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Act 5. Pg 117
Act 5. Pg 118
Act 5. Pg 119
Act 5. Pg 120
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Tales of the Drive
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PANEL 1: Cousin JOSE stands at the podium clanging a bell with a “TONG TON”. JOSE: Familia! The council is now called back into session. PANEL 2: A spotlight shines on CAYETANO CRUZ as he climbs the stairs to the stage, JOSE at the podium holding his arm out to him. JOSE: As is tradition, we invite up our esteemed ELDEST candidate first. Please join me in welcoming admiral Cayetano Cruz, Commander of Tierra’s third fleet. PANEL 3: From behind CAYETANO’s shoulder while he stands at the podium. The crowd politely claps. CAYETANO: Cousins, I’ll be brief. PANEL 4: Close up on CAYETANO as he continues. CAYETANO: You know me. You know my service to the Empire. And you know I ain’t one for speechifying. PANEL 5: Intense close up on CAYETANO. CAYETANO: I love this family, and I’m PROUD of what we’ve done to bring humanity to the stars. But every grand council, we find ourselves asking the same question: PANEL 6: He holds his arms out at the podium as he makes his point. CAYETANO: “We don’t have ONE genius among us with a moral compass and a steel spine?” “Out of 15,000 Familia members, THESE THREE are the best we can do?” PANEL 7: Closer in as he looks skeptical. CAYETANO: So listen. I’m not even gonna waste my breath on the boy. He’s sixteen for God’s sake. PANEL 8: Closer in as he leans in. CAYETANO: And me? I’m flawed as hell. But I’ll work like hell. And i’ll fight like hell. PANEL 9: Intense closeup as he yells, shadows dramatic. CAYETANO: And Emiliana? Cousins, THAT’S WHERE I DRAW THE LINE. We might as well give up if we make her Empress. Because she’s already given up on us. PANEL 10: CAYETANO in silhouette and he points to the audience. CAYETANO: 48 Million pesetas embezzled from Banco Imperial. Two cousins killed by her security detail — just in the last year. And worst of all full plans for a Cruz drive in her personal files. WHAT IN GOD’S NAME WOULD A COUSIN NEED THE FULL PLANS FOR? And yes: Everything I just said is backed up by data. PANEL 11: He continues his point at the podium. CAYETANO: The moment I walk off stage, I’m sending you two terabytes of it. Vote how you will. PANEL 12: He pauses, not sure what else to say. (no text) PANEL 13: He walks off stage, throwing his hand dismissively. (no text) —— Want to read the full story? Join us at Patreon.com/drive for the *FULL* Tales of the Drive archives, art giveaways, fun community, and more! DRIVE copyright Dave Kellett. Colors by Beth Reidmiller
PANEL 1: Cousin JOSE stands at the podium clanging a bell with a “TONG TON”. JOSE: Familia! The council is now called back into session. PANEL 2: A spotlight shines on CAYETANO CRUZ as he climbs the stairs to the stage, JOSE at the podium holding his arm out to him. JOSE: As is tradition, we invite up our esteemed ELDEST candidate first. Please join me in welcoming admiral Cayetano Cruz, Commander of Tierra’s third fleet. PANEL 3: From behind CAYETANO’s shoulder while he stands at the podium. The crowd politely claps. CAYETANO: Cousins, I’ll be brief. PANEL 4: Close up on CAYETANO as he continues. CAYETANO: You know me. You know my service to the Empire. And you know I ain’t one for speechifying. PANEL 5: Intense close up on CAYETANO. CAYETANO: I love this family, and I’m PROUD of what we’ve done to bring humanity to the stars. But every grand council, we find ourselves asking the same question: PANEL 6: He holds his arms out at the podium as he makes his point. CAYETANO: “We don’t have ONE genius among us with a moral compass and a steel spine?” “Out of 15,000 Familia members, THESE THREE are the best we can do?” PANEL 7: Closer in as he looks skeptical. CAYETANO: So listen. I’m not even gonna waste my breath on the boy. He’s sixteen for God’s sake. PANEL 8: Closer in as he leans in. CAYETANO: And me? I’m flawed as hell. But I’ll work like hell. And i’ll fight like hell. PANEL 9: Intense closeup as he yells, shadows dramatic. CAYETANO: And Emiliana? Cousins, THAT’S WHERE I DRAW THE LINE. We might as well give up if we make her Empress. Because she’s already given up on us. PANEL 10: CAYETANO in silhouette and he points to the audience. CAYETANO: 48 Million pesetas embezzled from Banco Imperial. Two cousins killed by her security detail — just in the last year. And worst of all full plans for a Cruz drive in her personal files. WHAT IN GOD’S NAME WOULD A COUSIN NEED THE FULL PLANS FOR? And yes: Everything I just said is backed up by data. PANEL 11: He continues his point at the podium. CAYETANO: The moment I walk off stage, I’m sending you two terabytes of it. Vote how you will. PANEL 12: He pauses, not sure what else to say. (no text) PANEL 13: He walks off stage, throwing his hand dismissively. (no text) —— Want to read the full story? Join us at Patreon.com/drive for the *FULL* Tales of the Drive archives, art giveaways, fun community, and more! DRIVE copyright Dave Kellett. Colors by Beth Reidmiller
FULL ARCHIVES
Act 5. Pg 117
Act 5. Pg 118
Act 5. Pg 119
Act 5. Pg 120
JUMP TO:
Act 1Act 4
Act 2Act 5
Act 3Act 6
Tales of the Drive
JUMP TO:  Act 1 Act 2 Act 3 Act 4 Act 5Act 6 Tales of the Drive
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Act 5. Pg 120
Posted on October 22, 2026 by Beth Reidmiller
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