal. Not me!

Your Highness, whatever the Baron's crimes, your brother also has much to answer for here.

And if I may say, Markovia has suffered enough at the hands of meta-humans.

Ambassador--

Please listen to me, my Prince.

Your country needs a new beginning.

A new king.

A new leader!

Now more than ever.

No.

Brother...

Gregor, please, don't do this.

You must leave Markovia.

Immediately.

[moans]

Take care of him. Please.

[Plasmus roaring]

[electricity crackling]

[gasps]

[roars]

[growls]

[grunts] Ana...

[Simon] I'm sorry, Otto. We couldn't find a transplant.

And your sister Ana...

[sighs] her heart just gave out...

Your heart condition is a genetic trait in your family.

One we would not have discovered without the unfortunate passing of your sister.

Fortunately, a special procedure can correct the problem in you.

[Otto screams, chokes]

[sighs]

[Black Lightning] It's okay. It'll be okay.

[Black Lightning grunts]

[Plasmus growls] [grunts]

[Plasmus sighs]

[Black Lightning] Man, I like it better when you're on our side.

[grunts softly]

[Nightwing] Ahem.

Not again. Again.

[grunts, groans]

[grunting]

[panting] It's not going well, boss.

Indeed not.

Time to go.

[roars]

[all gasp]

[groans]

[thud]

[speaks Markovian]

[in English] I k*lled the monster!

[gasps]

[Black Lightning] You k*lled a kid!

And when you realize that...

When you realize that, you'll regret it. Trust me.

No life. Cannot heal.

[cries] Brion!

[Superboy] What happened?

[Artemis] Nightwing... what do we do now?

[theme music playing]