The Sand Pebbles Page #9

- Chief, take the wheel.

- I got it.

They're within range, sir.

They'll have to fire first.

Half speed.

Half speed, sir.

- Main battery, commence firing.

- Main battery, commence firing!

Ready.

Ready.

Ready.

Ready.

Ready.

Sir.

Commence firing.

- Commence firing.

- Commence firing!

- Commence firing!

- Commence firing! Commence firing!

Magazine.

- Here you go.

- Ready!

How about that mast?

Ready.

Captain.

Ready.

Slow speed.

- Slow speed, sir.

- Main battery, cease firing.

- Main battery, cease fire!

- Cease firing!

- Boarding party, take arms.

- Aye, aye, sir. Boarding party, take arms!

Boarding party, take arms!

Boarding party, take arms!

First wave...

take boarding positions.

- Take her and lay her alongside.

- Aye, aye, sir.

Fix bayonets!

Prepare to grapple!

Grapple!

Boarding party, away!

You dirty-

Let's go.

Aboard, second wave!

Let's go!

Down!

Come on, Holman!

Come on!

Captain!

Return to the ship! Come on, Bronson.

Lend a hand with the wounded!

Return to the ship!

They'll try to repair the boom. We haven't

the strength to break it a second time.

If I'm not back by daylight, you must consider

our mission has failed and sail without me.

- Captain, I can't do that.

- That's all.

That's an order.

Whom do I have

for a landing party?

All of them are pretty badly cut up, sir,

but it's the best we can do.

Farren will handle the boat,

and Bronson and Crosley.

Holman will be

the senior petty officer.

- Remember your orders.

- Aye, aye, sir.

The men performed brilliantly,

Mr. Bordelles.

Yes, sir. Uh, Captain?

Good luck, sir.

Lieutenant Collins...

it would be much better for all of us

if you go away at once.

We have no intention of leaving.

Your lives are in danger.

- You shouldn't have come here.

- You're to come back with me.

You have five minutes

to pack whatever you need.

Our militia of students

went to fight you at the boom.

I was hoping to see them

come back victorious instead of you.

- You've heard about Nanking?

- Yes, but those events have no bearing here.

You alone endanger us.

I must ask you to leave now.

- My duty is to protect you.

- No longer.

Shirley, will you please get

that paper from my desk?

We've declared ourselves

stateless persons.

- We've sent our names to Geneva.

- That's impossible.

Read this.

- Jake- - I tried to get back

sooner. I couldn't make it.

- Are you staying?

- Yes. What happened at the boom?

With that signed declaration,

we have renounced nationality itself.

Your uniform now gives you no authority

over us and no responsibility for us.

- This is romantic nonsense.

- We've convinced most of the people here...

there is no connection whatsoever

between ourselves and the gunboats.

- Your presence only endangers us.

- We're at war. They'll kill you.

They will not.

Perhaps once this might

have protected you, but not now.

Now it is shooting and killing.

- It's too late for such fine distinctions.

- It will protect us.

This afternoon my ship fought its way

through down there at the boom.

People were killed

on both sides.

You are not going to make that

a futile and meaningless battle.

We will not serve

to give meaning to your heroics.

Our lives have their own meaning.

We have renounced nationality!

You have been sentenced

to death by their court!

I am free under the protection of one

of their students, who is a leader here-

They will not care who protects you now,

not after Nanking!

It will not be a student militia

who comes for you now, but regular troops.

Miss Eckert,

they will strip you and rape you.

Then this whole valley will be destroyed

when our country comes to avenge your death.

Do you want that?

You don't know them.

What have you ever cared

for Chinese women raped and butchered...

by the warlord troops you favor

with your unequal treaties?

- In heaven's name, leave us alone!

- That's enough!

Holman, help them

get their things together.

No, sir.

That's an order.

You better get back

to the ship, Captain...

'cause they're staying here

and so am I.

Do you know what this is?

Desertion

in the face of the enemy.

I ain't got

no more enemies.

Shove off, Captain.

Shirley...

he says Cho-jen is dead.

Oh, no.

No.

You killed him at the boom.

And now

they're coming for me...

because of you

and your blind pride.

Damn your flag.

Damn all flags.

It's too late in the world for flags.

Lights! Get the lights!

Wait. Wait.

Listen to me.

Wait-

No!

Is there another way out of here?

The hut by the back wall

has a door that leads to the open fields.

Show us.

Cover us. Come on.

Let's go!

Ammo.

- Which way?

- The doorway over there.

Holman, take charge

and get everybody back to the motor pan.

You're senior.

I'll stay and make them think

we're all still here.

Give me the B.A.R.

When I think

you've gotten clear, I'll follow.

You did well

at the boom today.

All of you.

Wait till I open fire,

then get 'em out of here.

All right, you cover the screen!

You other men,

take the walls.

What are we waiting for?

Fire at anything that moves!

Jake-

He's dead.

Get her out of here.

- Let's all get going.

- Somebody's got to slow them up.

They'd nail us before

we got halfway to the river.

If they get ahold of her,

you know what they're gonna do to her.

- Jake, for God's sake!

- Get going.

No! Jake!

Now go ahead. I'll be along.

Hold your fire, Bronson.

Don't shoot

till you see something.

How are we doing, Crosley?

Watch it, Crosley!

We're gonna get

out of here, Bronson!

Watch the walls!

Okay, everybody out!

Time to go, Holman. Right?

Right.

I was home.

What happened?

What the hell happened?

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