Shadowmancer Issue #10 Tripswitch

BACKSTORY PAGE

Previously On. Runs along the left side of the page interspersed with downsized panels from the previous issue where/if space permits.

            Dimitri Sokolov makes bad decisions. Fleeing from a failed drug deal he encountered the Shadowmancer, a sorcerer capable of manipulating the essence of shadows and drawing knowledge from the darkness. In a fit of desperation, Dimitri grabbed a mysterious ritual knife and buried it into the old warlock’s heart. The blow let off an explosion of magical energy and left Dimitri baring the mantle of the Shadowmancer.

            Since gaining his powers, Dimitri has been hunted by gangsters who blamed him for the police interrupting their drug deal. After seeing his abilities, they hired a fire mage to kill him, but even that was not enough. Their final battle occurred during a complete eclipse of the sun and was a slaughter.

            Since then, a militia group from the eastern end of the state has come to the city intent on taking their revenge. After tracking them, in an attempt to provoke a final confrontation, Dimitri has instead found himself caught in a trap….

Character Bios. Runs along the right side of the page and each section is matched with a close up of the character’s face.

1. DIMITRI SOKOLOV:       Dimitri is a graduate student of English literature at Portland State University. He’s the child of a family of Russian immigrants and gangsters originally from the east coast. After his mother died in childbirth, his father let Dimitri be raised by his Uncle Vlad, who installed the boy with a strong Mafiosi sense of honor.

2. DAVID HUGHES:            David is a graphic artist who lives next door to Dimitri and Nikki. They were only generally acquainted until recently, when Dimitri confided in him that he had begun to hear voices. He has a soft-heart for charity cases.

3. JAMES STALLWORTH:  James is a detective in the Portland Police Bureau. A lifelong resident of the city, he joined the force out of a genuine (some might say naive) desire to protect his community. He frequently has hunches which help him close cases, the result of latent psychic abilities.

4. ROSA MENDOZA:           Rosa is an ambitious young detective on the Portland police force, and James’ new partner. A recent transplant from Los Angeles, she’s anxious to keep her career on the fast track, and is aiming to eventually work her way into city hall.

5. MR. FOX & MS. KIDD:    This odd duo are government agents. Their pasts are clouded in a bureaucratic nightmare, and inquiries are blocked by red tape at every turn. What is clear is that they have authority delegated by the highest levels of the federal government.   

6. JUSTIN AVERY:               Justin is a reporter for the Oregonian who can be described either as an experienced veteran, or a washed-up old timer, depending on who one talks to. He keeps an open mind and pursues his story no matter where it leads him, and never lets his assumptions get in the way of the truth.

7. JEFF KLINE:                     Jeff is a disgraced soldier with a dishonorable discharge. After leaving the military, he became an enforcer for a drug dealing business run by his childhood friend. His previous battles with Dimitri have left him crippled, but still alive.

8. THE BROTHER:               The Brother is the captain of a company sized paramilitary organization. He’s come to Portland seeking revenge on Dimitri for murdering his sibling. As a commander he is both ruthless and cunning, and more than willing to accept extraordinary casualties as long as the mission is accomplished.

PAGE ONE (four panels)

Panel 1. A shot of the BROTHER, he looks maniacally gleeful. In the foreground the several militia members can just been seen kicking and attacking someone who is off panel on the ground. Blood is flying and it looks vicious.

1. BROTHER:                        Give him some space. But if he moves…

2. BROTHER:                        Kill him!

Panel 2. DIMITRI is being blasted with light from several industrial lighting rigs set up at multiple angles. He has been badly beaten and is lying on the ground.

3. DIMITRI:                           I don’t suppose you’d like to do the classic villain schtick and explain your whole plan, would you?

Panel 3. A wide shot of the BROTHER pontificating from the fire escape he is standing on. On the platform next to him is his DRIVER. Below him DIMITRI is surrounded by militia men with guns trained on him, he is struggling to rise to his hands and knees. The title of the issue runs along the bottom of the panel.

4. BROTHER:                        Actually, I was hoping that you would be the one to give an expository villain speech.

5. DIMITRI:                           You’ve got to be kidding me.

6. DIMITRI:                           I’m the hero. If this were a book it would say ‘Shadowmancer’ on the cover.

Panel 4. A close up of the BROTHER, he is now looking outraged and shouting.

7. BROTHER:                        You murdered my brother!

PAGE TWO (six panels)

Panel 1. A side by side of the BROTHER on the fire escape and the BOSS laughing and smoking a cigar.

1. BROTHER:                         I want to know what you are and why you killed him!

Panel 2. A shot from behind the BROTHER as he looks down on DIMITRI.

2. DIMITRI:                           I already told you it was the guy he hired to kill me that did him in.

3. DIMITRI:                           As for what I am, I’m afraid that even I don’t really know the answer to that.

4. BROTHER:                        What is the source of your power?

Panel 3. A close up of DIMITRI’s face. He is shielding it from the light with his hand and a mask of shadow covers it where ever it’s in shadow.

5. DIMITRI:                           Hell.

Panel 4. The militiamen are watching the conversation unfold in front of them. Some of them are focusing on holding DIMITRI at gunpoint of panel behind the viewer, others are looking at each other nervously.

6. DIMITRI (OFF):                Well, not hell exactly I suppose…

7. DIMITRI (OFF):                …I don’t want to get into the whole metaphysics of the matter. But basically, it’s hell.

Panel 5. A close up of the BROTHER looking serene.

8. BROTHER:                        I see…

9. BROTHER:                        That is all I needed from you.

Panel 6. A wide shot of the entire back alley with everyone in it standing off against each other.

10. DIMITRI:                         Good. So now you can fuck off back where you came from right?

11. BROTHER:                      Yes. That is my intention as soon as you are dead.

12. BROTHER:                      Kill him.

PAGE THREE (four panels)

Panel 1. The BROTHER is attacked by MUGINN who scratches and pecks at his eyes. He screaming in pain and tries to protect his face.

1. BROTHER:                        AUGH!

Panel 2. A wide shot of the whole battlefield. The militia members are all being swarmed by crows and trying knock them aside. DIMITRI ducks off away from them and shoots at the generator as he does so. Militiamen are firing wildly.

2. BROTHER:                        Open fire! Shoot Goddamnit!

Panel 3. MUGINN leads the other crows up and away as bullets whiz by them.

Panel 4. The BROTHER with a clawed and bleeding face is pointing after DIMITRI as he runs down a back alley.

3. BROTHER:                        We’ve lit up this whole block. Alpha squad, form a perimeter so he can’t get away! Everyone else, after him!

PAGE FOUR (seven panels)

Panel 1. A shot from outside. MR. FOX is watching events unfold through a window high up in one of the buildings around the battleground. JAMES is standing beside him.

1. MR. FOX:                           Troubling.

Panel 2. A shot from behind the two men. JAMES has turned and is shouting at MR. FOX.

2. JAMES:                              That’s all you have to say!? Troubling?!

3. JAMES:                              People are going to start dying down there if we don’t do something right now!

Panel 3. MS. KIDD places herself between the two men. JAMES is still shouting but MR. FOX has disengaged and is adjusting his tie.

4. MS. KIDD:                         Please consider for a moment, detective, who it is that you are so eager to save.

5. MS. KIDD:                         On the one side you have a Russian mobster with black magic and on the other side you have a band of psychotic white supremacists. I don’t see why we need to be overly hasty.

6. JAMES:                              That’s disgusting. We’re law enforcement, we can’t just ignore that whenever it would be convenient.

Panel 4. JAMES is in the process of storming out but MS. KIDD calls out after him.

7. MS. KIDD:                         And just what exactly do you think you’ll accomplish on your own? And don’t think about calling for help, I assure you that your cellphone won’t get a signal for blocks.

Panel 5. JAMES stops in his tracks but doesn’t turn to face the agents.

Panel 6. JAMES continues towards the door.

8. JAMES:                              That may be. But I’m sure as hell not going to just sit here when I have a job to do.

Panel 7. The agents confer with each other.

9. MR. FOX:                           I could stop him.

10. MS. KIDD:                       Don’t bother. There’s nothing he can do now and he knows it. We should check on Corporal Clinton.

PAGE FIVE (six panels)

Panel 1. A view of DIMITRI through a sniper scope. He is still bathed in light and can’t form his shadow armor.

Panel 2. A wider shot of the entire roof. JEFF has set up his rifle and is taking aim. The two agents are just stepping out of the doorway.

1. MS. KIDD:                         Have you acquired the target yet?

2. JEFF:                                   Just picking him up now. What do you want me to do once I have him?

Panel 3. A close up of MS. KIDD. Her arms are crossed and she’s looking like a hardass.

3. MS. KIDD:                         Kill him.

4. JEFF (OFF):                        Just like that?

Panel 4. JEFF has stopped aiming and is casually appraising the two agents.

5. MS. KIDD:                         We don’t have time to fuck around. The moment you have a kill shot take it.

6. JEFF:                                   Hey, you’re the boss. I’m just some hired gun.

Panel 5. A close up of JEFF as he takes aim again.

7. JEFF:                                   It just seems like cheating to me

Panel 6. Through the sniper scope DIMITRI can be seen taking cover behind a dumpster from several militiamen following him.

8. MS. KIDD (OFF):              Cheating is how you win wars corporal.

PAGE SIX (seven panels)

Panel 1. A close up of DIMITRI’s head through the sniper scope.

Panel 2. A close up of JEFF’s face pressed against the scope. He is smiling.

Panel 3. Another close up through the sniper scope but the aim has been adjusted to DIMITRI’s leg.

Panel 4. A wide shot. DIMITRI is shot through the leg and screams in pain. The militia members are on the other side of the dumpster and closing in on him.

1. DIMITRI:                           AUGH!

Panel 5. Another shot of JEFF looking through the scope. He is no longer smiling.

2. JEFF:                                   We’re even.

Panel 6. A view through the scope of the generator. A pool of gasoline has formed around it and one of the technicians is standing beside it trying to repair the damage from the gunshot.

Panel 7. The same view as the previous panel but a gunshot has lit up the gasoline. The technician is engulfed in flame.

3. JEFF (OFF):                        Good luck kid.

PAGE SEVEN (five panels)

Panel 1. A wide shot of the BROTHER is still standing on the fire escape next to his STAFF SERGEANT. The generator and the box truck explode nearby. The lights are going out.

1. FX:                                      BOOOOOOOM!

2. BROTHER:                        Oh shit.

3. STAFF SERGEANT:         Sir?

Panel 2. The BROTHER is screaming at the STAFF SERGEANT next to him and pointing off the direction DIMITRI fled.

4. BROTHER:                        Get in there and lead the assault team! Tell them to switch to tracer rounds and flashbangs! I don’t care what it takes! Throw everything we’ve got at him, just kill him! Kill him! KILL HIM!

Panel 3. MS. KIDD grabs JEFF by the shoulder and spins him around to face her. She is outraged.

5. MS. KIDD:                         You missed!

6. MS. KIDD:                         Deliberately!

Panel 4. JEFF is defiant and throws his rifle down onto the ground. The agents are watching him stoically.

7. JEFF:                                   Fuck you.

8. MS. KIDD:                         Do you know what you’ve done?

Panel 5. A close up of JEFF looking non-plussed.

9. JEFF:                                   I gave the kid a fighting chance. I may want him dead but I’m sure as hell not going to do the dirty work for a pair of Ruby Ridge cocksuckers like you.

PAGE EIGHT (five panels)

Panel 1. JEFF holds out his hands to the agents as though he’s waiting to be handcuffed. Something is whirling up the wind off panel.

1. JEFF:                                   If you don’t like that then send me back to jail bitch.

2. MS. KIDD:                         That’s exactly what we’re going to-

3. MS. KIDD:                         What the hell?

Panel 2. The agents and JEFF look up as Portland PD helicopters pass overhead.

4. JEFF:                                   Looks like SWAT’s here to crash the party.

5. MR. FOX:                           Detective Stallworth…

6. MS. KIDD:                         No. Even if he ran from the moment he left until he was out of jamming range their response time is still way too fast.

Panel 3. In the helicopter ROSA is shouting through a megaphone.

7. ROSA:                                Portland Police Department! Everyone put down your weapons and surrender this instant!

Panel 4. The helicopter swerves out of the way of a hail of gunfire directed upwards from below.

Panel 5. ROSA looks towards the back of the helicopter where a SWAT team is waiting. She is waving them forward.

8. ROSA:                                Well, we gave them a chance. Get down there and pull my partner’s ass out of the fire!

PAGE NINE (five panels)

Panel 1. A close up of one of the STAFF SERGEANT pulling the pin of a flash bang grenade with his teeth.

1. DIMITRI (OFF):                Now that your trap is fucked and the cops are here, I don’t suppose you boys are willing to just call it a day?

Panel 2. The grenade comes sailing into the back alley where DIMITRI has taken cover. With the lights gone his shadow armor is back. He dives from behind the dumpster into a nearby building.

2. NARRATION:                   I guess not.

Panel 3. A bright white flash.

Panel 4. DIMITRI dives into a slummy abandoned looking room. The flashbang has stripped away part of his armor but it is in the process of reforming. JUSTIN is taking cover nearby behind a wrecked old couch.

3. JUSTIN:                              It is you!

Panel 5. DIMITRI is on the ground where he landed. His armor is back and he looks up at JUSTIN.

4. DIMITRI:                           I thought I warned you to stay away from here.

5. JUSTIN:                              Actually, I was the one who warned you.

6. DIMITRI:                           Easy mistake.

PAGE TEN (five panels)

Panel 1. A shot from behind the militia men who are being led by the STAFF SERGEANT. The four men who had been watching DAVID’s apartment are present as is a third man. The alley in front of them looks empty and they advance forward.

1. STAFF SERGEANT:         Everyone keep your flashlights up. You won’t be able to see him without them.

Panel 2. The STAFF SERGEANT and one of the militia men look around the corner of the doorway DIMITRI dived through. The unnamed goon is struck through the chest by a spear constructed of darkness. The three other men are further back and firing upwards at the police.

2. STAFF SERGEANT:         Holy shit!

Panel 3. The beam of the DRIVER’s flashlight illuminated DIMITRI’s feet. He is bleeding badly from the bullet wound in his leg. Shadow armor recedes from the center of the beam but tendrils remain on the edges.

Panel 4. The beam of the DRIVER’s flashlight has moved up to DIMITRI’s face. He is shielding it with one hand and holding up his revolver with the other.

Panel 5. A similar shot to panel one but the DRIVER takes a bullet through the head from inside the doorway. The three militia members behind him are perforated by bullets from the police helicopter.

PAGE ELEVEN (five panels)

Panel 1. DIMITRI begins limping towards the door he came in through while JUSTIN calls out after him.

1. JUSTIN:                              Hey! Where are you going? I’m a reporter I want to talk to you.

2. DIMITRI:                           Maybe you want to stick around here but I sure as hell don’t. I’m cutting out and if you’re smart…

Panel 2. A close up of the BROTHER looking totally unnerved. The panel is filled with gunshots and screams.

3. NARRATION (CAPTION): …you’ll do the same thing.

Panel 3. A wider shot of the BROTHER leaping from the fire escape to the ground. The delivery truck and generator are still burning nearby. A medic and one last TECHNICIAN are standing nearby examining the body of the man who was immolated.

Panel 4. The COP who checks on JAMES in issue 2 is speaking with JULIA as they stand by their police car which is parked blocking the exit from the maze of alleys. There are numerous but distant gunshots coming from the battle.

1. COP:                                   So, James and your girlfriend are the ones responsible for all this?

2. JULIA:                                She is a bit of a hellion.

Panel 5. A militia’s jeep smashes into the police car while the COP and JULIA dive for cover.

3. JULIA:                                Goddamn!

PAGE TWELVE (six panels)

Panel 1. The two police officers dust themselves off and approach the wreck. Both vehicles are too damaged to run but the impact has opened a space to get out of the alley. A slumped figure is lying against the wheel of the jeep.

1. COP:                                   A bit of a hellion you say.

Panel 2. JULIA has drawn her gun and checks on the man behind the wheel who is the militia medic.

2. JULIA:                                Alright Duke boy, you have the right to remain silent. Anything you say-

Panel 3. The cops dive out of the way again as the BROTHER scrapes by them in his luxury car.

3. JULIA:                                Goddamn!

Panel 4. JULIA points after the car which rockets off down the road.

4. JULIA:                                We have to get after him!

Panel 5. JULIA shakes her head in disappointment as the COP point to the wrecked vehicles.

5. COP:                                   In what?

6. JULIA:                                Fuck! Well at least get a description on the radio…

Panel 6. The car is scraped up and dented. The BROTHER is alone in the vehicle and driving with one hand while drinking from his flask with the other.

7. JULIA (CAPTION):           …He won’t get far in that thing.

PAGE THIRTEEN (six panels)

Panel 1. The TECHNICIAN is speaking to another militia member. He is terrified while the other, SARGE, remains committed and is firing upwards at the police.

1. TECHNICIAN:                  I’m telling your sarge I saw it with my own eyes. The Captain has abandoned us!

2. SARGE:                              Stow that shit specialist and keep firing Goddamnit! Where’s the rest of my squad?

Panel 2. The TECHNICIAN is desperate while SARGE continues firing.

3. TECHNICIAN:                  Dead or captured. We need to surrender too or we’re fucked.

4. SARGE:                              Negative. We’ll regroup with alpha squad and complete our fucking mission.

4. TECHNICIAN:                  Forget it. I’m not dying for that coward.

Panel 3. The SARGE turns on the TECHNICIAN who has dropped his gun to the ground and begun to walk away. SARGE prepares to kill him.

5. SARGE:                              You know the punishment for desertion.

Panel 4. The SARGE is struck on the back of the head by JAMES who has his gun in his hand.

Panel 5. A shot from above. JAMES holds the TECHNICIAN at gun point. The TECHNICIAN has his hands raised as high as he can.

6. JAMES:                              Freeze.

7. PRIVATE:                          I fucking surrender dude. I don’t even know what’s going on, but whatever it is I know I lose.

8. DIMITRI (OFF):                James…

Panel 6. JAMES looks over at DIMITRI who is in the middle of the alley he is heavily favoring his leg which is continuing to bleed badly.

9. DIMITRI:                           My leg is fucked up.

10. DIMITRI:                         I need you to get me past to cops.

11. JAMES:                            Not this time.

PAGE FOURTEEN (five panels)

Panel 1. JAMES points at DIMITRI and screams upwards to the helicopter above them.

1. DIMITRI:                           What do you…?

2. JAMES:                              Suspect! Get a spotlight down here I have a suspect!

Panel 2. A shot from above. The TECHNICIAN has his hands behind his head and is looking confused. JAMES is still directing the helicopter. DIMITRI is caught in a spotlight which is melting his shadow armor. He is pointing his revolver upwards. Nearby DIMITRI is a manhole which has been partially uncovered.

3. JAMES:                              Keep that light on him! Don’t lose him!

Panel 3. A close up of the helicopter spotlight being stuck by a bullet.

Panel 4. JAMES spins around with his gun drawn but DIMITRI has vanished.

4. JAMES:                              You can’t get away! The feds know about you now, it’s just a matter of time before they get you! Come with me now and I can protect you!

Panel 5. JAMES stands over the open manhole and looks down into it.

5. JAMES:                              Great.

6. MS. KIDD (OFF):              You!

PAGE FIFTEEN (five panels)

Panel 1. MS. KIDD approached JAMES looking like she’s ready to bite his head off. MR. FOX and the TECHNICIAN both stand next to each other in the background. The TECHNICIAN looks over nervously at MR. FOX who remains totally implacable.

1. MS. KIDD:                         Did you think there wouldn’t be consequences for this!?

Panel 2. A close up of JAMES and MS. KIDD. MS. KIDD is lecturing but JAMES looks unimpressed.

2. JAMES:                              Consequences for what? Doing my job?

3. MS. KIDD:                         You double crossed us!

Panel 3. JAMES passes by MS. KIDD to return to his prisoner. He is calling to someone off panel while the agent looks put out.

4. JAMES:                              That’s rich. You should know better than to lie to a psychic or whatever the hell I am.

5. JAMES:                              Rosa! Over here!

Panel 4. JAMES approaches ROSA, JULIA, and the TECHNICIAN. JULIA is in the process of putting handcuffs on the militia man.

6. ROSA:                                You’re still in one piece I see. When you told me to wait for a signal to bring in the cavalry, I didn’t think you meant an explosion.

7. JAMES:                              Actually, I have no idea who did that. The X-Files duo have some sort of jamming device that blocks cellphone signals. I was looking for a landline when the generator went up.

Panel 5. A close up of ROSA and JULIA speaking to JAMES who is off panel.

8. ROSA:                                Well at least that worked out for our side.

9. ROSA:                                Someone, we presume the boss, sacrificed one of his own men in order to smash past our roadblock.

10. JULIA:                              We’ve put out the description on the radio. No one’s spotted him yet but it’s only a matter of time.

PAGE SIXTEEN (six panels)

Panel 1. A close up of MR. FOX and MS. KIDD consulting with each other.

1. MS. KIDD:                         We’ll round up federal enforcement agents and use them.

2. MR. FOX:                           DEA? ATF?

3. MS. KIDD:                         Whoever’s available. We have his address so we’ll start there.

4. JUSTIN (OFF):                   Excuse me.

Panel 2. The agents look over at JUSTIN who is approaching with a recorder in his hand.

5. JUSTIN:                              Could you repeat that a little louder. I don’t think my microphone caught that.

6. MS. KIDD:                         And just who do you think you are?

7. JUSTIN:                              My name’s Justin, I’m with the Oregonian. Would you be willing to sit down for an interview?

Panel 3. MR. FOX pulls down his sunglasses and begins trying to mesmerize JUSTIN.

8. MR. FOX:                           Be silent and hand over all the documentary evidence on your person.

Panel 4. A shot from above. JAMES is storming over towards the agents and JUSTIN who is shaking off the mind control. JULIA and ROSA are following behind him. MS. KIDD is pulling away MR. FOX who is putting his sunglasses back on.

9. JAMES:                              No way. You are not about to try to do this while I’m around. I’ll call over as many witnesses as you like.

10. MS. KIDD:                       Forget it. Leave him.

Panel 5. The agents walk away. JUSTIN is left scratching his head sheepishly while the trio of police officers gather around.

11. MS. KIDD:                       We’ll remember this detective.

12. JUSTIN:                            I guess I owe you one. If you guys want to give me a statement then I can get out of your hair and let you finish up here.

Panel 6. A close up of ROSA and JUSTIN. She is smirking at the reporter.

13. ROSA:                              Oh no. We have a lot of reports to fill out back at the station. You’re not going anywhere for a long-time pal.

PAGE SEVENTEEN (seven panels)

Panel 1. A shot from above. The two agents walk down an alley together.

1. MR. FOX:                           I am distressed by the way circumstances have unfolded.

2. MS. KIDD:                         You certainly have a way with words Mr. Fox.

Panel 2. A close up of the two agents speaking with each other.

3. MS. KIDD:                         This whole thing has been a colossal fuck up. We have no choice but to put this whole matter on hold for the time being.

4. MS. KIDD:                         We’ll come back for this shadowmancer once the local police and press have lost interest.

Panel 3. The agents look over towards the wrecked cars where the COP and JEFF are standing talking to each other. JEFF is in handcuffs.

5. MS. KIDD:                         And we still have one last wild card to put in play before we depart.

6. COP:                                   So… you have any idea what’s going on in there?

7. JEFF:                                   Just take me back to my fucking cell.

8. COP:                                   I will as soon as they send me another car.

Panel 4. The agents approach JEFF and the COP. MR. FOX has removed his sunglasses.

9. MR. FOX:                           Look into my eyes child.

10. MS. KIDD:                       Get out of here corporal.

Panel 5. MS. KIDD throws a key to JEFF who catches it. In the background MR. FOX is visible mesmerizing the COP.

11. JEFF:                                 I don’t want any favors from you.

12. MS. KIDD:                       If that’s your choice then so be it. But you either take your chances escaping now or spend the rest of your life in prison.

Panel 6. JEFF looks conflicted as the agents walk away. The COP stands nearby in a daze.

Panel 7. JEFF turns and flees from the scene.

PAGE EIGHTEEN (six panels)

Panel 1. The BROTHER is standing beside his smashed-up car. He is in an empty field and it is night. He’s holding a jerry can and using it to pour gasoline over the vehicle.

Panel 2. The BROTHER holds out a disposable lighter while throwing the can aside.

Panel 3. The BROTHER walks away from the car as he tosses the lighter over his shoulder and takes his flask out of his coat.

Panel 4. The BROTHER continues to walk away in a shot similar to the previous panel but the car has now burst into flames and he is taking a swig from his flask.

Panel 5. The BROTHER trudges through the field and climbs up an incline which leads to a gravel road.

Panel 6. The BROTHER approaches a hummer where several militiamen are waiting for him with the door open.

PAGE NINETEEN (six panels)

Panel 1. The BROTHER settles into the hummer. A MILITIA ELITE sitting in the passenger seat hands a Bluetooth headset back to him.

1. MILITIA ELITE:               Lieutenant Bynum is waiting for your orders captain.

2. BROTHER:                        Very good sergeant. Get this convoy underway I want to be back at the compound as soon as possible.

Panel 2. A wider shot showing three hummers in a row. The voices come from the middle vehicle. There are heavily armed militia men in all of them.

3. MILITIA ELITE:               You heard the man! Let’s move out!

4. BROTHER:                        Jared…

Panel 3. The BROTHER is speaking through the headset to JARED who is visible through a television screen which has folded out from the ceiling.

5. JARED:                              What’s the situation captain?

6. BROTHER:                        All our activities in the city are suspended from this point forward. Have all our men assigned to the compound reported in?

Panel 4. JARED is sitting at his desk speaking to the BROTHER through his laptop.

7. JARED:                              Yes sir

8. BROTHER:                        Good. How’s my daughter taking this?

9. JARED:                              She’s spitting fire, as expected. How many casualties from Portland volunteer platoon sir?

10. BROTHER:                      …

Panel 5. A close up of JARED’s face. He’s shocked but is trying to project calm.

11. BROTHER (OFF):           All of them.

12. JARED:                            I… see.

13. JARED:                            I’ll make sure your daughter is safe sir.

14. BROTHER:                      Carry on lieutenant…

Panel 6. A wide shot of the convoy of vehicles receding into the distance driving along the gravel road through the rural fields.

15. BROTHER:                      …Carry on.

PAGE TWENTY (six panels)

Panel 1. An establishing shot of the downtown Portland police department.

1. DAVID (OFF):                   They finally let you out huh?

2. JUSTIN (OFF):                   Did he send you here to find out what I told them?

Panel 2. DAVID leans against PIERRE’s car while JUSTIN approaches him. It’s still night and JUSTIN is putting on his jacket.

3. DAVID:                              Maybe.

4. JUSTIN:                              Well, you can rest easy. They don’t know anything. PD’s already put out a statement saying they raided a gathering of gathering of white nationalists who were preparing for an act of domestic terrorism.

Panel 3. DAVID opens the passenger side door for JUSTIN who gets in.

5. DAVID:                              Is that the line your article is going to use?

6. JUSTIN:                              Even Infowars probably wouldn’t print the article I would write.

Panel 4. DAVID gets in and starts the car while JUSTIN looks at him askance.

7. DAVID:                              Good.

8. JUSTIN:                              Good!?

Panel 5. A close up of DAVID smiling sympathetically.

9. DAVID:                              No one wants to know the truth about what happened. And trying to force them to hear it will just make it a lot harder for those of us who have already been pulled into this thing.

10. DAVID:                            So, is that you?

Panel 6. JUSTIN looks out the window disinterestedly while DAVID drives them through the city.

11. JUSTIN:                            I already told you my story is DOA.

12. DAVID:                            Oh, that’s not what I meant.

PAGE TWENTY-ONE (six panels)

Panel 1. JUSTIN looks with suspicion mixed with surprise out the window of the car.

1. DAVID (OFF):                   Have you already been pulled into this thing? Because if not…

2. JUSTIN:                              What is this place?

Panel 2. A wide shot of the car parked in front of PIERRE’s house which looms up ominously before them. DAVID and JUSTIN are getting out.

3. DAVID:                              …then this is your last chance to get out and run like hell.

Panel 3. JUSTIN and DAVID walk up to the door together.

4. JUSTIN:                              He’s inside isn’t he?

5. DAVID:                              He is.

Panel 4. PIERRE opens the door for the two but stands blocking the way inside.

6. PIERRE:                             The journalist understands?

7. DAVID:                              He does.

8. PIERRE:                             Then, are you coming inside?

9. JUSTIN:                              I am.

Panel 5. PIERRE stands aside and motions for JUSTIN to go up the stairs.

10. PIERRE:                           Then I bid you to enter freely and go safely…

Panel 6. JUSTIN has ascended the stairs and is heading towards an open doorway. In the background PIERRE and DAVID are waiting on the first floor at the base of the stairs.

11. PIERRE:                           …If only you leave behind something of the happiness you bring.

PAGE TWENTY-TWO (three panels)

Panel 1. A small inset panel of a foot.

1. JUSTIN:                              I don’t care if I can never print a word of this without going to work for a tabloid.

Panel 2. A small inset panel of JUSTIN’s torso sitting in a chair.

2. JUSTIN:                              I don’t care if no one would believe a word of it even if I tired.

Panel 3. A full page spread of DIMITRI. He is smoking a joint and sitting backwards on one of his kitchen chairs which he has set up in the living room of the room facing the door. He is shirtless and covered in bandages and bruises. MUNINN is standing on his shoulder and HUGINN is pecking as some white bread laid out on the table behind him. Another chair has been set up in front of him and JUSTIN is in the process of sitting in it with a notepad and pencil in his hands.

3. JUSTIN:                              I just want the truth.