From the World of Turbo Pit-fighter
In the grim, lawless 23rd century, before the fall of USGOV and the mass de-population of major cities at the hands of the multi-trillionaire DeHuberton family, In 2198, Elevena is born, a child prodigy genetically engineered by her mother with enhanced brain activity to be the scientist who will save a world under assault. But Elevena’s research will fall into the wrong hands, hastening the…MEGAPOCALYPSE!
THE COMPANY MAN
• • • • • • • •
2218, a hectic year if ever there was one.
Hextor Zumenias is a “company man” through and through.
He does as he is told.
Hex pro-actively reports observations beyond the standard form.
His daughter Ranja doesn’t know he is signed up for “overtime”, aka covert work beyond his primary role as supervisor of highways, water and sewers for LifePlan Contract Zone AZ-28 Gila River. As a “critical responder” Hextor is supposed to do “as asked”, regardless of risk or difficulty or face demotion.
This overtime is the reason he and Ranja live in their own home.
It’s the reason Ranja gets to attend school. Most kids do not.
But as Ranja approaches eleven, she is becoming more curious.
[Illustration: Hextor in uniform, heavy equipment aside him in a robo-cart. He enters data into a tablet in a doorway while talking to a poor mother, multiple kids clinging to her. Her home, a crowded unit in a large multi-unit building is flooded, objects floating in water and kids everywhere.
“Before I can clear the flooding, I need samples from anyone in the dwelling.”]
Samples mean hair or saliva.
Hextor is a terrible liar. At least he thinks so because he feels gut-wrenching guilt and shame inside.
Most people don’t notice though, don’t question him. They are desperate, they are grateful someone actually came to fix the problem, after waiting so long and getting nowhere on the helpline for days and days. Hextor also has a trunk full of valuable giveaways to placate the testy ones if need be. A case of hi-protein ricebeans, solar pucks, digitablets, VR gear, whatever it takes.
[Illustration: Woman: What if we don’t want to give samples? You still are going to clear the flood, right? Isn’t it the law?
Hextor: The state is under contract with Flowmaster, miss. We require samples to test for contaminants, to identify the bacteria that can make kids sick.]
That’s the lie. There is no study, there is no testing for bacteria.
Hex looked down as he spoke, recalling a familiar line from a script memorized long ago.
Hextor: I’m not supposed to tell you this, but they are also screening for DeHubertons blood. If you have an ancestral link, you could get a home in a silver city with a primo job. Who knows? It’s worth a shot, it could put you on a better path, give these kids an education and a future.
This is technically true, but Hex knows there are no DeHuberton heirs left in the dustplains. He is data-mining for the RM ranks, among other “redacted” purposes. Hex could only guess at the totality of the program, but he knew from off-the-record conversations with his supervisor Burnstone it’s a lot of eugenics to identify costly clients and a fervent search for young glowers, subjects with a strong natural proclivity to enhancement due to naturally slower rates of cellular decay.
Hex pushed back in the beginning, relaying client complaints to his bosses. Hex asked Burnstone if the company was concerned about kids. Burnstone laughed.
Hex didn’t want to let on, but he was fishing around, curious about his daughter. At first Hextor wasn’t sure about her but he recognized the signs – that is, the signs of kids who disappear. And he knew that she needed to submit a sample to enroll in Chandelier Charter UniSchool.
So he did what many parents do, submitting a sample first to a Dispatch pop-up kiosk. The scans are free.
Dispatch is the distress line run by The Rectifiers, a crisis response team headquartered in the New Green Zone, a fortified territory also known as the “no-go zone”. The Rectifiers extracted enhancement candidates from RM-controlled states and territories.
Within seconds the biogram indicated a level 6/12 on the BESOB which included a unique code for a “counseling” appointment. This meant a chance to relocate to the NGZ for “counseling” by the resistance. He instead hit the delete key and walked away. If he went into the No-Go Zone for a visit, he knew he couldn’t come back.
To get her into the school, Hextor submitted a stolen sample under Ranja’s name. This was over two years ago, so he knew it was only a matter of time before the other girl’s sample was fed into the database triggering a duplicate signature alarm. Or before someone took another sample at school.
Two weeks before Ranja’s eleventh birthday, he started worrying.
Burnstone had gone cold, only giving one word answers. He seemed unnerved, angry and scared but not talking.
A few days later, Hex found the house was broken into. His mind flashed to the
Ranja was upset. She told him there were drones following her that morning.
Hex went out to a Dispatch kiosk with a current sample. The biogram scan this time said her reading was 8/12. He knew the company was routinely abducting fives and sixes.
The prompt, again, asked him to visit the NGZ for counseling. This time there was a passkey, which he captured. Apparently the invitation was upgraded for eights.
Hextor vacillated for a moment, hand hovering above the RSVP button, but he took an approaching vehicle as a sign to clear out. Hex got in his landglider heading home. He was resolved but thinking about logistics and timetables – packing possessions, retaining evidence and breaking it to Ranja. “Honey, we’re leaving our home, school, friends. And by the way your scan is off the charts so you’ll never be safe again.”
Approaching his home on Wystral Street, he noticed a drone tailing him. He purposely bypassed his house, heading for a well lit corner near the O’Roarke housing hives, stopping by the entrance arch. Heart pounding, he watched the drone pass, strobe light washing over the idling landglider. But then fifty paces out, the drone spun around towards him and accelerated. Hex flicked on the blinder beams and fumbled for a firearm but recoiled as the vehicle shuddered with concussive force. The shieldglass was cracked and charred but the internal micromesh held. It wouldn’t survive another pass though. Hex opened the drivers door as a decoy and slithered into the passenger side where he cracked the door and fired a single homing round which took out the threat in a black and orange ball of flame and cinder. He kicked out the broken glass and sped home.
IN COMPUTER FONT:
RESPONSE BOT 12: Incoming distress signal detected. Establishing encrypted link. Caller, state your name, location and the nature of your emergency.
My name is Hextor Zumenias, I am a regional engineer for WalCo but they are now trying to kill me. They have killed many families. I need you to save my daughter. I have lots of evidence. They have been lying to customers, I…have been lying for them, to find glowers, they forced me to find the kids.
RESPONSE BOT 12: Acknowledged, Hextor. Your distress signal has been logged. You are a regional engineer for WalCo, now targeted by them after discovering their involvement in the murder of many families. You require immediate assistance for your daughter and possess evidence of WalCo’s crimes. For protocol purposes, I must conduct a 20-question interview to assess your eligibility for assistance. Do you consent to proceed?
(Waiting for your response before proceeding to the next question.)
Yes I need people to hear this, I don’t think I’m going to make it out. Do you have someone that can pick her up in Maricopa County?
RESPONSE BOT 12: Understood, Hextor. Rectifiers are capable of reaching Maricopa County. To proceed with request to extract your daughter, please provide the following information. First question: Are you or your daughter currently have documentation of any BESOB markers indicating potential for enhancement?
(Waiting for your response before proceeding to the next question.)
Yes you have her samples, I sent one when she was seven, you scored her a six back then, the other was sent this morning. Her name is Ranja Zumienas. She doesn’t know I signed on for covert work, she thinks I do highways, water and sewers which was 100% true till about 26 months ago. They cut my hours, so I didn’t have a choice, really. If she was going to stay in Chandelier Uni, the only school left here. We also would have had to leave our house and move into a cubicle apartment. I couldn’t do that to her.
RESPONSE BOT 12: Understood, Hextor. We have Ranja Zumienas’ samples on file. Her initial assessment scored a 6/12, updated sample received this morning at 07:44. For verification, I will cross-reference genetic markers.
Next question: Describe the specific threats you and your daughter are currently facing in Maricopa County. Waiting for your response.
Hextor: It started long ago when the supervisor, a management bot, asked me to persuade all customers to give samples. Everyone from block to block. They said it was for compensation, to provide medicine for exposure to toxic water, but that was all a lie. They were just fishing for glowers. I did it. That’s when I was assigned to Burnstone, he was a real person.
About 7 or 8 girls disappeared soon after. At least one boy too. Families made noise. I know one that sent you a signal. But the company wanted me to smooth them out, get them to sign NDAs. It was my job to convince them to shut up and take the bribe.
About half did.
The rest of them disappeared quick but I wasn’t involved. Out of town servicers came around, coming in to do the clean up but there were a lot at once. So they ask me to go clean up a house, which was never my job. I tried to refuse. That’s when the threats started. A Texas agent paid me a visit. There were fighter bots in a truck outside. I told him I couldn’t break laws because I get polygraphed for my kid’s school. He laughed, he said the school records would disappear, but he made clear he would wipe both of us out if I refused to do my job. He was the bad guy, Burnstone was the good guy, he made the records at school say the right thing.
So I did my job, I cleaned up the droned bodies, four kids and a mom, skin turned into powder. I had difficulty, I…
I took videos and DNA samples, they are in storage, I can turn it over plus much more.
RESPONSE BOT 12: Threat level assessment as follows. The actions of the WalCo supervisor and their use of coercion and intimidation, as well as the deployment of fighter bots, indicate immediate danger. You are instructed to preserve evidence of their activities, including videos and DNA samples, as requested by Dispatch. Caselogs have been forwarded to extraction specialist, receipt confirmation pending.
Next question: Please provide your current location and the immediate environment, particularly any potential dangers or obstacles that may affect the rescue operation?
So you’re coming?
RESPONSE BOT 12: Caselogs have been forwarded to extraction specialist, receipt confirmation pending. Your evidence of their activities, including videos and DNA samples, is requested by Dispatch.
Happy eleventh birthday Ranja…they’re coming for you.
=========
Background – the year is 2218, most of the continent is controlled by the high-tech company WalCo, patrolling their territories with automated drones. The resistance still holds the New Green Zone, protected by a fortified fence.
PAGE ONE
Title letters: THE COMPANY MAN
1. Large splash, 90% of page, shows Pitchblende, a genetically enhanced, muscular trooper in early 20s with b-cup size breasts wearing high-tech skintight battle suit that has some padded areas to protect from quills. A thin sheath is strapped to the top of her arm. She is loading weapons into her flying air-car in a hangar. A screen shows the faces of the subjects she will be rescuing, Ranja aged 11, and her father Hextor.
PITCHBLENDE: Dispatch. Mission details please
NARRATION broken up into separate boxes:
Distraction event to execute at 23:05
Interference assets to deploy at 23:07
Rectifier-U3 to to exit NGZ at 23:09
Target is waiting at foot of Cortico Skyway at 26km mark
Target’s father is expendable.
2. Small tilted-up panel along bottom shows flying air-car whipping out of 3rd floor hangar with an escort of about 10 “pointy” drones. In the distance there is a fortified fence labeled NEW GREEN ZONE.
SOUND FX: Wooosh
NARR: Corridor established.
Target ETA 23:38
PAGE TWO
1. Horizontal panel shows a sweeping view of a tall elevated skyway. A huge explosion in the distance, crumbles a tall building along the post-apocalyptic cityscape. In foreground, Hextor looks at the explosion while zipping up daughter Ranja into a full-body protection suit with heavy stitching. Ranja struggles to pull the attached headgear over her head.
HEXTOR: It’s started.
Let’s get the suit on.
RANJA: You lied to me. You were helping them
HEXTOR: Not anymore mija, now we’re getting out.
2. Horizontal panel as Hextor and Ranja look way up above the Skyway to see the flying car and drone contingent approaching. Ranja pulls closed the full-face shield.
HEXTOR: You’re only ten , I couldn’t put this all on your shoulders…
RANJA: Eleven
HEXTOR: Don’t hate me, this is the only option now. I…
…I might not make it out with you.
RANJA: What? Why not? Who is that?
HEXTOR: Shhh. Cover up now, here they come.
3. Pitchblende in aircar tilted front-up pulls up near the Skyway columns in front of Hextor, hair blowing in wind, who has picked Ranja up. Defense drones are circling as enemy drones (shaped different from the good drones) start shooting towards aircar, spitting up dirt on the ground but not yet reaching her position.
PITCHBLENDE: Time to go, get in!
HEXTOR: Ok, don’t open the suit it’s all sealed up.
SOUND FX: Thwip, thwip thwip!
4. Hextor hands the kid over to Pitchblende in the aircar, in background drones fight it out with mini-explosions happening as they blow each other up.
HEXTOR: Daddy loves you Ranja.
PITCHBLENDE: Got her, are you getting in?
HEXTOR: No, I…just take care of her.
PAGE THREE
1. Suddenly, Hextor takes fire from the left, pinned against a column, some blasts clipping his sides but most missing. The aircar wastes no time, racing off into the distance with good and bad drones following behind.
HEXTOR: Go now, before….AGH!
HEXTOR: Who the hell?
SOUND FX (aircar): Wooosh
SOUND FX: Pkow! P’chow! Pkow! Pkow!
2. Splash panel of BURNSTONE, with smoking energy-weapon in hand, land glider parked in background. Burnstone wears a battle suit and helmet and has insanely steroid-enhanced muscles and a thick, thick neck (like juggernaut) but his legs have been neglected, much less developed. Hextor cowers behind the smoking column but has his e-gun out too.
HEXTOR: Burnstone?!
BURNSTONE: Hex, we have to talk, it’s not too late
HEXTOR: What happened to you? You got enhanced…
BURNSTONE: Yes and you could too, you could have a nice life, get a p-bot and some nice VR
HEXTOR: I can’t do that to Ranja, I can’t do what you do, Burnstone…
3. Hextor trapped behind column as enraged Burnstone barrages it with fire. The column is cracking and chipping
BURNSTONE: You’re a company man like me, Hex. You know how it works, what’s it going to take?
HEXTOR: Come on Burnstone, they want to kill me, you’re trying to…
BURNSTONE: Dammit Hextor, it’s you or me! You’re as dumb as your wife!
SOUND FX: BRAT-A-TAT! K’pow! P’Kow! P’Choo!
4. Hextor darts out into the open and shoots Burnstone in the stomach, chest and face, blood spurting everywhere. But Burnstone also fires rapidly, ripping into Hextor.
BURNSTONE: It’s you or me! You…or…
HEXTOR: Both of us are company men right, Burnstone? Here’s your bonus pay, f#cker!
BURNSTONE: GAAUGHK
SOUND FX: B’KOW! P’chew! B’kow! P’kow!
PAGE FOUR
1. Horizontal panel as Pitchblende races forward in the aircar, shooting from the front cannon with drones battling it out in front, above and behind her with puffs of smoke and small explosions all over, debris everywhere. The aircar is getting shot up pretty bad with the glass all cracking up and falling.
PITCHBLENDE: Hang on kid, they’re going to try to stop us
SOUND FX: Woooosh! Kpow, krak, kpak!
2. Close up in cabin of aircar, Pitchblende is strapping the kid to her, back to back. The car is getting shot up with quills and now on fire.
PITCHBLENDE: They must like you kid, they spent a lot on interceptors.
Uh no, here comes trouble…
3. Small panel of Pitchblende’s hand punching the eject button close-up.
PITCHBLENDE: F-BOTS! Got to…
4. Major splash panel of Pitchblende ejected upwards as a flying F-bot uses its crescent-shaped knife wings to utterly demolish the aircar. In one motion, Pitchblende is flying up and blasting the other F-bot into pieces with Ranja strapped to her back, little legs flailing under her protection suit.
PITCHBLENDE: …EJECT!
Got him!
PAGE FIVE
1. Pitchblend/Ranja now skydiving amidst flaming debris, shooting at the other F-bot in the distance with one hand as the other shoots a wire-lash towards a quintet of friendly drones that have linked up with wires like a catamaran. The wasteland highway below shows rough shapes of vehicles approaching in a cloud of dust.
PITCHBLENDE: Just about a half mile from the fence….a little help here!
SOUND FX: Shwitt!
2. Diagonally disoriented panel looking over Pitchblende/Ranja’s shoulders as they hitch a ride from the drones above but below approaching fast is a column of ground-pounding battle trucks with human soldiers riding on top with futuristic bazookas and long guns.
PITCHBLENDE: NOW WHAT!
3. Splash panel of Pitchblende, she let go of the cord and whips right into the soldiers, ripping one soldiers gun-arm off with a long razor-spike now popping out from the sheath strapped to the top of her arm. The other hand shoots a soldiers face off. Other soldiers scatter as good drones shoot from the left and bad drones shoot quills from the right. Pitchblende already has a few quills in her but most in padded areas.
SOUND FX: SMOK!
PITCHBLENDE: The only way out of this….
SOLDIERS: Get her!
She’s too close!
4. Small panel, Pitchblende slicing to lower left, with a crippling stab to the armpit of a soldier’s shooting arm. She is getting shot up with more quills.
PITCHBLENDE: …is straight through…
5. Small panel, Pitchblende slashing towards upper right this time. Hands, arms guns and bloody armor pieces flying about. The quills are adding up and there are 1-2 in Ranja’s body suit too.
PITCHBLENDE: …these doll-fucking dogs!
NARRATION (in robotic font): Rectifier-U3. Notice: Air support approaching, ten seconds to maximum bombardment…
PAGE SIX
1. Horizontal panel of Pitchblende, bent over and stopped in her tracks with blood dripping everywhere, gun smoking, so many quills she and Ranja look like a porcupine. She is aghast to see a gigantic “fat boy” multi-gun armored turret pointed at her – it has four big cannons in the middle and small barrels all over various radar antennas on it’s head. From behind the operator pokes his head out. In the very center between the big barrels is a small center spot she might be able to attack and avoid getting shot.
PITCHBLENDE: What the…! We’re so close…so close…
NARRATION: Six…five…four…
SOUND FX: K’Click!
2. Splash panel of Pitchblende full of quills, screaming as she dives towards the center spot, driving the spike-deep into the fat boy with all the guns going off around her as her drones crash and shoot in the background. The kid’s body suit has so many quills in it one of the legs separated and fell off.
PITCHBLENDE: …this close!
SOUND FX: Chew! Chew! PKKOWWW!
NARRATION: ….three…two….
3. Thin panel shows a giant explosion with flame, smoke and debris everywhere
SOUND FX: BAGOOOOM!
4. Pitchblende in the recovery station, set into a mechanized frame shaped to her body with medical tubes, and wires stuck in every part of her body and tons of robotic motors and monitors hooked up to her. She is battered, black and blue with bandages all over her face but still alive. In the long window panel there is a hazy sunset with clouds in the distance bearing the faint shape of Hextor’s face.
NARRATION (Robot font): Rectifier-U3 mission complete. Target Ranja Zumienas, age 11, is secure, she starts training tomorrow.
PITCHBLENDE: Huh? But how? I…
NARRATION: You had a decoy in the suit. The child was flown away in a mini-flyer during a distracting shoot out between target’s father and a state level WalCo supervisor….
TITLE GRAPHIC: THE COMPANY MAN
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
The Making of Turbo Pit-Fighter offers a unique behind-the-scenes look into the world of indie comic creation, from brainstorming sessions to the intricate details of illustration, Kurt and Jake, both experienced art instructors, provide an in-depth exploration of the collaborative process. On May 15, 2022 the first weekly episode premiered, two artists reunited to complete the Turbo Pit-Fighter saga and launch an innovative splitscreen podcast series.
But that’s not all! Recognizing the challenges and triumphs of indie comic creators, Kurt and Jake have an another recurring segment of their podcast spotlighting other indie comic creators who share their stories, discuss their creative process, offer insights into audience building, and ponder into the future of comics.
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Turbo Pit-fighter Comic & Podcast: Documenting an Indie Collaboration