01x10 - Witchbomb
Posted: 02/01/23 11:12
Raelle: It's a bowerbird's foot. It's supposed to keep you safe, passed from mother to daughter.
Previously on Motherland:
Tally: There are innocent. People are in there.
Wade: Your days of leading our military are over.
Wade: Fellow citizens..
Raelle: I told Petra that Scylla was being held on base.
Anacostia: Petra told President Wade.
Wade: I am granting General Alder--
Alder: --full authorization.
Anacostia: Alder puppeted the president.
Tally: Can she follow this back to us?
Anacostia: If she does, you're all in grave danger.
Tally: She did it.
Alder: How many of the Tarim remain?
Izadora: Less than ten.
Alder: The work they possess is very special.
Alder: I know this sound. It's in my blood.
Alder: How did the Spree find them before we did?
Izadora: What if it's not the Spree?
Alder: I rooted out the last remaining Camarilla over 200 years ago. They very much wanted my voice in here too.
Scylla: To look this kind of evil in the face.
Raelle: The burning times are over, right?
Scylla: Does something like that ever really go away?
---
Sports announcer: [indistinct] Goal! [indistinct]
Odd player: We are the Spree.
Crowd: Our ancient enemy has returned. Our ancient enemy has returned. Our ancient enemy has returned. Our ancient enemy has returned. Our ancient enemy...
---
Opening credits
---
Tally Craven: What ancient enemy? We had so many.
Raelle Collar: Take your pick.
Tally: My guess? The church.
Abigail Bellweather: The people from the soccer stadium are still messed up, even though they're being treated.
Raelle: Guys, we have other things to think about right now.
Tally: Ladies, we did this.
Raelle: Yeah, we did. Wasn't easy.
Tally: Or fair.
Abigail: But we made it through.
Tally: Together.
Abigail: Come on, shitbird.
---
[feet stomping]
Sarah Alder: Congratulations. You have given more than you thought you could. You have accessed reserves of power you never knew existed. And while graduation marks an important day in a soldier's life, this is just the beginning.
[feet stomping]
Alder: Today, some of you will place at w*r College. Others will join their sisters on the frontlines. But all of you will serve this great country as soldiers of the United States army.
[feet stomping]
Alder: Make your way outside, ladies. The ninth bell reveals your fate.
---
[bells tolling]
Glory Moffett: Gr--uh...Oh. Guys, I'm so sorry.
Raelle: Just when you get your hopes up.
Tally: This can't be true.
Raelle: No. I always knew this would happen.
---
Scylla Ramshorn: Graduation bells. They're one step closer to dying for the cause.
Anacostia Quartermaine: I let you see Raelle. So let's get started.
Scylla: Why am I still here, Anacostia?
Anacostia: I told you.
Scylla: You wanted to see if I'm human. But you already know I am. It's something more.
Anacostia: Do tell.
Scylla: It's beginning to dawn on you that, if I'm a human being, and member of the Spree, then maybe others in the Spree are human beings too. And they might have their reasons, just like I do, and then things are not as simple as you wish them to be.
Anacostia: Your ignorance is stunning.
Scylla: If only you could hold on to your pathetic story of good versus evil.
Anacostia: This was a mistake.
Scylla: It's a children's story, Anacostia. You're a grown woman, Even more, you're a witch.
Anacostia: The only thing starting to dawn on me is just how lost you really are.
Scylla: Keep fighting it. Truth always wins.
Anacostia: You know no--! You know nothing about me.
---
Abigail: This is not happening. This has never happened in American freaking history. Not to a --
Raelle, Tally, and Abigail simultaneously: Bellweather!
Raelle: We get it.
Abigail: It's Alder. Think about it.
Raelle: Yeah, it's because of what we told Petra.
Tally: If Alder puppeted the president, then she must have glimpsed Petra in Wade's memories.
Abigail: And here we are.
Raelle: w*r meat.
Officer 7: General Alder would like to speak to your unit. Immediately.
---
Alder: Khalida and Adil have agreed to accept my help. I'm assembling a small strike team to rescue the remaining Tarim. Khalida requested--
Khalida: Insisted.
Alder: Insisted that your unit accompany us, given your success with Khalida's ailments. There may be others with the same affliction.
Khalida: I will come too.
Adil: No.
Khalida: It's essential that I must come.
Adil: No. We both know why. Your are the last of a powerful line.
Khalida: All the more reason.
Adil (in Mothertongue): Kluusúl Áldèr mé wíìzénáz mé lubà. [Don't let Alder be right about you.]
Khalida (in Mothertongue): Wíìzénáz ò? [About what?]
Adil (in Mothertongue): Lumé míkháàro. [Being arrogant.]
Adil: It is decided, then. I will help you find my people.
Alder: We leave at 1500 hours. Dismissed.
---
Edwin Collar: Thank you.
[background soldier]: Nice to meet you.
Raelle: Pop!
Edwin: Hey, kid.
Raelle: Did you have fun?
Edwin: It was okay. Old buildings are old buildings. I'm glad to see you're wearing that.
Raelle: Yeah. Sounds like I'm gonna need it. I'm deploying today, Dad.
Edwin: That soon, huh?
Raelle: I didn't get into w*r College.
Edwin: Well, hey, neither did your mama.
Raelle: Dad, why didn't Mom's charm keep her safe?
Edwin: She never brought it on her last tour.
Raelle: I thought they sent it back with her medal.
Edwin: Nope. It's like she knew she wasn't coming back. I know how bad she wanted to pass it to you. There's something else. I've had it a while. She wanted me to give it to you when you graduated.
Raelle: I love you, Dad.
Edwin: You too, Rae.
Raelle: I'll call you when I get home from China.
Edwin: So, you wear that old bird's foot and you come back to me.
Raelle: I promise I will.
Raelle: I love you.
Edwin: I love you.
---
Petra Bellweather: Everything's going to be okay.
Abigail: No, it's not. Alder found out about what we did, what you did, and everything backfired. Alder's retaliating.
Petra: I know Alder personally blocked your placement at w*r College. I pulled some strings. It wasn't hard with the att*cks on our family, not to mention the blowback Alder's getting for what happened after Citydrop. It was deemed too risky to send you on another premature, reckless deployment. Instead, I have secured a solo placement for you at w*r College.
Just me?
Petra: Just you, daughter. I've already moved you out of Circe.
Abigail: But Raelle and Tally are the last of their lines too. They should--
Petra: Some Matrilines are more important than others. They don't matter to me. You do.
---
Anacostia: Abigail won't be joining you in Tarim.
Tally: How is that even possible?
Anacostia: Petra still has powerful friends.
Tally: That's ridiculous!
Anacostia: I know.
Tally: No, absolutely not! This is a complete betrayal of everything you taught us! I mean, the unit that, the unit this. What kind of justice it that? Some sisterhood. Every single thing that we fought for and bled for has been a complete joke.
Raelle: Are you that surprised, Tal?
Tally: Yes, I am.
Anacostia: You ladies are wheels up in ten.
Tally: This is so fast.
Anacostia: You need to put this to bed and get your head in the mission.
Anacostia: Be smart out there. Make me proud.
Tally: Is this?
Anacostia: We don't say goodbye here.
Tally: Thank you for taking care of us.
Anacostia: I'm going to need the two of you to come back so you can continue to frustrate me and age me prematurely. Okay?
Tally: Yes, ma'am.
Raelle: Yes, ma'am.
Raelle: Um.
Raelle: Wherever they're taking Scylla, can you, can you please make sure that they go easy on her? I know she's messed up, but she's not all bad.
Anacostia: I'll try.
Raelle: Thank you.
Tally: [sobbing] I can't believe Abigail would leave without saying goodbye to us. This is crazy.
---
Scylla: You gonna give me one more chance?
Scylla: My dead parents. Better times.
Anacostia: What happened to them?
Scylla: I'm sure it's all in the report.
Anacostia: Yeah, but I want to hear it from you.
Scylla: I was 16. We were drifting west that spring, across the Cession, undetected. We were good at that. Until we weren't. We found different Dodger families in sleepy towns all over the dustbowl. We got new names. I was starting school. They were waiting at our home.
Anacostia: Military police?
Scylla: My parents surrendered themselves, but they k*lled them anyways, to prove a point. I was hiding in the garage. I did nothing. Now, I fight in their honor.
Anacostia: I lost mine too.
Scylla: Your?
Anacostia: Parents. Not the plague or storm or festering w*r wounds. No, it was a car accident, icy road.
Scylla: Why didn't they just?
Anacostia: Bust out some work and right the car? They were on furlough. My parents were as by the book as you can get. No work performed off base unless engaged in a military operation. I had many moms, mothers, Alder among them. But...I miss my...I miss her voice. I miss her smell.
Scylla: I hope their sacrifice was appreciated.
Scylla: They were wearing collars and chains and didn't even know it.
Anacostia: I found my family. The army became my family.
Scylla: Is a family that eats their young really a family? The Spree gave me purpose. And a place to put my pain. I guess we are more alike than I thought. You've been kinder to me than you needed to be. Thank you.
Anacostia: You're welcome.
---
Adil: Where's Abigail?
Raelle: She's not coming.
Adil: Why?
Tally: Long, terrible story.
Abigail: Yep. Pretty much the saddest story ever told.
Abigail: You didn't think I was gonna let you two have all the fun, did you?
Abigail: What's up, shitbird?
---
Willa Collar: My dear one. I deploy to Greenville in the morning. I left my charm with Dad. Soon, you will need it more than me. May it keep you safe and sound. I love you more than the sky above and the earth below. It has pained me greatly being away from you so much, but you need to know you have powerful work in you, girl. Trust your gift. Never doubt it. Not even for a minute. And never forget, I will always be close, watching over you.
---
Raelle: What is it?
Tally: We're being watched.
Abigail: The Tarim?
Tally: I don't think so.
Abigail: You need to tell Alder.
Tally: I think we're being followed.
Alder: Tell me more.
Tally: Whoever it is, they feel hostile.
Alder: It might be any of a half dozen armies seeking the Tarim.
Tally: Or the Spree?
Alder: Entirely possible. Stay vigilant.
---
Alder: Adil. Would you mind conferring with the strike team about tomorrow?
Adil: Of course.
Alder: I believe it's time we cleared the air.
Tally: Would that be clearing the air on the civilians you had us k*ll? Or Libba's death? Or the fact that you puppeted the president in order to grab power?
Alder: You think you see everything, don't you?
Raelle: It does seem like you owe us some answers.
Alder: I owe you nothing. And I will not justify my actions to three privates who barely made it through basic. But, considering our present circumstances, it's important that we trust each other. The first time I made a decision that affected the life and death of soldiers under my command was over 300 years ago. I have made countless decisions like it since. Some hurt more than others. But there is not a single one that I regret.
Raelle: But it's always someone else's life and death that you're playing with.
Alder: It's part of being a leader. And trust me when I tell you that it never gets any easier.
Abigail: My mother says that if it ever gets easy, walk away.
Alder: Your mother and I don't often see eye-to-eye, but on this we agree. It is tragic what happened on that highway. To Libba, and the innocents in that truck.
Tally: We weren't ready. And you made us into murderers.
Alder: I made you into soldiers. And in the end, you were ready. Many thousands of lives were saved that day. Hold onto that.
Tally: And what about the president? Whose life were you saving there? How are we any different from the Spree if we just puppet whoever gets in the way?
Alder: Taking the body and will and voice of another is a violation. It is against our code. But I had no choice. If you knew what was at stake, you'd understand. You should all get some rest.
---
Adil: It's there. Near that tree.
Tally: Not a tree.
Abigail: Do you know her?
Adil: She's one of our elders.
Alder: They dress her like my sister.
Alder: Take her down. Be gentle. The Spree are taunting us. Taunting me.
Adil: I have to get to the cave.
Alder: Get the Bats close. Tell them to stand by for extraction. Let's find your people.
---
Tally: Look!
Adil: This could be a good thing.
Abigail: It's a solid wall of rock. How is that good?
Adil: Hopefully, this means my people put this up to protect themselves. Our songs, the ones you so desperately want to learn, can reshape the earth itself. We can even create new land where there was none. Move mountains, shake the earth, split stone. This may take a few minutes.
---
Tally: You're really worried for them.
Alder: The desert is crawling with people that mean to harm them. The Spree would rather k*ll the Tarim than have them join us. And contrary to what you believe, this has never been about gaining power.
Tally: I really want to believe you. But I don't.
Alder: You are young. You haven't seen the hardships I have. I grew up in hiding, on the run from those who hated our kind. The church, the Camarilla, countless others. I saw friends and family hung, burned, and stoned to death. We lived in constant fear and that terror followed me to the new world and hunted me relentlessly, until the day I decided to fight back. The Tarim and their songs, they're the last surviving link to something I thought was gone forever. So much was stolen from our people over years of persecution and attempted genocide. Scattered to the winds. But if we can find these people and convince them to share their songs, this power can be used to make a better, safer world.
Raelle: General?
Adil: Follow me.
---
Adil (in Mothertongue): Jìmò kháà a'èméchè ám vú. [These people are here to help.]
Samira (in Mothertongue): Lusápényè pémé wèláyà úrrà. Nír jìmò udòkúwòr lu vú. [You have betrayed us all. Take these strangers and leave.]
Alder (in Mothertongue): Ilánèír zezè pénèá pérám. Pérzát'é jè pélòá ramé ashónkà. [I promise you, we only want to help. We can protect you and heal your sick.]
Samira (in Mothertongue): Iwíshè jìmò ánèírró yémò. [I have heard these promises before.]
Raelle: While you're working all this out, that boy is dying.
Adil (in Mothertongue): Lúràí jìmò ként'í álòá ashónkà jìnà? Awósázhì Kálìdà 'u'ánk'è. [Will you allow this girl to heal the sick? She saved Khalida's life.]
Samira (in Mothertongue): Kálìdà kalòáyè jìnà? 'Ébùcháí? [Khalida's been healed? She's alive?]
Alder (in Mothertongue): Yébù. [Yes.]
Raelle (echoing): Ask and it shall be given you. Seek and ye shall find. Knock and it shall be opened up to you.
---
Anacostia: Your prison transport is scheduled in two hours.
Scylla: I haven't packed yet. I don't know what bathing suits I'm gonna--
Anacostia: Shut up. You'll die there.
Scylla: What are you doing?
Anacostia: I have no idea what I'm doing. Against every piece of wisdom that I know and hold dear, I'm giving you a fighting chance. 'Cause I think you deserve it. Do not make me wrong about that. The place is crawling with guards. You're on your own there. Hurry. Gonna have to make this look look good.
Scylla: Thank you.
Anacostia: Hold onto the part of you that's good.
---
Tally: Hey.
Alder: You should be very proud of yourselves for the work you've put in the past few days. When we get back to Fort Salem, we're going to have to discuss your future.
Tally: There are people outside waiting for us.
Alder: Let's move.
---
Bridey: That storm is not our kind of work, and it's certainly not natural.
Raelle: Whatever it is, it's moving fast.
Alder: Private Craven?
Tally: They're nearby. All around us. But it isn't the Spree. They're not witches.
Alder: Move out.
---
Bridey: Why aren't the engines started?
Tally: The pilots are gone.
Camarilla Speaker (in Mothertongue): Jédral Álda. Atóvi jabóiza lavú. [General Alder. We've saved a place for you.]
Alder: Our ancient enemy has returned! The Spree was trying to warn us! This is the Camarilla!
Abigail: They're using some twisted version of our work.
Alder: Let's go!
Alder: Go, go, go!
Tally: Here!
Tally: On your right! Two o'clock!
Alder: Keep it up, Craven!
Tally: Behind you!
Tally: They're coming from both sides!
Alder: We need to fall back!
Tally: She's dying!
Tally: Take me.
[vocalizing]
Alder: Thank you, daughter.
Tally: It's my honor.
Alder: We need to leave now!
Raelle: Let's go. Come on, Tally. We're going home. Come on.
Tally: I didn't know what else to do.
Raelle: You did good, Tal.
---
Raelle:: I'll get him.
Abigail: Damn it!
Bellweather! We can't wait long.
Abigail: Understood.
Raelle: I know what you need. See this? See this? Watch. This will keep you safe.
Abigail: Rae, we gotta go!
Raelle: Okay, buddy? Take him.
Tally: Raelle!
[screech]
Abigail: It's okay. It's okay. I've got you.
Raelle: You need to let me go.
Abigail: You need to shut up and let me concentrate.
Abigail: I can't move her!
Raelle: You gotta break the Link or I'm gonna take you with me.
Abigail: Not gonna happen, Collar.
Bridey: General, we need to go now!
Alder: Go, go!
Tally: No!
Raelle: You always gotta be the hero, huh, Bellweather?
Abigail: I love you, shitbird.
Bridey: Grab onto something!
Tally: What...what was that?
Alder: I have no idea.
---
Scylla: The way over is under.
Spree guard: The way out is in.
Willa: How did you get out?
Scylla: Anacostia helped me.
Good work.
Willa: I'm guessing you're hungry.
Scylla: Very.
Willa: You were supposed to bring me my daughter.
---
Mothertongue transcriptions and translations provided by the conlang creator: https://archiveofourown.org/works/23443 ... s/56192095
Previously on Motherland:
Tally: There are innocent. People are in there.
Wade: Your days of leading our military are over.
Wade: Fellow citizens..
Raelle: I told Petra that Scylla was being held on base.
Anacostia: Petra told President Wade.
Wade: I am granting General Alder--
Alder: --full authorization.
Anacostia: Alder puppeted the president.
Tally: Can she follow this back to us?
Anacostia: If she does, you're all in grave danger.
Tally: She did it.
Alder: How many of the Tarim remain?
Izadora: Less than ten.
Alder: The work they possess is very special.
Alder: I know this sound. It's in my blood.
Alder: How did the Spree find them before we did?
Izadora: What if it's not the Spree?
Alder: I rooted out the last remaining Camarilla over 200 years ago. They very much wanted my voice in here too.
Scylla: To look this kind of evil in the face.
Raelle: The burning times are over, right?
Scylla: Does something like that ever really go away?
---
Sports announcer: [indistinct] Goal! [indistinct]
Odd player: We are the Spree.
Crowd: Our ancient enemy has returned. Our ancient enemy has returned. Our ancient enemy has returned. Our ancient enemy has returned. Our ancient enemy...
---
Opening credits
---
Tally Craven: What ancient enemy? We had so many.
Raelle Collar: Take your pick.
Tally: My guess? The church.
Abigail Bellweather: The people from the soccer stadium are still messed up, even though they're being treated.
Raelle: Guys, we have other things to think about right now.
Tally: Ladies, we did this.
Raelle: Yeah, we did. Wasn't easy.
Tally: Or fair.
Abigail: But we made it through.
Tally: Together.
Abigail: Come on, shitbird.
---
[feet stomping]
Sarah Alder: Congratulations. You have given more than you thought you could. You have accessed reserves of power you never knew existed. And while graduation marks an important day in a soldier's life, this is just the beginning.
[feet stomping]
Alder: Today, some of you will place at w*r College. Others will join their sisters on the frontlines. But all of you will serve this great country as soldiers of the United States army.
[feet stomping]
Alder: Make your way outside, ladies. The ninth bell reveals your fate.
---
[bells tolling]
Glory Moffett: Gr--uh...Oh. Guys, I'm so sorry.
Raelle: Just when you get your hopes up.
Tally: This can't be true.
Raelle: No. I always knew this would happen.
---
Scylla Ramshorn: Graduation bells. They're one step closer to dying for the cause.
Anacostia Quartermaine: I let you see Raelle. So let's get started.
Scylla: Why am I still here, Anacostia?
Anacostia: I told you.
Scylla: You wanted to see if I'm human. But you already know I am. It's something more.
Anacostia: Do tell.
Scylla: It's beginning to dawn on you that, if I'm a human being, and member of the Spree, then maybe others in the Spree are human beings too. And they might have their reasons, just like I do, and then things are not as simple as you wish them to be.
Anacostia: Your ignorance is stunning.
Scylla: If only you could hold on to your pathetic story of good versus evil.
Anacostia: This was a mistake.
Scylla: It's a children's story, Anacostia. You're a grown woman, Even more, you're a witch.
Anacostia: The only thing starting to dawn on me is just how lost you really are.
Scylla: Keep fighting it. Truth always wins.
Anacostia: You know no--! You know nothing about me.
---
Abigail: This is not happening. This has never happened in American freaking history. Not to a --
Raelle, Tally, and Abigail simultaneously: Bellweather!
Raelle: We get it.
Abigail: It's Alder. Think about it.
Raelle: Yeah, it's because of what we told Petra.
Tally: If Alder puppeted the president, then she must have glimpsed Petra in Wade's memories.
Abigail: And here we are.
Raelle: w*r meat.
Officer 7: General Alder would like to speak to your unit. Immediately.
---
Alder: Khalida and Adil have agreed to accept my help. I'm assembling a small strike team to rescue the remaining Tarim. Khalida requested--
Khalida: Insisted.
Alder: Insisted that your unit accompany us, given your success with Khalida's ailments. There may be others with the same affliction.
Khalida: I will come too.
Adil: No.
Khalida: It's essential that I must come.
Adil: No. We both know why. Your are the last of a powerful line.
Khalida: All the more reason.
Adil (in Mothertongue): Kluusúl Áldèr mé wíìzénáz mé lubà. [Don't let Alder be right about you.]
Khalida (in Mothertongue): Wíìzénáz ò? [About what?]
Adil (in Mothertongue): Lumé míkháàro. [Being arrogant.]
Adil: It is decided, then. I will help you find my people.
Alder: We leave at 1500 hours. Dismissed.
---
Edwin Collar: Thank you.
[background soldier]: Nice to meet you.
Raelle: Pop!
Edwin: Hey, kid.
Raelle: Did you have fun?
Edwin: It was okay. Old buildings are old buildings. I'm glad to see you're wearing that.
Raelle: Yeah. Sounds like I'm gonna need it. I'm deploying today, Dad.
Edwin: That soon, huh?
Raelle: I didn't get into w*r College.
Edwin: Well, hey, neither did your mama.
Raelle: Dad, why didn't Mom's charm keep her safe?
Edwin: She never brought it on her last tour.
Raelle: I thought they sent it back with her medal.
Edwin: Nope. It's like she knew she wasn't coming back. I know how bad she wanted to pass it to you. There's something else. I've had it a while. She wanted me to give it to you when you graduated.
Raelle: I love you, Dad.
Edwin: You too, Rae.
Raelle: I'll call you when I get home from China.
Edwin: So, you wear that old bird's foot and you come back to me.
Raelle: I promise I will.
Raelle: I love you.
Edwin: I love you.
---
Petra Bellweather: Everything's going to be okay.
Abigail: No, it's not. Alder found out about what we did, what you did, and everything backfired. Alder's retaliating.
Petra: I know Alder personally blocked your placement at w*r College. I pulled some strings. It wasn't hard with the att*cks on our family, not to mention the blowback Alder's getting for what happened after Citydrop. It was deemed too risky to send you on another premature, reckless deployment. Instead, I have secured a solo placement for you at w*r College.
Just me?
Petra: Just you, daughter. I've already moved you out of Circe.
Abigail: But Raelle and Tally are the last of their lines too. They should--
Petra: Some Matrilines are more important than others. They don't matter to me. You do.
---
Anacostia: Abigail won't be joining you in Tarim.
Tally: How is that even possible?
Anacostia: Petra still has powerful friends.
Tally: That's ridiculous!
Anacostia: I know.
Tally: No, absolutely not! This is a complete betrayal of everything you taught us! I mean, the unit that, the unit this. What kind of justice it that? Some sisterhood. Every single thing that we fought for and bled for has been a complete joke.
Raelle: Are you that surprised, Tal?
Tally: Yes, I am.
Anacostia: You ladies are wheels up in ten.
Tally: This is so fast.
Anacostia: You need to put this to bed and get your head in the mission.
Anacostia: Be smart out there. Make me proud.
Tally: Is this?
Anacostia: We don't say goodbye here.
Tally: Thank you for taking care of us.
Anacostia: I'm going to need the two of you to come back so you can continue to frustrate me and age me prematurely. Okay?
Tally: Yes, ma'am.
Raelle: Yes, ma'am.
Raelle: Um.
Raelle: Wherever they're taking Scylla, can you, can you please make sure that they go easy on her? I know she's messed up, but she's not all bad.
Anacostia: I'll try.
Raelle: Thank you.
Tally: [sobbing] I can't believe Abigail would leave without saying goodbye to us. This is crazy.
---
Scylla: You gonna give me one more chance?
Scylla: My dead parents. Better times.
Anacostia: What happened to them?
Scylla: I'm sure it's all in the report.
Anacostia: Yeah, but I want to hear it from you.
Scylla: I was 16. We were drifting west that spring, across the Cession, undetected. We were good at that. Until we weren't. We found different Dodger families in sleepy towns all over the dustbowl. We got new names. I was starting school. They were waiting at our home.
Anacostia: Military police?
Scylla: My parents surrendered themselves, but they k*lled them anyways, to prove a point. I was hiding in the garage. I did nothing. Now, I fight in their honor.
Anacostia: I lost mine too.
Scylla: Your?
Anacostia: Parents. Not the plague or storm or festering w*r wounds. No, it was a car accident, icy road.
Scylla: Why didn't they just?
Anacostia: Bust out some work and right the car? They were on furlough. My parents were as by the book as you can get. No work performed off base unless engaged in a military operation. I had many moms, mothers, Alder among them. But...I miss my...I miss her voice. I miss her smell.
Scylla: I hope their sacrifice was appreciated.
Scylla: They were wearing collars and chains and didn't even know it.
Anacostia: I found my family. The army became my family.
Scylla: Is a family that eats their young really a family? The Spree gave me purpose. And a place to put my pain. I guess we are more alike than I thought. You've been kinder to me than you needed to be. Thank you.
Anacostia: You're welcome.
---
Adil: Where's Abigail?
Raelle: She's not coming.
Adil: Why?
Tally: Long, terrible story.
Abigail: Yep. Pretty much the saddest story ever told.
Abigail: You didn't think I was gonna let you two have all the fun, did you?
Abigail: What's up, shitbird?
---
Willa Collar: My dear one. I deploy to Greenville in the morning. I left my charm with Dad. Soon, you will need it more than me. May it keep you safe and sound. I love you more than the sky above and the earth below. It has pained me greatly being away from you so much, but you need to know you have powerful work in you, girl. Trust your gift. Never doubt it. Not even for a minute. And never forget, I will always be close, watching over you.
---
Raelle: What is it?
Tally: We're being watched.
Abigail: The Tarim?
Tally: I don't think so.
Abigail: You need to tell Alder.
Tally: I think we're being followed.
Alder: Tell me more.
Tally: Whoever it is, they feel hostile.
Alder: It might be any of a half dozen armies seeking the Tarim.
Tally: Or the Spree?
Alder: Entirely possible. Stay vigilant.
---
Alder: Adil. Would you mind conferring with the strike team about tomorrow?
Adil: Of course.
Alder: I believe it's time we cleared the air.
Tally: Would that be clearing the air on the civilians you had us k*ll? Or Libba's death? Or the fact that you puppeted the president in order to grab power?
Alder: You think you see everything, don't you?
Raelle: It does seem like you owe us some answers.
Alder: I owe you nothing. And I will not justify my actions to three privates who barely made it through basic. But, considering our present circumstances, it's important that we trust each other. The first time I made a decision that affected the life and death of soldiers under my command was over 300 years ago. I have made countless decisions like it since. Some hurt more than others. But there is not a single one that I regret.
Raelle: But it's always someone else's life and death that you're playing with.
Alder: It's part of being a leader. And trust me when I tell you that it never gets any easier.
Abigail: My mother says that if it ever gets easy, walk away.
Alder: Your mother and I don't often see eye-to-eye, but on this we agree. It is tragic what happened on that highway. To Libba, and the innocents in that truck.
Tally: We weren't ready. And you made us into murderers.
Alder: I made you into soldiers. And in the end, you were ready. Many thousands of lives were saved that day. Hold onto that.
Tally: And what about the president? Whose life were you saving there? How are we any different from the Spree if we just puppet whoever gets in the way?
Alder: Taking the body and will and voice of another is a violation. It is against our code. But I had no choice. If you knew what was at stake, you'd understand. You should all get some rest.
---
Adil: It's there. Near that tree.
Tally: Not a tree.
Abigail: Do you know her?
Adil: She's one of our elders.
Alder: They dress her like my sister.
Alder: Take her down. Be gentle. The Spree are taunting us. Taunting me.
Adil: I have to get to the cave.
Alder: Get the Bats close. Tell them to stand by for extraction. Let's find your people.
---
Tally: Look!
Adil: This could be a good thing.
Abigail: It's a solid wall of rock. How is that good?
Adil: Hopefully, this means my people put this up to protect themselves. Our songs, the ones you so desperately want to learn, can reshape the earth itself. We can even create new land where there was none. Move mountains, shake the earth, split stone. This may take a few minutes.
---
Tally: You're really worried for them.
Alder: The desert is crawling with people that mean to harm them. The Spree would rather k*ll the Tarim than have them join us. And contrary to what you believe, this has never been about gaining power.
Tally: I really want to believe you. But I don't.
Alder: You are young. You haven't seen the hardships I have. I grew up in hiding, on the run from those who hated our kind. The church, the Camarilla, countless others. I saw friends and family hung, burned, and stoned to death. We lived in constant fear and that terror followed me to the new world and hunted me relentlessly, until the day I decided to fight back. The Tarim and their songs, they're the last surviving link to something I thought was gone forever. So much was stolen from our people over years of persecution and attempted genocide. Scattered to the winds. But if we can find these people and convince them to share their songs, this power can be used to make a better, safer world.
Raelle: General?
Adil: Follow me.
---
Adil (in Mothertongue): Jìmò kháà a'èméchè ám vú. [These people are here to help.]
Samira (in Mothertongue): Lusápényè pémé wèláyà úrrà. Nír jìmò udòkúwòr lu vú. [You have betrayed us all. Take these strangers and leave.]
Alder (in Mothertongue): Ilánèír zezè pénèá pérám. Pérzát'é jè pélòá ramé ashónkà. [I promise you, we only want to help. We can protect you and heal your sick.]
Samira (in Mothertongue): Iwíshè jìmò ánèírró yémò. [I have heard these promises before.]
Raelle: While you're working all this out, that boy is dying.
Adil (in Mothertongue): Lúràí jìmò ként'í álòá ashónkà jìnà? Awósázhì Kálìdà 'u'ánk'è. [Will you allow this girl to heal the sick? She saved Khalida's life.]
Samira (in Mothertongue): Kálìdà kalòáyè jìnà? 'Ébùcháí? [Khalida's been healed? She's alive?]
Alder (in Mothertongue): Yébù. [Yes.]
Raelle (echoing): Ask and it shall be given you. Seek and ye shall find. Knock and it shall be opened up to you.
---
Anacostia: Your prison transport is scheduled in two hours.
Scylla: I haven't packed yet. I don't know what bathing suits I'm gonna--
Anacostia: Shut up. You'll die there.
Scylla: What are you doing?
Anacostia: I have no idea what I'm doing. Against every piece of wisdom that I know and hold dear, I'm giving you a fighting chance. 'Cause I think you deserve it. Do not make me wrong about that. The place is crawling with guards. You're on your own there. Hurry. Gonna have to make this look look good.
Scylla: Thank you.
Anacostia: Hold onto the part of you that's good.
---
Tally: Hey.
Alder: You should be very proud of yourselves for the work you've put in the past few days. When we get back to Fort Salem, we're going to have to discuss your future.
Tally: There are people outside waiting for us.
Alder: Let's move.
---
Bridey: That storm is not our kind of work, and it's certainly not natural.
Raelle: Whatever it is, it's moving fast.
Alder: Private Craven?
Tally: They're nearby. All around us. But it isn't the Spree. They're not witches.
Alder: Move out.
---
Bridey: Why aren't the engines started?
Tally: The pilots are gone.
Camarilla Speaker (in Mothertongue): Jédral Álda. Atóvi jabóiza lavú. [General Alder. We've saved a place for you.]
Alder: Our ancient enemy has returned! The Spree was trying to warn us! This is the Camarilla!
Abigail: They're using some twisted version of our work.
Alder: Let's go!
Alder: Go, go, go!
Tally: Here!
Tally: On your right! Two o'clock!
Alder: Keep it up, Craven!
Tally: Behind you!
Tally: They're coming from both sides!
Alder: We need to fall back!
Tally: She's dying!
Tally: Take me.
[vocalizing]
Alder: Thank you, daughter.
Tally: It's my honor.
Alder: We need to leave now!
Raelle: Let's go. Come on, Tally. We're going home. Come on.
Tally: I didn't know what else to do.
Raelle: You did good, Tal.
---
Raelle:: I'll get him.
Abigail: Damn it!
Bellweather! We can't wait long.
Abigail: Understood.
Raelle: I know what you need. See this? See this? Watch. This will keep you safe.
Abigail: Rae, we gotta go!
Raelle: Okay, buddy? Take him.
Tally: Raelle!
[screech]
Abigail: It's okay. It's okay. I've got you.
Raelle: You need to let me go.
Abigail: You need to shut up and let me concentrate.
Abigail: I can't move her!
Raelle: You gotta break the Link or I'm gonna take you with me.
Abigail: Not gonna happen, Collar.
Bridey: General, we need to go now!
Alder: Go, go!
Tally: No!
Raelle: You always gotta be the hero, huh, Bellweather?
Abigail: I love you, shitbird.
Bridey: Grab onto something!
Tally: What...what was that?
Alder: I have no idea.
---
Scylla: The way over is under.
Spree guard: The way out is in.
Willa: How did you get out?
Scylla: Anacostia helped me.
Good work.
Willa: I'm guessing you're hungry.
Scylla: Very.
Willa: You were supposed to bring me my daughter.
---
Mothertongue transcriptions and translations provided by the conlang creator: https://archiveofourown.org/works/23443 ... s/56192095