Peter GambiDo you remember why you became Black Lightning? You wanted to give the people hope. You wanted the evil that's out there to have something to fear. Right now, there's nothing to fear, and evil's running rampant like a plague through this city! Hell, through this world!
Okay, you know what? Let's cut through the poetry, and just talk real. Now, the purpose of Black Lightning was to kill Tobias, for literally shoving my father's articles down his throat until he died. Then it was because of crime bosses, crooked politicians, every small-time street thug that had snatched a purse or robbed a store! You see, there's no end, Gambi. There's no bottom for Black Lightning. And the only loser in all of it is... me. I feel like Lynn and I are making room for a possibility of a reconciliation. Do you hear me? I have a shot at putting my family back together. Black Lightning is not going to jeopardize that.
Gambi
I love Lynn and those girls, but we knew this day would come. Jefferson, I've known you since you were 12-years-old, you're like my son. So I have to tell you the truth. The promise you made Lynn was well intentioned, but it always had an expiration date.
You know how this ends, right?
Gambi
The same way it always ends for everyone, Lynn. None of us get out of here alive.
Gambi
But what kind of happy? Happy like a lion in a cage? King of the zoo, not of the jungle?
Happy like a man who was at peace just being Jefferson Pierce.
Gambi
But he isn't just Jefferson Pierce. He's so much more than that.
I do. And that's why I want you to stop him before he gets addicted again.
Gambi
We have a difference of opinion on that. I don't believe Jefferson was ever addicted to his powers. He was in a war to save this city and its people. And he was winning! Then he suddenly stopped, because he was addicted to you. And now look at the condition of this city and its people. It's complete chaos.
It sounds like you're blaming me for the chaos.
Gambi
A little. Just like you blame me, then and now. But ultimately, it's Jefferson's choice what he does with his powers.
Gambi
Now, if they just want to kill Holt, it'll likely be a single gunman, waiting to taking him out at his most public moment. But that's not what I'd do.
I hate it when you play the "most not likely scenario game".
Gambi
The 100 doesn't want to be in the martyr-making business. They want to be in the fear business.
Gambi
Exactly. If you put poison in aspirin, people stop buying aspirin. If you make it deadly to protest...
People live with their misery rather than dying trying to change it.
Gambi
This stuff is like crack and PCP got together and had a baby. You should keep an eye on that student of yours. The way this stuff attaches to your neural receptors, you take it once and you're hooked.
That's why the first taste is free.
Gambi
Since Green Light hit, there've been 36 overdoses, 6 of them fatal. You'd think it'd be on the news.
Yeah, black kids ODing has never been newsworthy.
Gambi
In theory.
That's not exactly the vote of confidence I was looking for. [jumps from the roof to test his suit's new hover function]
Gambi
So?
Gambi
Okay, ready to give this thing a little juice?
I thought you'd never ask.
Gambi
Really, really, really good.
I just found my new favorite thing.
[Gambi sees Tobias and Syonide in the shop on his monitor. He grabs a gun and heads up into the shop with some fabric]
Gambi
Not long enough. We had a deal. You're not supposed to be here. You're supposed to be gone - forever. [walks behind the counter]
Gambi
Only thing I'm gonna measure you for is a coffin.
Oh, I'll be here long after you're gone.
Gambi
Just 'cause you got that serum pumping through your veins that's keeping you from aging doesn't mean you and your sister are gonna have a happy ending. You think they told you everything before they gave it to you?
What they didn't tell me, I already figured out. Another thing I figured out is you're still working for the A.S.A., which makes you privy to all kinds of information. What I need from you is a name. Who is Black Lightning?
Gambi
I can't help you.
Gambi
Knowing things about Black Lightning gets men killed. I do my best to avoid knowing things that can get me killed.
Not telling me what I need to know can get you killed, too. I'll admit, Black Lightning has become a personal problem. I'm guessing his presence in Freeland is a problem for you, as well.
Gambi
[Removes his glasses and reveals his gun under the fabric while Syonide draws hers] Only problem I have is you.
[looks Gambi up and down] Gambi... I'll see you later. [leaves the shop with Syonide]
[Jefferson prepares to kill Tobias and Joey]
Gambi
Jefferson, I'm putting you through to Lynn.
June 28th, 1994 and October 7th, 2001. Your daughters came into this world on those days. You're an amazing dad, their anchor in this world, but you can't be if you let the air out of your soul. And that's exactly what will happen if you commit murder, Jeff, shred your soul.
It's already shredded. Goodbye, Lynn.
No, you think I don't understand. But I had some real talk with Anissa, and I've been thinking. I realize I was mad about not always being first in your life. But Black Lightning is part of you, and I can't deny that just because I want Jefferson Pierce all to myself. This isn't me fighting with you anymore, I accept who and what you are. This is about me reminding you that you're a hero, not a murderer.
Gambi
We need to have a conversation.
EEve
I already told you, the Stewart situation is being cleaned up.
Gambi
I'm not here about Lynn. I'm here about Tobias. The man is a problem.
EEve
[chuckling] He is a retail outlet who makes a 300% profit. That kind of financial asset... it's almost impossible to replace.
Gambi
Evelyn, the man is wanted. He's supposed to be underground! His head's gotten to big! Ever since his little visit to my shop, I've been keeping tabs on him. Whatever message you thought you sent, he didn't receive. He's been strutting around this city like he owns it. He's about to open a night club for God's sakes! It's only a matter of time before he's caught by the cops, or even worse Black Lighting. If he talks, he could dismantle the whole ecosystem we have created over the years. We need to clip his wings.
EEve
I am aware that Tobias has been somewhat of a habitual line stepper lately, but Gambi, you and I both know the ecosystem's a tricky one. Taking Tobias out would throw that balance off... but... you could have Joey Toledo. Toledo is Tobias's right hand. If you remove him from the equation, maybe Tobias will get the hint and start being more careful.
Gambi
And if Tobias doesn't fall in line?
EEve
I'll throw him off that bridge when I get to it.
Gambi, it's Lynn. Take your time. I was hoping you could help me with something.
Gambi
I hope your help involves a suit damask, because my supplier accidentally left me 2 bolts of it.
Gambi
Well then, let's pray purple suits come back into fashion.
Gambi
Thanks for coming.
You said it was an emergency.
Gambi
It is. Your father know you're here?
No, he said we can't trust you.
Gambi
That's fair. So why'd you come?
Because I wanted to determine that for myself. What happened between you two?
Gambi
I did something very bad a long time ago, and there was stuff I should've told your father before now. He doesn't trust me because I held out on him for so long. I can't blame him, but I just want to make things right. Not just with him, but...
Gambi
But also because people are in danger. I used to work as a sort of a scout
Gambi
For some people I now know are very bad. I helped them find young people with abilities.
You mean young people, like me, with powers?
Gambi
Yes. And I just saw the body of one the boys that I helped find 30 years ago.
Gambi
Along with several others. Please, don't tell your father just yet. Listen, Anissa, I told your father that people I used to work for are hunting Black Lightning. I don't think it's safe for either of you to be out. I have seen a dozen terrible things in my life, but I can't get out of my head what I saw in that lab. Black Lightning's the only one who can expose what's been done and bring these people to justice. Will you please tell him?
Gambi
Anissa, regardless of what you all may think of me, I will always care about you and your family, and I would do anything to protect you.
Gambi
The order came to move Jefferson. We're out of time.
Okay, we go with your plan.
Gambi
Anissa, I want to save your dad as much as you, but you need to understand: the tech we're using is a prototype, put together in half a day with parts I cannibalized from the sanctum.
Gambi
It's untested, it may not work.
But it might. Look, I can't lose my dad, and at this point, we're the only hope he's got.
Gambi
You have to do exactly as I tell you. One misstep–
There ain't gonna be no missteps. Just walk me through it. I got this.
I don't know how things are gonna be, moving forward.
Gambi
I don't expect you to forgive me.
Well, I might not be able to. But I still can't forget what you've done for me, for my family. I want to find a new balance, somehow.
Gambi
Okay. Just let me know what you need from me.
I need you to help me save those children.
[Jennifer is alone on the front porch. Gambi comes out]
Gambi
Hey. Are you alright?
Sure. I'm a freak from a family of freaks and my Dad's got one foot in the grave. I'm fine.
Gambi
Oh. When you say it like that. All right, not funny. I'm sorry.
Who were those people with Khalil? Are they like us? Metahumans?
Gambi
Not exactly. Metahumans have organic powers, which means they come from within. Theirs are artificial. That albino man? He's their leader. His name is Tobias Whale. He takes a kind of a serum which is like a super-steroid. It makes him age slower and get stronger over time. At this point, he's got the strength of three men. My guess is he's the one who turned your ex-boyfriend.
Gambi
That's what he does. That man has a gift for seeing the worst in people and bringing it out. That spooky looking woman with him? She's called Syonide. She was found in a dumpster as an infant with her umbilical cord wrapped around her neck.
Gambi
Tobias pulled her out of an orphanage when she was eight years old. She was malnourished and abused. He clothed her, he fed her and he trained her to become an assassin. When she was fully grown, he had carbon fiber body armor implanted under her skin and, if she wasn't crazy before the procedure, the pain did the rest.
What did they do to Khalil?
Gambi
I'm not altogether sure, but it looks like he's gotten an implant with a synthetic liquid metal. It's bracing his spine, but it's also causing Khalil's body to produce a neurotoxin like a snake's venom. Causes instant paralysis, so they weaponized him by giving him darts as a delivery method.
They made him into a weapon, but he's not like that.
Gambi
Yes, he is. That young man had a choice and he made it. He is with Tobias Whale, the worst of the worst. Sweetheart, whatever you may remember, he is not your Khalil, anymore. If you want to stay out here for a while, okay. I'm going back in.
Gambi
Jeff, even if you win, the ASA isn't gonna disappear. If they think there's some kind of meta-human arms race, they are gonna keep coming after you. Your best option would be to take off, make a life somewhere with your family.
Whoa, and turn our back on the people? On Freeland?
Let them make us leave? Nuh-uh, they don't know us.
I'll help in any way I can.
So that's it, then. High-low tactics.
MPMartin Proctor
So, family affair? I knew it was you.
Yeah, and that's gonna be a problem.
PProctor
I am a federal agent. You will bring the weight of the United States government down on your heads.
Gambi
That's bull. I suspected when you didn't call in reinforcements after your Green Light lab was destroyed that this was a rogue operation, which means we're not up against the ASA. We're just up against you.
PProctor
Thank political correctness. It's ruining the country.
Gambi
The first Freeland experiment killed a lot of kids! And you thought it was a good idea to do a sequel?
PProctor
They would've wound up on welfare or in prison, anyway.
Black Lightning · 65 quotes
