Speed Limit

Speed Limit is the twenty-seventh episode of the series, Mutant Drake.

Plot
In the sky, drifting swiftly, the sky is bright with only a couple of clouds around. In the distance, there are a few clouds gathered around each other, lightning phasing through it with a faint sound of thunder. The MCA Helicarrier is seen passing through, drifting as usual. The atmosphere feels active.

Inside, there is a room with various types of scientific equipment, a couple of desks and several MCA Scientists, attending to their own tasks. John is seen seated on a stool by a table, examining various, unique items. By the door, Drake and Kate are seen entering the laboratory. As they approach John, they look around the room wtih curiousity, Kate more-so than Drake.

John, examining an item, to himself: That really shouldn't even be working...

Drake: John.

John, examining the item, to himself: Maybe there's an internal battery or-

Drake, louder: John.

John turns and sees Drake and Kate standing besides him.

John: Oh, hey. You guys made it.

Drake: You wanted to show us something?

John: Yeah, take a look at these things.

John gets up from the stool and shows off the items on the table. Among the items, there is a metallic plate which resembles a piece of armor, which appears to have some type of machinary built into it, glowing inbetween the seems, there's a jar with a small amount of some kind of green substance in it, a red crystalline shard and some advanced-looking machine parts.

Kate, looking over the table: What is this stuff?

John: This would be some of the Xyrion items I, erm- managed to accquire from the Nexus facility.

Drake: You had this the whole time?

John: Yeah, snuck it in my bag. I was going to take a look at it earlier but with me in the med-bay, Owens' recovery and all these missions we were doing, I just never found the right time. But since it's been kinda slow around here, I decided to finally take a look at it.

Drake: So what did you find?

John: That's the thing, I didn't find anything.

Kate: What do you mean?

John: This stuff is advanced, like it's beyond anything I've seen before. I have no idea what type of technology that is, the manufacturers, the parts used, it's even hard to break- it's like it keeps repairing itself with every attempt I make.

Kate: Is there anything we can do about it?

John: (sighs) ...Well, I guess we can call that guy.

Kate: What guy?

John: Y'know the guy with the face.

Kate gives John a questionable look.

John: ...The rich guy with the- (lower) powers.

Kate: You mean Emmett?

John indirectly nods at Kate.

Kate: I guess, I can give him a call. But why him?

John: He has resources and his company has a laboratory with probably more advanced equipment than whatever's here. I'm sure his science department can figure out what most- if not, some- of these items are.

Kate: Okay, I'll call him now.

Kate approaches the door and pulls out her phone. As she leaves, she already has the phone by her ear.

Kate: Emmett, hey- (leaves the room)

John puts his hands on the table and sighs.

Drake: You really couldn't find anything on these things?

John looks over at Drake, tired.

John: Alright, I did find something but not much.

Drake: What is it?

John turns his head, takes the jar in his hand and shows it to Drake.

Drake: I've seen this before.

John: It's the sample of that substance you found at the Infinite Darkness facility. I did some testing and found out it's been engineered.

Drake: Didn't you say that earlier?

John: To the Director, yeah. But I looked into it some more and found out the substance is also organic.

Drake: As in natural?

John: Pretty much.

Drake: How can something natural and engineered at the same time?

John: Not sure. My guess is these Xyrion guys are skilled in some form of bio-chemistry. I tested the substance of some cell samples and found that it corrupts the cells, adapting them to its own genetic structure.

Drake looks at John, confused. John looks up at Drake and acknowledges his look. He then thinks for a few seconds.

John: Um, okay, you know that movie I showed you, the zombie one!

Drake: Which one? You showed me a bunch of those.

John: Doesn't matter. You know how the zombies turn people into more zombies?

Drake nods in a naive-manner.

John: Well, it's like that.

Drake, understanding: Whoa.

John: Yeah. The first test was for Human cells, by the way, so the substance definitely has an affect on people, however it doesn't seem to corrupt the sample as much as well-

Drake: What? It doesn't affect Mutants.

John: Actually, you and our firey friend have high immunity for some spontanious reason. The Mutant samples prove it does, in fact, have an effect on Mutants, if not a worse effect than Humans.

Drake: How much worse?

John: Well it can further the mutation of their cells, making them becoming more erradict and unstable. And I'm just talking about the chemistry. Nanogenes, from what I've seen, mutate the subject by attacking their genetics but with the amount of Mutant variations out there, I have to suspect the Nanogenes are limited in their Mutation efforts.

Drake: Well, what does that mean?

John: It means this substance can unleash more of the Mutation, giving them an increase in strength, durability, stamina, decrease in pain, consciousness and overall feeling. In fact, it's just like that really strong Mutant you fought in Philly.

Drake is about to say something.

John: The animalistic-one, not the rich one.

Drake: Really? That was the Xyrions?

John: I double-checked with the Philadelphia MCA. They found the same substance in the Mutant.

Drake: So where does that leave us?

John: Nowhere, really. If they are planning something, which I don't doubt for a second, we're no closer to finding out what they're actually up to. These are our only leads, well the only functional ones, and even they can't really provide much information to go on. I mean, unless we just raid the place. How long has it been? Months?

Drake: We can't. The Director has her orders and if I just charge in there again, I might not be able to stop them, just like last time.

John: Yeah but you did get a sweet ice-mace out of that.

Drake glares at John.

John: Just sayin'. Hopefully, this Murphy guy can get us some results. Until then, I guess we look for any signs of Xyrion activity outside of Oregon so we can locate those Commanders you were talking about or we can follow this (shakes jar in hand) and see if that turns up anything. And before you ask, I checked with Owens' paperwork, when they finally gave me access to it, and the medics didn't find any of it or anything out of the ordinary in his system when we rescued him from Nexus.

Drake: (nods) Okay, I'll talk with him, see if he remembers anything from the facility that can help with stopping these Xyrions.

John: Good luck with that.

Drake walks off and leaves the laboratory. Just as he leaves, Kate walks in, still on the phone.

Kate: Okay, great. Thanks again, Emmett. I'll see you soon... Okay, bye.

She hangs up and puts the phone back in her pocket. She looks up at John.

Kate: Okay, he said he'll come around, pick up the items somewhere discreet and head back to Philadelphia to analyze it at his lab.

John: Great. That takes care of one of our problems.

Kate: So... don't tell me science stuff was the only reason you wanted to see us.

John: Uh, it was but, hey, I was actually thinking we do something different tonight.

Kate: No movie?

John: Nope.

Kate: No games?

John: Nope.

Kate: Alright...

John: Just... uh- y'know food and stuff.

Kate: Food and stuff, huh? Alright, I'm curious. What kind of food? Pizza? Burgers? Takeout?

John: Just some vegetable lasagne with cheese-bread. Thought it would be something you like...

Kate: John... That's my favorite meal, how'd you-

John: I just paid attention. I think you slipped it out at one point.

Kate gives a soft chuckle.

Kate: Yeah, it's just that- it brings back a lot of good memories from before the Incident.

John: Hey, if it's too much, we can do a movie or-

Kate: No, no- uh- yeah, I'd love to do dinner with you.

John: Great, Awesome. So it's a, well- um-

Kate: A what? (chuckle) A date?

John looks at her, sort of embrassed.

John: Well...

Kate: Relax, man, I'm just kidding. (laughs)

John: Right. (awkward chuckle) Of course...

Kate: Anyways, I think it's sweet. I didn't even know you knew how to cook. You are cooking it, right?

John: More or less...

Kate chuckles which brings up a smile from John. Drake then enters the laboratory.

Drake: The Director needs us in the control room.

The scene then cuts over to the main control room with the MCA Officers at their stations, helping to support the vessel and its systems. The Director is seen, looking through the window at the thick clouds in the distance. The view shows her, looking with her back towards the elevator which opens up. Drake, John and Kate step off and approach the Director. She then turns around and looks at the three of them whom stop before her.

Director: About time you three showed up.

John: Well, the last time we were here, it didn't really end up so well.

Director: Hopefully, that doesn't happen again, Mr. Reed. See that it doesn't.

Drake: You had something to say?

Director: Yes, as a matter of fact. We got reports from MCA Patrol that there are some Mutant attacks in Kansas City that are too much for them to handle. I'd get us close but there are some severe storms over the city and I can't afford to get any wear-and-tear on this thing.

Drake: We'll take a Jumpjet and take care of it.

Director: I'll send for reinforcements.

Drake, walking back to the elevator: Don't need them.

John glances over at the Director before walking back to the elevator. Kate looks at the Director and smiles nervously. The Director squints intidatingly and Kate's smile dimissishes as she returns to the elevator with the others. The doors then close once she's on and the platform descends. The Director then sighs and turns back to the window. The thick clouds in the far distance reflected on the window, overlaying her face.

Director: Kids these days...

The faint sound of thunder is heard as lightning crackles through the clouds. The scene cuts over to the clouds, themselves. The lightning more intense up-close than from the distance, with the booming echo of thunder following it. The view then transcends downwards into the city below as the buildings stand.

As the view hits the street-level of the city, MCA Officers can be seen fending off against corrupted-looking Mutant Raccoons with exposed muscles, blue-purple fur and enlarged fangs. The laser fire from the Officers seems nearly ineffective against the approaching Mutants. One of them pounces forwards, slashing at one of the Officers, knocking their blaster out of their hands as they fall back onto the street. A Jumpjet is then seen flying over the street, passing through the city, catching the attention of the Mutant Raccoons who look up and hiss at the passing by Jumpjet. Inside the Jumpjet, John can be seen flying the Jumpjet.

Drake, calling from the back: How is it?

John: Not bad, actually. I think I'm getting used to flying the Jumpjet now so I don't have to rely so much on auto-

Drake, calling from the back: I was talking about the situation.

John: Oh! (looks out of the main window) Yeah, not that good for the MCA Patrollers down there.

Drake, calling from the back: I need to get down there.

John: Sure, just wait until I find a place to land this thing. You'd think a place like this wouldn't have so many cars everywhere...

The scene cuts to the back of the Jumpjet with Drake seated on the bench and Kate seated across from him on the other bench.

Drake: There's no time. (gets up) I need to get there now.

Drake walks over to the door and presses a panel at the side of it. The door then opens, the sound of wind passing through is heard as the street is seen below. Drake walks closer to the opening.

Kate, holding onto the bench: Are you sure that's safe?

Drake: For them? No.

Drake then jumps from the opening as the Jumpjet seemingly leaves him behind. Kate then watches out of the opening even after the door closes a moment after. This continues for a short moment longer.

John, calling from the front: He jumped out, didn't he?

Kate: Yep.

The scene then cuts over to Drake landing onto the street. He gets up and looks around. He then sees the Mutant Raccoons approaching him, in a charging manner. Drake then grunts and activates his ice-mace which crackles with electricity. As the Mutants approach, they become more clearer to Drake.

Drake, realizing something, activating his comms: John, you there?

John, over the comms: Yeah, I'm here, buddy. Look, next time, can't you wait until I land this thing. Drops like that might damage the suit.

Drake: Look, John, these Mutants they look like the one from Philadelphia.

John: Really? That's impossible.

Drake: Well, I'm looking right at it and they're coming right at me.

John: Just wait until we land, I need to see them for myself.

Drake: I can't do that, John. They're here!

Drake moves his hand away from the side of his head and backs away as the Mutant drives right past him. It then stops and turns, striking at him which Drake blocks with his ice-mace. He then kicks the Mutant back while another one pounces at him, in which, he slams his ice-mace across its face, slamming it down to the street. Just as Drake is about to turn around, the third and final Mutant tackles him to the ground. Drake attempts to push it off but the Mutant has him pinned down. He attempts to swing his ice-mace at it but the other Mutant grabs his arm, holding that down as well. The Mutant on top of Drake then starts slashing at his suit and his face. Drake continues his attempts to resist the attacks but winds up gettings scratched up on his face with groans of pain coming out of him with each direct hit.

John, over the comms: Drake, are you alright? Drake, respond! Drake, Drake, DRA-A-AKE!

Drake continues getting attacked to no prevail. The scene quickly cuts over to an overhead of the city with a blue streak racing through the city, cutting around corners and it moves deeper into the city. Drake is shown getting attacked by the Mutant Raccoon again. As the Mutant raises its claw for a strike that appears to do some serious damage, the blur runs right up to the Mutant and slams against it, the force knocking the Mutant, not only off of Drake, but across the street and into a building. The impact knocking it unconscious. Drake then looks up as the blurred figure takes the appearance of the Danny in his Vigilante outfit.

Drake, looking up at him: Danny.

Danny: Drake. (chuckles) We've gotta stop meeting up like this.

Drake sighs in relief for a second. The second of the three Mutants then raises from the ground and charges for the two of them. Danny turns his head, seeing the Mutant approaching with a hiss, then turns back to Drake, nonchalantly.

Danny: Hang on, just a sec.

As he turns back to the Mutant, it pounches towards him. Everything then starts to slow down until it seems like everything is practically frozen. Danny then leans back as the Mutant comes just inches away from him. He then moves around the Mutant, looks at it and thinks for a second before coming up with an idea as the Mutant starts to land slowly. Drake then starts to run around the Mutant, whom is still in mid-air, punching it in various spots multilple times. Everything then starts to speed up into regular time with Danny, now a blur, speeding around the Mutant, delivering a barrage of punches rapidly. When Danny stop circling around the Mutant and runs to the side, the Mutant drops the ground, groaning softly. Drake then looks over at Danny who just smirks.

Danny: We'll talk later. Right now, I've gotta run.

Danny then speeds off, becoming a blurred figure once again and leaving behind a blue trail as he runs out of sight. Drake then looks out while the MCA Patrollers help each other out and access the situation in the background.

Title Sequence

TBC

<!-- The scene continues in the city, which seems bustling with people and cars and just activity. MCA Patrollers seem to be close by in the populated sections. The scene now focuses on a street corner which houses a shop with large windows and sign over the door which reads "Vee Null's Doughnuts and Coffee". Danny is seen, in casual clothing, leaning by the doors with his arms crossed, looking around. Drake, John and Kate are then seen walking down the sidewalk, approaching the shop. Drake, in his casual clothing as well. Danny turns his head once more and smiles upon seeing the three of them.

Danny, kicking off from the wall: Hey, guys! It's been a while.

Drake: Danny... It's- good to see you.

Kate smiles at Drake who acknowledges it.

Danny: What are you guys doing here?

John: We could ask you the same question. Don't you live in Kansas? Pretty sure moving between districts is expensive and, no offense, but you don't exactly look like you have deep pockets.

Danny: I'm actually uh- well, it's um- It's complicated...

Drake: Same here.

Danny: I saw you fighting those Mutants earlier so it's probably not as complicated as my thing. Probably.

John: We're checking on a lead for something.

Drake: Trying to find out what a group of Mutants are planning. The ones I told you about before.

Danny: The ones that took your friend? Hey, did you ever find him?

Drake: Yeah... We did.

Danny: Glad to hear it, man. So you're pretty much just investigating a conspiracy involving a Mutant organisation and something in this city is your only real lead?

John: Pretty much, yeah.

Danny: Wow, that is complicated.

Drake: So what are you doing here?

Danny: Well...

Taylor, unseen: Danny!

Danny turns around, and the others look over to the voice and see Taylor approaching.

Taylor: I wasn't sure what you wanted so I just ordered you some plain- (looks up and sees them) What? Hey, guys!

Kate: Taylor! So good to see you again.

Taylor: Same here, girl. You haven't texted back in like a month, I thought something happened.

Kate: Not really, just been busy. (glances over at John)

Danny: Wait, you two talk to each other? (turning to Drake and John) How come you guys don't call me?

Both Drake and John: Uh...

Taylor: So, what are you guys doing here? I thought got what you were looking for.

Kate: We... did. I just got extended time on my RDR and we were just passing through.

Taylor: Oh, alright then.

Kate: So, Danny was just telling us about what brought you guys here.

Taylor: Oh yeah, so this new bad guy showed up in Iowa and I managed to convince my Chief to let me do the report on it. Can you believe it? My first report! Anyways, turns out this Mutant guy left town then he shows up here so here we are. I was actually just going to talk to-

Her sentence trails off as he starts looking at Drake more. Drake then starts to notice and looks around.

Drake: What?

Taylor: You just look so different without your glasses on. You look good... (looking him over) like really, really good.

Drake: Uh...

Taylor continues looking at Drake with a dreamy-expression and sighs as Danny pulls her away from him slowly.

Danny: Weren't you going to get a coffee?

Taylor: Yeah...

Danny: And shouldn't it be ready by now?

Taylor: Oh yeah, you're right! Uh, do you guys want anything? (looking over at Drake) Drake?

Drake: No.

Kate: I'll go with you, Taylor. Definitely need something to awaken the typer in me.

Taylor: Way ahead of you, Kate.

John: I'll go too because, boy, I've been dying for some doughnuts.

The three of them then walk over to the door and enter the shop, leaving behind Drake with Danny.

Danny: So looks like we've both got some problems here, huh?

Drake: Yeah, I guess so. What exactly is your problem? Taylor said you're after a Mutant?

Danny: Yeah, things were kinda normal around here after you left. Some criminals popped up, I ran in and saved the city. People are calling me the Speedster now.

Drake gives Danny a look.

Danny: Yeah, it's a work in progress... Anyways, things were just casual when this guy just kinda showed up with these all these crazy powers, causing lots of damages. He didn't really seem to know how to use them, well, not as good as me, anyways, so I managed to beat him and have the MCA lock him up.

Drake: So what happened?

Danny: I don't know. I guess he escaped custody and fled to Kansas. We didn't hear about him until like a month after so I hitched a ride with Taylor and now I'm here looking for this guy before he hurts anyone.

Drake nods. Danny then looks as if he realized something.

Danny, turning to Drake: Hey, I just realized something. What if we team up?

Drake: What?

Danny: You know- work together. With our powers combined, our problems don't stand a chance.

Drake: I don't know, Danny.

Danny: Come on, Drake. Look, we're both Vigilantes with super, Mutant powers, we're both dealing with stuff in Kansas, why not? Come on...

Drake: Alright, fine. We'll work together.

Danny: Yes! (chuckles)

Drake glares at Danny.

Danny, loosing his excitement: S-Sorry.

Drake: Let's just get to work, alright?

Danny nods, understandingly.

Danny: So... Partners?

Danny smiles as he extends his hand out. Drake looks down at it then looks up at Danny. Danny smiles even more with anticipation causing Drake to let out a sigh. He then gives a single nod to Danny.

Drake: Partners.

He takes Danny's hand and they both shake. The scene then cuts to later on at a abanadoned warehouse of some kind out by a field. There's a wind pump in a short distance, turning softly. The sky is dark, sometime during the night with the clouds dark, covering the sky. It's cool and quiet.

Inside, there are several pieces of equipment laying around including a forklift and various crates marked "R-CORP MATERIALS [Handle with Care]". The whole place appears unkempt and has been abandonned for quite some time. A creaking sound is heard as a figure enters the facility through a loose panel. The sound of the wind howling outside is heard through the opening. The figure moves throug the dimly-lit area, lit only by the moonlight and faint remains of the functioning parts of the lighting system. The figure, himself, is wearing a ragged dark-colored hood with worn out pants and shoes. His hair, whatever can be seen drooping down from underneath the hood is black and his eyes are a dark blue. There is a large amount of frost on him, from the tips of his hair strands to the edges of his hood. A cold breath escapes him as he breaths. The man looks around, cautiously, until he sees something covered with a tarp. The tarp, while worn out, looks more kept than the rest of the things in the building. The figure then moves closer and reaches out to grab the tarp.

Voice: That doesn't belong to you, Kane.

Kane stops and quickly turns back, seeing a figure walking out from the shadows, approaching him. The figure is a man wearing a brown coat, that seems like a larger fit for him and has a patch over its chest reading, "V.V.". He has black pants and boots on. His hair is brown, styled messy-like, and his eyes are also brown.

Kane: Sam... You startled me.

Sam: Touching my things wasn't part of our arrangement.

Kane: I know about the arrangement, Sam. I'm the one that arranged it.

Sam: Just wanted to know we're on the same page here.

Kane: The arrangement was I hide you out in Kansas and support you where I can and you compensate me for my troubles.

Sam: Believe me, Kane. What I'm working on will solve all of our troubles.

Kane: Even the-

Sam: Don't. Say his name... He may have beaten me, humiliated me in front of everyone but I will show him just how powerful I am... how powerful we are, Gelide.

Kane: I told you not to call me that. You know I hate his stupid nicknames. It's like his way of tormenting us.

Sam: Speak for yourself, I don't have one. But that's aside the point, Kane, I have something that will give you the best thing you could ever want.

Kane: Money?

Sam: Forget the money, Kane! With this, you'll get all the money you want. I'm talking about power. Something that shows you just how much untapped potential you have and unleashes it upon you like a storm. With power, no one, not even the Speedster, would be able to tell us what to do, won't be able to stop us and won't be able to keep what we want out of our reach.

Kane: So... where is it?

Sam: Right here. Now, I've been- testing it some of the locals. And it seems to have some nasty effects on the subjects.

Sam removes a syringe, with a green substance mixed with a red substance inside of it, from his pocket.

Sam, examing the needle: It needed a bit more refining in order to remove most of them. Fortunately for you, I excell at biology.

Kane: Now, hang on a minute, I ain't going to take that. I'm not a lab rat.

Sam: Look here, Kane. This right here is going to give you all the power you could ever hope for. I know your goals are limited so you probably can't expand your imagination to even think about a whole world to conquer but- let me just put it like this for you, with all this power, those tiny goals will become flooded, devasted and wiped from the face of the Earth. You'll have all your money, all your compensation and you won't have to rely on convicts with super powers anymore. Hm? How does that sound for you? All it takes is one dose.

Kane looks at the syring hesistantly. He then statches it from Sam.

Kane: Okay! I'll do it. I'll do it.

Sam: Atta-boy.

Kane: But just so you know, if this stuff messes me up, I will personally mess you up afterwards.

Sam: Don't get so winded up, Kane. It'll work. Trust me.

Kane looks at Sam then looks down at his arm before injecting himself with the syringe. He pumps the substance into his body and removes the syringe afterwards. He drops the empty syringe onto the floor and drops to his knees. He holds his arm in which his nerves can be seen bulging up and glowing green faintly as it moves up his arm, further mutating his body. The scene then shows Sam backing up, watching Kane's transformation transpire as his shadow is casted over him, moving around and changing form as the sound of bones snapping and Kane yelling, which is becoming more and more disorted as he changes.

Sam: Time for the rogues to shine...

The scene then cuts to an abandoned warehouse in a less congested part of the city. The sky is brighter, now sometime during the day, with little to no clouds in the sky.

Inside,

Major Events

 * Drake and Danny work together to defeat Erode and Gelide
 * John learns more about the mysterious substance developed by the Xyrions

Minor Events

 * Danny learns to vibrate
 * Danny and Taylor take a break from each other
 * The Xyrions items from Nexus are sent to Emmett Murphy for further research

Characters

 * Drake
 * Kate
 * John
 * Danny
 * Taylor Tiffin
 * Director Harper
 * MCA Officers

Villains

 * Sam Vetters/Erode
 * Kane Miller/Gelide
 * Enhanced Mutant Racoons (First Appearance)

Forms Used

 * Electro-Icer
 * Sonar Scales

Allusions

 * When Drake is attacked by the Enhanced Mutant Raccoons, John cries out, "Drake, Drake, DRA-A-AKE!" This is a reference to the Game Over Screen from Metal Gear Solid 2.
 * The Wahlgren Art Gallery is a reference to voice actor, Kari Wahlgren, who was also born in Kansas, the main setting of the episode.
 * When Sam electrocutes Danny, he yells out "Unlimited Power!" This is a reference to what Emperor Palpatine says in Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith.

Trivia
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 * Owens was going to appear in this episode as his return ensured more appearances from him but this episode felt better if it was just Drake, Kate and John especially with Danny's lack of trust for the MCA.
 * Originally, the main villain was just going to be Erode but the Writer felt it was better to add an ice-powered Mutant to the episode as an enemy against Danny. Once the idea was implemented, the plot of the episode focused more on two Vigilantes working together against two Villains working together.