Part III: The Charge of the Night Brigade
Page 1 (8 panels)
Page 1 panel 1
This page will consist of two separate sets of panels, running in vertical columns and distinctly split down the middle of the page. The first set of panels, running along the left side of the page, introduces a narrative by a person describing his dreams, which are actually his impressions of action which he sensed in the Dream Zone. He thinks that the dreams are simply products of his own mind, and is unaware that he has tuned in to the Dream Lord's battle with the Night Brigade. This is similar to the technique used in Part 1 of the mini-series, when two other dreamers described their dreams, which were unwittingly visions of the Dream Lord.
This new dreamer is a Vietnam vet, talking to a psychiatrist in a VA hospital.
The set of panels running along the right side of the page details the activity in the command center of Project Dream Lord, as technicians and command personnel monitor the progress of the Night Brigade during their mission. These scenes will include dialogue, not straight narrative like the dreamer panels.
The two columns of panels will thus provide parallel accounts of what is happening in the Dream Zone. During the actual sequence within the Dimension, both accounts will continue, and will climax later in the story.
Page 1, Column 1 - Panel 1 - Narrator (Vet): Look, that doesn't matter to me anymore, Mike. I know it's not my fault. She just wanted something else, something different...sort of like getting a new hairdo.
A woman, in her late 30's, is standing in the doorway of a house, pointing at a guy with short black hair (the vet) and shouting angrily at him. She is holding a suitcase and some other packed bags.
Page 1, Column 1 - Panel 2
Narrator: I couldn't do it for her, y'know? I couldn't come up with the six-figure salary or the Tom Selleck body, and she finally gave up waiting for it. I told her to take it or leave it, and she thought about it for a long time.
The woman races away from the house with a young guy in a red sport scar,
not even giving it a second thought.
Page 1, Column 1 - Panel 3
Narrator: Anyway, believe it or not, I've been feeling pretty good these days. My job with Express Mail is picking up, and I think I'm gonna get custody of the kid. Kathy's disappearing act really took a burden off my mind. There's just one little glitch, one hang-up...
The vet is sitting in the psychiatrist's office, in a chair, talking to the doctor behind the desk.
Page 1, Column 1 - Panel 4
Narrator: I had this dream last week, when I was out backpacking with Barry and Steiger. It really upset me, y'know, and I've been trying to figure out what it means. It's why I came back to the hospital, and you, cause I could always talk to you. See, it's about Nam.
The vet is sleeping in a sleeping bag out in the woods, about to experience his dream.
Page 1, Column 2 - Panel 1
Closeup of two men and a woman, all in military uniforms with insignia for Project Dream Lord. They are hunched over flickering electronic consoles, punching buttons and checking readouts. They all wear headsets and microphones, and are intensely busy. An older man, in his middle 40's, stands behind them, watching over their shoulders. He also wears the Project uniform, but is clearly in charge. His name is Commander George Farley, and he is the head of Project Dream Lord.
Farley: I'll be damned. They're in there, they actually penetrated.
Man 1: Brigade has crossed threshold, sir. No disruptions in local dimensional envelope, no plasma recoil.
Lady 1: I read six life forms, all consistent with established auric signatures.
Page 1, Column 2 - Panel 2
Lady 2 (across the wide control room from the first speakers): Sir, I confirm the Brigade's entry into alternate space. Medical monitors are functioning and double-checked. Vital signs are base-line for all six subjects, showing no abnormalities. I detect no mutations or disfigurements.
Farley: Good, that had me worried. We don't need another Twilly or Gabriel, for God's sake.
Page 1, Column 2 - Panel 3
Farley (to a group of technicians at another control panel): Navigation?
Man 3: Mapping procedures initiated, Commander Farley. We've set the Brigade's point of entry as zero and extended axes in three directions.
We can direct the group to any point with coordinates with respect to those axes
Page 1, Column 2 - Panel 4
Farley: Communications?
Man 4: Dream Screens will provide us with full audio and video from alternate space, but it's one-way. We can only contact the subjects through high-frequency blips in Morse Code.
Page 2 (4 panels)
Page 2 panel 1
(continued from Page 1 Column 1)
It's weird, because I hardly ever think about the war. I mean, it happened and now it's over. It's not my life anymore. This dream, though... this dream was pretty bad.
Page 2 panel 2
(continued from Page 1 Column 2)
Varley: All right then, let's get this show on the road. Operation Golden Fleece is officially underway.
Lady 1: Sir, the Brigade has intersected with target life form, coordinates X-50,Y-14, Z-23. We have visuals.
Page 2 panel 3
A larger panel in the center of the page, beneath both columns. Narrative box on the left is with Column 1, and the Narrative box on the right belongs to Column 2.
The panel shows the Dream Lord, recovered from his critical injuries last issue, but with his uniform still in shreds. He is still sitting in Lullaby's cloud, now looking out with a shocked and confused expression as the Brigade approaches him.
Narrative panel (the vet): I was in a strange place, somewhere in Nam. I was sitting in a big clearing. .I think I was injured. I looked up...
Farley's Narrative (in box): Well well. It's him, all right. Dr. Emmett Adams...our boy The Dream Lord.
Page 2 panel 4
A large panel occupying half of the page. The Dream Lord is just sitting on the cloud, watching the Night Brigade encircle him. He is still not quite sure what is going on, or what he should do, and is mentally and physically exhausted from his travails in the last chapter. Lullaby is standing beside him, already frowning and getting ready for a fight, to defend the life of the man she just saved from Bogeyman.
Narrator (vet): ...and suddenly, I was surrounded. There were eight or ten of them heavily armed, not more than five yards away. I couldn't figure out how they got so close, but I guess I was unconscious for a while. I saw that look in their faces. though. I knew they were going to kill me.
Narrator (Farley): Lucas, signal the team. Confirm the target's identity and initiate retrieval procedures. If retrieval is impossible, instruct them to eliminate the target. I doubt that bastard will come peacefully.
Night Terror (in the main body of the panel): You are Dr. Emmett Adams, correct? The UCLA sleep scientist?
Dream Lord: What's going on? Who are you?
Night Terror: Come with us, sir. We've been sent to take you home.
TITLE (along the bottom of the page): The Charge of the Night Brigade
Page 3 (7 panels)
Page 3 panel 1
Dream Lord (suspicious, defensive, frightened): What is this, another of his games? I thought you said we were safe here!
Lullaby: We are! There's no way that big dope Bogeyman can reach into this dream niche! Believe me, he's tried!
Page 3 panel 2
Night Terror: Sir, if you'll just come with us, we can get you back home right away. All your questions will be answered during debriefing.
Lullaby (quietly advising the Dream Lord): Watch it, buddy. I don't trust these bozos.
Dream Lord: Who are you people?
Page 3 panel 3
Catnap: We are not at liberty to divulge that information. Our very existence is top-level classified knowledge. Just by seeing us, you have placed yourself in considerable danger.
Lullaby: Well excuse us! We didn't exactly go out of our way to get a look at you!
Page 3 panel 4
Lullaby: In fact, if we don't want to see you, and you don't want to be seen, wouldn't it be better for everybody if you just hit the road? Amscray! We've got more important stuff to do than rap with you dummies!
This panel is a closeup shot of Lullaby as she mouths off to the Brigade, trying to defend the ailing Dream Lord. The two running narratives again appear, in boxes at opposite sides of the panel, each a different color.
Narrator (vet): I dreamed that the soldiers wanted to take me away, I guess to some prison camp. I was hurt and scared, and my buddy tried to talk our way out of it.
Narrator (Farley): Who the hell is that? Tomlin, is she in any of the project records?
Tomlin: No. sir. All data checked and cross-referenced.
Page 3 panel 5
Narrator (vet): The 'Cong wanted to know who we were, what unit we were with. I knew I couldn't tell them a thing, or I would jeopardize the rest of my squad.
Narrator (Farley): Lucas, tell them to find out who she is. She could be an extra bonus when we bring in Adams.
Night Terror (facing Lullaby): May I ask what your name is, Miss?
Page 3 panel 6
Lullaby (hands on her hips, defiant): No you may not, Rufus! It's confidential! The silent treatment works both ways, see?
Night Terror: Once again, Miss, I'm asking for your name. What is it?
Page 3 panel 7
Lullaby: Morgan Fairchild! Yeah, that's it! That's the ticket!
Night Terror: Morgan what? Would you repeat that?
Page 4 (8 panels)
Page 4 panel 1
Lullaby: Ha ha ha! Dream Lord, this guy's got a headful of loose change! Don't even worry about him! No way is he with the Bogeyman!
Symbol: Who is this "Bogeyman" you keep referring to? Is that some sort of code name?
Page 4 panel 2
Lullaby (acting to the hilt): Oh, yes it is! He's this really mean guy, y'know, who's all smelly and sneaky, and he hides in your closet when you're asleep, and just when you're havin' a really nice dream. he slithers under your bed...
Page 4 panel 3
Lullaby steps away from the Dream Lord, toward Symbol and the others.
Lullaby (dramatically, intensely): ...and gets real close, and all of a sudden...
Page 4 panel 4
Lullaby: ...he grabs you! BOOGA BOOGA BOOGA!!
She shouts at the top of her lungs and leaps at Symbol, snatching a piece of equipment from his belt. It is flat and rectangular and studded with buttons, like a calculator.
Page 4 panel 5
After grabbing the device, Lullaby runs back to the Dream Lord's side, laughing and gaping at the thing like a new toy.
Lullaby: How do you like this, Dream Lord? These wise guys come bearing gifts. I wonder what it does?
Symbol looks surprised and upset at losing the mechanism, but Night Terror holds him back and speaks sternly to the girl.
Night Terror: Miss, you'd be smart to return that right away. It isn't polite to steal other people's property.
Page 4 panel 6
Lullaby: What other people? You just told me I'm not even supposed to see you guys. As far as I'm concerned, I'm all by myself right now, checkin' out this nasty new gadget I found!
Night Terror: Miss, we no longer have time to play games with you. If you do not surrender that immediately...
Page 4 panel 7
Night Terror: ...my friends and I will rip your ugly little body into bloody chunks. (He still seems under control, calm, emotionally remote from the whole confrontation.)
Dream Lord (off-panel): I'd like to see you try.
Page 4 panel 8
Medium shot of the Dream Lord rising to his feet, glaring at the Night Brigade.
Lullaby: You tell him, buster!
Dream Lord: I've had enough of this crap. Do you understand me? You are in my world now, the source of my power. Your existence here depends on my good will...so do not threaten my companion.
Page 5 (9 panels)
Page 5 panel 1
Dream Lord (concealing his weakness, trying to act tough): In fact, I don't want to hear another word out of your mouths unless it's an explanation of who the hell you are and what you're doing here.
Narrator (vet): The 'Cong said they were going to kill my partner, and that set me off. Even though I was hurt, could barely stand up, I tried to defend him. I told them we were both wired with explosives, and if they touched either of us, they would die, too.
Narrator (Farley): Adams's finally showing some spunk! I didn't think he would bow his head and let them slip the cuffs on. Lucas, let's give him a little line before we reel him in. Tell the Brigade to feed him some data.
Page 5 panel 2
Night Terror: Very well, sir. We are members of the Night Brigade, a new branch of the armed forces of the United States. Through the use of mechanisms developed by Project Dream Lord, we have been empowered to travel into this dimension of dreams.
Page 5 panel 3
Dream Lord: Go away. You people have no authority here.
Night Terror: Negative, Doctor. We've officially claimed this alternate space as territory of the United States of America.
Page 5 panel 4
Dream Lord: You're joking, right?
Night Terror: No, sir. Based on our rights of first discovery, and the fact that this space is currently not claimed or governed by any other state, we have annexed it. Right now, we are in the process of establishing a permanent manned presence here.
Page 5 panel 5
Night Terror: We have designated this space "Slumberland One."
Dream Lord: That is utterly ridiculous! You can't claim the Dream Zone -- it isn't some land mass or strip of ground! Really, it isn't even a place! It's a manifestation of dream energy, an after-image of mental processes!
Page 5 panel 6
Dream Lord: This dimension is in a constant state of flux and disruption. It's never the same from one day to the next. It's controlled by unimaginable forces which explode and recede without warning.
Hangover: So? Sounds to me like Latin America!
Page 5 panel 7
Catnap: Dr. Adams, your theories and reservations are noted, but inconsequential. Slumberland is a place, with physical dimensions and measurable properties. As such, it comes under the jurisdiction of any government wishing to claim it first.
Dream Lord: I'm not getting through to you, am I? This dimension doesn't belong to any one nation or group, and it never will! It belongs to all humanity, every living being!
Page 5 panel 8
Dream Lord (forgetting much of his fear, shunting aside his pain as he becomes angry): Everyone who dreams has a stake here, an irrefutable legacy! Everyone shares this world, has their own personal part of it. You couldn't keep anyone out if you wanted to!
Symbol: An immigration policy is currently being formulated in Washington, Dr. Adams, to deal with that problem.
Page 5 panel 9
Narrator (vet): The enemy soldiers finally made their move, and I knew there was no way out. We were both going to die.
Narrator (Farley): Okay, that's enough. Adams's confused and stirred up now, so he'll be reckless and easy to capture. Give the order to attack.
Night Terror: Dr. Adams, I'm sorry to say that we must now charge you with trespassing in American territory. Do you have any papers or a passport?
Dream Lord: You're crazy! You've got no claim here! You people are the trespassers!
Page 6 (7 panels)
Page 6 panel 1
Night Terror: Your personal citizenship in the U.S. was revoked when you stole government equipment and went into hiding. Citizenship in Slumberland is not retroactive, and cannot be obtained through squatter's rights.
Dream Lord: What? What the hell are you talking about?
Catnap: Doctor, you're under arrest for trespassing and for attempting to subvert the native government of Slumberland.
Page 6 panel 2
Lullaby (She is whispering to the Dream Lord, touching his arm.): Buddy, how are you feeling?
Dream Lord: Not so good. Better than before, but not by much.
Lullaby: Well then, I think that maybe we oughtta' take a deep breath...
Page 6 panel 3
Lullaby: ...and get the hell out of here!
She dives off the side of the cloud, pulling the Dream Lord along with her. Behind them, the Night Brigade scrambles into a pursuit formation.
Narrator (vet): All of a sudden, my partner and I took off! We ran like mad into the jungle and somehow got away from the Vietcong. Behind us, I could hear them running, their guns and canteens rattling as they shouted.
Narrator (Farley): There he goes! Kelsey, keep a fix on him at all times! Lucas, transmit his coordinates to the team as he moves. Instruct the Night Brigade to pursue and pacify target.
Page 6 panel 4
Night Terror (gesturing toward the fleeing Dream Lord and Lullaby, his team already flying off the cloud at his orders): Capture Adams ASAP! The girl is unimportant, so terminate her! Catnap and Hangover, you're the first wave! Let's go!
Page 6 panel 5
Lullaby and the Dream Lord fall through the blue sky, pushing themselves as fast as they can to escape the Night Brigade.
Lullaby: Man! You are definitely havin' a bad day here! First, you get killed by that Bogey-nut...then you rise from the dead...and now these weekend warriors wanna' kick your butt! Maybe you should go back and start your life over!
Dream Lord: Those people are not going to give up and let us get away, Stacy...and I don't have enough energy to defend both of us. Hell, I don't have enough to defend myself! I want you to get away from here, run as far and as fast as you can.
Page 6 panel 6
Dream Lord: I'll try to keep them occupied.
The Dream Lord turns in mid-fall and flies back toward the Brigade. Lullaby shoots past him.
Lullaby: Dream Lord! You dumb cowboy! Haven't you figured it out yet?
Page 6 panel 7
Dream Lord is already in the distance, approaching the first two members of the Night Brigade, but Lullaby soars after him.
Lullaby: I'm your guardian angel, buster! I'm watching out for you! And you need too much watching over!
Page 7 (9 panels)
Page 7 panel 1
Hangover (smiling and enjoying the battle): Hey hey, here comes our boy now! I think the little coward wants to fight us, Ruby! He looks real baaaad, don't he?
Catnap: Shut up and do your job! Take him out quick and yap about it later! And don't use civilian names on a mission!
Page 7 panel 2
Hangover: Pardon me, babe, but I'm gettin' carried away. This kinda' stuff really turns me on...almost as much as you do!
Catnap: Button it, you idiot! Here he comes!
Page 7 panel 3
Dream Lord approaches the two, gritting his teeth and gathering all his strength for the battle.
Hangover: Hey, dumbass! You must really be a masochist to take us on! Gonna gut you and burn your little girlfriend! And you're gonna feel it! We're...
Catnap (off-panel): Dr. Adams!
The Dream Lord looks in the direction of Catnap's voice, away from the hulking Hangover.
Page 7 panel 4
Catnap (pointing at the Dream Lord, her hand glowing brightly): You look like you could use a little rest.
Page 7 panel 5
The Dream Lord suddenly passes out in mid-flight, his eyes closing and his head falling backward.
Dream Lord: What are you...
Page 7 panel 6
A single frame of complete blackness, as the Dream Lord sleeps for a split second.
Page 7 panel 7
Closeup of the Dream Lord's face as he abruptly regains consciousness. His eyes spring open, and he looks surprised.
Dream Lord: ...doing?
Hangover (off-panel): Ha ha! You stupid jerk! We already got you!
Page 7 panel 8
Medium shot. Hangover has grabbed the Dream Lord and is crushing him in a bear hug. The Dream Lord, still in pain from his earlier, fatal injuries, grimaces and shouts.
Hangover: What a tough guy! You didn't even get a shot in, and you're already squashed like a bug! How did you like Catnap, huh? She's a real knockout, ain't she?
Dream Lord: Aaaaarrrrggh!
Page 7 panel 9
Hangover: Aw, does this hurt? Does it really bother you?
Dream Lord: Aaaoww! Let...go!
Hangover: What's that? It doesn't hurt enough? Gee, I forgot you like pain so much! Here, I can fix that.
Page 8 (8 panels)
Page 8 panel 1
Hangover lifts one huge, hairy hand and clamps it over the Dream Lord's face. The Dream Lord writhes around, trying to get away.
Hangover: See, my code name is "Hangover," twerp, and that's what I can do to you! I can make you sick like you've never been before, give you a pain all through your body that's a thousand times worse than any hangover you've ever had!
Dream Lord: YAAAAA!!!
Page 8 panel 2
Hangover: Now ain't that a neat power, Adams? I can make you hurt and hurt and hurt, and you don't have to touch a drop of booze! Here, let me turn it up a little more for ya', so you can get comfortable.
Catnap (hovering nearby while Hangover laughs and the Dream Lord shrieks with pain): Hangover! Finish him now! We're on a timetable, and we don't have time for your sadistic crap!
Page 8 panel 3
Hangover: Hey now, honey girl, there's always time for kicks! You like it, don't you, baby? It makes you hot, I can tell!
Catnap: Here comes the girl! I'll take care of her!
Page 8 panel 4
Lullaby is swooping toward Catnap. Catnap raises her hands, preparing to zap the girl unconscious for a split second, but Lullaby is also preparing to fight. Her eyes glow bright red, and her body is surrounded with a brilliant yellow aura.
Lullaby: No you won't, lady! I don't know who you think you're pushin' around here...
Page 8 panel 5
Lullaby: But you got more than you bargained for with Lullaby!
She frowns, concentrating hard, and twin yellow beams of energy shoot from her forehead.
Page 8 panel 6
Catnap hovers in the sky as the beams race toward her. As they approach her, they become more bulbous in front, like comets; they are congealing into dream creatures made by Lullaby. Lullaby has a tiny fraction of the same power possessed by the Dream Lord, and can shape the energies of the Dream Zone into whatever she wants -- on a much smaller scale than the Dream Lord can.
Catnap gestures frantically at Lullaby, her hand glowing as she tries to use her power to inflict a brief and sudden sleep.
Catnap: What the hell is wrong here? I'm hitting you with my full force, and...you're still awake!
Lullaby: Girl, you are pretty thick, aren't you? Must be, to have a boyfriend like that hippo!
Page 8 panel 7
Closeup of the energy beams as they darken and congeal and begin to form two shapes.
Lullaby: I told you I'm Lullaby! You can't put me under, 'cause I'm already coppin' z's! I can still mess you up, though...
Page 8 panel 8
Lullaby: ...'cause you're in my dream! My little buddies will take care of you now!
The beams are becoming two cartoon blackbirds, with huge beaks and exaggerated features, which look like Heckle and Jeckle, the old Terrytoon characters.
Page 9 (9 panels)
Page 9 panel 1
Lullaby (off-panel): Meet Jerry and Barry! They just love smart-mouthed broads like you!
The two cartoon birds dive at Catnap and attack her, hammering her with their beaks.
Terry: Well hel-lo! I do believe we've found a new playmate, Barry old chap!
Barry: Delightful! She's just what the doctor ordered! Plump and juicy and ready for the rotisserie!
Page 9 panel 2
Jerry: I know! Let's play 'Pin the tail on the donkey'! You do the honors, why not!
Barry (holding a long, sharp pin behind Catnap, poised to stick her with it): Sounds like a marvelous idea, old bean! A one, and a two, and...
Page 9 panel 3
Barry & Jerry: A three!!
Barry rams the sharp pin into Catnap's bun, and she leaps up and screams with agony like some cartoon victim of Woody Woodpecker.
Page 9 panel 4
Jerry: Oh, that was a ball! She's so much fun! But what shall we partake of next?
Barry: I know!
Page 9 panel 5
The two cartoon birds stalk toward Catnap, looking fiendish.
Barry: Blind Man's Bluff.
Page 9 panel 6
Lullaby flies over to the spot where Dream Lord is being asphyxiated by Hangover.
Lullaby: Dream Lord! You've got to break away from that ape! Hurry up, the rest of the Night Brigade is attacking!
Hangover: Yeah, Dream Lord -- hurry up and break away from me! Go ahead, do it! What's the matter? Don't you feel good, you weasel?
Dream Lord (Hangover's hand still clamped over his face): Nnnnggghh!
Page 9 panel 7
Lullaby: Hey, Smelly!
Again using her meager matter-shaping powers, she creates a bucket of water in the air over the fat man's head.
Page 9 panel 8
Lullaby: Why don't you take a bath? That B.O. is melting my fingernail polish!
She gestures, and the bucket of water dumps onto Hangover, who bellows with rage.
Page 9 panel 9
Dream Lord: Get...away!!!
Distracted by Lullaby's tricks, Hangover releases his attack on the Dream Lord's mind. The Dream Lord takes advantage of the short respite and bursts away from Hangover with a flare of surging energy.
Lullaby: Yes!! Ladies and gentlemen, this guy is incredible! The crowd is going wild! (She imitates a sports announcer.)
Page 10 (6 panels)
Page 10 panel 1
Narrator (vet): Mike, I know everybody says this about their dreams, but it was so real! It was like I was back there all over again, running through the damn jungle...ready to shoot something, anything, before it shot me. I felt my heart pounding like charges, I felt the heat sticking to everything like blood. I couldn't stop to wonder how I'd ended up there again...I just had to run.
Narrator (Farley): Not bad. Dr. Adams actually managed to repel two operatives, with some help from that girl. I can see how the man survived by himself in an alien universe for two years. With a little finessing, he may yet be salvaged as part of Project Dream Lord. Lucas, order Stoltz to send in the second wave.
Medium shot of the Dream Lord and Lullaby fleeing from two more Brigade members. The fugitives are flying as fast as they can through banks of clouds.
Dream Lord: Stacy...thanks for the assist. If you save my life again, I'll have to hire you as a bodyguard.
Lullaby: Too late, buster...I've already taken the job. Just remember, I don't make coffee and I don't do windows.
Page 10 panel 2
Dream Lord: I still wish you would get out of here, before one of them really hurts you.
Lullaby: Forget that! Huh-uh, Dream Lord! I made an investment in you, and I am not gonna let your stock market crash!
Page 10 panel 3
Narrator (vet): The 'Cong soldiers kept coming at us, one after another. If we shot one down or escaped in the jungle, two more would come at us from the brush.
Narrator (Farley): Adams looks tired. I don't think he'll last much longer, especially after the rest of the group makes contact.
Symbol (swooping toward the Dream Lord and Lullaby): Dr. Adams! You are under arrest!
Dream Lord: So I've heard. Don't worry, I'm sure it's just an ugly rumor.
Page 10 panel 4
Symbol: Sir, my code name is 'Symbol.' That refers to my ability to change shape, to represent anything that I want. I must inform you that I am about to utilize that ability to do physical violence to you and your partner.
Lullaby: Why don't you get lost, you army jerk! I must inform you that we hate your stinkin' guts, and if you mess with us, we will fry your rice!
Page 10 panel 5
Symbol: Sweet Dream, pacify the girl. I will nullify Adams.
His body is already glowing and distorting, shifting into some new form. Sweet Dream is beside him, sizing up their opponents.
Sweet Dream: All right, Martin. Just remember who's in charge of this unit, hm? I take orders from Zed, not you.
Page 10 panel 6
Symbol: I don't care! Just do your job! The renegade must be brought to justice before Project Dream Lord can progress!
Symbol takes the shape of a huge pterodactyl, dwarfing his victim, the Dream Lord.
Page 11 (7 panels)
Page 11 panel 1
Symbol (hovering over Dream Lord): Surrender, before I have to damage you!
Dream Lord: Y'know, I've had one winner of a day today, and it just keeps getting better! I'll tell you, I'm in no mood for you people right now. I've got much bigger problems to worry about...
Page 11 panel 2
Dream Lord: ...than a bunch of gung ho army punks who think they're the Men from U.N.C.L.E.!
The Dream Lord raises his arms and projects a bolt of lightning from his fingertips. The lightning strikes Symbol/pterodactyl across his huge right wing, and he screams.
Page 11 panel 3
Symbol: Your actions have condemned you, Adams! I tried to be merciful, but you struck the first blow! I have no choice now but to unleash myself!
He is changing shape as he speaks, surrounded by energy. A huge charred spot smokes on his wounded wing.
Page 11 panel 4
Symbol: I think you'll regret opposing me...what's left of you, anyway.
Symbol finally settles into a new form: a big, metallic praying mantis. He is now smaller than he was as the pterodactyl, but still three feet taller than the Dream Lord.
Page 11 panel 5
Cut to Sweet Dream, drifting toward the waiting Lullaby.
Sweet Dream: Well hello, dear! What's your name?
Lullaby: Why don't you eat crap and die, you big floozy! I'll bust your ass if you mess with me!
Page 11 panel 6
Sweet Dream (still coming closer, with her arms held out comfortingly before her): Now now, is that any way to behave? You know, I just want to be your friend! Why don't you just relax and come along now, and everything will be SO much better.
Lullaby: I told you once, and that is it! I'm whippin' up something now that you are not gonna like!
Lullaby frowns and concentrates, preparing to fire off beams of her creative force, the way she did against Catnap.
Page 11 panel 7
Lullaby (as two bright beams emerge from her forehead once again): Say goodnight, Gracie! You are goin' down!
Sweet Dream (still moving straight toward Lullaby, not worried about the beams): You poor girl, you're too restless and disturbed. I sense a great deal of pain in you, emanating from far away.
Page 12 (7 panels)
Page 12 panel 1
Sweet Dream (walking steadily toward Lullaby across space, reaching for her as the two beams pass harmlessly through her chest): I can truly help you, my friend. I can ease that pain and soothe your mind, grant you a serenity you have never imagined.
Lullaby: Oh no..
Page 12 panel 2
Sweet Dream finally steps close to Lullaby and puts a hand on each of the girl's shoulders. Lullaby is jolted, her head jerked back as the strange power hits her.
Sweet Dream: With a simple touch, I can fill you with good feelings, evaporate your pain and anxiety. I can give you the sweetest dream of your life...
Page 12 panel 3
Sweet Dream: ...and stop you from interfering with our mission here. Now doesn't that feel good?
Lullaby starts to smile and crumples limply into Sweet Dream's waiting arms. The girl has been incapacitated by waves of overpowering pleasure.
Page 12 panel 4
Closeup of Lullaby's face. She is ecstatic, relaxed, gazing joyfully into space as the pleasure flows through her.
Lullaby: Yesss...thank you...
Page 12 panel 5
Cut back to the fight between Symbol and Dream Lord. As the metallic praying mantis, Symbol is slashing at the Dream Lord with his huge, jagged forelegs, trying to hack him up.
Symbol: Adams, your time is up! You are going to pay for betraying your country!
Dream Lord: What the hell are you talking about? For God's sake, I saved the President's life! That's how I ended up here!
Page 12 panel 6
Symbol: One small act does not balance your subversion of Slumberland! Don't you have a conscience?
Dream Lord (flipping away another slashing forearm): What is this garbage? I'm the Dream Lord, you idiot! I've saved the world more times than you've said the pledge of allegiance!
Page 12 panel 7
Dream Lord: Why don't you just leave me alone!
The Dream Lord is sweating and tense with the effort of sustaining the battle. He is still feeling great pain from his earlier wounds and his mind is a mess.
Summoning all his strength, he hurls a huge column of flame right at the Symbol/mantis.
Page 13 (8 panels)
Page 13 panel 1
The blast of hot fire hits the metallic mantis right in the abdomen, and harmlessly pours off the impenetrable hide.
Symbol: You can't hurt me, Adams! You're weak! You know what you've done is wrong!
Page 13 panel 2
Symbol: And you know that we are right!
The Symbol/mantis again slashes its sharp forearm at the Dream Lord, and this time makes contact -- slicing right across his body.
Page 13 panel 3
The Dream Lord is furious and reeling from the pain as he musters his power to again face Symbol. As the gash across his arms and chest bleeds, he summons a swarm of meteors from thin air.
Dream Lord: No more!! This has gone on long enough!!
Page 13 panel 4
The meteors bombard Symbol, thudding into his insectoid form with the impact of hand grenades.
Symbol: AAAGGGHH!!! Zed, help me!
Page 13 panel 5
Dream Lord (turning to look for Lullaby): Stacy? Are you...
Page 13 panel 6
Medium shot of Sweet Dream holding Lullaby in her arms, keeping her helpless with pleasure while Catnap holds a gun at the girl's head.
Sweet Dream: She's doing fine, Dr. Adams. Don't you give her another thought. She likes us.
Page 13 panel 7
Dream Lord hurls himself toward the women, enraged.
Dream Lord: Let her go!!
Night Terror (off-panel): Adams, I think you should worry about yourself right now.
Narrator (vet): They shot down my partner! I saw them standing there, holding his dead body like a mannequin, and I went crazy! I charged them, firing my rifle at everything I could see.
Narrator (Farley): This is it! Stoltz is moving in! Adams is about to get a real surprise!
Page 13 panel 8
Dream Lord looks up, sees Night Terror hovering above him, with Coma, the black man, by his side.
Dream Lord: Wha--?
Page 14 (6 panels)
Page 14 panel 1
Suddenly, the Dream Lord convulses and shrieks madly.
Narrator (vet): I screamed as loud as I could, trying to just make it all go away...but it wouldn't.
Narrator (Farley): There he goes! We've finally got that son of a bitch! That'll turn him to peanut butter!
Page 14 panel 2
The Dream Lord hurtles wildly across the dreamscape, holding his skull, completely out of control.
Dream Lord: YAAAAAA!!
Night Terror: Do you like that, Adams? It's called a "night terror"--a sudden, unreasoning, overpowering fear. It's like a nightmare, only hundreds of times stronger, with no known cause. I thought it would amuse you.
Page 14 panel 3
Dream Lord (again spinning and careening insanely past the Brigade): AAAAGGGHH!!
Night Terror: I named myself after it, because I have the power to create and control it. I can turn it up or down...make you a little frightened...or rabidly insane. The night terror is a potent weapon, don't you think?
Page 14 panel 4
Night Terror: But don't worry, Doctor...I won't prolong your agony. We have orders to capture you, not torture you. My friend here will end your misery.
Coma moves away from Night Terror, toward the Dream Lord.
Page 14 panel 5
Night Terror (off-panel): His name is Coma.
Coma ominously approaches Dream Lord, like a shark.
Page 14 panel 6
Night Terror (off-panel): Guess why?
Coma fires a pencil-thin black beam of energy from one fingertip. The beam strikes the Dream Lord in the head, and he collapses.
Dream Lord: Unnnhhh...
Page 15 (7 panels)
Page 15 panel 1
Narrator (vet): They finally hit me, right in the head with a bullet. I felt it...oh God, Mike, I felt it go right through the bone...right into my brain... I felt myself falling to the ground...
Narrator (Farley): Now, tell Stoltz to bring him in! Kochar, Riblett--enable the transition pod! Get a security team up here immediately!
Closeup of the Dream Lord as he slips into a deep coma
Page 15 panel 2
Night Terror (waving at Coma as he carries the Dream Lord over): Coma, get him over here. Snap an aural beacon on him.
Page 15 panel 3
Closeup of the Dream Lord's arm as Coma fits a metallic bracelet around his wrist. The bracelet has a number of tiny lights and circuits.
Coma: Got it. He's ready for transport.
Night Terror: Good. Now get out of the way.
Page 15 panel 4
Night Terror: Goodbye, Dr. Adams. You are going on a long trip. I can't say it's been nice knowing you, because it hasn't.
Coma moves away from the Dream Lord's body, leaving it hanging in mid-air. Night Terror points a flat, rectangular device at the hero, just like the device Lullaby stole from Symbol. There is a click and a hum as the mechanism is activated.
Page 15 panel 5
Night Terror: Have a nice flight. We'll send your luggage along later.
Hangover: See ya', you fairy!
Narrator (vet): Then, I had the strangest feeling, like I was being lifted up, way up. I seemed to be floating, rocking around like I was on a raft. I felt lonely, completely isolated from the world...and I wondered if I was dying.
Narrator (Farley): They sent him through! Is he being received?
Kochar: Yes, sir. All systems are functional, all life readings are positive. Conversion reservoirs are awaiting deposit.
Page 15 panel 6
Wide shot of the Dream Lord drifting through a gray netherworld.
Narrator (vet): And I kept thinking...I wondered what it all meant. This stuff never bothered me before. I was miserable in Nam, but I made it out and forgot about it. Maybe that was it...maybe I shouldn't have forgotten. Maybe it should have bothered me.
Narrator (Farley): Status of the transition?
Kochar: We've got him, sir! Matter and electrical pulses are filtering through the dimensional envelope! It's collecting in the reservoirs!
Page 15 panel 7
Closeup of the Dream Lord's entranced face as he continues to drift.
Narrator (vet): Or maybe...maybe I was meant to die there.
Narrator (Farley): Here he comes!
Page 16 (4 panels)
Page 16 panel 1
A 3/4-page splash panel, showing the unconscious Dream Lord appearing in a big glass tube in the middle of the command center of the Night Brigade. Technicians are running around the tube waving equipment and scribbling on clipboards; a squad of men dressed in Project Dream Lord uniforms encircles the area, aiming weapons at the Dream Lord; colored lights are flashing and sirens are whooping; and Commander Farley is standing triumphantly in front of his captive, watching him.
Farley: Well, I'll be damned. We caught that son of a bitch.
Narrator (vet's voice -- in narrative box): Then, I woke up.
Page 16 panel 2
Narrator: In a barren, distant stretch of the Dream Zone, someone goes for a scenic drive.
Wide shot of a huge, sprawling plain. It rolls like furrowed farmland, but is desolate--only an occasional dead tree scratching from the soil. A Model T is driving through this landscape, along a narrow black road. Along the road, gray cement block walls are visible at intervals. The walls stretch upward into the gloomy, cloud-smothered sky, and their tops are not visible.
These are the Fields of Sleep--the areas where people's dreams are physically manifested. Each person has a section of the Fields, walled off on both sides by the impossibly high gray block walls. These fields are now barren and dark, however, because they are inhabited by madmen and evil men. Here, the most gruesome and twisted dreams are played out in three dimensions. It is the heart of the Bogeyman's power.
Bogeyman is cruising through these fields in the white Model T, driven by a proper English driver with a white chauffer's uniform, including old-fashioned cap and goggles.
Bogeyman: Aha! I made the right decision!
Page 16 panel 3
Medium shot of the Bogeyman and his chauffer swooping past in the Model T. Bogeyman's face is buried in a newspaper.
Bogeyman: I was about to murder him, to actually squeeze the soul out of him like toothpaste and cast it upon the flaming pit--when I had a second thought. Not from mercy, mind you, because I am of course a merciless fellow--but because I realized there was more sport to be had.
Page 16 panel 4
Bogeyman: More sport indeed! I never guessed I could nurse so much delight from a single suffering simpleton! It's a bit like ping pong, Hobbs -- one unguessable bounce after the next and I hold the paddle! What a fox hunt! I can't recommend it enough!
Page 17 (10 panels)
Page 17 panel 1
Bogeyman: Will you look at this in the daily post? They say here that Adams was accosted by ruffians from outside the Dream Zone! "Agents of the U.S. Army's Night Brigade ambushed Dr. Emmett Adams--a.k.a. 'The Dream Lord' -- and beat him to a bloody PULP." Imagine that! And I had nothing to do with it!
Page 17 panel 2
Bogeyman: What good fortune, wouldn't you say? I lift not a finger, and Adams is again tortured and crushed! Some men are simply prone to disaster, I suppose...just as those like myself tend toward supremacy. Such a wise investment I made in sparing Adams's life--I still can't get over the wonderful returns it's brought me!
Page 17 panel 3
Bogeyman (lifting a cup of steaming tea to his lips while he reads): Listen--again from the post: "Dr. Adams, still terribly ill after being shot, beaten, branded, whipped and stabbed through the heart, was no match for those boys from reality! These crazy, lovable American kids laughed at his pitiful attempts at defense, and proceeded to inflict upon him sundry unbearable agonies. Final score, six to nothing against the home team." Ha ha!
Page 17 panel 4
Bogeyman: Oh my! They also transported him out of the Dream Zone! He is being held captive in reality! And his crippled girlfriend--she has also been conquered! What entertainment! I daresay, it all comes out in the wash, doesn't it? That'll teach her to resist me!
Hobbs: I doubt it, sir.
Page 17 panel 5
Bogeyman: And look here! The analysts predict a great deal more revilement and excruciating punishment for Adams! Magnificent! Do you believe it, Hobbs?
Hobbs (unemotionally): Of course, sir. I wrote it.
Page 17 panel 6
Bogeyman flips the paper casually over his shoulder into the air and it sparks into flame.
Bogeyman: Oh, that's right. One tends to forget, in the rush of things. Nevertheless, this certainly gives me a sense of great satisfaction, of a job well done! Ha ha! I feel like a craftsman, Hobbs, like an artiste! The consummate ruination of a human being is painstaking and infinitely creative--like the work of a painter, or a potter, or a woodworker or clothier, or...or...
Page 17 panel 7
Hobbs: Or a prostitute, sir?
Bogeyman: Exactly! What transcendence, what a miracle...art for art's sake. Perhaps I should move to a Emmett and take to wearing homespun.
Hobbs: No. I'm afraid that overindulgence is your maiden name, sir.
Page 17 panel 8
Bogeyman: It's certainly getting darker out here, isn't it?
Show Bogeyman gazing out at the view alongside the car. The sky is clouded over and black, and the landscape between the high gray walls is almost completely dark.
Hobbs: Yes, sir. The mad ones become madder, and the pure ones become mad. You're corrupting them quite well.
Page 17 panel 9
Bogeyman: Thank you, Hobbs. Again, I can only point to the artisan in myself. What majestic emptiness there is, what a tremendous canyon appears in men when their dreams become polluted. It stirs me, loyal Hobbs, like a woman with child.
Wide shot of the car moving into an even darker region. Lightning bolts crackle downward in the distance.
Page 17 panel 10
Bogeyman: Very soon, it will all be like this, thanks to my puissant intervention. A stunning, lunatic landscape, uncluttered by light or reason--churning and spewing and wailing with a dead, dark vision reflected in the world of the waking.
Page 18 (8 panels)
Page 18 panel 1
Bogeyman: And I will be Thomas Jefferson, the architect! Revered and emblazoned, a founding father of Hell! And Adams?
Page 18 panel 2
Closeup of Bogeyman's sinister grin.
Bogeyman: Adams will be my court jester.
Page 18 panel 3
Back in the lab, the Dream Lord is still inside the clear transport tube, surrounded by technicians, security men, and observers. Commander Farley still stands by the tube, looking down at the unconscious prisoner.
Farley: Gantry, go ahead and wake him up. His nap time's over.
Gantry is a technician in Project Dream Lord uniform, operating a control panel, the size of a fuse box, set into the tube's side.
Gantry: Yes, sir. Applying stimulus solution now.
Page 18 panel 4
Closeup of the Dream Lord, as a green liquid drips down onto his head from the top of the tube. The liquid drips down his face and runs onto his body.
Farley: Hard to believe what this man's done, isn't it? For two years, he practically controlled a universe. He put on some tights and played Superman...but he was really a god.
Page 18 panel 5
View of Farley from inside the tube, the Dream Lord's perspective. Farley's image is distorted from passing through the glass.
Farley: He should've known better. He should've known we would still be watching, that he would eventually have to pay for his jollies. Guess he thought he was indestructible.
Page 18 panel 6
Farley (thoughtfully): Yeah, there's a lot of that going around.
Tomlin (watching a complex diagnostic instrument in his hand): Commander Farley, Subject Adams is reviving. All body functions steadily rising in response to the solution. His heart rate is returning to prior baseline--breathing within acceptable rates--EEG indicates standard brain activity. No damage, no irregularities--except for a slightly elevated level of body radioactivity.
Page 18 panel 7
Farley: Very good, Tomlin. I believe it's time for a wake-up call, Gantry.
Gantry: Yes, sir. Arousal system engaged.
Page 18 panel 8
Within the tube, a blinding, white-hot spotlight flashes on and a high-pitched, deafening whine sounds. Already roused from his coma, the Dream Lord awakens, jamming his eyes shut and holding his ears.
Dream Lord: Aaaaggghh!!!
Farley (off-panel): Rise and shine, Adams.
Page 19 (7 panels)
Page 19 panel 1
Dream Lord: AAAHHHH!!
Farley (to Gantry): All right, turn it off. I think we have his attention.
Gantry: Arousal system disengaged, sir.
Page 19 panel 2
Farley (as the light and noise stop suddenly): Well, good morning, sleepyhead. Did you have a pleasant rest?
Dream Lord (gripping his aching skull; the green liquid continues to drip down onto him, collecting at the base of the tube): Ohhh...where...where am I...
Page 19 panel 3
Farley: You're home, Adams, we brought you home. We transported you through the dimensional envelope, from alternate space to central space. In other words, from Slumberland to Reality, to Earth. We evicted you from your private Fantasy Island in the Dream Zone, and brought you back home to pay the rent. Isn't it nice to be back?
Page 19 panel 4
Dream Lord: Oh, God...I feel like I've had brain surgery without anesthesia.
Farley: Don't whine, Adams. You had it coming, mister--and we've been waiting for a long time to give it to you. There's plenty more where that came from.
Page 19 panel 5
Dream Lord (looking around and putting a hand against the inside of the tube): How the hell...did I get in this thing?
Farley: It's a transport reservoir, Adams--the thing that brought you here. It's the product of years of research and development, the final, instantaneous connection between Reality and Slumberland. It's the great-grandson of the equipment that sent you over there two years ago. Impressive, isn't it?
Page 19 panel 6
Dream Lord: The only thing that would impress me right now is an aspirin the size of a football, and a bottle of bourbon. Let me out.
Farley: No, sorry Doctor. You'll be in the tube for quite some time yet.
Page 19 panel 7
Dream Lord: Why?
Farley: Well, you must be decontaminated, of course. Also, there are batteries of tests you must undergo, and the tube is the most convenient place for them. It's fully equipped with diagnostic sensors and sampling apparatus. Plus, you're under arrest, and have to be confined.
Page 20 (9 panels)
Page 20 panel 1
Dream Lord: Oh, brother. Again, I'm under arrest. May I ask why? May I ask who gave you the authority to arrest me?
Farley: Of course, Dr. Adams--it's a free country. You are under arrest by the government of the United States of America. The charges are theft of government property, resisting arrest, attempted murder, and subversion of the government of the U.S. territory of Slumberland.
Page 20 panel 2
Dream Lord: "Slumberland" is not a U.S. territory. "Slumberland" is not a territory, period. You can't claim something that has no permanent form.
Farley: It seems to me that you are in no position to argue, Adams. Your opinion means precious little in the face of what you've done. Some would call you a traitor to your country.
Page 20 panel 3
Farley: Some would do worse than that. There is already a sizeable coalition on the National Security Council calling for your execution.
Dream Lord (shaking his head with exasperation): What government property did I steal? It seems to have slipped my mind.
Page 20 panel 4
Farley: Yourself, Dr. Adams. When the President was near death two years ago, you were brought in to revive him from a Gordian Nightmare. You were not asked to do so, however--you were confiscated. In return for delinquent student loans and back taxes you owed us, we repossessed you. As part of a new program established by the I.R.S., we would extract assets you owed us in the form of labor.
Page 20 panel 5
Farley: Actually, it's quite an effective program. The U.S. government is supplied with free labor from all intellectual strata, and the money saved negates the individual's debt. Nobody can be excused on the basis of inability to pay. Until a citizen's entire debt has been repaid, he or she is officially a ward of the government--collateral, if you will.
Page 20 panel 6
Farley: You fled before your debt was equalized. The I.R.S. wants your scalp... and so do we.
Dream Lord: "We?"
Page 20 panel 7
Farley: Project Dream Lord, Dr. Adams. You remember us. We initiated your entry into the Dream Zone, using a combination of your Dream Screen and equipment we'd already developed. We've grown a bit since then. Now, we're the core of a new branch of the U.S. armed forces--the Night Brigade. My name is Farley, and I command this new combat force.
Dream Lord: What's the purpose of a military unit in the Dream Zone? What could they possibly do?
Page 20 panel 8
Farley: The defense of the territory of Slumberland, of course. Also, the infiltration of enemy minds. Through Slumberland, our agents can enter the dreams of enemies of our country--and attack! A strong disruption in a dream can permanently damage someone's mind, create a vegetable. Enough disruption can kill.
Page 20 panel 9
Farley: They're the new Sandmen, the first of the new dream warriors. Conventional forces are limited...nuclear weapons bring death to our own land...but dreams...dreams are the ultimate weapon! Swift, silent, clean, accurate, and 100% deadly!
Dream Lord: You can't be serious!
Page 21 (8 panels)
Page 21 panel 1
Farley: Oh, don't act so surprised, Adams. That was the purpose of Project Dream Lord since the beginning. It was designed as a military program, to investigate the possibilities of using dream control for national defense.
Dream Lord: What? You mean it wasn't medical research?
Page 21 panel 2
Farley: Don't be naive. Did you honestly think that all that sophisticated equipment was paid for by the government so a couple of lame doctors could eavesdrop on somebody's wet dream? Grow up! Congress doesn't fund expensive medical programs unless there's an epidemic.
Dream Lord: Then...it wasn't assembled to save the President?
Page 21 panel 3
Farley: No, not really. It was just a lucky coincidence that he happened to come down with a dream disorder at the same time we finished a prototype transport tube. Any sooner, and there would have been nothing we could do.
Dream Lord: I should have known, My God. I should have known it was a military operation. I was so caught up in it...it all moved so fast...and then I became the Dream Lord...and never stopped to think about it.
In the tube, the Dream Lord slowly stands, the pool of green liquid collected around his feet. He is deep in thought, remembering what happened two years ago.
Page 21 panel 4
Dream Lord: Wait...wait a minute. Oh no...oh God...
He suddenly looks surprised as he connects different facts and comes to a realization.
Page 21 panel 5
Closeup of the Dream Lord's shocked face.
Dream Lord: You did it.
Page 21 panel 6
Closeup of Farley, amused at Adams's ramblings, curious to hear what he has to say next.
Dream Lord (off-panel): You made the President's dream.
Farley: Ha ha ha! Dr. Adams, you're not making much sense!
Page 21 panel 7
Dream Lord (pointing at Farley): You gave him the Gordian Nightmare! There was no coincidence! You...needed money, and my Dream Screen! Saving his life guaranteed funding and enabled you to confiscate me! You bastard!
Page 21 panel 8
Farley: Dr. Adams, I think it would be beneficial for you to say as little as possible from now on. Your statements are being recorded and will be used when you are put on trial for your crimes. Attempting to shift the blame onto others will only make you look bad.
Dream Lord (banging on the inside of the tube): Let me out of here! I want to speak to a lawyer!
Page 22 (10 panels)
Page 22 panel 1
Farley turns his back on the Dream Lord and begins walking away into the command center.
Farley: In time. For now, you'll just have to amuse yourself while we process you. Randall, your team can begin testing the specimen.
Randall, a technician, walks briskly to the tube, leading a group of three others.
Randall: Right away, sir.
Dream Lord: Farley! I told you to let me out of here!
Page 22 panel 2
Farley (off-panel): Gantry, sedate him.
Dream Lord: No! You people are crazy--trying to invade and corrupt one of the last true privacies left in the world! I am not going to let you get away with it!
Page 22 panel 3
Dream Lord (shouting, enraged; he is finally rousing from the funk and confusion which have ruled him since the first attack of the Bogeyman--he finally has a clear cause to rally to): Especially not with equipment that I helped to create! Let me out!
Gantry: Triggering sedative gases now.
Page 22 panel 4
A pale pink gas sprays into the glass booth from the ceiling and the floor and the Dream Lord becomes desperate. He beats on the walls and screams.
Dream Lord: Turn it off! Open this damn thing!
Page 22 panel 5
Closeup of the Dream Lord as the gas whirls up around him. He grits his teeth, holds his breath, strains to find some way to escape.
Dream Lord: I am going to stop you. I am going to stop you.
Page 22 panel 6
Another, tighter, closeup--the Dream Lord is more restrained, concentrating, enraged yet exerting every iota of strength to focus on a plan.
Dream Lord (in a whisper, as the gas surrounds him): I...am...going to... stop you.
Gantry: Sedative mixture now 85 percent of tube atmosphere.
Page 22 panel 7
Suddenly, the Dream Lord starts to glow with a red aura.
Dream Lord (silently, desperately straining): I...am...going to...
Gantry: 90 percent mixture.
Page 22 panel 8
The Dream Lord's aura flares brightly, and he flings his head back and screams. Gantry leaps away from the control panel on the tube.
Dream Lord: Stop you!!
Page 22 panel 9
The Dream Lord disappears with a burst of light and a crack. Everyone in the command center is scrambling and watching the tube.
Kochar: He's gone! We've lost him!
Page 22 panel 10
Kochar: Specimen has repenetrated the dimensional envelope! He is returning to alternate space!
Farley (walking back down to observe the empty tube): See if you can drag him back here! Repower the reservoirs and begin retrieval procedures!
Page 23 (8 panels)
Page 23 panel 1
Farley (shouting furiously): I want that son of a bitch!
Page 23 panel 2
With a flash of bright red light, the Dream Lord appears in the Dream Zone, at the same spot he was taken from--Lullaby's refuge of blue sky and fluffy clouds.
Dream Lord (triumphantly): I did it!
Page 23 panel 3
The Dream Lord pauses to wonder at the startling trip, and looks around himself with amazement.
Dream Lord: I...could never do that before! I've always needed the Snooze Tubes...to travel between reality and here. How did I...
Lullaby (off-panel): Don't look a gift horse in the hoof, Dream Lord...
Page 23 panel 4
Lullaby: 'Cause I need some help real bad right now!
Lullaby is looking up at him from a cloud below, where she is surrounded and held by the Night Brigade. Hangover is holding her while Night Terror points some high tech gun at her head. They all look up when they realize that Dream Lord is once again among them.
Night Terror (surprised and angry): Adams! What the hell is going on here?
Page 23 panel 5
Dream Lord (his hands glowing with red energy like the type which surrounded him when he escaped back into the Dream Zone): A surprise party, you sick bastard! Surprises for everybody--for me because of a new power I just discovered, and for you...
Page 23 panel 6
Dream Lord: ...because you're the first person I'm going to use it on! He concentrates and fires a large red bolt of energy at Night Terror.
Page 23 panel 7
Struck by the bolt, Night Terror disappears in a flash of bright red light while his comrades look on.
Night Terror: NOOOOOO!
Catnap: Everybody--get Adams, now!
Lullaby: All right, buster!
Page 23 panel 8
The Dream Lord turns his red bolts of energy on Symbol and Sweet Dream, and they also vanish in bursts of red light. The other Brigaders fly up to attack him.
Hangover drops Lullaby as he races to the battle.
Dream Lord (angry and intense): I've had enough! You people are going to learn that the Dream Zone is not your playground! It is not for you to exploit or corrupt! It is the heritage of all mankind, a universe where everyone who lives or will ever be born can find peace and renewal! There is no "Slumberland!"
Page 24 (9 panels)
Page 24 panel 1
Dream Lord: Get out of here! If you ever return, I will kill you! This place is off-limits!
He hits Coma and Catnap with red beams, just as they are circling him and preparing to attack with their powers. They vanish in bursts of light.
Hangover (off-panel): Man, what a threat, comin' from you! I'm so scared...
Page 24 panel 2
Hangover sneaks up from behind Dream Lord and thrusts a huge hand onto his face. He forces excruciating pain into the Dream Lord's body and laughs.
Hangover: ...I can barely squash your skull like a tomato! Ha ha ha ha ha! I am goin' to enjoy this, you twerp! I'll get a damn medal for splatterin' you!
Dream Lord: Aaarrr...
Page 24 panel 3
Suddenly, Lullaby darts into the fray, smacking Hangover across the back of the head with a shovel she has conjured out of dream matter.
Lullaby: I guess that means I get a tickertape parade for wallopin' a big ugly warthog like you!
Page 24 panel 4
The Dream Lord leaps away from Hangover, who is momentarily dazed by Lullaby's blow.
Dream Lord: I thought I told you...you fat moron...
Page 24 panel 5
Dream Lord: Off-limits!!!
The Dream Lord fires a final, huge beam at Hangover, who disappears in red light, looking startled and enraged.
Lullaby: Way to do it, Dream Lord!
Page 24 panel 6
With the Night Brigade gone, Dream Lord pauses and catches his breath. Lullaby hovers by his side, delighted that the battle is won.
Lullaby: Nice work, buddy! You were too hot! I knew you could blast those goofballs!
Dream Lord: Thanks. It's not so tough, once you figure things cut. My new power didn't hurt, either.
Page 24 panel 7
Dream Lord: And as for you...I'm still not sure what your story is, but I'm grateful for your help. You've saved my life twice, and without you the Dream Zone would be doomed.
Lullaby: Aw, it's nothin'! I do this stuff every day, some days two or three times! Just remember me at Christmas.
Page 24 panel 8
Dream Lord: Things have been bad lately. I've been torn apart and degraded in every imaginable way--nearly killed twice. I've seen things, remembered things, that seem to contradict everything I know, my entire life. Nothing makes any sense anymore.
Page 24 panel 9
Dream Lord: Only one person seems to know what's really happened...all the secrets, all the truth. I've got to find him.
Page 25 (5 panels)
Page 25 panel 1
Dream Lord: The Night Brigade reminded me that the Dream Lord is important! He has a mission, a duty to the entire world! I guess...that's what I forgot most of all before now. In order for the Dream Lord to carry out his duty, he has to know the truth about himself.
Page 25 panel 2
The Dream Lord concentrates and begins to glow yellow.
Dream Lord: He has to become a new force...
Page 25 panel 3
The yellow glow flares, surrounding the Dream Lord. We can only see his vague outline through the light.
Dream Lord: ...a new man...
Page 25 panel 4
Large panel with a medium shot of the Dream Lord standing revealed in a new (purple-and-white?) uniform, surrounded by bright lights and sparks. He is grim yet satisfied -- his life again has meaning of a sort.
Dream Lord: ...a new dream!
Page 25 panel 5
The Dream Lord takes Lullaby's hand in his own.
Dream Lord: Come on. Let's go spook the Bogeyman.
CONTINUED....
END OF PART THREE