DIRECTOR D. and MADEMOISELLE MOREAU are in their office, waiting during another break between patients.
MOREAU
So, whatās taking so long? We have them, letās go.
DIRECTOR D.
Theyāve been tightening security even more than usual, and it doesnāt help that any of the helicopters have to be permitted by the computers in that āoff-limitsā upper floor.
MOREAU
Ah yes, Jupiterās lab. Hasnāt Black Widow entered many highly-guarded museums before? She ought to be able to do something.
DIRECTOR D.
I asked her, andā¦
CUT TO BLACK WIDOW laughing for a solid few seconds, before answering dead-faced.
We see a very cluttered lab, filled with important scientific instruments as well as random glittery trinkets. A woman sits at her desk alone, dressed in a wrinkled lab coat, several empty energy drinks littered around her.
DR. JUPITER enters the room, holding a cup of morning coffee, and glances at the window.
DR. JUPITER
Have you…been working on that all night?
WOMAN
Yup!
(She jumps out of her chair.)
And I think Iāve found it, Iāve really got it this time! I mean, I hope–it didnāt go so great before, but Iām (almost) positive now!
DIRECTOR D. and MOREAU are watching the prisoners from outside the lunchroom, through the window. Inside, the GUARDS are leading the three to their table.
MOREAU
What if we just told them who we actually are? Perhaps they would work better with a bit of fear pushing them.
DIRECTOR D.
Do you really think we can intimidate them? They may be desperate, but I doubt theyād all be willing to obey our every command if they felt they were being used.
MOREAU pinches her forehead.
MOREAU
If only one of them could keep them in line for us…
As if almost on cue, more (real) prison guards enter the hall, leading an older man dressed as a pirate, just as the AGENTS leave the lunch room.
EREWHON GUARD 1
Hey, is there any chance we can add him? He slept past lunch and we couldnāt do much about it.
One of the AGENTS shares a concerned glance with D. and MOREAU.
MOREAU
(Points at the window, towards the three)
…I donāt think it would be safe to put him in with them.
The PRISONER chuckles, leaning towards her, showing yellowed (and one real gold) teeth. MOREAU backs away.
CRAWFISH
I believe I can handle them mādear!
DIRECTOR D. turns to the AGENT.
DIRECTOR D.
Let him in.
D. and MOREAU watch intently as the pirate is led into the room. Surprisingly, the other prisoners do not protest his seating at their table. One of the GUARDS hand CRAWFISH a tray of food before leaving. CRAWFISH practically starts drooling, and ties a cheap napkin to his shirt as though he were about to begin a 5 star feast.
DR. HARE picks at his food.
DR. HARE
I understand that this place has limited vegetarian options but…why are the mashed potatoes green?
BLACK WIDOW
If you think thatās bad, I think I chipped a tooth on the bread here once.
The COOK (Note: The same chef who served Myron Van Buren in Survival Island) enters from the kitchen, scowling.
COOK
Is that complaining about the food I hear?
DR. HARE
Unsurprisingly yes-
CRAWFISH
Ah, donāt listen to āem! This is delicious!
(He turns to the COOK, aware of who she is but just playing.)
Give my thanks to the cook.
The COOK chuckles, and gives him an extra serving before walking off. CRAWFISH starts to chow down, while the rest look at him in confusion.
DR. HARE
You actually like that stuff?
CRAWFISH
Compared to the months of maggot infested biscuits I had to endure, this is heaven!
MORDRED
I had to endure monthsāyearsāages without anything. Without the brilliance of my cybernetics I most certainly would have perished of hunger!
(Somewhat to himself)
Per aspera…
BLACK WIDOW
Oh here we go again with the sob story.
MORDRED glares at her, but once again his grin hasnāt faded. WIDOW doesnāt back away but loses some of her boldness.
MORDRED
I donāt want your pity, I want the worldās punishment for what happenedā
CRAWFISH stands, slamming both hands on the table.
CRAWFISH
Enough! Iām certain everyone here has a horrible tale to tell, but can I have a meal in peace?
MORDRED
Who are you to order me around?
CRAWFISH turns to him, his tone suddenly becoming more cautious.
CRAWFISH
I was simply making a suggestion for your own good, sir.
Pause. MORDRED nods, and the tension in the room settles a little as they all get back to eating. We look back at DIRECTOR D and MOREAU, who are so interested in the prisonerās behavior that they donāt notice a shadowed DR. JUPITER lurking behind them.
DIRECTOR D.
Heāheās a leader.
MOREAU
Of course he is. Even evil pirates donāt want to face a mutiny.
DIRECTOR D.
Yes, but he knows how to work with them! Mademoiselle, I believe weāve found the ones who can work for us.
The camera follows JUPITER leaving them, both āpsychologistsā still not even suspecting his presence. He turns down a corner, before mumbling to himself with a faint smile.
DR. JUPITER
As have I, friends. As have I.
FADE OUT.
END OF EPISODE 1.
And here we are! I’m just as excited to see where this goes as some of you are, and I’m happy so many of you have expressed interest in this series!
Of course, I can’t have a Villain Saga post without mentioning the amazing recent additions to the comic GEAR made!
DIRECTOR D., wearing a uniform similar to those worn by the GUARDS, heads down a long hallway. The doors are bolted shut, and security cameras turn to follow him as he walks. MOREAU is a few paces behind him, casting wary glances at the cameras.
MOREAU
Are you sure no one will recognize us?
DIRECTOR D.
Positive. Most of the news from our areas hardly reached anywhere else, unlike for some of these people.
They turn to look at a window, looking into the LUNCH HALL. Several prisoners sit at tables, some in groups, others alone. The SUPER POWER VILLAINS appear to be starting a food fight.
MOREAU
So, which one do you want to start with first?
DIRECTOR D.
I’m not quite-
DR. JUPITER approaches the two from behind, seemingly from out of nowhere. Both nearly jump when he speaks.
DR. JUPITER
Who are you interested in? I can probably give you some suggestions.
DIRECTOR D.
(Gathering himself; pretending not to have been spooked)
Uh, well, someone a little less…violent, perhaps. Intelligent so…they can have a good conversation, and one of your more notorious prisoners…so we can still have a challenge.
He tries his best to get people who will both be helpful for him, but not cause any suspicions from the doctor. It seems to work, as Jupiter quickly begins going through a mental list of prisoners.
DR. JUPITER
Ah, well…you may want to try Dr. Hare first. Heās very smart–
Cut to a door opening, looking into a small room with DR. HARE at a table, handcuffed. The shadows of DIRECTOR D. and MOREAU are seen entering.
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