- Previously on Motherland... - Was there any place with other kids around, Tiffany? - (HISSES) - Where are you, Raelle? - SCYLLA: There! What is he doing to her? - That's Witchplague. - Raelle! - It will kill you if you go in there! Tell her I loved her more than anything in my whole life. - What are you doing here? - That is her mother. - Mom? - No, Rae. - We need to get out of here now. - ADIL: There has to be more of them inside. - They're never gonna stop coming after us. - (VOCALISES DEEPLY) - The asset is in good hands. - She is a person. - Cadet. - All she is to you is your precious Witchbomb! - You are out of line, Cr` (GRUNTS) - NICTE: Your heart is black, Sarah! (WOMAN SCREAMS) - (HISSES) Nicte. (INDISTINCT CHATTER) (KNOCK AT DOOR) - Dismissed. (TENSE MUSIC) - General. - You wanted to see me, General? - Yes, Craven. You're on the Batan mission. The traitor gave up Nicte's location. Wheels up in an hour. - I want my unit with me. - We're sending a team to pick them up. But your connection with the target and your Sight make you more valuable to me on this mission. - You can't find Nicte without me. I want my unit by my side. - We just got Collar back from the Camarilla. I don't want to put her at risk again. - If you really want Nicte, it seems like having the Witchbomb along might be helpful. - You'll pick them up on the way. - They'll be useful in capturing her. (MUSIC CONTINUES) - The orders are to eliminate the target, cadet. Is that a problem? - No, General. - Good. Carry on. - Cadet Craven. - (GASPS) General Bellweather. - I understand you're on this mission to eliminate Alder's attacker. - Yes, ma'am. - I sense you have some feelings about that. - I think it's wrong. - Why is that? - Alder gets to announce the death of the Spree's founder as the big victory of all time, and no one will ever know what really happened. - This all has to do with that soldier you asked me about a while ago. The Martyrdom of the Rebels. - That's right. Nicte Batan. - The woman you're now ordered to kill, decades later. (CHUCKLES) You don't have to be the head of Intelligence to know there's a bigger story there. - Much bigger. But it'll never see the light of day now, so... - Have a little faith, Tally. - (SCOFFS) - This is for Batan. I want you to impress upon Abigail and Raelle how dangerous she is. Given half a chance, she will get in your heads and tear you apart from the inside. Get that on her as soon as possible. - But if this is a kill mission, why are we bringing this? - I'm changing the objective. I'll inform the strike team. You bring Batan back alive. You're not alone in wanting the truth to come out. - Thank you. - Now, you have less than an hour. Tell me everything you know about Nicte Batan. (MYSTERIOUS MUSIC) Captions by Able. Captions were made with support from NZ On Air. www.able.co.nz Copyright Able 2022 (SOFT, SOLEMN MUSIC) (DOOR OPENS) - I'm gonna go take a shower. - Do you mind? Raelle's thirsty. - What do you think's gonna happen? You're the big hero now, so she just forgets what you are? - So I'm a what now, Abigail? Get out of my way. - She needs to rest. - It's OK. Scylla and I have stuff to deal with. - Fine. Yell if you need me. I am right next door. (MUSIC CONTINUES) (SOMBRE MUSIC) - My mom and I had a ritual. No matter where she was in the world, we'd figure out a time of day when we could both be thinking about each other. I loved knowing that I was on her mind right that second. Sometimes I'd sing to her, like she could really hear me. That's what I was doing the night my dad came in and told me she was dead. But that was all just a lie. - Your mother loved you so much. The hardest thing in her life was keeping away from you. - She let us grieve her for no reason. It destroyed my dad! And for what? For the Spree? And you knew... the whole time. - I swear I didn't know she was your mom until I showed up without you. Raelle, she was devastated. - But not devastated enough to reach out, apparently. - She wanted to. But since the Camarilla resurfaced and attacked our leadership, she thought you'd be safer where you were. - She should have given me that choice. (MUSIC CONTINUES) - Instead, she gave her life for you. (SHOWER RUNS) (MUSIC CONTINUES) - (CHUCKLES SOFTLY) - What? - I'm just thinking. The two women I've loved most in this world were terrorists who did awful things. What does that say about me? - Does it help that we were doing what we believed to be right? - Believed? - My priorities have shifted. Your mom showed me the way. - I keep trying to tell myself that what we did was right. But I don't think I'm gonna be sleeping anytime soon. - You're not being fair to yourself. We saved those kids. Raelle. And we killed people who were hunting us. Hold on to that. - I'm trying. But I don't think my sister will see it that way. - Hey. No matter what happens, we've got each other. (SOFT MUSIC) - It's not about fighting conscription anymore or liberation at any cost or proving a point by taking innocent lives. The people that took you and did what they did to you, they're the only enemy that matters. - You got any Spree food in that Spree kitchen? - I would have loved to have seen Izadora's face when she realised that, after all those years of yearning for a connection, the Mycelium chose you and not her. - Actually, um... I don't know how much of a gift this really is. - From the sound of it, you're now one of the most powerful witches ever. Seems like a gift to me. - I just wish I didn't have to carry it alone. - How are you alone? You've got Abigail and Tally. They're always gonna be your sisters. The three of you together, you're a force. (HELICOPTER WHIRRS OVERHEAD) - That's our ride. You should probably make yourself scarce. - No. I don't care what happens. I'm not walking away from you again. (HELICOPTER WHIRRS OUTSIDE) (SENTIMENTAL MUSIC) (ALL CHUCKLE) - We should go wake the kids up. - Oh, another transport's coming to take them back. Adil, you're supposed to accompany them. - Just Adil? - There's been a slight change of plans. - Yeah, a lot's happened. - So, wait, my mom told you to ignore Alder's direct order? - Sure did. - She's becoming quite the revolutionary. - Exactly what the army needs more of, I'd say. - Agreed. - OK. What do we know about where Nicte's holed up? - I think` - You're not a part of this. - Abs. - Are you so stubborn you'd ignore the one person who has a chance of helping you? - We're going up against the founder of the Spree. You don't think Scylla being one of her followers is kind of a conflict? - She had my back in that lab. You saw that. Abigail, we aren't familiar with Spree work. Scylla is. - Yeah, a little too familiar. Tal, please talk some sense here. - I'm not happy about this, but she has a point. - Seriously? You're the one who turned her in. - Yeah, and yesterday, she helped save Raelle's life. That's all the proof I need. People change. - We need her. (TENSE MUSIC) - The first false move you make, I'm ending you, Necro. (DRAMATIC MUSIC) - Remember the briefing. Batan will be throwing all kinds of off-canon your way. Stay alert. Cadets, you stay behind us. Let's go! - Sure, we'll stay behind. Remind me who on this mission has actually faced the Camarilla on multiple occasions ` and won? - There's the Abigail Bellweather we know and love. (OMINOUS MUSIC) (BATS SCREECH) - Oh, I hate bats. (SOFT, MYSTERIOUS MUSIC) - WILLA: Dinner's almost ready, Rae. - Mom? - Why don't you come help me set the table, Rae? (COUNTRY MUSIC PLAYS ON RADIO) - I hope you're hungry. (COUNTRY MUSIC PLAYS ON RADIO) - Come on, kid. What are you waiting for? A nice family dinner, it'll be a good memory to take with you. - You two really believe that I'm thinking about you in the middle of a war zone? How selfish can you be? (PHONE RINGS) Don't answer that. - SCYLLA: Raelle, this isn't real. Remember this morning. - I said don't answer it. - Willa, I never stop thinking about you when you're gone. - And I never stop thinking about you. (HISSES) - Mom, what did you do?! Dad? Dad? Oh. Dad! ECHOES: Ask and it shall be given. Seek and you shall find. - You know, Rae, I thought marrying your father was the thing that ruined my life. But it's not. You are. - Mom? I love you. Why are you saying that? - RADIO: ...our request line. What's your pleasure, Scylla Ramshorn? - SCYLLA: Raelle, this isn't real! Nicte is doing this! - (GASPS) - Remember we're on a raid! This isn't real! Raelle! - (PANTS) What the hell was that? - It was Nicte getting into our heads. - That was so real. How did you get out of it? You've used this working before. - On a larger scale. - We need to find Tally and Abigail. If they're caught in this... (BATS SCREECH) - Guys, I'm not seeing anything. (WOOD CREAKS UNDERFOOT) (MYSTERIOUS MUSIC) What? (DISTORTED OLD-FASHIONED MUSIC PLAYS) (MUSIC PLAYS LOUDER) - ALDER: Forget about that for the moment, Craven. I summoned you here to talk about your behaviour. You've made some pretty strong accusations against me. - I am sorry. I was upset about Raelle. I know that's not an excuse. - Your willingness to speak your mind is a measure of your strength. I haven't come across many like you. - Oh. Uh, well... Thank you. - I've had many Biddies over the centuries. But our connection was very unique. Very powerful. And, clearly, not easily broken. - Where... are the Biddies? - I know you've felt it. I've felt it. That connection. I've come to realise that to sever it was a mistake. Now you will rejoin my Biddies. - What? - I hope that you know that your sacrifice will never be forgotten. - No. (BIDDIES HISS, CHATTER TEETH) (UNSETTLING MUSIC) (YELPS) (SCREAMS) No. No, please. I don't want this. - Yes, you do. - No. - It's what you've wanted since you arrived at Fort Salem. - No. No. No. - You want to be me, Tally. - (BIDDIES VOCALISE EERILY) - RAELLE: Tally, listen to me! Use your sight! Look through it, Tally! This isn't real! (VOCALISING CONTINUES) Let go! Let go! Tally! - (GASPS, PANTS) Nicte. - Come on. (TENSE MUSIC) Where's Abigail? (DRAMATIC MUSIC) (ABIGAIL VOCALISES CROAKILY) - That's it, Abigail! Now braid them together! Carefully! That's it! - Brilliant, Abigail! Jem would be proud! - (CONTINUES VOCALISING) (DRAMATIC MUSIC) - Abs! - Abigail! Abigail! - Abs! - Wake up! - Abs, we're here! Look at me! (THUNDER RUMBLES) - I can't control it anymore! - Abigail! - PETRA: No! (SCREAMING) - Wake up! - Abs, look at us! - She'll kill us all! You need to get through to her now! Remind her what's real! - We've got to go! Wake up! - Abigail, we're here! (MUSIC CONTINUES) (WIND HOWLS) Abigail, listen to me! Whatever you're seeing isn't real! Abigail, please! Abs, look at us! Abigail! Abigail! - Wake up! - Snap out of it, shitbird! Pull yourself together and focus! Focus! - Look at me! Look at me! Now, what is your name, soldier?! (THUNDER CRASHES) (MUSIC SLOWS) - I'm Abigail Bellweather! (SOLEMN MUSIC) What happened? - Nicte. She pushed us. All of us. - I could have killed you. - But you didn't. For once in your life, you actually listened to somebody else. - (CHUCKLES WEAKLY) We need to find the strike team and regroup then find Nicte before she tries something else. - I mean, what can she throw at us that's worse than that? - You don't wanna know. (OMINOUS MUSIC) (MUSIC CONTINUES) - Goddess. - If you hadn't pulled me out, this would have been us. - And now we're all that's left. We should have gone the other way. This is just taking us back towards the drop point. - Well, this kind of work is localised and takes a lot of energy to maintain; Nicte can't be too far away. - I guess if anyone knows the details of that kind of working, it's a member of the Spree. (BATS SCREECH) - Oh! I am so sick of these bats. - Yes, Tally, bats are our biggest problem (!) - OK, I don't like things flying in my face! - Are you sure you were unbiddied, Tally? Cos you're still acting like an old lady. - Look. - Tal, can you see anything? - No. Nothing. - So what do we do? - We carry out our mission. (SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC) - (KNOCKS ON DOOR) Still nothing. - We should go around back, see if there's another way in. - You aren't calling the shots here. (HISSES) (TENSE MUSIC) - Clear! - Clear! - No. Oh, no, no, no, no, no. - This is where she did it. Where Nicte tried to kill Alder. - I told him not to go. I told him not to go through with it, told him this wasn't our fight anymore. - He was Spree. He got what was coming to him. And you will too. - We wouldn't be alive if it wasn't for her. - Yeah? Well, you wouldn't be alive if it weren't for me and Adil breaking you out of the Camarilla lab. - You weren't there for me. You just swooped in at the end and tried to take all the credit. Typical Bellweather. - What the hell is that supposed to mean? - Guys, come on. - Tally, quit whining. What it means is you are constantly putting yourself in the spotlight and trying to remind everyone how fancy your name is. But that's all it is ` just a name. - You wanna talk about names? Yours was worthless even before your mother joined the Spree. It took a bunch of fungus to make you stand out from the crowd. - I knew you were still mad about that. - Oh, I'm not mad about it. I feel sorry for you. The Witchbomb is all you have, and it's not even yours. No wonder your mother abandoned you. - Abigail, think about what you're saying. - I am so sick of your prattling peacemaker bullshit! - My mother loved me. She died for me! But you wouldn't know anything about that because the only value you have to your mother is your womb! - Stop it! We have to find Nicte! - It's your fault we're even on this mission. So self-absorbed, Tally. - Says the most self-absorbed person on the planet. (DRAMATIC MUSIC) - Screw this. You can tear each other apart. (BATS CHATTER SHRILLY) (BAT CHATTER STOPS) (OTHERS GRUNT AND SHOUT INSIDE) - (EXHALES HEAVILY) (HUFFS) (TENSE MUSIC) (BAT SQUEAKS) (SQUEAKING CONTINUES) (SQUEAKING ECHOES) She's using the bats. - Yes. She is. (DRAMATIC MUSIC) Do you like my choir, Tally Craven? They've learned my songs so well. (BATS CHATTER) (TENSE MUSIC) Ouch. - (GRUNTS) - Where's the Witchbomb now, weakling? Will it go off when I break your neck? (MUSIC CONTINUES) - Weakling? That's funny coming from the girl who has a complete meltdown any time someone says the word Camarilla. - So this is what your precious army sisterhood looks like? You two are pathetic. - You keep your mouth shut, murderer. - Well, I'd rather be someone who stands up for what they believe in than Alder's puppet. - I should have strangled you in your sleep. - (CHUCKLES) - (BATS SQUEAK) (SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC) - I'm not here to kill you. - I'm so relieved. You're brave, cadet witch. I'll give you that. Sarah Alder must be so very proud of you. Be careful with that. - I'm taking` I'm taking you back to Fort Salem. - And how do you propose to do that? - With the help of my unit. - Your unit is tearing themselves apart as we speak. - Let them go, and I promise you will be treated fairly. The world will finally get to hear your story, the truth about what Alder did to you. - You really are the sweet one. And that sight you have, that's a new shiny thing. It's a shame I'm gonna have to snuff that out. - If you were gonna kill me, you would have done it already. You're using too much power. You can't kill me. Not unless you release my unit. - You're right. (BATS CHATTER) (BOTH SCREAM) (BOTH PANT) - What the hell just happened? - Nicte happened. Again. I got swept up too this time. - So why did she stop? - She released us. - Why would she do that? (TALLY SCREAMS IN DISTANCE) - Tally. I think it came from this direction. - Raelle, wait. - We need to find Tally. - This might just be Nicte playing with our heads. - If she has our sister, that's a chance I'm willing to take. (NICTE HISSES, TALLY GROANS) - (PANTS) - (GROANS WEAKLY) (DRAMATIC MUSIC) - She couldn't have been too far, not if we heard her. - Maybe Scylla's right; this is just Nicte messing with us. (NICTE SCREAMS) That was not Tally. - This way. (MUSIC CONTINUES) Oh shit. - Tal? Tally. - Tally. - We've got you, Tal. You just took down the leader of the Spree. - She almost killed me. No. Let me do it. (MUFFLED PROTESTS) (NICTE GRUNTS, MUFFLED) - Hey, um... What happened at the cabin, I didn't` - Nothing that happened, nothing that was said matters. - Yeah. OK. (OTHERS GRUNT) - You know I can't come back with you. - So, um... What are you gonna do? What next? - There's this new witch, Tiffany. She's just a kid. Her parents were killed by the Camarilla. I was going to find her a new family, but I didn't get the chance. - Then that's what you should do. You should find a home for the girl. Maybe a dodger family or something? - That's what I was thinking. - Right. Um, and... And after that? - Um, after that, I'm going to continue what your mother and I started ` hunt down the Camarilla, make sure they don't put any more of us in cages. - Of course. Right. (SOFT, SOLEMN MUSIC) - Get her on board. - Be careful with her. She's dangerous. Thank you. We couldn't have done it without you. - Yeah. Thanks. - You're very welcome. - Guys, can we have a minute? - Mm-hm. (SOFT MUSIC) - Why don't you take Tiffany to the Cession? You can stay with my dad and have pancakes in the morning and... I just` I think it would be good for both of you. - Are you sure? - Yeah. I'll let him know you're coming. And, um... That way I also know where I can find you. (MUSIC CONTINUES) (MUSIC RISES) (MUSIC SWELLS) Stay safe. - You too. - Rae. I hate what I said to you in that cabin. - It's OK. I hate that I tried to kill you. (CHUCKLES SOFTLY) Abs, let's be honest. We've thought most of those things before. We have to live with that. But sisters, that wins out in the end. Every time. - We're together, and that's what matters. (MUFFLED GRUNTS) (MOMENTOUS MUSIC) (MUFFLED PROTESTS) (BIDDIES HISS) This is feeling a little medieval. - What is this? - Be careful, General. You have an audience. - I knew nothing. - (INHALES DEEPLY) (DRAMATIC MUSIC) This is a momentous occasion. We have captured Nicte Batan, the founder of the Spree. (RAPID FOOT STOMPING) (STOMPING STOPS) For the civilians she's killed. For the witches who lost their lives in defence of those civilians. This victory will go down in history, and it belongs to all of us. Nicte will pay for her crimes. (STOMPING RESUMES, NICTE PROTESTS PANICKEDLY) (MUSIC SLOWLY RISES) This is still my army. Don't forget that. - The only one who's gonna pay is you. (BIDDIES HISS) (SHOUTS) (GRUNTS) (GROWLS) (SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC) (LIGHTER CLICKS) (MUSIC SETTLES) - (SOBS) - Hello, Sarah. You're looking surprisingly well. Captions by Able. Captions were made with support from NZ On Air.