SOTM Radio Play
“Freedom 4 Annual #1”
An radio adaptation of the Freedom Four annual #1 comic written by Christopher Badell and drawn by Adam Rebottaro

SOTM Radio Play
“Freedom Four Annual #1”
Prod. #1
CAST

Narrator:				The Narrator.
Legacy:				America’s Greatest Hero.
General Armstrong:			United States Army General.
Bunker:				Armored Super Hero.
Tachyon:		Absent Minded Superheroine with Super Speed.
Wraith:		Shadowy Superheroine with No Super Powers.
Baron Blade:		Evil scientist who is the Main Antagonist.

Freedom Four Annual #1
SCENE 1: Legacy Defeated
    (Narrator, Legacy, Baron Blade)

1. NARRATOR:	Long has the villainous Baron Blade terrorized the Earth with his mad schemes! However, he has always been halted just before the point of maximum destruction by his nemesis, the hero Legacy! Once again, we find the nefarious Baron atop his Mobile Defense Platform preparing to enact his latest vile plot.
2. BLADE: 	Stay on high alert! We never know when he will arrive, but you have trained for this moment, and there are so many of you. When he arrives he will be overwhelmed.
3. Sound:	LEGACY BEATING UP BLADE BATALLION
4. BLADE: 	And, I assure you, he will arrive. But, with my Blade Battalion and this glorious Mobile Defense Platform, I will not be surprised by…
5. NARRATOR:	The Baron turns around to find that his entire army has been defeated by…
6. BLADE:	Legacy!
7. LEGACY:	Baron Blade. I should have known it was you when I received reports of disturbances in the airspace over the center of the Atlantic Ocean. Though you should know that, no matter what terrible plot you are enacting, I will stop you.
8. BLADE: 	You seem so certain! As always, you are the greatest obstacle! Not the limitations of the materials, not the energy consumption of my inventions, but you. A mere man! I could have rebuilt a new world from the equipment and power wasted by your futile efforts! Too long have I been forced to abandon technological triumphs due 
9. BLADE:	to your meddling…Too long have you stood in the way of progress and a world which properly recognizes my genius…But no longer! By drawing energy from the core of the Earth itself, I will harness so much power that not even you can stop me!
10. Sound:	WALL BEING SMASHED
11. LEGACY:	Not today, Blade!
12. BLADE:	Oh? What is your plan? Surely you didn’t just fly out over the ocean, looking for something to punch…
13. NARRATOR:	Legacy’s breathing becomes louder as he hunches over and struggles to stand up.
14. LEGACY:	What you’re doing here…is dangerous and wrong, Blade.	
15. BLADE:	My dear Legacy, I am shocked! Do you think me a blind fool? Of course I have considered the ramifications! In fact, I have planned for every possible complication…even you!
16. NARRATOR:	The nefarious Baron pulls out a vial of red, glowing liquid. As he moves it closer to Legacy, our fair hero becomes weaker.
17. LEGACY:	What…such pain.
18. BLADE:	That is the feeling of your inevitable demise, Mr. Parsons! I have specifically designed this formula to counteract the strength of your genetics and to strip you of the very evolutionary leaps that make you unique! My, what an effect this is having on you already! Just by being in the presence of the activated serum, your body is more a burden than a boon! This Regression Serum shall be the end of you and your line!
19. NARRATOR:	The nefarious Baron Blade kicks the now weak and broken Legacy to the ground. He turns around and 
20. NARRATOR:	laughs maniacally as our hero struggles to escape the effects of the Regression Serum. 
21. Sound:	BARON BLADE LAUGHING
22. NARRATOR:	While the Baron is laughing at nothing and basking in his victory, Legacy climbs over the railing of the Mobile Defense Platform and falls into the ocean. Days pass before he returns to land.

Freedom Four Annual #1
SCENE 2: Recruiting Bunker
(Narrator, Bunker, General Armstrong, Legacy)

1. NARRATOR:	Lt. Tyler Vance is in the office of General Joshua Armstrong in Fort Adamant. Tyler Vance is the pilot of the military’s Personal Armament Exo-Chassis YS-1300t suit, referred to as the Bunker suit for short, an automated battle suit capable of wielding the firepower of a full battalion.
2. ARMSTRONG:	Good work, Lieutenant Vance!
3. BUNKER:	Thank you, General Armstrong, sir.
4. ARMSTRONG:	How did she handle for you?
5. BUNKER:	Permission to speak freely, sir?
6. AMRSTRONG:	Granted.
7. BUNKER:	The Bunker suit is a fine piece of work, sir. But it’s no cake walk. There’s a lot going on in there. Just walking and shooting at the same time is work and doing both while following the HUD mapping and keeping an eye on all the monitors…
8. ARMSTRONG:	So, you’re saying you’re not up for more?
9. BUNKER:	Sir, no sir! Driving the Bunker suit is the greatest feeling in the world. I never want to leave the suit once I’m in it.
10. ARMSTRONG:	That’s what I wanted to hear! The government is putting together a new initiative that would involve you working for someone I imagine you’re familiar with…
11. NARRATOR:	General Armstrong motions for Tyler Vance to turn around. Tyler does so and comes face to face with one of his childhood heroes. Legacy is standing 
12. NARRATOR:	there with an American flag waving conveniently behind him.
12. LEGACY:	How would you like a job saving the world, son?

Freedom Four Annual #1
SCENE 3: Recruiting Tachyon
(Legacy, Tachyon, Narrator)

1. NARRATOR:	After recruiting Tyler Vance in his fight against Baron Blade, Legacy flies off to the Eaken-Rubendall Laboratory to try and get the aid of Dr. Meredith Stinson, one of the smartest women in the country and the world. Legacy gets bored while waiting and starts reading a Highlights magazine in the waiting area. A few minutes pass before…
2. Sound:	SUPER SPEED
3. LEGACY:	Aaah!
4. TACHYON:	(very quickly) Hey, sorry for the wait. I’m Dr. Meredith Stinson. Right this way please!
5. NARRATOR:	As the result of an accident during an experiment, Dr. Meredith Stinson has the ability to move at superhuman speed. She is commonly referred to as Tachyon. Tachyon is now taking Legacy on a tour of her facilities. 
6. TACHYON:	Here at the Eaken-Rubendall Research Laboratories, we are constantly pushing the limits of scientific knowledge in numerous fields. Excuse me, I’ll be back with you momentarily.
7. Sound:	SUPER SPEED
8. NARRATOR:	Tachyon is now in a black coat, wearing goggles while holding a vial with what is probably a dangerous green liquid.
9. TACHYON:	As I was saying…
10. LEGACY:	You weren’t even gone for a second!
11. TACHYON:	I only had to visit two test chambers. Does this look more “Grass Green” or “Moss Green” to you?
12. LEGACY:	Uhh…well…
13. TACHYON:	Good point! More of a “Leafy Green.”
14. Sound:	SUPER SPEED
15. NARRATOR:	Once again Tachyon changes her outfit. She is now wearing a regular T-shirt with no goggles and the vial of Leafy Green liquid is nowhere to be seen.
16. TACHYON:	Anyway, back to how awesome we are here. We have a fully equipped facility, and hire only the most professional scientific badasses.
17. LEGACY:	Do you get any time away from the facility?
18. TACHYON:	I take most weekends off. Hang out with the wife. Maybe catch a magic show or musical.
19. NARRATOR:	Tachyon takes Legacy to her office which is adorned with her various awards and diplomas.
20. LEGACY:	Well, Dr. Stinson, This is certainly an impressive facility.
21. TACHYON:	Right?
22. LEGACY:	But I’d really hoped to convince you to join me as part of the government’s Freedom Four Initiative.
23. TACHYON:	Hmm. Well, I’m just very busy with all this sciencing.
24. LEGACY:	Of course, for your assistance, the government is willing to cover the operating costs of these facilities…
25. NARRATOR:	Tachyon grabs Legacy’s hand and shakes it enthusiastically.
26. TACHYON:	You’ve got yourself a deal, Mr. Parsons!
27. LEGACY:	That’s swell! See you tomorrow at the Freedom Four Headquarters.
28. TACHYON:	I’ll be there!

Freedom Four Annual #1
SCENE 4: Recruiting the Wraith
(Narrator, Wraith, Legacy)

1. NARRATOR:	The shadowy protector of Rook City, the Wraith, watches a crime from a nearby rooftop and is waiting for the right time to move in. She is silent like the wind and strikes as deadly as a Typhoon. They will never see her coming. She will defeat her enemies and return to the shadows before anyone has any time to…
2. LEGACY:	The Wraith! How goes crime fighting?
3. WRAITH:	Shh! And get out of sight. You practically glow.
4. LEGACY:	I won’t stay long. Just hoped you might join the team I’m putting together to fight Baron Blade.
5. WRAITH:	(sigh) I still owe you one, so count me in.
6. LEGACY:	Great! Shall I send transportation for you tomorrow?
7. WRAITH:	I have my own thank you.
8. NARRATOR:	Maia Montgomery, aka The Wraith, is the CEO of Montgomery Industries. She uses her wealth to fund her exploits as the Wraith. When Maia was in college, she and her boyfriend were attacked and robbed. Maia survived, but her boyfriend died. Maia vowed from that day to never be helpless again.

Freedom Four Annual #1
SCENE 5: The Freedom Four Assemble
(Narrator, Tachyon, Legacy, Bunker, Wraith)
1. NARRATOR:	Bunker, Tachyon, and the Wraith have all agreed to join Legacy as members of the Freedom Four to take down the nefarious Baron Blade and save the world. Each person has their own morning ritual to complete before going to the meeting. Bunker does his morning exercise routine, the Wraith watches with satisfaction as cops come to arrest the criminals she tied up during the previous night before boarding her helicopter. Tachyon keeps the alarm clock from going off and waking up her wife Dana.
2. Sound:	Super Speed
3. TACHYON:	Off to save the world. See you tonight.
4. NARRATOR:	Tachyon gives her wife a slight kiss on the cheek before going off to her meeting with the other members of the Freedom Four. All four heroes are in the Mission Control of the Freedom Four headquarters. There are many computer monitors and a large holographic picture of the Earth in the center of the room. Legacy is drinking his morning coffee from a mug that reads “World’s Finest Dad.”
5. LEGACY:	Good morning Heroes! Ready to get started?
6. EVERYONE:	Whoa.
7. BUNKER:	We are going to need satellite video feed as well as topographical information.
8. TACHYON:	It will help if I can uplink to these from my personal info and communication device.
9. WRAITH:	I want this setup at home.
10. LEGACY:	Here’s what we know: Baron Blade has a floating platform over the Atlantic Ocean and intends to siphon power from the Earth’s core to fuel his 
11. LEGACY:	terrible devices. He will most likely attempt to drill through the ocean floor to reach the core, which could seriously destabilize the Earth’s crust…and also significantly jeopardize the ocean by introducing the temperatures of the Earth’s core to the deep sea water. The issue is, we don’t really know what his drill involves, so we need someone on the ocean floor to check it out and take care of whatever is going on down there. That’s where you come in, Lieutenant Vance. Some of the folks in R&D at the Ironclad Project put this together for me, after I talked to them about our little dilemma. What do you think?
12. NARRATOR:	Legacy pulls down a white curtain to reveal a giant, grey, robotic suit with a clear see through highly pressure resistant glass casing over the cockpit made for underwater travel. Wraith and Tachyon look at the massive suit with surprise. Tyler Vance simply smiles.

Freedom Four Annual #1
SCENE 6: The Assault on the MDP
(Narrator, Tachyon, Bunker, Baron Blade, Legacy, Wraith)
1. Sound:	RAIN 
2. NARRATOR:	The nefarious Baron Blade stands on the deck of his Mobile Defense Platform. He is sheltered from the onslaught of the rain from an umbrella offered by one of his many helpful, nameless minions. 
3. Sound:	LIGHTNING 
4. NARRATOR:	Legacy is now on the platform facing Blade. The Baron throws away his umbrella as the two get ready for an epic showdown…which we’re not going to show you right now. Instead, let’s see what Tachyon is doing onboard the Mobile Defense Platform. At the moment she remains undetected in the flying fortress.
5. TACHYON:	Main Computer Room, Main Computer Room, Main Computer Room, gotta be around here somewhere, just follow the main power line, I wonder if there’s a kitchen on this floor, maybe they have snacks…
6. NARRATOR:	Tachyon’s train of thought is interrupted as she runs smack dab into a Blade Battalion.
7. TACHYON:	Oh, Hi guys. Er, which way to the little girls’ room?
8. Sound:	FIGHTING
9. TACHYON:	Tyler! How’s it going down there?
10. NARRATOR:	Bunker is currently traversing the ocean floor looking for Baron Blade’s terrible drill.
11. BUNKER:	Just fine, Tachyon. I’m at the right coordinates, but don’t see any movement down here.
12. TACHYON:	Oh, right, Bunker. Well, keep looking. Do your job. Ugh.
13. BUNKER:	Uh, you okay up there? Sounds like trouble…
14. TACHYON:	No trouble. Just some minor annoyances. Have you found it yet?
15. BUNKER:	Er, I think it just found me. Hold on.
16. NARRATOR:	Bunker has indeed found Baron Blade’s drill, but instead of just being a drill, it is also a robot complete with arms and weapons because…sure, why not?
17. BUNKER:	Oh, boy.
18. TACHYON:	Lost transmission with Bunker. Hope he’s okay.
19. NARRATOR:	Tachyon has defeated the Blade Battalion. In addition, she managed to find the kitchen and a variety of snacks that she eats while looking at map of where she is and where she needs to go.
20. TACHYON:	So, if that was the kitchen, then I’m just one floor above the Main Computer Room. Perfect! I hope Dana’s doing well. Is today her birthday? No, that’s next month. Right.
21. NARRATOR:	We now return to the epic showdown between Legacy and Baron Blade. The Baron has predictably pulled out his Regression Serum, and just like before, Legacy has been weakened to the point that the Baron can cut through his super tough skin with an ordinary knife.
22. Sound:	KNIFE CUTTING FLESH
23. BLADE:	You fool! What made you think this would end any differently?
24. NARRATOR:	The nefarious Baron Blade pours the red liquid on Legacy’s hunched and wounded body.
25. BLADE:	Your incessant meddling has finally come to an end, at the hands of Baron Blade! Are you ready to taste your final defeat, hero?
26. NARRATOR:	Unknown to Blade, the Wraith is hiding in the shadows waiting for her chance to strike. Seeing an opportunity, the Wraith shoots the Baron with her 
27. NARRATOR:	Stun Bolt. 
28. Sound:	STUN BOLT
29. WRAITH:	Don’t you ever shut up?
30. NARRATOR:	The Wraith jumps and kicks Baron Blade, but this unfortunately triggers his Backlash Field which painfully shocks the Wraith.
31. Sound:	KICK
32. Sound:	ELECTRICITY 
33. BLADE:	Enough.
34. NARRATOR:	While Blade is distracted with Legacy and Wraith both Bunker and Tachyon find what they are looking for. Tachyon finds the Main Computer Room, though there are several Blade Battalions between her and the prize. While pinned to the ocean floor by the drill robot monster, Bunker finds the cord that is connecting it to the Mobile Defense Platform.
35. TACHYON:	Got it.
36. BUNKER:	Got it.
37. NARRATOR:	Bunker fires a shot and severs the robot monstrosity from the Mobile Defense Platform. 
38. Sound:	EXPLOSION
39. NARRATOR:	The whole Platform begins to tilt and sink.
40. BLADE:	What was that?
41. NARRATOR:	The Wraith jumps at Baron Blade forcing him to lose his balance and begin to fall off his own Mobile Defense Platform. Still weakened from the Regression Serum, Legacy begins to fall down. 
42. NARRATOR:	Wraith catches him before he can fall down into the ocean.
43. WRAITH:	I gotcha! Come on, you big damn hero! Don’t give up on me now!
44. NARRATOR:	Meanwhile, Bunker is still having some problems with the drill robot. Fortunately, it has become much weaker being cut off from its power source. It doesn’t take long for Bunker to finish it off.
45: Sound:	ENERGY BLAST
46: Sound:	EXPLOSION
47: BUNKER:	All clear here, Tachyon. Tell me something good.
48. Sound:	SUPER SPEED
49. NARRATOR:	In a vortex of sonic energy, Tachyon has taken down all of Baron Blade’s minions that were in her way.
50. TACHYON:	Oh! Good! Bunker! I can hear you again! I was worried that I’d lost you for a little there, but you’re coming in just fine now. The Platform is rocking hard, but I don’t know if that’s because of you or the fisticuffs going on upstairs. (Faster) I’ve got the computer mostly locked down. Just have a few more security protocols to deal with and I’ll have the whole thing wiped. Not sure what this Baron Blade was up to, but I’ve got a bit of sample data to take back to the lab and the rest of it will be thoroughly useless. Oh! Also, there’s a ton of goons here and I think they’re mad that I ate their snacks. Shouldn’t be a problem though. (Slower) See you topside?
51. BUNKER:	Uhhh, sure thing. I’ll see you back at HQ. In a few days. Propulsion is down, so I have a bit of a walk ahead of me. Damn robot.
52. NARRATOR:	Now that Baron Blade, his goons, and his robot drill have all been defeated, the rain has stopped and the sun is shining brightly as the Wraith tries to help Legacy up.
53. WRAITH:	Loud and Clear. The Baron escaped, but not with any of his toys. Got a helicopter en route for a pick up.
54. TACHYON:	Is Legacy there?
55. WRAITH:	Yeah, he’s fine. It was a rough fight. Tachyon? Are 
56. WRAITH:	you ready to head out?
57. Sound:	SPLASHING WATER
58. TACHYON:	Ready? I’m already halfway back to the coast! I’ll see you two back on land. And Tyler? Hang on, I’ll send a deep sea crane to fish you out. Good work, Team!

The End.