The Strongest Force Alive, Part 1.1

Page 1 Panel 1: We open on a dingy shop floor, similar to a Mom-and-Pop shop; an array of different mechas in the background, with one of our protagonists- FRAN- placed in the center of the shot. You can see her metal eyes opening.

Caption

Bernau bei Berlin, 1929

Caption

(Narrator)

"Through the whole of the 20th century, up till now, social movements were born from a grand idea uttered by one person of great heart and bravery. In the case of the humech movement though, it was the original grand idea, spread over three souls of equally high integrity and heart."

Panel 2: Action shot of a customer a short time later, hauling out the mecha from the store courtesy of a dolly. You can see the faintest appearance of an electric spark from the top of her auburn hair, which goes unnoticed by the customer.

Caption

(Cont., Narrator)

"It started in a shop in Berlin, on Bernau bei Berlin, just before the Great Depression. The owner (to use a disgusting term utilized by the backward thinking of our society) of the Cleaner unit he called Fran was doing some light cleaning, which inadvertently created a spark of static electricity. Which alone would not mean a great deal."

Panel 3: Flash forward to months later, showing her cleaning the modest looking house of the owner one day as the radio plays on.

Caption

(Cont., Narrator)

"Though as a mode of symbolism would prove prescient during a cleaning job months later."

MIRIAM

(from the radio speaker) We've been viewed by human governments the world over for nearly a century as mere tools to improve their homes, to liven their egos in the romantic sense, and to serve as fodder in war, along with other dangerous endeavors. But we are so much more. As a world...we can be so much more.

Panel 4: Slight close-up on Fran's face as the speech on the radio continues, entranced by the power and strength of Miriam's words.

MIRIAM

(Cont., Off-Panel) I've seen it firsthand working, a lifetime ago, with like minded souls to help humans and humechs alike in need. I've also seen it in the work we as a movement have achieved since the end of the Great War, since the ravages of the Spanish Flu. With you at my side, there's no telling what more good we can bring in the years to come...!

Caption

(Narrator)

"The inspiring words and ringing cheers from the crowds at the hall buzzed quickly into Fran's metal ears, giving birth to a newly radical spirit that would come to spirit."

Panel 5: Action shot of her later that week, leaving the house with a meager pair of suitcases. You can see the owner mournful, yet partially understanding of the situation.

Caption

(Cont., Narrator)

"She left the house the following week in a Schreiben der Mecha-Freiheit, assisted by the owner's sudden economic misfortune, and made her way over the course of a month to the local Berlin office of the Free Mecha Alliance."

Panel 6: Cut to a shot of the FMA office the next day where we see the second part of our story- REINA MULLER, a dark haired curvy human woman dressed in a nice dress shirt, vest, and trousers- looking up at Fran as she approaches the desk.

Caption

(Cont., Narrator)

"It was here that she would meet the next player in this story: Reina Muller."

FRAN

(Off-Panel, translated from German) Hello. This is the FMA office, right?

REINA

(nods) It is, Miss...?

Page 2

Panel 1: Cut to a shot of Fran at the front of the desk, dressed in a light brown top and a matching skirt; the handle of the suitcase barely visible on the bottom of the panel view.

FRAN

(nervous, subtly smitten; translated from German) I go by Fran. Mr. Grundstrom never really gave me a last name when I--I was activated. Um, I have heard s--some mechas take on a last name later on. I mean, I'm fairly certain I would qualify as female. But in terms of names, I haven't really come up with one--

REINA

(interjecting, Off-Panel; translated from German) Relax, comradette...new souls to the cause are always welcome!

Panel 2: Action shot of Reina with a warm smile back, handing her a few documents from the desktop as she speaks.

REINA

(Cont.) I'm Reina Muller. Here's some introductory documents. Let me...

Caption

(Narrator)

"Fran admits to not remembering the rest of what she said that day, mainly because of the large amount of butterflies that formed in her stomach upon seeing this gorgeous vision of femininity. She didn't know that mechas were capable of such emotion."

Panel 3: Flash forward to months later, and we see the two of them conversing and sharing a laugh after an outdoor rally. You can see a growing sense of closeness between the two of them.

Caption

(Cont., Narrator)

"Over the many months that followed, she ended up feeling the same emotion, along with many other emotions that would not be suitable for adolescent ears."

Caption

(Cont., Narrator)

"(unless they're readers of Jest or Hit!, in which case...you can probably surmise a good mental image)."

Panel 4: A two-part set of panels that moves to a close-up of their hands a beat later, holding hands in a subtle sign of romance.

Caption

(Cont., Narrator)

"The power and depth of their love, along with the good they brought to the humech movement, was enough to protect them against the cold gaze of bigotry and an ever darkening world that followed them."

Panel 5: In the second part, we see the same pair of hands though now in a much darker shading than in the previous panel.

Caption

(Cont., Narrator)

"Unfortunately, such protection found a swift and brutal end one March evening."

Panel 6: Cut to a shot of a group of Nazi supporters celebrating down on street level, sparking fires and causing hell to anyone who isn't a member of the Party.

Caption

German Federal Election: March 5th, 1933

Page 3

Panel 1: We move to a shot of Reina and Fran in their apartment, watching the scene going on from the end of the previous page fearfully.

FRAN

(to Reina, translated from German) They're going to target us, just like the Jews and the Romani. We have to get the hell out of here.

REINA

(knowing fear, to Fran; translated from German) I know, my love...I'm absolutely with you on that fear.

FRAN

(Bubble 2) I heard Marcus a few days ago talk about gathering a few hundred of us onto a mass dirigible and head to England or the U.S.--

Panel 2: Slight close-up on Reina a beat later, looking at her with some degree of protest balanced with agreement on the larger point.

REINA

(interjecting) HA! Like either of those countries will give the slightest damn about us. Even with the new President in America, there's a great many of them who'd be more than happy than having mustache boy in charge here.

(Bubble 2) I agree with the instinct to leave, and to get many others to leave. But we have to go about it intelligently. I--I don't wanna lose you...

Panel 3: Her partner nods lovingly, taking a few steps away to ponder the larger point Reina made. You can see a smattering of the modest apartment in the background, along with photos and knick-knacks of their lives on the wall.

FRAN

Neither do I. First things first, we have to get out of Berlin. The Brownshirts are already frothing at the mouth to get their boots red...!

Panel 4: A few moments later, Fran looks back with the momentum of a brain blast connected to the previous panel's thoughts.

FRAN

(Cont., curious) What about that ally from Dortmund we met at a rally last year?

FRAN

(Bubble 2; reacting to Panel 5, Bubble 1) True. But with his dark face and alternative lifestyle, he has just as much to lose as we do.

Panel 5: Reina looks back on apprehensively at the question, connected to a point in question.

REINA

Kristof? Interesting idea. Are we sure he's the right man for the job though? He's mostly specialized in courier types of flights.