A Visit to Black Iron

FADE IN: INTERIOR - BLACK IRON DETENTION FACILITY - DAY
<THE CAMERA FADES IN ON A TIGHT CLOSEUP OF A DARK-GRAY, VINYL-TILE FLOOR. AS THE CAMERA PULLS BACK, WE SEE THE INLAID DESIGN OF A PHASE II INSIGNIA WITH THE WORDS 'NORTHEAST HOLDING AND PROCESSING FACILITY – BLACK IRON' ENCIRCLING IT. WE HEAR INDISTINCT MALE VOICES AND LAUGHTER. THE CAMERA PANS TO SHOW THREE GUARDS IN PHASE II UNIFORM – CHIEF DIONELLA, OFFICER THOMPSON, AND OFFICER LOPEZ.>
:::::::::: <DIONELLA>
:: So then the wife says, “If I can still walk to the kitchen after sex, you don't deserve a sandwich!!!”
<ALL THREE MEN LAUGH RAUCOUSLY. A LOUD BUZZ IS HEARD AND THE CAMERA CUTS TO A DOOR AT THE FAR END OF THE ROOM AS IT OPENS. THREE PEOPLE ENTER: PHASE II AGENT LOIS COOPER AND THE SUPERHEROS KNOWN AS SEEKER & MISTRAL. AT THEIR APPEARANCE, THE GUARDS LAUGHTER CUTS OFF SHARPLY>
:::::::::: <DIONELLA>
:: Agent Cooper! To what do we owe the pleasure?
:::::::::: <COOPER>
:::::::: (Gruffly.)
:: Got a couple of visitors to see a prisoner, umm...
:::::::: (Checks her tablet.)
:: Four-Eight-Alpha-Mike-Bravo on level 6.
:::::::::: <DIONELLA>
:::::::: (Nods and gestures to a security panel between the other two guards as he accesses his own tablet)
:: Lemme pull up the order and we'll get you right in, ma'am.
:::::::: (Taps a few more times on his tablet screen.)
:: Go ahead, ma'am.
:::::::::: <COOPER>
:::::::: (Places her right hand on a palm-print reader and leans into a retinal scanner as she speaks with distinct clarity.)
:: Cooper. Lois. Senior Agent. Investigations.
<A FAINT, METALLIC CLICK IS HEARD AND A DOOR OPENS INTO THE PREVIOUSLY BLANK WALL BEHIND THE GUARDS. AGENT COOPER GESTURES FOR THE TWO SUPERS TO ENTER AND FOLLOWS THEM THROUGH THE DOORWAY.>
:::::::::: <DIONELLA>
:::::::: (As the door silently closes.)
:: I swear that woman is wound so tight she could eat charcoal and crap diamonds.
CUT TO: INTERIOR - DETENTION FACILITY ELEVATOR - DAY
<THE LIGHTING IS MUTED IN THE ELEVATOR CAR. THE MOOD IS TENSE. AGENT COOPER IS PLAINLY AGITATED. MISTRAL AND SEEKER ENTER BEFORE AGENT COOPER. AS THE DOORS CLOSE BEHIND THE THREE, COOPER POKES THE '6' BUTTON HARD WITH A STIFF FINGER AND THE ELEVATOR BEGINS TO DESCEND.>
:::::::::: <SEEKER>
:: Agent Cooper, if it is not inconvenient, Mistral and I would like to interrogate the entity in private.
:::::::::: <COOPER>
:::::::: (Turns slowly, eyes slitted, head tilted.)
:: “Inconvenient”?
:::::::: (Scoffs audibly.)
:: This entire day has been “inconvenient”. I don't know what strings you pulled or what favors you called in and I really don't care, but at this moment I have 19 open investigations on my desk, no less than 4 of which involve your little cohort here, and you are keeping me away from doing things that -need- to be done.
:::::::: (Shakes her head and looks disapprovingly at Mistral.)
:: No. I'll do what I've been ordered to do and give you access to the prisoner, but I'll be standing right there the entire time.
<THE ELEVATOR DINGS AND THE DOORS SLIDE OPEN. AGENT COOPER SPINS ON HER HEEL AND STRIDES AWAY, THE SUPERS FOLLOWING A FEW STEPS BEHIND.>
:::::::::: <MISTRAL>
:: That went well. Not.
:::::::::: <SEEKER>
:::::::: (Sighs deeply.)
:: Agent Cooper and I have... met previously. Be glad that you are not in need of medical attention now. We will discuss – AT LENGTH – your activities of the past few weeks when our task here is finished.
CUT TO: INTERIOR - DETENTION FACILITY LEVEL 6 GUARD STATION - DAY
<AGENT COOPER STOPS AT A GUARD STATION MANNED BY 4 GUARDS, EACH ARMED WITH STANDARD-ISSUE PHASE II HEAVY PULSE RIFLES AND WEARING A FULL SUIT OF HEAVY ARMOR. SEEKER AND MISTRAL WALK UP BEHIND HER.>
:::::::::: <COOPER>
:: Interrogation of prisoner Four-Eight-Alpha-Mike-Bravo. No escort required.
:::::::::: <OFFICER BELL>
:: No escort, ma'am? He's a little frisky for a solo performance.
<THE OTHER OFFICERS CHUCKLE SOFTLY AND ARE SILENCED BY A GLARE FROM AGENT COOPER. SHE OPENS HER JACKET TO EXPOSE A GLEAMING BLACK CHEST-PLATE, PHASE II'S NEWEST POWERED TACTICAL ARMOR, AND, HANGING IN A SHOULDER HOLSTER, THE LARGEST HAND-CANNON IN THEIR ARMORY.>
:::::::::: <COOPER>
:: This young lady is one of the two that took him down in the first place and the gentleman is more than capable in a fight.
<COOPER SNAPS HER HEAD DOWNWARD IN A SHARP NODDING MOTION. A SET OF SCULPTED ARMOR PLATES RISES FROM WITHIN HER COLLAR, QUICKLY FORMING A FORM-FITTING OPEN-FACED HELMET.>
:::::::::: <COOPER>
:: I think we'll be okay.
:::::::::: <OFFICER BELL>
:::::::: (Visibly taken aback.)
:: Yes, ma'am.
<BELL STEPS ASIDE AND KEYS IN AN ENTRY CODE. A MUTED, METALLIC 'THUNK' IS HEARD AND A HEAVY, METALLIC DOOR SWINGS OUTWARD FROM THE WALL BEHIND THE GUARD STATION. A SHIMMERING FORCE-FIELD FADES OUT OF EXISTENCE AND A SMALL, FEATURELESS ROOM CAN BE SEEN. COOPER, SEEKER, AND MISTRAL ENTER THE ROOM. THE FORCE-FIELD SHIMMERS BACK INTO BEING AS THE DOOR CLOSES BEHIND THEM.>
CUT TO: INTERIOR - DETENTION FACILITY LEVEL 6 CELL BLOCK - DAY
<COOPER, SEEKER, AND MISTRAL EXIT THE SECURITY LOCK. THE FORCE-FIELD REASSERTS ITSELF AND THE DOOR CLOSES BEHIND THEM. MISTRAL LOOKS AROUND, OBVIOUSLY INPRESSED WITH HER FIRST LOOK AT A PHASE II FACILITY.>
:::::::::: <MISTRAL>
:::::::: (Incredulous.)
:: This is a temporary holding tank?
:::::::::: <COOPER>
:: We don't screw around here. It's not a hobby or something we do for fun, this is our -job-.
<MISTRAL OPENS HER MOUTH AS IF TO REPLY BUT SEEKERS' HAND ON HER SHOULDER CUTS HER SHORT. HE SHAKES HIS HEAD.>
:::::::::: <SEEKER>
:::::::: (Mouthing the words silently.)
:: Let it go.
<THE CELL BLOCK OPENS UP BEFORE THEM. A SINGLE ROW OF CELLS RUNS DOWN EACH SIDE OF THE BLOCK, 5 TO A SIDE. A PAIR OF GUARDS PATROL THE CENTER AISLE AND A THIRD WALKS ALONG A NARROW CATWALK HIGH ABOVE THEM AT THE FAR END OF THE FACILITY. COOPER GLANCES AT A SMALL MAP PLACARD ON THE WALL TO GET HER BEARINGS AND THEN MOVES BRISKLY TOWARD THE CENTER CELL OF THE RIGHT-HAND BANK. MISTRAL AND SEEKER FOLLOW CLOSELY. ONE OF THE PATROLLING GUARDS NODS IN SILENT ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THEIR PRESENCE.>
<THE CELL IS A BARE CUBE, 3 METERS BY 4 METERS, THREE WALLS VACU-FORMED OF PLASTEEL, AN INTEGRAL BED AND TOILET THE ONLY FURNISHINGS. BARS AND A GLIMMERING FORCE-FIELD FORM THE FOURTH WALL. KAOTIK, A STRINGY-HAIRED, TWENTY-SOMETHING DRESSED IN A BRIGHT-ORANGE PRISON JUMPSUIT, STANDS IN THE CENTER OF THE CELL. HE SEEMS RELAXED. LIKE A COILED COBRA. HE IS THE ONLY PRISONER IN THE BLOCK.>
:::::::::: <COOPER>
:::::::: (Nodding in the direction of the prisoner.)
:: Ask your questions.
<MISTRAL GLANCES AROUND, UNSURE, LOOKING FIRST TO SEEKER, THEN COOPER, THEN KAOTIK, AND BACK TO COOPER.>
:::::::::: <MISTRAL>
:: He can hear me?
:::::::::: <KAOTIK>
:::::::: (Laughing as he speaks in an unearthly, disembodied voice.)
:: Of course, I can hear you, child. I can nearly taste your fear, smell your confusion, feel your trembling ignorance. You come seeking answers, but you are too simple to even form the questions.
:::::::::: <MISTRAL>
:::::::: (Yelling angrily.)
:: I wasn't too simple to kick -YOUR- ass, was I?
:::::::::: <SEEKER>
:: Mistral! He's trying to make you angry and you are allowing him to succeed. This is a useless endeavor if you cannot think clearly.
:::::::::: <MISTRAL>
:::::::: (Inhales deeply and forces the breath out slowly through her mouth.)
:: I know, Seeker, I know. It's just tha...
<AT THIS MOMENT, HELL BREAKS LOOSE. THE CELL BLOCK GOES DARK FOR A SPLIT SECOND BEFORE THE EMERGENCY LIGHTING KICKS IN. IN THE DIM LIGHT, TWO FIGURES CAN BE SEEN. SLIM AND BARELY HUMAN IN APPEARANCE, THEY FLOAT JUST ABOVE THE FLOOR. WRAPPED FROM HEAD TO TOE IN A BLACK, GAUZE-LIKE FABRIC, THEY ARE SURROUNDED IN THE SAME SHADOWY GHOST-FIRE THAT NOW CLOAKS MISTRAL. THEY ARE THE EYES OF SHADOW. AS THE FORCE-FIELDS ACROSS THE CELLS FADE, THEY FLOAT FORWARD INTO KAOTIKS' CELL. HE BACKS AWAY FROM THEM, EYES WIDE.>
:::::::::: <KAOTIK>
:::::::: (Frightened.)
:: NO! How did you find me? Did that coward offer me up to save his own worthless existence?
<AGENT COOPER PULLS HER WEAPON FROM HER JACKET AND TAKES AIM AT THE TWO INTRUDERS IN THE CELL. AS SHE DOES, THE TWO PATROLLING GUARDS COME UP BEHIND HER IN FLANKING POSITIONS, EACH AIMING HIS PULSE RIFLE AT ONE OF THE INTRUDERS. THE GUARD ON THE CATWALK DROPS TO ONE KNEE, HIS WEAPON COVERING THE SCENE. MISTRAL STANDS ASIDE, SEEMINGLY CONFUSED, LOOKING AROUND THE ROOM. SEEKER ASSUMES A MARTIAL STANCE, READY TO ATTACK OR DEFEND AS REQUIRED.>
:::::::::: <COOPER>
:: FREEZE!!! If you move, we -will- fire.
<THE INTRUDERS PAY NO HEED, REMAINING FOCUSED ON KAOTIK.>
:::::::::: <EYES OF SHADOW>
:::::::: (Speaking in chorus to Kaotik.)
:: We are Eyes. We see. You are unwelcome. There must be balance.
:::::::::: <COOPER>
:::::::: (Issuing order to the guards.)
:: Spread fire! Take 'em down!
<AS THE WORDS LEAVE HER MOUTH, FIVE MORE FIGURES DETACH THEMSELVES FROM THE SHADOWS. CLAD FROM HEAD TO TOE IN BLACK TACTICAL ARMOR, THESE ARE THE HANDS OF SHADOW. ONE LOOSES A BLAST OF SHADOW ENERGY AT THE GUARD ON THE CATWALK WHILE THE OTHER FOUR COMBINE THEIR ATTACKS, FOCUSING ON THE PHASE II AGENT AND GUARDS. SHADOW ENERGIES PULSE AND FLOW, LEAVING ALL THREE UNCONSCIOUS.>
:::::::::: <SEEKER>
:::::::: (Leaping into the fray.)
:: Cease your hostilities!
<SEEKER AIMS A VICIOUS BLOW AT ONE OF THE GROUP BUT HIS STRIKE SEEMS TO PASS THROUGH HER AS IF SHE WAS NOT THERE. MISTRAL SHAKES HER HEAD AND TRIES TO FOCUS, STUMBLING TOWARD SEEKER.>
<IN THE CELL, THE TWO FLOATING FIGURES BEGIN TO CHANT IN A GUTTURAL TONGUE. WISPS AND THREADS OF DARKNESS FLOW FROM THEIR BODIES AND COALESCE AROUND KAOTIK. HE HOWLS AT THEM - RAGE, FEAR, AND FRUSTRATION MADE ALMOST PHYSICAL BY HIS VOICE.>
<THE GROUP OF FOUR TURNS THEIR ATTENTION TO SEEKER, SIMULTANEOUSLY THRUSTING THEIR HANDS TOWARD HIM. SHADOW ENERGY BURSTS FORTH, ENVELOPING THE COSTUMED HERO BEFORE HURLING HIM BACKWARD INTO THE WALL OF THE CELL BLOCK WHERE HE COLLAPSES. HIS CRY OF AGONY SNAPS MISTRAL OUT OF HER DAZE .>
:::::::::: <MISTRAL>
:: Oh, you are going to regret that!
<MISTRAL LOOSES A BLAST TOWARD THE GOUP AND ALL FOUR STAGGER BACK, BRIEFLY DAZED.>
<AS THE EYES OF SHADOW CONTINUE CHANTING, KAOTIK STRUGGLES AGAINST THE SHADOWY BONDS THAT HOLD HIM TIGHT, HIS HOWLING RAGE GROWING EVEN LOUDER.>
<THE FIVE HANDS OF SHADOW DISAPPEAR SUDDENLY, FADING INTO THE DARKNESS FROM WHICH THEY SPRANG. JUST AS QUICKLY, THEY REAPPEAR, THIS TIME SURROUNDING MISTRAL. FOUR OF THEM SEIZE HER AS THE FIFTH MOVES CLOSER, LOOKING DEEPLY INTO MISTRALS EYES.>
:::::::::: <HAND OF SHADOW>
:: You are unknown to us, yet...familiar. You have great strength but you are undisciplined and untrained. The Mind would greatly wish to know you.
:::::::::: <MISTRAL>
:::::::: (Struggling against her captors.)
:: What the hell are you talking about? Who are you? What's 'familiar' about me? Tell me what you know!
<DISTANT, MUFFLED YELLING AND CLANGING OF METAL ON METAL CAN BE HEARD FROM THE FAR END OF THE CELL BLOCK. PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO GAIN ACCESS THROUGH THE DOOR. THE STRUGGLE INSIDE KAOTIKS CELL SEEMS TO BE REACHING A CRESCENDO.>
:::::::::: <HAND OF SHADOW>
:::::::: (Smiles briefly.)
:: There is no time. We are the Sisters of Shadow. If you seek and you are worthy, you will find us.
<WITH A FINAL GURGLING HOWL, KAOTIK IS ENGULFED. HIS VOICE CHOKES OFF INTO AN ECHOING SILENCE AND THE CONGEALED GLOGE OF SHADOW SURROUNDING HIM COLLAPSES INTO ITSELF LEAVING HIS UNCONSCIOUS BODY SPRAWLED ON THE FLOOR OF THE CELL. THE EYES OF SHADOW, WORN BY THEIR EFFORTS, SLUMP SLIGHTLY BEFORE FADING FROM SIGHT ENTIRELY.>
:::::::::: <HAND OF SHADOW>
:: Our time is done, we must go.
:::::::: (She reaches out and traces a quick pattern on Mistrals' forehead.)
:: Seek the Mind of Shadow and your questions will be answered.
:::::::: (With a final touch of her finger, she whispers.)
:: Sleep.
<MISTRALS BODY GOES SLACK IN THE ARMS OF HER CAPTORS AND THEY LOWER HER CAREFULLY TO THE FLOOR. ONE BY ONE, THE HANDS OF SHADOW FADE FROM VIEW. AS THE LAST OF THEM DISAPPEARS, THE CAMERA PANS TO SHOW THE SECURITY DOOR BURSTING OPEN AND A RUSH OF PHASE II TROOPS ENTERING, CHIEF DIONELLA IN THE LEAD. WEAPONS DRAWN, THEY HURRY FORWARD IN A TACTICAL ADVANCE.>
:::::::::: <DIONELLA>
:::::::: (Shaking his head as he looks down at the unconscious bodies sprawled across the floor.)
:: I am gonna be filling out paperwork on this shit until I retire.
FADE TO BLACK
FADE IN: EXTERIOR - THE REALM OF SHADOW - NIGHT
<THE SOUND OF WIND IS HEARD. A STRONG BREEZE RUSTLES DEAD LEAVES AND BARE BRANCHES. MISTRAL LIES ON MOSS-COVERED GROUND AS LEAVES GUST AROUND HER. THE CAMERA PULLS BACK TO SHOW HER SURROUNDINGS: A SMALL, FAMILY-PLOT CEMETARY SURROUNDED BY A SPIKE-TOPPED WROUGHT-IRON FENCE. A PLAIN BENCH OF MARBLE STANDS NEXT TO A SINGLE, UNADRONED HEADSTONE A FEW YARDS FROM HER. THE MARKER IS ENGRAVED 'ZEPHYR - SHE GAVE HER LIFE THAT OTHERS MIGHT LIVE'. MISTRAL STIRS AS WE HEAR A MUTED VOICE CALL HER NAME.>
:::::::::: <VOICEOVER>
:::::::: (Very faint, distant. Barely a whisper.)
:: Mistral...
<IT CALLS AGAIN AND SHE STIRS MORE VIOLENTLY, STRUGGLING TO AWAKE.>
:::::::::: <VOICEOVER>
:::::::: (Stronger but still faint.)
:: Mistral...
<A THIRD CALL AND SHE SNAPS AWAKE, SITTING BOLT UPRIGHT BEFORE JUMPING TO HER FEET IN A FIGHTING STANCE.>
:::::::::: <VOICEOVER>
:::::::: (Normal speaking volume.)
:: Mistral...
:::::::::: <MISTRAL>
:::::::: (Confused.)
:: Who's there?
<A SLIGHT SQUEAL OF IRON HINGES SOUNDS BEHIND HER AND SHE WHIRLS TO FACE IT. THE VOICE CALLS AGAIN.)
:::::::::: <VOICEOVER>
:::::::: (Fading again.)
:: Mistral...
:::::::::: <MISTRAL>
:: Hello?
<A SHORT, THIN MAN, MAYBE 5'6", ENTERS THROUGH THE GATE. HE IS MIDDLE AGED AND DRESSED IN A SUIT LONG OUT OF STYLE. HE WEARS A FEDORA AND A THIN TIE, BOTH OF BLACK AND MATCHING HIS SUIT. HE LOOKS UP AND SMILES AT MISTRAL.>
:::::::::: <MATINEE>
:: Hello, dear. I wasn't really expectin' to see you here today. It's not your time yet.
:::::::: (A look of sadness passes over his face as he looks at the gravestone.)
:: But then, it wasn't her time either...
:::::::::: <MISTRAL>
:: Am I... am I dead?
:::::::::: <MATINEE>
:::::::: (Smiles again.)
:: No, dear, you aren't dead. Though I can't say I...
<THE VOICE CALLS AGAIN.>
:::::::::: <VOICEOVER>
:: Mistral...
:::::::::: <MATINEE>
:::::::: (Looks up and then back to Mistral, still smiling.)
:: Mistral? Is that what you call yourself? I like it, it's very pretty. Like you.
:::::::: (Frowns and looks back to the gravestone.)
:: Like her.
:::::::::: <MISTRAL>
:::::::: (Shaking her head, confused and agitated.)
:: What? Yes, that's... that's not important! Where am I? Who are you? What the he...
:::::::::: <VOICEOVER>
:::::::: (Louder.)
:: Mistral!
:::::::::: <MATINEE>
:: Don't worry, dear. It will all make sense in time.
:::::::::: <VOICEOVER>
:::::::: (Louder still.)
:: Mistral!!!
:::::::::: <MISTRAL>
:::::::: (Jumps at the voice.)
:: What? What's going to make sense? Who -are- you?
:::::::::: <MATINEE>
:::::::: (His face lights up with a broad smile.)
:: Me? Child, don't you know me? I'm...
:::::::::: <VOICEOVER>
:::::::: (Deafening roar.)
:: MISTRAL!!!
CUT TO: INTERIOR - PHASE II DETENTION FACILITY SUPERVISORS OFFICE - DAY
<MISTRAL LIES ON A DARK GREEN, FAUX-LEATHER COUCH. SEEKER LEANS OVER HER, HIS HANDS GRASPING HER SHOULDERS AND SHAKING HER, STRUGGLING TO BRING HER AROUND. A MEDICAL TECHNICIAN STANDS BEHIND HIM, HOVERING OVER THE PAIR.>
:::::::::: <SEEKER>
:::::::: (Shouting.)
:: MISTRAL!!!
<MISTRAL JERKS AWAKE, HER EYES POPPING OPEN. SHE LOOKS AROUND THE ROOM, CONFUSED AND SEEKING ANY SIGN OF FAMILIARITY.>
:::::::::: <SEEKER>
:: Mistral, it's me. Are you okay?
:::::::::: <MISTRAL>
:::::::: (Focusing on Seeker.)
:: I... I'm okay. Where... what happened?
<THE MED-TECH STEPS FORWARD AND KNEELS.>
:::::::::: <MED-TECH>
:::::::: (Pulling a small flashlight from his shirt pocket.)
:: Miss? If I could just..
:::::::::: <MISTRAL>
:::::::: (Sitting up on the couch.)
:: I'm fine, really. I don't need...
:::::::::: <SEEKER>
:::::::: (Cutting her off.)
:: Mistral. You've been unconscious for nearly an hour. Let the man do his job.
<MISTRAL FALLS SILENT AND LETS THE TECHNICIAN WORK. HE QUICKLY RUNS THROUGH A DIAGNOSTIC ROUTINE, CHECKING VITALS AND BASIC REFLEXES BEFORE STANDING.>
:::::::::: <MED-TECH>
:: You seem fine, miss. No worse for the wear, but I still have no idea -why- you were K.O.'d like that. I'd like to run a more thorough...
<THE DOOR TO THE OFFICE OPENS. SABRINA HELLSTROM, DIRECTOR OF PHASE II, ENTERS IN A RUSH, FOLLOWED BY AGENT COOPER.>
:::::::::: <HELLSTROM>
:: She's awake? Why wasn't I informed? I want some damn answers around here, Seeker!
:::::::::: <SEEKER>
:: Madam Director, she only awakened a moment ago. I was about to have you paged.
<HELLSTROM LOOKS AT THE MED-TECH WHO NODS IN CONFIRMATION. THE DIRECTOR JERKS HER HEAD TOWARD THE DOOR. THE TECH QUICKLY GRABS HIS EQUIPMENT AND RUSHES OUT. HELLSTROM PACES AROUND THE ROOM FOR A MOMENT BEFORE LEANING AGAINST THE FRONT EDGE OF THE DESK. SHE GLARES AT MISTRAL.>
:::::::::: <HELLSTROM>
:::::::: (Snapping at Mistral.)
:: I want to know exactly what the hell happened here and what you know about it, girl. I've got a half a dozen files in my system with your image all over them, every one alongside a certain vigilante known as 'Manhunter' that I have a serious interest in, and now -THIS- Charlie-Foxtrot with you right in the middle. So start talking.
<MISTRAL JUMPS UP FROM THE COUCH, UNAWARE OF WHO SHE IS FACING. SHADOWS FLOW FROM THE CORNERS AND EDGES OF THE ROOM TO COLLECT AROUND HER FEET. THE OTHERS NOTICE THIS. COOPER AND SEEKER BOTH TAKE A STEP BACK AS COOPERS HAND EDGES TOWARD HER SIDEARM. HELLSTROM DOESN'T FLINCH.>
:::::::::: <MISTRAL>
:::::::: (Flustered and angry.)
:: How the hell am I supposed to know what happened? In case you didn't notice, I've been unconscious for the pa...
:::::::::: <SEEKER>
:::::::: (Interrupting and interposing himself between Mistral and Hellstrom.)
:: What... Mistral is trying to say is that she is as interested as we all are in finding answers, but she hasn't really had time to gather her wits after regaining consciousness. Perhaps if we all took a deep breath and calmed down, she might be able to answer some more...specific...questions.
<HELLSTROM GLARES AT MISTRAL WHO RETURNS HER GAZE FULL FORCE, UNBOWED. SEVERAL TENSE SECONDS PASS BEFORE HELLSTROM BREAKS FROM THE CONTEST, TURNING TO MOVE BEHIND THE DESK. SHE SITS AND REGARDS THE TEENAGER FOR A MOMENT, FUMING BEFORE SHE SPEAKS.>
:::::::::: <HELLSTROM>
:: Agent Cooper, if you would be so kind, pull up the security footage and bring our guest up to speed.
<COOPER NODS, PULLING HER TABLET FROM INSIDE HER JACKET.>
:::::::::: <COOPER>
:: Yes, Director.
<SHE TAKES A MOMENT TO SYNCRONIZE THE TABLET WITH  A LARGE VIDEO SCREEN ON THE WALL OF THE OFFICE. THE SCREEN LIGHTS UP WITH A FOUR-QUADRANT DISPLAY OF VIDEO FROM THE CELL-BLOCK SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS.>
:::::::::: <COOPER>
:::::::: (Monotone.)
:: You see the cameras show the three us us entering the detention block. We walk to the cell of the detainee. Pleasantries are exchanged. Little Miss Anger Management gets upset with the bad man and Seeker calms her down.
<MISTRAL OPENS HER MOUTH BUT IS SILENCED BY A GLANCE FROM SEEKER.>
:::::::::: <COOPER>
:::::::: (Continues without stopping.)
:: Aaaand *BOOM* - everything goes black. What we see now is a combined image using infra-red and low-light playback. We have audio as well, but nothing that the intruders said was in any language we've been able to identify. The two 'floaters' appear and then close in on the cell. Our former bad-guy gets real busy soiling himself while they start wrapping him up in some kind of telekinetic cotton-candy of doom. In accordance with protocol, myself and the patrol guards assume standard firing positions. You can see on camera 3 that the top-cover guard takes position as well. I give the required verbal warning to the intruders followed by the order to fire. At this point in time, 5 additional assailants materialize. One of them takes out our man on the catwalk, the rest coordinate an attack on myself and the other two guards. All PHASE II personnel were rendered unconscious at this point in the attack. Please note that Mistral does not seem to be engaged at this juncture.
<MISTRAL STARES DAGGERS AT COOPER WHO CONTINUES WITHOUT APPEARING TO NOTICE.>
:::::::::: <COOPER>
:: Seeker enters the fight at this point and is dropped in his tracks by an overwhelming response from the intruders. At this juncture, Mistral awakens from nap-time and realizes that things are not as they should be. She fires off a shot that almost seems like it might have done something, but then the whole squad poofs over and grabs her. They have a nice chat, but we only understand her side of it because the others are all speaking something that sounds like a gravel road with a speech impediment. One of them brushes Mistrals hair out of her eyes. She goes night-night. They disappear into thin air. Aaaand...here's Chief Dionella and the cavalry.
<COOPER TAPS HER TABLET A FEW TIMES AND THE LADRGE DISPLAY GOES DARK.>
:::::::::: <COOPER>
:: Elapsed time, just under 40 seconds from the time the lights went out until Chief D and the men were able to override the door and enter the detention block. We discovered the guards in the control center unconscious. They apparently had enough time and technical knowledge to shut down primary power, but not enough to kill the surveillance systems or the backup power.
:::::::::: <HELLSTROM>
:::::::: (Interrupting.)
:: Or they didn't care about the surveillance and the backups and they just wanted the tactical advantage of darkness.
<COOPER NODS AND CONTINUES.>
:::::::::: <COOPER>
:: No one was injured aside from the top-cover guard in the detention block and that was just a gash in his head where he hit the catwalk grating when he was knocked unconscious. The only one suffering any permanent aftereffects is our detainee, one Joel Richardson. He no longer exhibits any meta-human characteristics whatsoever. He claims to have no memory of any of the events of the past few weeks and polygraph analysis tends to confirm his statements. There are a few low-level warrants out for him in New York City as well as a long history of similar arrests and convictions. We will be transferring him to NYPD custody as soon as the papaerwork comes back down the chain, ma'am.
<COOPER SETS HER TABLET ON THE DESK AND STANDS SILENT.>
:::::::::: <HELLSTROM>
:::::::: (Turning again to face Mistral.)
:: Okay, girl. Now it's your turn. It seems like you had a nice chat with our intruders right in the middle of this little -escapade-. Mind letting the rest of us in on the topic of conversation?
:::::::::: <MISTRAL>
:::::::: (Returning to her seat, confused.)
:: But...they were speaking English. I understood every word. I mean, other than the chanting that the Eyes were doing.
:::::::::: <SEEKER>
:::::::: (Interrupting.)
:: 'Eyes'? Who are the 'Eyes'?
:::::::::: <MISTRAL>
:: Sorry, that's what the two 'floaters' called themselves. They said something like 'We are the Eyes. You are not welcome.'. And something else...something about 'balance'.
:::::::::: <HELLSTROM>
:: What about the other one? What did she say to you directly?
:::::::::: <MISTRAL>
:: She said...she said that I was familiar but that she didn't know me. That I was undisciplined.
<COOPER SNORTS AND OPENS HER MOUTH AS IF TO SPEAK BUT SNAPS IT CLOSED AGAIN AT A LOOK FROM HELLSTROM. MISTRAL GIVES COOPER A THIN, SARCASTIC SMIRK BEFORE CONTINUING.>
:::::::::: <MISTRAL>
:: And she said that I should seek the Sisters of Shadow if I wanted answers. Then she told me to sleep and I did.
<AT THE NAME 'SISTERS OF SHADOW', COOPER GRABS HER TABLET AND TYPES RAPIDLY. AS MISTRAL FINISHES SPEAKING, HELLSTROM LOOKS UP AT COOPER.>
:::::::::: <COOPER>
:::::::: (Shaking her head.)
:: No mention of the 'Sisters of Shadow' in any of our databases, Director.
<HELLSTROM NODS, LOOKING THOUGHTFUL FOR A MOMENT. SHE LEANS FORWARD AND FIXES MISTRAL WITH A HARD LOOK.>
:::::::::: <HELLSTROM>
:::::::: (Inhales and blows the breath out slowly through pursed lips.)
:: This entire day was against my better judgment. Until Seeker vouched for you, girl, you were on the fast-track to a cell downstairs. Let me just go over the facts of life for you.
:::::::: (Counting on her fingers.)
:: First: I have a metric crap-load of surveillance footage of you associating with someone who is a person-of-interest in several ongoing investigations. Second: I have forensic evidence of someone hacking the NYPD traffic monitoring and enforcement network, ATM camera networks, and several private security networks in the vicinity of the location where Police Commissioner Downey was assassinated. I have strong suspicions that you and Manhunter were involved since that entire affair seems to have been an attempt to frame him. Third: Other than our former guest, Kaotik, you are the only person to -ever- exhibit the kind of powers that you have. Or at least you -were- until that little party downstairs happened. Now there are -nine- people that show the same energy signature. Or maybe more, since there is apparently a secret organization that seems to have managed to avoid being noticed by any intelligence agency anywhere in the world until now.
<HELLSTROM STANDS AND PACES FOR A MOMENT.>
:::::::::: <HELLSTROM>
:: I've been doing this for a long time, girl, probably longer than you've been alive and I've got a pretty good gut for knowing when somebody is lying to me.
:::::::: (Turns to face Mistral.)
:: And you -are- lying to me. Whether you're just leaving something out of what happened downstairs or outright covering up for your involvement or even under the control of someone else like our guest Mr. Richardson, I don't know.
<HELLSTROM IS CLEARLY ANGRY. SHE LEANS FORWARD ONTO THE DESK, EMPHASIZING HER WORDS BY STABBING HER INDEX FINGER INTO THE DESK CALENDAR.>
:::::::::: <HELLSTROM>
:: And.
:::::::: (Jab.)
:: I.
:::::::: (Jab.)
:: Don't.
:::::::: (Jab.)
:: Care.
:::::::: (Pause.)
:: Let me be frank. You are walking down the wrong side of the street, girly, and it's only a matter of time before you get caught breaking the law. Just like your buddy, Manhunter, you'll screw up. Sometime, somewhere, somehow, you'll cross the line and I'll be there. Whether it's with the damper-cuffs and a hover wagon or with a plasma rifle is still to be seen, but I'll guarantee that you're headed for a cell or a coffin if you don't pull your head out of your ass real soon.
<MISTRAL HAS HAD ENOUGH ABUSE AND LECTURING FOR ONE DAY AND LEAPS TO HER FEET. SEEKER JUMPS FORWARD TO INTERVENE, BUT MISTRAL BRUSHES HIM BACK. EVERYONE IN THE ROOM NOTICES THE SWIRL OF SHADOW ENERGY AROUND HER FEET AS SHE YELLS BACK AT THE DIRECTOR.>
:::::::::: <MISTRAL>
:: ENOUGH!!! One more word from you and I'll give you a chance to take some more readings on my 'energy signature'!
<MISTRAL LOOKS AROUND THE ROOM AT THE OTHER THREE. HER LOWER LIP TREMBLES AS HER EYES BRIM WITH TEARS.>
:::::::::: <MISTRAL>
:::::::: (Through gritted teeth.)
:: I'm trying really hard to find out what is happening to me. I didn't ask for this and I sure as hell don't -want- it. I have enough on my plate for any three people and all any of you want me to do is slow down. None of you are giving me any answers, none of you are giving me any help, and now...
:::::::: (Points at Hellstrom.)
:: ...Madam Stick-Up-Her-Ass Stormtrooper here wants to toss me in jail, or -worse-, because I'm hanging around with somebody she doesn't like.
:::::::::: <SEEKER>
:::::::: (Interrupting.)
:: Mistral, I thi..
:::::::::: <MISTRAL>
:::::::: (Yelling.)
:: NO!!! You know what, Seeker? You know what -I- think? I think I get it now. I think I finally understand why Kodiak bailed on you guys. You and the rest of these bureaucratic idiots who never get anything -done-. You stand around and kiss each others asses while trying not to step on anybodies toes.
<MISTRAL IS NOW SHROUDED IN GHOST-FIRE, HER EYES BLACK POOLS AND HER HAIR LEVITATING AROUND HER HEAD.>
:::::::::: <MISTRAL>
:: You guys don't get it: The only people that never make a mistake are the ones that don't -do- anything. I'd rather do it Manhunters' way and actually -accomplish- something than sit around with my head up my ass like you idiots.
:::::::: (Turns toward the door.)
:: I'm out.
<AGENT COOPER BLOCKS THE WAY, HER HAND RESTING ON THE GRIP OF HER SIDEARM.>
:::::::::: <MISTRAL>
:::::::: (Fully combat ready and smirking into Agent Coopers face.)
:: Go ahead. You wanna throw down? Go for it! Then maybe the next time you have something snotty to say about my anger-management issues, you'll get to say it through a nice, new replacement jawbone and a set of dentures, ya punk bitch!
:::::::::: <HELLSTROM>
:: Cooper! Stand down!
<COOPER SLIDES HER HAND AWAY FROM HER WEAPON, HER EYES NEVER LEAVING MISTRALS.>
:::::::::: <MISTRAL>
:::::::: (Glaring at Hellstrom.)
:: Do you want to have your puppy let me out or do I have to make my own door?
<HELLSTROM NODS TO COOPER WHO OPENS THE DOOR AND STEPS ASIDE. MISTRAL STRIDES THROUGH THE DOORWAY AND DISAPPEARS.>
:::::::::: <SEEKER>
:::::::: (Incredulous.)
:: Sabrina, would you like to tell me exactly what that was all about? She's not a bad kid, she's a little confused but what are you thinking coming down on her like that?
<HELLSTROM RAISES HER HAND FOR SILENCE AS SHE KEYS THE DESK INTERCOM.>
:::::::::: <HELLSTROM>
:: What'd we get, Chief?
:::::::::: <DIONELLA>
:: Off the charts, Director. Even higher than Kaotik when he was in a full blown rage. If she can get a handle on it, she'll be a serious asset. Or a serious threat.
:::::::::: <HELLSTROM>
:: Okay, Chief. Full printout and transcript with time-code references. A.S.A.P.
:::::::::: <DIONELLA>
:: We're on it, ma'am.
<HELLSTROM CLICKS OFF THE INTERCOM.>
:::::::::: <SEEKER>
:: All of that for a level check? You are playing a dangerous game on a fragile board, Director.
<HELLSTROM SITS HEAVILY, ALMOST COLLAPSING INTO THE CHAIR BEHIND THE DESK. SHE GESTURES FOR SEEKER TO SIT AS WELL.>
:::::::::: <HELLSTROM>
:: Agent Cooper, please bring up the file we were viewing earlier.
<COOPER RETRIEVES HER TABLET AND BRINGS THE BIG DISPLAY BACK TO LIFE. A MOMENT OF EFFORT BRINGS UP A DATA FILE.>
:::::::::: <HELLSTROM>
:: I wasn't completely forthright with your young friend earlier, Seeker. We -have- seen her kind of power before. Once. Over sixty years ago.
:::::::::: <SEEKER>
:::::::: (Cautiously.)
:: You have my interest. Please continue.
:::::::::: <HELLSTROM>
:::::::: (Gestres at the big screen.)
:: Back in 1937, things in Europe were heating up. The Nazis were very interested in the occult. The governments of the Allied nations all fielded efforts to counter them. The US group was called 'The Midnight Men'. Pretty standard operations for the time, until March 19th, 1938. Apparently, some idiot with a spellbook and a serious case of dumb-ass tried to summon a demon.
:::::::::: <SEEKER>
:: I think I can see where this is going.
:::::::::: <HELLSTROM>
:::::::: (Smirks.)
:: Probably, but let me finish. So, this dope screws up a demon summoning of some kind. Ends up leveling the Guthrie Theater on Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco. Kills everyone in the place, including himself, except for some kid. It takes them a day and a half to put the fires out. When it's all over, they pull this kid out of the rubble. Stark naked, comatose, no ID, nothing but a ticket stub for the matinee in his hand. They slap the kid in a hospital bed and forget about him because the summoning apparently worked a little too well and now there's a demon wandering the wharfs sucking the souls out of anyone it comes across. Strings get pulled, planes fly, and the Midnight Men are yanked out of whatever shadowy back-alley they were in to come home and deal with this new threat. They examine the kid, take readings on him with whatever kind of gear they had back in those days and find the exact same energy signature that Mistral and our uninvited guests from downstairs have. Then they discover that the demon rampaging through San Fran gives off the same sig. For almost a month, they track and fight this thing. The whole time, the kid's in a coma. They finally corner the demon. Major combat ensues, magicks fly, the demon is defeated, and *poof* the kid wakes up. He has no memory of anything. Complete amnesia. And to top it off, he's got these powers. Nothing like anyone has seen before. The Midnight Men recruit him to fight the Nazis and he takes the name 'Matinee' since that ticket is the only thing he's got that's even close to a clue to who he is. The war goes on and there's not a lot of time to test him or try to figure out what he can do. Once victory is declared and there's time to do a little poking around, things get odd. There -were- tests run on him, we have some files and some charts that hint at him getting stronger. But around June of 1946, everything stops. After that, every mention of Matinee is classified or redacted. After May of '47, even that stops. It's like he just vanished. Along with any trace of that energy signature.
:::::::::: <SEEKER>
:::::::: (Nodding.)
:: Until now.
:::::::::: <HELLSTROM>
:::::::: (Nodding emphatically.)
:: Until now. I have my orders. Gather intelligence, take readings, maintain surveillance on Mistral. If she goes rogue, I can take her into custody, but until then there are some very powerful people who want her watched very closely.
<SEEKER SITS SILENTLY FOR A MOMENT, SIGHS, AND THEN STANDS. HE MOVES TO LEAVE BUT TURNS BACK WHEN HE REACHES THE DOOR.>
:::::::::: <SEEKER>
:: And what if she grows too strong? What if she goes beyond whatever your 'very powerful people' consider...prudent? What then, Director Hellstrom?
:::::::::: <HELLSTROM>
:::::::: (Shrugs and shakes her head.)
:: I don't know, Seeker. I'm just following orders at this point. If it's any consolation, I'm not happy about it either.
:::::::::: <SEEKER>
:: A small consolation. A very small consolation when a young woman’s future hangs in the balance.
<SEEKER EXITS AND CLOSES THE DOOR BEHIND HIMSELF.>
FADE TO BLACK
FADE IN: EXTERIOR - TRINITY GRACES PENTHOUSE TERRACE - NIGHT
<TRINITY GRACE LOUNGES ON AN UPHOLSTERED CHAISE. SEVERAL EMPTY PAPER COFFEE CUPS LITTER A TABLE AT HER SIDE. HER LEGS ARE CROSSED, RIGHT OVER LEFT, AND HER RIGHT FOOT BOUNCES IN AGITATED MOTION. HER HEAD BOBS IN TIME TO MUSIC PLAYING LOUDLY IN EARBUDS - MOTORHEAD-I DON'T BELIEVE A WORD.>
:::::::::: <TRINITY>
:::::::: (Softly singing along.)
:: I have seen the devil laughI have seen God turn his face awayI have nothing left to loseI have nothing left to say
<TRINITYS PHONE RINGS. SHE GLANCES AT THE CALLER ID BEFORE POPPING OUT HER EARBUDS AND ANSWERING.>
:::::::::: <TRINITY>
:: Hey, Amanda. What's up?
<UNINTELLIGIBLE VOICE ON THE OTHER END SPEAKING VERY FAST. TRINITY STANDS UP FROM THE CHAISE AND PACES WHILE SHE TALKS.>
:::::::::: <TRINITY>
:: Yeah, I bet he's pissed at me, but I'm pretty pissed at the whole situation. Seeker included.
<MORE FAST GARBLE FROM THE CALLER.>
:::::::::: <TRINITY>
:: Mandy, I don't know what I expected, but it sure as hell wasn't what ended up happening. Especially after that bitch Hellstrom showed up and everybody started jumping down -my- throat. Like I had anything to do with those people showing up and doing whatever the hell they did to Kaotik. Like I wanted him gone, right? Now I'll never get any answers about what's up with my powers.
<MORE GARBLE, LONGER AND SLOWER.>
:::::::::: <TRINITY>
:: Yeah, I know. It's...it's just been a long day and there's a lot of stuff to process.
<MORE GARBLE.>
:::::::::: <TRINITY>
:: Yeah. Yeah, thanks. I appreciate it.
<MORE.>
:::::::::: <TRINITY>
:: Yeah. Sounds good. Hey, listen. Could you do me a favor and shoot me a list of...umm, hell, I don't even know what to call them...Super-tailors? I'm getting tired of buying new clothes every week and I think it's about time Mistral had a trademark 'look'.
<LOUD, EXCITED GARBLE.>
:::::::::: <TRINITY>
:: Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Amanda! Back it up a step, girlfriend! Black power armor would be sweet, but let me get my own powers figured out before we start on another set of problems.
<LAUGHTER AND MORE GARBLE.>
:::::::::: <TRINITY>
:: I promise. As soon as I can make everything work every time I want it to work, it's a date. I'll call you in a couple of days. Sooner if I have questions about that list of costume shops.
<GARBLE.>
:::::::::: <TRINITY>
:: Okay, talk to you soon. G'nite.
<TRINITY HANGS UP HER PHONE AND SLIPS IT INTO THE BACK POCKET OF HER JEANS. SHE BEGINS STACKING THE EMPTY COFFEE CUPS. AS SHE DOES, ONE OF THEM ROLLS OFF THE TABLE ONTO THE SLATE OF THE TERRACE. AS SHE BENDS TO RETRIEVE IT, SHE DROPS BELOW CAMERA VIEW AND WE SEE A BLACK-GARBED FIGURE MATERIALIZE BEHIND HER. IT IS A HAND OF SHADOW IN FULL TACTICAL GEAR. TRINITY STANDS AGAIN, COFFEE CUP IN HER HAND, ADDING IT TO THE STACK AND STUFFING EMPTY SUGAR PACKETS INTO THE TOP CUP.>
:::::::::: <HAND OF SHADOW>
:: I would speak with you.
<TRINITY SPINS AROUND, TRANSFORMING INTO MISTRAL AS SHE TURNS TO FACE THE SURPRISING VISITOR.>
:::::::::: <MISTRAL>
:: You! How did you find me?
:::::::::: <HAND OF SHADOW>
:: The Eyes see. The Mind reasons. The Voice commands. The Hand acts. I am the Hand of Shadow. I am here.
:::::::::: <MISTRAL>
:: Yeah, that's great. Very cryptic and not at all useful, really. Who are you? What do you want?
:::::::::: <HAND OF SHADOW>
:::::::: (Shaking her head.)
:: I desire nothing. I am a messenger. I extend an invitation from the Mind of Shadow and her Voice. Come. Meet with them. Ask your questions. Answer theirs'.
:::::::::: <MISTRAL>
:: Now? I don't think so. Maybe if you were just a little less sketchy-creepy, but I think I'll pass.
:::::::::: <HAND OF SHADOW>
:::::::: (Nodding.)
:: It is as foreseen.
<SHE PRODUCES A BUSINESS CARD, AS IF FROM THIN AIR, AND PLACES IT ON THE TABLE WITHIN MISTRALS REACH.>
:::::::::: <HAND OF SHADOW>
:: When you are ready, you will come.
:::::::::: <MISTRAL>
:: You know, if you would just...
<THE HAND OF SHADOW FADES AWAY, LEAVING MISTRAL TALKING TO HERSELF. NOTING THAT HER VISITOR HAS VANISHED, MISTRAL TRANSFORMS BACK INTO TRINITY, THE GHOST-FIRE DISSOLVING INTO THE SHADOWS OF THE TERRACE.>
:::::::::: <TRINITY>
:::::::: (Sighs.)
:: ...fade away and leave me talking to myself in the dark...
<TRINITY SITS HEAVILY ON THE END OF THE CHAISE. SHE TAKES THE BUSINESS CARD FROM THE TABLE AND LOOKS AT IT. IS IS BLANK EXCEPT FOR A SET OF LAT-LONG COORDINATES. SHE PULLS OUT HER PHONE AND TAPS ON IT FOR A MOMENT. SHE LOOKS AT THE RESULTS AND THEN BACK TO THE BUSINESS CARD, DOUBLE CHECKING.>
:::::::::: <TRINITY>
:: Great...just...great.
FADE TO BLACK