Riverworld Page #9

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The clock is not off, Edward.

The planet is off.

She's a most magnificent

vessel, mein herr.

Ludwig, in your travels,

How much of the riverworld

have you seen?

Oh, only

a small portion.

- Danke.

- Bitte.

The planet is so vast.

By my calculations,

It is over 100 times

the size of the earth.

Well, the almighty

did a pretty good job

Of making man

feel puny on earth.

What do the gods

intend here?

That seems to be

the question of the day.

What the hell

happened on earth?

I mean, I've heard

that it was blown up

Or obliterated by

someone or something,

So if anybody's

heard anything,

Now's the time

to share.

It is possible

that there was a...

An event.

As a man who makes

a modest living

Toiling

as a wordsmith,

I would have to say

that if the lovely blue planet,

Which had been my home

for some 75 years,

Was suddenly

and irrevocably reduced

To ash and cinder,

The word "event"

Is hardly the one

I would choose to employ.

Pardon me,

But it is an acceptable

scientific term.

Besides,

we have no proof,

Only speculation,

That the earth

was attacked

And destroyed.

I knew it.

I knew

I wasn't killed

By my downstairs neighbor

leaving the gas on again.

Attacked by whom?

I have no answer for that.

If you will excuse me.

I must speak to Edward.

The starboard rudder

is off by two degrees.

If you don't mind.

Not at all.

Enjoy.

She might be gone.

Mother earth.

She may be no more.

You seem troubled,

Matthew.

I do?

What were you

looking for

Out there?

I don't know.

Answers...

Guidance.

You are trying

too hard.

Just... Be.

Yeah?

My mother

used to say that.

Well, not exactly that.

She'd tell me to stop

thinking so much.

Be Matthew. The rest will follow.

Do not worry.

I did not come here

to interfere.

Good.

So how about

you drop me off

Somewhere inside.

I want to be sure

that you grasp

The seriousness of what

you're about to do.

Oh, I'm getting

the serious part.

You will condemn yourself

and your kind

To an eternity of torture,

Including your

beloved Jessie.

What do you know about Jess?

In fact, what the hell

do you know about anything human?

Yes, you are correct.

I know little of your kind,

But I do have the advantage

To be able to foretell

certain events.

Based on our projections...

Screw your

projections.

You want to stop me

from killing Burton,

Throw me off,

right here, right now.

Please...

You know we are only

able to intercede

On a limited basis.

Oh, really?

So back in the bat cave

That was only

a limited version

Of water-boarding?

I only came here today

to suggest that you turn back.

What lies ahead will haunt you

and your race for a very long time.

a strange woman in a hooded robe

That seems we all have the same

mysterious benefactor

And the same enemies.

Burton's caretaker was just here.

One of the salvations

We had an interesting conversation

on the starboard wing.

What?

Don't worry, we didn't bend anything.

I'm gonna have to now assume that sir dick

knows we're coming after him.

And he will be prepared.

You have my solemn oath that I will

never abandon this ship. On my life.

One thing is for certain...

It shall be one hell of a contest.

On the rocks. Bring her around.

Bring her around.

Get out.

I was surprised to get your message.

I trust you know what this means for us.

I hear too many sweets can kill you.

The captain's

not here.

He's busy.

Yes, I am aware of that.

But a big strong man

like you must be hungry, no?

You know he'll kill me if he saw me take

any of this.

Of course,

he'll kill me anyway.

Still,

I want to be around

a little longer.

Hey, guys, come here,

have a look.

There she is.

Dead ahead.

Time to take back

that which is mine.

My apologies,

that which is ours.

No, Sam, she's all yours,

And I'm not talking about

the boat.

I thank you, sir.

What is that?

The dark tower.

I've heard of it.

I was never sure

it really existed.

The dark tower?

Otherwise known as

the source.

The source from which

this river flows,

the source of all things along its banks,

both good and bad.

Gentlemen, I believe a new day

is upon us.

Captain, sir, you might

want to come see this.

Friends of yours?

If I had friends

that could fly,

Why would I steal this thing?

Shoot them!

Shoot them

out of the sky!

Rocket!

Keep firing.

We're hit!

Port-side engine!

Feathering prop now!

Eddie, we need to stop them

from firing.

You need to

get us down there fast.

Getting down there fast

will not be a problem.

Well, how about stopping?

Is that going to

be a problem?

Okay,

now I'm mad.

Bring them down, gentlemen.

Whatever you have to do,

bring that damn thing down.

Clever little minx.

A beautiful ship.

Boss!

I don't know how much longer

this thing'll hold together.

All right, now,

what did you call

This technique again,

Mr. Porter?

Jumping!

Okay, Sam, it's not

a riverboat,

But you're still

the captain.

What do you say?

Seems like

a damn fool idea to me!

And that's exactly

why I like it!

Who's next?

Okay, let's go.

Go, Eddie.

Save yourself.

Ludwig,

what about you?

If I am to die,

I prefer to go

facing into the wind.

Just like

old times, huh?

Ain't no thing.

We'll use this.

Don't rush me.

This takes time.

You okay?

I seem to be

afraid of heights.

Keep your eyes on me the whole time,

you don't let go until I say.

Okay?

What about our two

little mice?

What about them?

Ludwig, we're

coming in fast.

Drop it!

Allahakbar!

Brace yourself!

When this is over,

I am going to have to teach you

how to fight.

When this is over,

I never want to see

a sword again.

Just like a man

To only show up

for dessert.

My darling,

You never cease

to amaze me.

Don't get sentimental.

I'm only backing the winner,

As always.

I assure you,

I have no time for sentiment.

I did a little baking

for the boys.

Allegra Braccioforte...

- Amore mio...

You make me crazy.

When's this going to end?

Give me a shovel.

Matthew, Burton.

- Help!

- Help us! Fire!

Help us!

Come on!

Inside!

Help us, please!

Amelie?

Matthew?

Down here!

Over here.

Amelie, get out of there!

Where's Simon?

I thought he was

with you.

Have you seen

Burton?

We are too late.

- Matt!

- Brother, you scared me.

What happened?

I missed the boat,

literally and figuratively.

I came down in the trees

over there, and I just...

I just knocked myself out.

That's a bad one.

I'm sorry you've been

dragged into this.

Let's get you out of here...

Just stay here

till I get back, okay?

Matthew!

I am coming

with you.

Tomoe...

It might not be

the best idea.

It was not

a question.

Our fates are

entangled somehow.

I want to see

how it ends.

Get out of here!

If something goes

wrong up there,

Or it goes bad

down here,

Don't sweat it.

We'll see each other

in the next life, right?

Okay?

Right?

Right.

Go on!

Tomoe, behind you!

Lay still, lay still.

Burton!

Lay still.

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