03x08 - Petra's Favorite Pen

[bunniefuu]

Previously, on Motherland

The Mother won't be able

to bring you back anymore.

And that world above

is even worse than you left it.

That's why I need to go back, Mom.

Silver's about to order me

to inv*de the Cession.

So the trick is to go along with it?

Until we can get Wade back and

put an end to this whole thing.

- What just happened?

- His armor.

Congratulations.

You just caught yourself

an even bigger prize.

Don't you know where they're taking you?

We've been calling it

the Slaughterhouse.

She was destroying

the world with the Witchbomb.

I don't know when or why,

but I know it's coming.

That is from the extinct steward's line.

But unfortunately, the song

had never been passed down to her.

The only thing more powerful

than the Witchbomb

is through the First Song.

You're going to learn

to see in the past.

Stop!

Did the Song lead you to her?

I know where she is.

We leave at daybreak.

Hold on, leave where?

Harz mountain range. Northern Germany.

N Tally, no.

- We need you here.

- No.

What we need to do is find

the last two pieces of the Song.

It's the only thing that

can prevent what I saw.

Tally, I'm not gonna end

the world with the Witchbomb.

You may not have a choice.

In the vision,

it didn't look like

you had a lot of control.

How do you know

the First Song can stop it?

It's not about knowing.

It's about trusting the Mother.

I'm sorry, but that's not enough.

Then trust me.

I know in the past, I've

given you cause to doubt me.

Please. This is more important

than you can know.

Promise me you won't use the Witchbomb.

- Tal

- Promise!

Okay, fine, I promise,

but whatever you saw won't happen.

I can't even detonate

a Witchbomb that big.

And after what my mom told me,

I have no desire

to test my mortality again.

I don't like this, Tally.

We should go with you.

No, you need to be here. Find Scylla,

and help the Cession

in whatever way you can.

Don't bother arguing. I've already seen

that I walk out that door solo.

Did you just look ahead

to the end of the argument?

Has she done this to you before?

Jerk move, right? Wait until

you actually need her

to See something useful, then she's all,

"Oh, it's hazy, I don't know!"

That is so not true, and you know it!

I can't believe you're

leaving. I just got back.

Mm. Be safe, Tal.

What are you doing

wandering around here, Army?

Looking for you, Batan.

We couldn't have done the underground

Mycelial travel for this part?

I would have loved to, but the Mycelium

is nowhere near.

Can't travel through glaciers.

Right.

The mouth of the cave is up ahead.

Wait.

If something goes wrong in there,

I need you to promise me

to get the Song and save yourself.

You're a steward.

Leave me behind if you have to.

If I return with you,

your Unit will blame me.

Can you imagine the wrath

they will unleash?

Doesn't matter.

If what you told me is true,

and the fate of this world

hangs in the balance,

all that matters

is the Song. Promise me.

I will.

And I promise what we're doing

is for the good of all people.

You've made a lot

of promises over the years.

You've disappointed me a lot.

But I know as deeply as I know anything,

you're telling the truth.

Onward.

Please. I need to go home to my family.

We just captured this Army deserter.

Let me help her.

This is days old. Why didn't

the Army's Fixers look at this?

There are no Fixers.

What?

The Civilian Oversight

detained them in Fort Salem.

They sent you into battle

without medics?

Ask, and it shall be given to you.

Seek, and ye shall find.

Knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

Ask, and it shall be given to you.

Seek, and ye shall find.

Knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

I know you.

Yeah, I'm pretty famous.

No. I've seen you.

In her memories.

Whose memories?

The soldier we detained

in Sioux Territory last week.

Scylla?

Do you know where she is?

Start talking.

President Silver. What a nice surprise.

Surprise, huh.

That's exactly the word

that I was looking for.

Wow, that is atrocious.

I think I read that witches have

extremely unrefined palates, sir.

Well, that would make sense.

You know, I have a friend who

runs a distillery in Kentucky.

I'll have him send you over

a few bottles of the good stuff.

That's very kind of you.

Now, what can I do for you?

Because we're in the middle of a

w*r right now, so I'm a little busy.

Are you, though? Hm.

See, I mentioned the word

"surprise" earlier,

because I am surprised.

How so?

We have the most

formidable Army in the world,

and yet, our troops are behind held back

by some half-assed,

taped together Cession militia.

Led by Thelma Bearkiller,

who I assure you,

does not do anything half-assed.

We should be crushing them!

Don't you agree, Col. Jarrett?

Yes, sir, 100%.

Now quit slow-playing this occupation.

Break the stalemate

using any force necessary.

And maybe, when I bring in your daughter

and her little friends, I just might

be inclined to be lenient.

Because we will

bring them in, eventually.

Witches were already being hunted.

The Camarilla didn't even exist yet.

Hatred has always existed.

We need to hurry.

The Song isn't in a vessel.

It's inside her.

What do we do?

Time to wake the witch.

No one knew her name or who she was,

just that she was important.

The Commanders,

they wanted any intel she had

on the Bearkiller militia.

They forced us to link with her,

to find out what we could.

What did she tell you?

Nothing.

She blocked her mind

with memories of you.

She's at a base in New Tanasi

where they commandeered a school.

They call it the Slaughterhouse.

They're determined to break her.

Clean her up.

Find out everything she knows

about this base.

We have to save Scylla.

New Tanasi is over the line

in Army territory.

I can't risk the troops.

Then I'll go alone.

It's a su1c1de mission.

Begging your pardon, Councilwoman,

but those are the missions we do best.

Abs, I can't ask you to do that.

You're not asking for anything.

Scylla needs us. She's one of us now.

We'll infiltrate the base

and gather intel, as well.

Look at the bright side.

If we get caught,

Silver has no real reason

to continue the occupation.

I suppose I couldn't

stop you if I wanted to.

Get back to our lines safely.

Did you call Scylla one of us?

You know I've got

a soft spot for shitbirds.

So, what brings

the head of Army Intelligence

into the Cession?

If I don't use my vacation days

by end of year, I lose 'em.

You know, that's the problem

with you Army brats.

You never like to have any fun.

It's all work-work-work.

Is that what you're

doing here? Having fun?

'Cause it doesn't look that way, you

You look sad. Pathetic, actually.

The bravado!

Did you think that coming into my house

and insulting my Army was a good move?

You call this an Army?

No.

Thisis what I call an Army.

Impressive.

I'm gonna ask you one more time,

what are you doing here?

And if you don't have an answer,

I can show you what

my Army is capable of.

Abigail tells me you have

experience with the Marshal.

You could call it that.

Can you track him down?

It's hard enough to evade him.

I assume you're looking

for President Wade.

Hm? What a scoundrel that Marshal is,

taking off in the middle of the night

with such precious U.S. cargo.

Do you really think she can stop

what's brewing out there?

She's our only hope.

She's not a witch!

She's one of them!

Wade is on our side.

She doesn't look like

she's on anybody's side.

She's M.I.A. Gone.

She could be dead, for all you know!

She's not.

Then why hasn't she returned?

So say you find her,

and she's alive. Then what?

Hm? It all goes back to status quo?

Peace prevails, as long

as everyone stays in line

and does as they're told.

You have another plan?

If I did, it would not involve

pinning my hopes on a politician.

The world is burning.

Why not try to help put out the fire

for once in your damn life?

I can offer you a tune-up.

And that's the best I can do.

Their scanners will see right through

- any Invisibility Work.

- I could try a storm.

No offense, but I think

Scylla would rather be rescued

without a roof collapsing on her.

Okay, what about the Witchbomb?

Promised Tally I wouldn't use it.

Then we fight.

It could be three against 100.

What choice do we have?

They have scanners,

dampeners, reflective armor

everything designed

specifically to stop our Work.

What if we can distract them

without Work?

Come swing with me!

- How about I push?

- Whoo!

Hey, don't you kids know

that there's a curfew?

I feel sick.

Too much tequila.

What are you doing out here?

I'm so sorry, man. We were

coming home from a party

- Party?

- Yeah.

There's a w*r going on, you know.

Totally. And we're on your side.

Show me your papers!

Okay, man. Relax.

We need to facilitate a transfer.

A what?

All stewards are able to

transfer Work between witches.

It's how they can pass their Song down.

Okay How?

I'm not sure. I haven't done it myself.

Maybe this will help.

But I thought you said

that wasn't the First Song?

But it is the Song

of her family. Maybe

if she recognizes it

Did you see that?!

Tally?

It's been dark for so long,

and now, finally,

I can see again.

You're not Tally.

Indeed.

Who are you?

My name is Sarah Alder. I am one

of the Stewards of the First Song.

Of course you are.

The time has come for

it to be sung again.

All of us must do our part.

Our part?

Where were you centuries ago

when these bastards hunted me down

for that Song?

I'm sorry you had to endure that.

It has only caused pain and persecution.

We can change that.

You are like them

here to take from me.

Or perhaps instead, I'll take from you.

Oh, no.

No, no, no. Tally! Tally!

Tally!

I, for one, am very grateful

you didn't spill your guts

to those witches.

Because spilling guts is my thing.

I always wished I grew up

back in the day,

when the world was more sensible.

They'd bury your kind up to the waist,

then let the schoolboys

practice their form.

Hours of fun.

Anything you'd like to say?

Let's play ball.

Unlock her.

- Or else?

- Unlock her now.

The "now" almost convinced me.

But I don't think so.

We've blocked your little

wind and whispers in here.

You think you can block the Witchbomb?

You know who I am, right?

'Cause your little friend Hearst knows.

And I think all your buddies

who att*cked the Tarim.

The mushrooms don't just

start on the skin.

They form deeper.

In the muscle. In the bone.

You're alive as each

individual nerve is consumed.

You're essentially being

eaten from the inside out.

Hurts so badly, I've seen a man

claw his own belly open

to try and rip out the infection.

Didn't work, but I think

it did k*ll him faster, right?

Your nails don't look sharp enough

to claw into your stomach.

Maybe I'm wrong.

Should we find out?

I just work here.

No harm, no foul, all right?

Good?

Hold that feeling.

Glad to have you back, Ramshorn.

There they are!

Okay, let's go!

Come on, Tally! Come on!

Are you all right?

Are you all right?

Yeah. I think so.

The Song, did you get it?

No. We need to get outta here.

We're not leaving without it.

Apprehend the fugitives!

Hold! Defensive positions!

Witches of Fort Salem!

I bear you no hate.

But I will not allow an occupying force

to cross this line.

We're outnumbered. Fall back!

att*ck! That's an order.

There will be no retreat.

Retreat is treason against

the United States of America!

We're outnumbered!

This is your final warning.

Hold! We're in the line of fire!

They're k*lling my soldiers.

What have I done?

Nothing.

Just as we expected you'd do.

You follow the rules,

Bellweather, always have.

Partly what got you the General's chair.

You know nothing about me.

Mm. I do know that after Alder,

the country was desperate

for someone safe and predictable.

Someone nonthreatening.

My hands have been tied since the moment

Silver took his Oath of Office.

There are two ways people

who have their hands tied react.

Some are willing

to bite off their own thumbs

just to be free.

And then, there are others

who sit quietly,

hands behind their backs,

just waiting. Waiting

for someone to come along

and undo the knot.

Safe to say you wind up solidly

in the latter category, yes?

Huh.

You've got me thinking

about my own Oath of Office.

Powerful words.

To protect this great nation

from all enemies,

foreign and domestic.

Safe to say

you wind up solidly

in the latter category.

Yes?

We are the daughters of ancient lines.

We are called to greatness.

It's just hail.

Walk it off.

My mother always said

dying in battle was an honor.

But it doesn't feel like an honor.

You're not dying.

It was all for nothing.

- No.

- It was.

Look around. Where are the heroes?

We need a Fixer!

Hang in there. That's an order!

I'm sorry, Abs.

She's already gone.

When she latched onto me,

I could see her memories.

There was so much pain,

so much tragedy.

And then in this cave, just

endless loneliness.

That's why she descended

into complete madness.

You said stewards can transfer Work,

so what if I could give her

something else to See,

other than all that trauma?

A trade. My Sight for her Song.

Tally. That's a great sacrifice.

For Raelle's life?

For all our lives?

What good is Sight when there's

nothing to look forward to?

Besides, it might be good for me to see

what's right in front of me

for a change.

The Song has only caused you pain.

Then why keep it?

With my Sight, you won't have to exist

in the darkness anymore.

You'll still be here,

but you'll be able

to See the world again.

See beyond. See a future that's better.

Please.

It worked.

- We need to get you out.

- What about you?

- Don't worry about me.

- No! You promised.

I promised to protect

the stewards at all costs.

You're a steward now.

But

Is the BAT ready for take-off?

Where do you think you're going?

The Cession. To deal

with things directly.

Absolutely not. Your orders

are to remain here.

My orders were to quit slowplaying.

So, which is it? I'm not doing enough,

or I'm doing too much?

Make up your mind, Mr. President.

I don't like your tone.

Well, I don't like unannounced visits.

For the second time, I might add.

Where's Colonel Jarrett?

- Beg your pardon?

- You heard me.

I haven't seen or heard

from him in some time.

That's highly unusual. So, where is he?

Ah, Mr. President. I didn't realize

you were going to grace us

with your presence today.

There you are.

I was just asking

General Bellweather about you.

I was packing my things, sir.

She's planning something.

So keep her in line,

and make sure the Occupation continues.

I will, sir.

Perfect timing.

Yeah, good thing

he didn't stay too long.

Don't think I could have maintained

that prick's face much longer.

Hopefully, you won't have to.

Marshal tracked me down

when I didn't want to be found.

Let's see how he likes it.

If Wade and the Marshal

are in the Cession,

we'll find them.

And when we do find them,

we can start talking about my pardon.

Abs, she's awake.

How did I get here?

We're not really sure.

We found you in the garden,

days ago, covered

in frostbite and barely alive.

Couldn't string a sentence together.

And couldn't tell us

why Alder wasn't with you.

The cave collapsed.

I got the Song,

but Alder didn't

She didn't make it.

One steward down.

I think we should turn ourselves in.

- What?

- Why?

Hear me out.

This bloodshed has gone on too long.

How many more Lupe Cortez's have to die?

They're all here because of us.

And yes, I'm aware that we will be

put on trial for m*rder and treason

and and likely be ex*cuted.

But the Cession has gone

out of her way to protect us.

Isn't it time that

we returned the favor?

If there's even a chance

that our surrender

can provide some peace,

don't we have to try?

We started this together.

We should end it together.

I told you, I'm not leaving you again.

You sure you want

to go through with this?

I am.

Then I wish you good fortune.

Wado, Bearkiller.

Dodadagohvi, Bellweather.

You think they'll bother with a trial

or just execute us on the spot?

If we force their hand,

they won't be able to.

That's why the media's here.

Your Sight's really gone, huh?

No way to see what's coming?

I'm not even sure

I'd want to see this one.

No rescue missions. No jail breaks.

Nothing that makes things worse.

I promise.

Find Khalida.

I will.

And you come back to us

as soon as you can.

- I love you.

- I love you, too.

Hey, look at me.

It's gonna be okay.

You know, when my mom told me

I'd be mortal if I came back,

I thought I'd be scared

or unsure. But I'm not.

And I've never been more sure

of anything in my entire life.

Because I have you by my side.

I just wish there was more time.

There never is.

There's always something

trying to keep us apart.

Then we won't let it.

We won't let anything

pull us apart again.

All right?

If we get out of this

When we get out of this

will you marry me?

- Yes.

- Yes? Yes.

Okay, then.

Heads high.

Hey, they're coming out!

We have apprehended the fugitives.

All U.S. Army personnel will stand down.

This Occupation is over.