Ender's Game Page #4

Ah!

Well done.

You're a killer now.

Nightmares, Launchie?

Keep 'em to yourself.

You said the game

would reveal his state of mind,

not screw with it!

How did his psycho brother

end up in the game?

He's obviously feeling

some psychological pressure...

Of course he's feeling pressure,

Anderson!

This is a boot camp for kids

that are gonna have to

face a real enemy!

The game is a thought relationship

between the child and the computer.

Together they create stories.

Then change the story!

The stories reflect

the child's emotional reality.

I can't change that!

I don't know how these images

got into the game.

Erase the game.

Doin' well.

Very well.

Top test scores in class.

Highest Battle Room ratings.

But you have a habit

of upsetting your commander.

I find it hard to respect someone

just because they outrank me, sir.

Puts you in a difficult

position, doesn't it?

Yes, sir.

You don't like taking

orders from Bonzo.

No, sir.

Perhaps you'd prefer to

give them yourself?

Sir?

How would you like to

lead your own army?

Dragon Army.

Sir, I've never heard of

a Dragon Army.

We discontinued the name

four years ago.

No Dragon Army ever won a battle.

Then why not a new name, sir?

Because we already

have the uniforms.

And who will be in this army, sir?

Misfits. Like you.

Oddballs who might just be brilliant

with the right commander.

Your new quarters.

Your soldiers are

being notified now.

You will address them in 15 minutes.

Do you think they'll follow me?

A-ten-hut!

Officer on deck.

At ease.

Welcome to Dragon Army.

Bunking will be arranged

with youngest at the front

and veterans at the back.

Ender,

every other commander

has their seniors

closest to the door.

Well, I don't intend to be

like every other commander.

What am I doing here, Ender?

You don't even like me.

I didn't select this army, Bernard.

But I intend to make it

the best in this school.

I think you can help

make that happen.

Am I wrong?

No, sir.

You will respect one another.

If anybody has an idea they

think is better than mine,

I wanna hear it.

I can't be expected to

do all the thinking

in this army, can I, Bean?

- No, sir!

- Then let's get suited up.

- Training starts now!

- Sir, yes, sir!

He's pushing them hard.

Might even make

something of Bernard.

Command School is

pressing for a decision.

Tell them we need more time.

We're out of time.

Lieutenant.

Tomorrow's game will

commence at 0300.

Yes, sir.

Wake up! Wake up!

Battle with Salamander and Leopard!

In five!

Two armies at once?

The Colonel is changing the rules!

In a battle with the Formics,

there will be no rules.

You all right?

I twisted my ankle.

How bad?

Not good.

Dink, get him to the infirmary.

The rest of you, let's move!

Come on! We're late! Come on!

They already opened the gate?

Petra?

Two armies weren't enough?

They had to block your view too?

What are you doing here?

Colonel said you needed a sub.

Guess he thought your odds were zero

with me on the other team.

Bonzo agree to this?

- Colonel Graff's orders.

- He didn't have a choice.

Dink. Kneel.

- What?

- I have an idea. Kneel.

Ready?

In three, two,

- one!

- Fire now!

Shoot 'em! Fire!

Whoa, whoa, whoa! Look out!

Twelve clear on the wall!

Twelve down, 20 to go.

They could be right behind

these forward stars

or all the way back at their gate.

- Ready?

- Ready.

Now!

Pull!

Dumbos have a bunch of stars

around their gate

like a giant donut!

They're just hanging behind 'em.

- No one closer?

- Nah.

Nice.

Let's see how they

handle a formation.

We've never done a formation.

Then they won't expect one.

We still outnumber him.

We should storm him and crush him.

No. We hold our positions.

He has to come to us.

We can't lose.

Open fire!

They're drifting upwards!

On my count, row two,

push row one!

We're changing direction,

30 degrees!

In three, two, one...

NOW!

Rear thrusters, row six... Now!

Row five... Now!

Come on.

Don't let them through.

We've gotta break them up!

We're almost there!

- I'm hit!

- Hold on!

Alai, are you okay?

- Yeah! Are we there yet?

- Almost! Keep close!

- Alai can't get hit!

- We're nearly there!

Keep shooting!

We did it! Yeah!

Eat that! Dragon rules! Yes!

- Who's undefeated now?

- Dragon!

Still think he's not ready?

Don't be smug.

Yeah!

Did you see the

look on Bonzo's face?

We're tired of you, Ender.

You know, your father

would be proud.

Come to fight a boy in the shower.

With your buddies.

Go watch the door.

Go!

Look...

You can say you won.

I'll say you taught me a lesson.

No, coward.

Raise your fists.

Come out and fight!

Come on!

Come on, fight! Come on!

I could break your arm!

Bonzo?

Bonzo!

Bonzo?

Help!

We need help in here!

Everybody knows he started it.

Ender...

- I am so sorry...

- Major!

We should never have

allowed you to be alone...

Not now, Major!

Leave us.

Leave him.

Now.

You too, cadet.

He's gonna die, isn't he?

No... No.

Please, don't lie to me.

We're gonna send him home.

Back to Earth.

So he can get better.

I want to go with him.

I can't let you go.

You've come so far.

And I wanna talk to my sister.

The Fleet owns you, Ender.

Strategos would never allow it.

Send me home, Colonel,

or I will resign.

Don't threaten me, boy.

I am not the enemy.

I'm not so sure.

I won't play this game anymore.

I quit.

What are you gonna do?

Waste millions on a loser?

You wanted to see me.

You can't resign.

You have an obligation to stay here

and convince him to do his duty.

My father trained horses.

I've raised yearlings since

I was five years old.

I know a thoroughbred

when I see one.

We can't lose him.

My God...

You really don't see them

as children, do you?

It used to be a war crime

to recruit anyone

under the age of 15.

When the war is over

we can have the luxury

of debating the

morality of what we do.

When it's over,

what will be left of the boy?

What does it matter if

there's nothing left at all?

We're using these

children to win a war.

And if they come home,

it's my job to put them

back together again.

Thanks for what you've done.

- Where's Ender?

- Hello, Valentine.

Why are you here?

Did something happen?

They won't let me see him.

I need you to take a ride with me.

He's gonna be

happy to see you.

Come on...

You just want him to re-enlist.

I want him to save lives.

And what about his life?

I've been sitting by Bonzo's bed,

waiting for him to wake up.

But he may never wake up.

Ender, he attacked first.

And I fought back,

just like Peter taught me.

I've had a lot of fights, Val.

I've won because I've

always understood

the way my enemy thinks.

And when I truly understand them...

you also love them.

I think it's impossible

to truly understand someone

and not love them

the way they love themselves.

- But in that moment...

- You beat them.

I destroy them.

I make it impossible for them

to ever hurt me again.

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