03x03 - The Book of Occupation: Chapter Three: Agent Odell's Pipe-Dream

[bunniefuu]

[Jefferson] Previously on Black Lightning...

The Markovian w*r is coming.

Every metahuman in Freeland is in danger.

[Williams] Markovians breached the compound.

[Odell] Put Freeland on lockdown.

There's a clear and present Markovian thr*at and until that is eliminated, we cannot allow you to leave.

-Or you, Dr. Stewart. -What?

I picked this up a few moments ago.

That's Grace.

I'm a reporter for Clap Back News.

You always come to bars looking for stories?

-I don't usually do this kind of thing. -I'm not judging.

[Lala] 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.

[Tobias] 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 k*ll me. -I did.

Sergeant King! Your officer is a Green Light user and a possible metahuman.

King?

[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--

[choking]

[woman over speaker] How many martial arts do you know?

Wing Chun.

[grunting]

Aikido.

[grunting]

Kali.

[groans]

Wrestling.

[grunting]

Western boxing.

[grunting]

Judo.

[grunting]

Tae kwon do.

[groans]

Jujitsu.

[groaning]

Muay Thai.

[groans]

Silat.

-[cracking] -[screaming]

[Painkiller] 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?

[woman over speaker] Mastering 23 different martial arts seems extreme.

Uh, there's no extreme in w*r.

"And to k*ll the grass, you must k*ll the root." Pol Pot.

[woman over speaker] You're quoting someone who k*lled 10% of the population of Cambodia.

25%.

Pol Pot k*lled 25% of the population of Cambodia.

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 gallivantin' all over Freeland, having fun and not checkin' in.

You didn'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?

No, no, no. It's just... [chuckles softly]

You sound just like Dad.

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.

[chuckles] That's all I wanted.

-Sheesh, come here. Give me a hug. -Mmm-mmm. I ain't hugging you.

-[Anissa] I said come here. -[giggling]

[sighs] You get on my nerves.

I know, but I'm tired.

Please... don't bother me. Good night.

Good mornin'.

You see the sun out... and who's Jamillah?

[Jennifer chuckling] Good night.

Oh.

[guard 1] Be quiet in there!

[guard 2] Do not clear!

[guard 1] Hands off the vents.

[indistinct chatter in distance]

What is all this about?

Precautions.

Precaution for what?

There's some type of virus goin' around.

People are gettin' sick.

How you holdin' up?

I'm a cop in jail.

How you think I'm holdin' up?

I'm sorry.

It's just...

Whatever is going around, I got it, too.

[breathing shakily]

-You want me to get a doctor? -I already seen two.

They have no idea what's wrong with us.

-I'm sure they'll figure it out. -I don't know about that.

[guard 3 in distance] Hey, sit down! Sit down!

You could've told me you were a meta.

It wouldn't have changed anything.

No, I couldn't.

Because then you'd have to choose between helping me and turning me in.

I would never put you in that position.

Look, I need you to do somethin' 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 nothin'.

Thank you.

[breathing shakily]

-Oh, man... I'm having another one. -Hey, King.

-Hey! Hey! We need some help over here. -[King whimpering]

[Henderson] Right now. Hey! Hey! Hey!

Get over here! We need your help in here!

[King choking]

-[man] Need her airway clear! -[woman] Clear her vitals!

[choking]

♪ Last night I saw a superhero He was black ♪

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

[soft music playing]

[screen 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. Stewart'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, are you gonna help me or not?

What are the symptoms?

[upbeat song playing]

[helicopter blades whirring]

[Jamillah] Authorities are chasing Blackbird in response to reports that she freed several suspected metas from the ASA.

[w*apon f*ring]

I'm Jamillah Olsen, and I'm here at the perimeter where ASA commandos have Blackbird cornered.

I'm going to see if I can get closer.

[w*apon f*ring]

[panting]

-[Blackbird grunts] -[expl*si*n]

[indistinct chatter]

Dibs.

-Do you know who Jennifer Pierce is? -Uh-huh.

[Jennifer chuckles] "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.

The people at the front desk, they said no one knows Garfield better than you.

-Is that right? -Yeah.

Follow me.

Hey, what's goin' on with all the g*ns?

They're here to keep us safe.

[Brandon] From what?

[screen 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 marshaling their forces.

This thr*at 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 a space shuttle, but it can only be activated with your unique skills.

[sighs and stammers]

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?

-That'll fry it. -Will it?

Okay. I'll humor you, okay?

Ten volts.

What the...

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.

Whoa!

It's so we can create tech that will help all metas to live better.

The Markovians are planning on k*lling... 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.

[exhales]

Well, damn.

[Henderson] This is bad.

Yeah, it is.

Some of these officers have been serving Freeland for decades.

They shouldn't be treated like this.

They've been registering and testing regular folks for the meta gene for the past month.

-Why should y'all be any different? -[Grayle] Excuse me.

-William Henderson. -Yes?

I have orders to put you through the registration process.

I'm the Chief of Police.

We're 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 grunts]

[Tobias grunts and groans]

What's happened to aging gracefully?

Privacy, please.

[door opens]

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 k*lled him?

[breathes heavily]

Makes sense.

I'd have done the same thing.

Can't have some kid runnin' around, knowin' 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.

If 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.

-[grunts] -Oh!

You know, I just realized... [chuckles softly]

you...

You haven't been out of your cell in over a month.

I owe you some... time in the sun.

Open.

[Tobias 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]

[sizzling]

Let know when you're ready to talk.

[groaning]

[screaming]

[whimpering]

[continues screaming]

[Brandon] You know, I'm really diggin' that jacket.

Yeah, whatever.

I don't usually see black kids wearing thousand-dollar shoes.

Don't see what being black has to do with it, but...

Really?

Race influences everything in America.

If you say it doesn't, then you're either lyin' 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.

Second, that was a dream.

Okay? It wasn't reality.

Well, you have to admit, things have gotten better.

[chuckles] 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 att*cked the school and sent over a dozen kids and teachers to the hospital.

You're making that up.

[Jennifer chuckles] I wish I was.

This is the classroom 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.

[sighs]

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.

[bell rings]

[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.

Well, 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.

I don't know, Verretta. 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? -[woman] 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, Verretta.

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.

-[officer] Ma'am! Ma'am! Hold on! -Bitch! Who do you think you are?

You can't... Who do you think you are?

-Get off me! -It's okay. Let her go.

-Sir, she just assaulted-- -Let her go.

Yeah. Go on, get.

Get off me.

Are you okay?

Yeah.

[Odell] I owe you

-an apology. -[Tobias breathing deeply]

I lost my temper and I took it out on you. I shouldn't have done that.

It was unprofessional, and for that, I'm sorry.

[Tobias] 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]

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 gonna have to come up with a number with a whole lot of zeros and commas behind it.

On top of that, I want my freedom, territory, and a host of other considerations I have 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.

[clicking tongue]

I've thought about it... and the answer is still no.

[continues breathing deeply]

Open.

[door opens]

[door closes]

[Odell over speaker] Dr. Stewart.

I've 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 att*cked the camp a few days ago.

I ran a computer model and the outbreak coincides with his demise.

He must have 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 att*ck.

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.

[loudly] I know!

Look, I don't work for you, okay? I'm not your employee.

I'm helping you.

So, I'm gonna 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]

[doorbell rings]

-Hey. -Chief Henderson.

Herbert, um...

I'm so sorry for your loss.

You have my deepest condolences.

Your wife wanted you to have this.

[engine starts]

[vehicle receding]

Chief!

So, you're just showin' up in my living room in the middle of the day?

Really? That's what we're doin' now?

I forgot how impertinent teenagers can be.

The Markovians k*lled Khalil's mother, Nichelle.

I wanted you to hear it from me first.

I'm sorry for your loss.

[shakily] 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 k*ll her? -We don't know, but we're looking into it.

The Markovians want to capture or k*ll 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?

[in Russian] Look! A sh**ting star.

I don't think that's a sh**ting star.

Then what is it?

Get down!

[men grunting and groaning]

Hey!

-[Grey] Where's Dr. Jace? -[Black Lightning] What?

Do you have Dr. Jace?

[Black Lightning] No, Dr. Jace wasn't my mission.

My 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.

[Black Lightning] Hey, where are we going?

To smoke out Dr. Jace.

[indistinct chatter in Russian]

I'll cover you.

[grunting and groaning]

[grunting and groaning continues]

[screams and grunts]

-[man speaking Russian] -Where's Dr. Jace?

[in English] I don't know who that is.

Where is she?

[man breathing heavily]

She's in the back office.

[man 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?

[stuttering] 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 are 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? [scoffs]

I just stole dr*gs from the clinic where you work so I can keep my "gift" under control.

I have some serious problems.

You're self-medicating.

I get it.

We can get you help.

[scoffs] Help? Look, there's no help for this.

Yes, there is.

[sighs] I'm tired of running.

Okay, well then, just stop running, Grace.

I'm here for you.

Okay?

-Come here. -Okay.

[indistinct chatter]

-[Anissa] Hey. -Hey.

-Look, thanks for meeting me. -No problem.

So... [sighs]

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.

You thought we were gonna have sex and I was just gonna lose my mind?

-[chuckles] No. -Yes, you did.

[chuckling] No, I didn't!

[laughing] 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 should go be with her.

Thanks.

I will.

Cool.

-Let me buy you a drink. -Okay, sounds good.

-[Jamillah] Yeah? -Mmm-hmm.

Your target is the data farm up ahead.

It'll have a much higher electrical output than the surrounding areas.

[Lightning] You know, my parents can't know about this.

-[Odell] They won't. -I found it.

Good. Now, take it out.

[exclaims]

-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]

[Odell] The data farm is down.

We have the address.

324 Oglethorpe.

[guard grunts]

♪ Since they wanna know ♪

♪ Since they wanna know ♪

♪ Since they wanna know ♪

♪ Here's the formula on O Now let's go! ♪

♪ Obie Trice, the giant Standing a 5'8'' stature ♪

♪ Back with a second album Supplying ya Fear Factor ♪

♪ But Joe ain't the host, my... ♪

♪ You have the access to The most noted flow on Shady's faction ♪

♪ And I ain't being cocky If so, accept my apology ♪

♪ Except, Know I process my thoughts logically ♪

♪ First week's sales Tops the toll from tsunami ♪

♪ But haters like to yell It's the white boy behind me ♪

♪ But you couldn't inhale A flow that's more grimey ♪

♪ Since they wanna know ♪

♪ All I want is what's mine I don't care who I hurt ♪

♪ Since they wanna know ♪

♪ End what's right And why am I immature? ♪

♪ Since they wanna know ♪

♪ All I want is what's mine I don't care who I hurt ♪

♪ Since they wanna know ♪

Thank you for your service.

Well, thank you for the watch.

-I'll see you tomorrow. -I'll send a car.

Are you... 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 sighs] Thank you.

-Hey! [chuckles] -[Jennifer and Anissa squeal]

-[laughter] -Hi!

[Jefferson exclaims]

-[Lynn] Hi! -Oh, my God!

-[laughter] -[Lynn] Oh!

-[Jefferson] Aw! -[Lynn] We missed y'all.

[Anissa] We missed y'all so much.

[sighs] Thank God that's over!

I'm going to bed.

What?

-Hold on. We can catch up. -[Jennifer] Good night.

[Lynn] Good night.

-What's up with you? -Can we catch up later? I kinda gotta go.

-Seriously? -Yeah, we'll catch up tomorrow.

I love you guys. Bye.

-Bye! Pretty! -[Jefferson] All right. Love you.

Thank you! Bye.

Hey, since, uh, the girls don't seem to wanna hang out with us, we can celebrate comin' home.

Um, no. Not tonight, honey. I'm b*at.

Take a rain check?

-Okay. -Good night.

[Jefferson] Good night.

♪ You know it ain't right To treat me this way ♪

♪ If I'm home, just show up some day ♪

♪ Don't take too long ♪ Great.

♪ Come on home! ♪

♪ I'm alone ♪

[Black Lightning] This is exactly where you belong.

In a deep, dark hole.

[chuckles]

And the best part is, I put you here.

You'll never b*at me, 'cause you are weak... and stupid. [laughing]

I'mma get out of here and I'mma reclaim what's mine.

Then I'mma k*ll you and everything you care about.

I'mma have fun doin' it.

[Black Lightning] You will never ever b*at me.

And here's a little secret:

You will never ever get out of here.

[laughing]

You ghetto glow worm.

I'm gonna k*ll your black monkey ass.

[closing theme music playing]