I guessed it! The rat dies on the way to the top and arrives dead.Those who missed it over the weekend may want to look at my second song in yesterday’s comments: Skyway to Heaven.
There are still 3 hostages…the ones on trial. Rioters could be threatened with them. How many ways down are there? The rats had a vehicle. From where? The critically wounded one was able to reach an elevator on foot…but they drove to get to the bar. How many ways down? How many rats can be deployed, at how many points? How deep is the crap the rioters are in?
Does Pyrrhic victory ring a bell? The Rats will lose even if they beat the citizens. And I have the feeling up till now the rats were dutifully following instructions without thinking too much. Seeing their comrade dead will sure make them think, at least they don’t look so self-conscious in the last panel.
Oof. This just made me put my breakfast away for a moment. When the elevator went up on the last page, I thought he’d made it safely, but I had been following the bullet holes on the outside, well noticing that they went straight across the entrance. But this is… excellent storytelling, can’t say anything else…!
I would say the rats look petrified to me. Three went down and one came back. DOA. I would imagine that it is going to take a lot to make them go into town. After all, if sheer intimidation and firepower doesn’t work anymore, what are they supposed to do. The rats are definitely outsized by the vast majority of the endtowners.And yes, no doubt the HC WILL use the three ladies as leverage points to stop the rioting.
Skyway to Heavenby Jenner. Based on Stairway to Heaven, by Led ZeppelinThere’s a rodent who’s sure all that partners are cold,And he’s riding a skyway to heaven.When he gets there, he knows if the doors are all closed,With a word, he can get them to take him.ooh, ooh, and he’s riding a skyway to heaven.There’s a sign on the door saying “None but the pure”,And he knows he’s as pure as his brethren.In the room full of light, clearly tainted with blight,Stand the mutants by which he is measured. Ooh, it makes me wonder. Ooh, it makes me wonder. There’s journey I choose, as I gaze on the rooves And my spirit has dreams of tomorrow.Many words I hear spoke, and they drift up like smokeFrom the people below who can’t follow.And it’s whispered that soon if they dance to our tune,Then the piper will rule with his vision,And a new day will dawn for those of the norm.And unblemished will stride the patrician.If there’s a rumble in your laneway, don’t be alarmed, now.It’s just a spring clean for the sunrise.Yes, there are two paths you can go by, but in the long run,There’ll be no place for those who trouble you. And it makes me wonder.Your head is humming. Are you bleeding? Or are you bloodless?The piper’s calling you to join him.Dear rodent, can you hear the wind blow? The sky above you?Your joyful soul is soaring cloud to cloud.And as we wind on down the road,With blasters full on overload, There floats a rat we used to know,Who shines white light and wants to showHow right it is to reap and sow.And if you listen very hard,The truth will come to you at last.When all are one and one is all -To be a human animal.And he rode on a skyway to heaven.
Hmm. Interesting thought – The High Council holds the angry mob at bay with threats of killing off the three hostages, which it had said were going to die anyway. Opposing this particular force is the fact that the HC also has family members, who are living in Endtown with the angry mob. So, both sides can claim to be able to hold the other side hostage. From a different view point, the rats can cut off food and air to the main colony space, while the security space the rats occupy is the buffer zone that the Topsiders would slice into first during an invasion if Mallard decided to turn on the “We are here” sign Topside. And I just know that Mallard has been itching to turn on that sign for years.
Oh look, dozens of heavy armed rats seeing one of their comrades-in-arms (it’s funny because they all carry firearms) dead. This TOTALLY won’t end badly…-I’d like to state right now that all of this happened because of CAKE! What is this? France in the 18th century?
Wow, do I have some catching up to do. Spend a couple of weeks in the hospital and all hell breaks loose in Endtown. Sorry I missed so much, but it’s gonna be fun trying to get up to speed with all the comments.
Not to go too far off subject, but not only have the rats gone from an object of humor to vicious thugs, didn’t they start off as part of the menu back at the beginning?See here where rat faces were an alternative to beans.
It amazes me that some actually enjoy seeing the Rats die.CHEER their DEATHS!What did they do to deserve it?Serve Endtown by being the ones on duty 24/7/365 to prevent Endtown from being invaded?AND THOSE CHEER THEIR DEATHS?Sure they were a pain with the rules and regulations but they were rules and regulations and should be obeyed.Why do you think being a COP is such a thankless job. I get the same thing. Why enforce this law why enforce that ordinance? I have video of one of my officers getting killed over A SEAT BELT traffic stop. He died over a REMINDER TO WEAR YOUR SEAT BELT. So you feel the Rats DESERVED to die simply for ordering folks to disperse. Then they get attacked causing an accidental death by SOMEONES ELSES DOING. They deserved to all die.I know not all feel that way but some just seem to enjoying the pure hell out of themselves about the deaths. The Endtown 3 were on trial. Death was probably not going to occur BUT IT SURE HAS NOW!!!!!!This almost guarantees the fate of the Endtown 3. Retaliation is a very distinct possibility. Stormwing. Cake was never mentioned. That was a misstatement of fact. Marie never said it. All made up to make her look bad. Remember she was not French.Sure now they have guns in Endtown. I would count two. The third escaped with his into the elevator. Lets see. The Rats number many. All have guns. All have access to lots of AMMO. The Endtowners. Two guns. No AMMO so to say. (Did not see any stockpiles).Sure Endtowners will surely win this one. You stupid people. Stupid, Stupid people.Cheering for DEATH. What if that was me? Would you still cheer as the MOB?From what I have read many of you would.You are the Society. Look at your statements. Many of you are just like a MOB. Don’t work it out. Don’t do what authority says. Just attack it and KILL it. You think you are justified in the End.Lets count. Three dead rats. Family unknown. One confirmed dead Endtowner. One confirmed wounded. Shot accidently when a Rat was struck by a heavy bottle causing an Accident discharge. Many unconfirmed dead and wounded caused when the MOB attacked. Rats firing in SELF DEFENSE!!!Its OUR reaction I am concerned about. If you feel this way about a story. What about real LIFEEnough from me. Flame if you want. But beware. I will fight back. You know I am right.JanBec could not have said any better:Ask not for whom the bell tolls,It tolls for thee.
Sorry JanBic I spelled you moniker wrong.I apologize. As you can tell I was a little fired up.I hoped he would have made it to may be tell what happened? How they got there? To phrase a song.“I see a BAD MOON arising.”But there is another saying:“Its always darkest before the dawn.”But right now it is really, really dark.Its going be awhile before the dawn.
Mind you, I’m on the rat’s side in this, but I wouldn’t say that they’ve done nothing wrong. Yes they work to defend Endtown, yes they were called into a bad situation, but they also have been shooting up places. Even if no one died during the shootings, it’s still property damage and being a thugish in regards to power they were given. Again though, I’m on the rats side in this current affair, the Endtowners took it too far and too fast, even if they didn’t realize the death was accidental. Time to open the sheaf.
On the issue of Endtown isolation. There are some options to be explored. We know that the canals exit somewhere and that Endtown connects with natural caverns (where the Oracle lives.) A team may find a way out there.
For once, those rats don’t look so intimidating now. This also rather soundly proves that Endtown’s security isn’t as all-powerful as first believed. Populace has enough numbers that they can take ‘em if so necessary (but of course, here’s hoping they won’t).
Well, I see that the human side of the Endtowner has come through or more likely it has alway been there. I would rather see them as animals then humans. Animals don’t start wars and this is war. Sad, no matter which why you look at it. :O(
I tried to reply a couple of times but they didn’t show up. I’m going to try again. There is so little meat on a rat’s face that it wouldn’t even be a mouthful. Maybe you could scrape out 1/2 teaspoon, but cooking would halve it.
Jenner, that was beautiful. If you would be OK with it and I would give you full credit, it , or parts of it be comforting to rat groups to say for each month’s pet rats that have gone to the rainbow bridge. the piper is calling you to join him, dear rodent, do you hear the wind blow, in the sky above you, your joyful soul is souring cloud to cloud, and the rest is such a great way to see our dearly loved pets. When my Mickey died, he was finally free from pain and I could see him with a slight smile.
Veteran, Jan Bic and Mouse, thank you for your good comments too.
you know what, these rats don’t make SENSE! If mutations are more or less random how did all of these guys, clearly several dozen, all turn into identical rat morphs? Were they all brothers or something before the war or did they just decide to form a clique when they realized they all looked the same?
The out come for all of this, is that no one really wins except the manipulators…and we have a pretty good idea who they are.A quote:“When it comes to controlling human beings, there is no better instrument then lies. Because you see, humans live by beliefs. And beliefs can be manipulated. The power to manipulate beliefs is the only thing that counts.”Michael Ende
Anyone want to take bets on which place would be safer for our Endtown’ers; Endtown or the front door of Topsider Center? I have a sickening thought in my brain that this is going to be worst than singing Christmas carols to the Topsiders, by this Friday..Also, there’s 5 folks being held by the rats. Our unfortuante trio, and both lawyers.
The rats did not fire into the crowd until they began to get threatened. One Endtowner getting killed by mistake was not enough to make them back off. They fired trying to survive. I would do no less. I want to live and I don’t care who I have to kill to live. I will feel bad later but now its to live.To defend your self is NOT terrorism.mr_sherman.One Tin Soldier does fit this well. If this goes the way it goes. The only one to find the Peace on Earth sign may be the only one left. “Aaron Marx” if and when he ever returns to check out his beloved Endtown.I am reminded by some of the more vengeful posts of a song by Stain’d “Outside”
“All the times I’ve criedAll this wastedIts all inside and I feel all this painI stuffed it downIts back againAnd I lie, here in bedAll alone, I can’t mendBut I feel Tomorrow will be okay
But I’m on the outside and I’m lookin in.I can see though you See your true colorsCause inside you’re uglyYou’re ugly like meI can see through you. See to the real you."(Tears stain the key board)
Whoo boy, things are going from bad to worse! The rats have abused their gun-toting authority too long, now, and now the Endtowners are out for blood. I wonder if the High Council anticipated this, are worried, or don’t care.
I’m now wondering it the Rats now turn on the HC or quit en masse. Its all fun and games until you get a body count of your own. If they quit, then the HC, and premusably the manipultator, won’t have any muscle or protection and the tone of the proceedings would change in an instant.
I’ve never had more mixed feelings about the rats. Up until this point I’ve generally hated the rats for their senseless violence and the trouble they’ve caused. Their trigger-happiness is a waste of ammo (which should be considered a precious commodity) at best and blatant disregard for civilian life at worst. They were involved in the violent arrest of three women who had broken no laws and went so far as to toss a couch out of a window when searching for evidence of something that was not a crime. None of this justifies rioting and killing the three rats but its easy to understand why the crowd behaved the way it did. Veteran, how would you feel if your wife was pulled over and arrested because she drove a Japanese car? You would know better than to go out and looking for blood, but it would at least sour your opinion of the arresting officer. It should also make you wonder what might be next. I think a lot of Endtowners disliked the rats but generally tolerated them until they carted away three women who had committed no crimes.When the rats were originally surrounded I was hoping they would just be made to feel uncomfortable, and leave chastened, maybe they would reconsider their behavior. Yeah, I REALLY have a bad grasp of human behavior.
“Two guns and no ammo”.That is if the car the rats came in is empty. I would be surprised if there was nothing in the trunk. Also, does the car have a radio? There may be more guns and ammunition than originally thought and there could be a way for Endtowner’s to monitor what’s happening among the rats until they realize it and change frequencies.The rat thrown thrugh the window may still be alive. Wally’s against fighting. Is it possible he may try to work something out?
Dawinskeeper:You make a good point. It is the center of this entire incident. It has apparently been brewing and cooking for sometime in Endtown. Those of the Human Value sides and those to embrace the Mutant Value sides. This is a MEGA conspiracy of monumental proportions.WHO, WHAT, WHY, HOW all questions needing answers. We know some of the players but they cannot be the entire iceberg. This is just the tip of berg. The first breeze from the storm about to consume Endtown.It surprises me no one has consulted the Oracle.In the end could this be but a dream of Linda’s or some ones?We know poor Wally is tortured by his past. The entire incident never happened? In the end its all a movie about what would happen IF?Remember Dallas and the death of Bobby??Just something to liven the mood.I do have one word of advise for ALL ENDTOWNERSRun like your pants are on fire kiddos.Get home. Close the doors and windows. Hope like the Israelite’s in Egypt with Moses. That the Angels of Death will pass you by.What the Rats do next will be critical. Like Du’h. Talk about an understatement.
And mr_shermanWork out what to go where?They are here and here is what must be fixed.So he is either got to get off his sorry ass and fix this or sit there and pine away.Violence won’t work. He already has that figured out.
Redesign, rebuild, break it and re do it.At what costs?Who if you take all the Rats and send them away is going to defend the Endtown gates?The common easily bored folks of Endtown. I would give them two weeks tops before the first dangerous thing enters Endtown. There are monsters up there in many shapes and sizes. Just one into Endtown would be like Alien getting to Earth.You think the Rats are bad just let about two Topsiders down there. Zero weapons out do a rifle any day of the week. Just point and all dust in an instant. And from what was seen in the Al and Gustine episodes they have some BIG Zero guns. One I remember was shoulder fired like an RPG. Petey yelped at that one when it grazed him.The system does need reworking. The Rats need a strong firm hand and EXACT orders and instructions. They would follow them with no problem. But a vague order like Council “Go arrest those women and bring them here.”Rat “What force do we use?”Council “Whatever just bring them here now!”Rats are going to use the max force necessary. They know no better. Going in blind with your pants down is not the way to go.Flask let them get away with things because she was on a different BOAT so to say. As long as she was not bothered everything was fine. Whoever is leading them now cares even less about how they do things. What ever they do now will be interesting.Do they respond in vengeance?Scared snotless and run away?Seek guidance from the most senior of their group?Seek guidance from maybe the ones who sent them there to begin with?From the looks on their faces they have never seen themselves as dead. That is a fearful look on their faces. They have always had some control but now they seem uncertain, confused, scared…….and you know what a scared cornered ANIMAL can do.
I believe the Rats were designed as a defense of Endtown. They were designed to man the gates and secure the city below. They were picked due to their tenacity and willingness to follow orders even if it meant risking life and limb to defend the city. That would explain their number and similarity.I do not think the Rats are like the folks of Endtown.I would say they were never human to begin with.I said it before. Some APEX experimentation with mutating Rats to be more human for experimentation or other usages.You know that could be cause for the virus to begin with. APEX or someone experimented turn lab rats into humans. A result was a virus that escaped and caused mutations. Rats to humans. Humans to animal forms. It was just a virus that mutated things. What was animal mutated but may have been specific to the rats at the beginning to human and human mutated to animal as the virus as we know they can do changed itself.Just a though. There are a lot of Rats and all the same. All the same.
Tragedy and death on both sides. While I generally side with the Endtown general populace, I do feel a little sorry for the Rats. They are caught in the middle. Up until now, they have been playing at being Peacekeepers. Really, how much experience can they have had in the last 6 or 7 years since the Change? Now they are confronted with a real situation and find themselves in over their heads (admittedly low to the ground). The Rats are scared and their reactions can be very unpredictable.
One more point. This is not Rats vs Endtowners. They are ALL Endtowners
I know this has to trip their triggers.If they were assigned to defend Endtown and Endtown KILLED them what is their line of thought now seeing one of their own dead at the hands of the ones they were instructed to defend?
Problem. Suppose the Security Rats and the High Council give in, and order the release of Holly, Maude, and Linda. They (and Jake Jackrabbit) then leave the security area—-via the elevators—-which the Endtowners below will now have in their gunsights…
Could this have to do with dwindling resources? Start a war. Kill most everyone else off. Do in your subordinates and whatever’s left is yours, even if you are by yourself.It wouldn’t be the intent, but it would satisfy the Topsider’s agenda.
Should it be considered ironic that the non-military (and theoretically deserving of our sympathy )Endtowners actually drew first blood? They started by stoning Allgood. Then, by throwing objects at the rats. I’m sure someone here can answer this—have we ever seen the rats shoot anything besides scenery? I can only recall one time they actually clobbered anyone—and that was Jacob when they trashed the paper and abducted him while they were working for Flask.
Since then, this comic has been moved off my Midday lineup to a stay-alone strip briefly entitled “The Shot That Spiked Endtown” to be read early mornings when I awaken
firestar23373 almost 11 years ago
didnt make it. dang.
DADOF3 almost 11 years ago
I was afraid of that…
Happy, happy, happy!!! Premium Member almost 11 years ago
Swiss cheese?
DADOF3 almost 11 years ago
“First Floor: Havoc, Rioting, Armed & Angry Civilians. Watch your step please. Going down….” ;-)
Jenner Premium Member almost 11 years ago
I guessed it! The rat dies on the way to the top and arrives dead.Those who missed it over the weekend may want to look at my second song in yesterday’s comments: Skyway to Heaven.
Jenner Premium Member almost 11 years ago
Any death is sad.
JusSayin almost 11 years ago
Time I have become, Death.Destroyer of Worlds.
RickD Premium Member almost 11 years ago
There are still 3 hostages…the ones on trial. Rioters could be threatened with them. How many ways down are there? The rats had a vehicle. From where? The critically wounded one was able to reach an elevator on foot…but they drove to get to the bar. How many ways down? How many rats can be deployed, at how many points? How deep is the crap the rioters are in?
Tue Elung-Jensen almost 11 years ago
Min. 3 guns in the population now, and how many rats?
LordGrey almost 11 years ago
Does Pyrrhic victory ring a bell? The Rats will lose even if they beat the citizens. And I have the feeling up till now the rats were dutifully following instructions without thinking too much. Seeing their comrade dead will sure make them think, at least they don’t look so self-conscious in the last panel.
Airolga almost 11 years ago
Oof. This just made me put my breakfast away for a moment. When the elevator went up on the last page, I thought he’d made it safely, but I had been following the bullet holes on the outside, well noticing that they went straight across the entrance. But this is… excellent storytelling, can’t say anything else…!
Schrat almost 11 years ago
Well phrased! I like it!
gamiath almost 11 years ago
Major Matt Mason Premium Member almost 11 years ago
It’s all fun and games until someone loses an eye… ;D
Robert Nowall Premium Member almost 11 years ago
Boy, this guy needs medical attention. Who’s gonna treat him? Not Doc Chase…
Jenner Premium Member almost 11 years ago
Skyway to Heavenby Jenner. Based on Stairway to Heaven, by Led ZeppelinThere’s a rodent who’s sure all that partners are cold,And he’s riding a skyway to heaven.When he gets there, he knows if the doors are all closed,With a word, he can get them to take him.ooh, ooh, and he’s riding a skyway to heaven.There’s a sign on the door saying “None but the pure”,And he knows he’s as pure as his brethren.In the room full of light, clearly tainted with blight,Stand the mutants by which he is measured. Ooh, it makes me wonder. Ooh, it makes me wonder. There’s journey I choose, as I gaze on the rooves And my spirit has dreams of tomorrow.Many words I hear spoke, and they drift up like smokeFrom the people below who can’t follow.And it’s whispered that soon if they dance to our tune,Then the piper will rule with his vision,And a new day will dawn for those of the norm.And unblemished will stride the patrician.If there’s a rumble in your laneway, don’t be alarmed, now.It’s just a spring clean for the sunrise.Yes, there are two paths you can go by, but in the long run,There’ll be no place for those who trouble you. And it makes me wonder.Your head is humming. Are you bleeding? Or are you bloodless?The piper’s calling you to join him.Dear rodent, can you hear the wind blow? The sky above you?Your joyful soul is soaring cloud to cloud.And as we wind on down the road,With blasters full on overload, There floats a rat we used to know,Who shines white light and wants to showHow right it is to reap and sow.And if you listen very hard,The truth will come to you at last.When all are one and one is all -To be a human animal.And he rode on a skyway to heaven.
Ida No almost 11 years ago
Hmm. Interesting thought – The High Council holds the angry mob at bay with threats of killing off the three hostages, which it had said were going to die anyway. Opposing this particular force is the fact that the HC also has family members, who are living in Endtown with the angry mob. So, both sides can claim to be able to hold the other side hostage. From a different view point, the rats can cut off food and air to the main colony space, while the security space the rats occupy is the buffer zone that the Topsiders would slice into first during an invasion if Mallard decided to turn on the “We are here” sign Topside. And I just know that Mallard has been itching to turn on that sign for years.
Lyons Group, Inc. almost 11 years ago
32 postings (me included). Before the next installment of The Endtown Revolt comes out tomorrow, it could be 132! (or more)
Lyons Group, Inc. almost 11 years ago
I said he would go back for reinforcements Now now he has all the proof they need. Now make that 33.
lordrunningclam almost 11 years ago
Well, now we know the elevator isn’t bullet proof.
salenstormwing almost 11 years ago
Oh look, dozens of heavy armed rats seeing one of their comrades-in-arms (it’s funny because they all carry firearms) dead. This TOTALLY won’t end badly…-I’d like to state right now that all of this happened because of CAKE! What is this? France in the 18th century?
Jerry Beck Premium Member almost 11 years ago
Wow, do I have some catching up to do. Spend a couple of weeks in the hospital and all hell breaks loose in Endtown. Sorry I missed so much, but it’s gonna be fun trying to get up to speed with all the comments.
sylerner almost 11 years ago
Not to go too far off subject, but not only have the rats gone from an object of humor to vicious thugs, didn’t they start off as part of the menu back at the beginning?See here where rat faces were an alternative to beans.
witchspell63 almost 11 years ago
Hope ur feeling better Diggerspoop
Francis362003 almost 11 years ago
3 down 997 to go.
Gildedtongue almost 11 years ago
It would seem that (gun)fire will reign down from upon high…
Ida No almost 11 years ago
The rats will go down into the colony with weapons on full-auto, IF the HC orders them to. (But they won’t like it.)
route66paul almost 11 years ago
Oboy oboyoboy, now there will be something different on the menu tonite
Vet Premium Member almost 11 years ago
It amazes me that some actually enjoy seeing the Rats die.CHEER their DEATHS!What did they do to deserve it?Serve Endtown by being the ones on duty 24/7/365 to prevent Endtown from being invaded?AND THOSE CHEER THEIR DEATHS?Sure they were a pain with the rules and regulations but they were rules and regulations and should be obeyed.Why do you think being a COP is such a thankless job. I get the same thing. Why enforce this law why enforce that ordinance? I have video of one of my officers getting killed over A SEAT BELT traffic stop. He died over a REMINDER TO WEAR YOUR SEAT BELT. So you feel the Rats DESERVED to die simply for ordering folks to disperse. Then they get attacked causing an accidental death by SOMEONES ELSES DOING. They deserved to all die.I know not all feel that way but some just seem to enjoying the pure hell out of themselves about the deaths. The Endtown 3 were on trial. Death was probably not going to occur BUT IT SURE HAS NOW!!!!!!This almost guarantees the fate of the Endtown 3. Retaliation is a very distinct possibility. Stormwing. Cake was never mentioned. That was a misstatement of fact. Marie never said it. All made up to make her look bad. Remember she was not French.Sure now they have guns in Endtown. I would count two. The third escaped with his into the elevator. Lets see. The Rats number many. All have guns. All have access to lots of AMMO. The Endtowners. Two guns. No AMMO so to say. (Did not see any stockpiles).Sure Endtowners will surely win this one. You stupid people. Stupid, Stupid people.Cheering for DEATH. What if that was me? Would you still cheer as the MOB?From what I have read many of you would.You are the Society. Look at your statements. Many of you are just like a MOB. Don’t work it out. Don’t do what authority says. Just attack it and KILL it. You think you are justified in the End.Lets count. Three dead rats. Family unknown. One confirmed dead Endtowner. One confirmed wounded. Shot accidently when a Rat was struck by a heavy bottle causing an Accident discharge. Many unconfirmed dead and wounded caused when the MOB attacked. Rats firing in SELF DEFENSE!!!Its OUR reaction I am concerned about. If you feel this way about a story. What about real LIFEEnough from me. Flame if you want. But beware. I will fight back. You know I am right.JanBec could not have said any better:Ask not for whom the bell tolls,It tolls for thee.
Vet Premium Member almost 11 years ago
Sorry JanBic I spelled you moniker wrong.I apologize. As you can tell I was a little fired up.I hoped he would have made it to may be tell what happened? How they got there? To phrase a song.“I see a BAD MOON arising.”But there is another saying:“Its always darkest before the dawn.”But right now it is really, really dark.Its going be awhile before the dawn.
knitkitty almost 11 years ago
Veteran, if the rat in the elevator is any indication, I would say the night is just beginning…
MacEwanMouse almost 11 years ago
Mind you, I’m on the rat’s side in this, but I wouldn’t say that they’ve done nothing wrong. Yes they work to defend Endtown, yes they were called into a bad situation, but they also have been shooting up places. Even if no one died during the shootings, it’s still property damage and being a thugish in regards to power they were given. Again though, I’m on the rats side in this current affair, the Endtowners took it too far and too fast, even if they didn’t realize the death was accidental. Time to open the sheaf.
JanBic Premium Member almost 11 years ago
On the issue of Endtown isolation. There are some options to be explored. We know that the canals exit somewhere and that Endtown connects with natural caverns (where the Oracle lives.) A team may find a way out there.
scyphi26 almost 11 years ago
For once, those rats don’t look so intimidating now. This also rather soundly proves that Endtown’s security isn’t as all-powerful as first believed. Populace has enough numbers that they can take ‘em if so necessary (but of course, here’s hoping they won’t).
I wonder if this was part of the council’s plan…
ConstanzeN almost 11 years ago
Well, I see that the human side of the Endtowner has come through or more likely it has alway been there. I would rather see them as animals then humans. Animals don’t start wars and this is war. Sad, no matter which why you look at it. :O(
pam Miner almost 11 years ago
I tried to reply a couple of times but they didn’t show up. I’m going to try again. There is so little meat on a rat’s face that it wouldn’t even be a mouthful. Maybe you could scrape out 1/2 teaspoon, but cooking would halve it.
Jenner, that was beautiful. If you would be OK with it and I would give you full credit, it , or parts of it be comforting to rat groups to say for each month’s pet rats that have gone to the rainbow bridge. the piper is calling you to join him, dear rodent, do you hear the wind blow, in the sky above you, your joyful soul is souring cloud to cloud, and the rest is such a great way to see our dearly loved pets. When my Mickey died, he was finally free from pain and I could see him with a slight smile.
Veteran, Jan Bic and Mouse, thank you for your good comments too.
yangeldf almost 11 years ago
you know what, these rats don’t make SENSE! If mutations are more or less random how did all of these guys, clearly several dozen, all turn into identical rat morphs? Were they all brothers or something before the war or did they just decide to form a clique when they realized they all looked the same?
ConstanzeN almost 11 years ago
The out come for all of this, is that no one really wins except the manipulators…and we have a pretty good idea who they are.A quote:“When it comes to controlling human beings, there is no better instrument then lies. Because you see, humans live by beliefs. And beliefs can be manipulated. The power to manipulate beliefs is the only thing that counts.”Michael Ende
salenstormwing almost 11 years ago
Anyone want to take bets on which place would be safer for our Endtown’ers; Endtown or the front door of Topsider Center? I have a sickening thought in my brain that this is going to be worst than singing Christmas carols to the Topsiders, by this Friday..Also, there’s 5 folks being held by the rats. Our unfortuante trio, and both lawyers.
Erwin Schwartz Premium Member almost 11 years ago
I have seen a number of questions “why are there so many rats?” Remember true to form rats multiply rapidly.
Vet Premium Member almost 11 years ago
The rats did not fire into the crowd until they began to get threatened. One Endtowner getting killed by mistake was not enough to make them back off. They fired trying to survive. I would do no less. I want to live and I don’t care who I have to kill to live. I will feel bad later but now its to live.To defend your self is NOT terrorism.mr_sherman.One Tin Soldier does fit this well. If this goes the way it goes. The only one to find the Peace on Earth sign may be the only one left. “Aaron Marx” if and when he ever returns to check out his beloved Endtown.I am reminded by some of the more vengeful posts of a song by Stain’d “Outside”
“All the times I’ve criedAll this wastedIts all inside and I feel all this painI stuffed it downIts back againAnd I lie, here in bedAll alone, I can’t mendBut I feel Tomorrow will be okay
But I’m on the outside and I’m lookin in.I can see though you See your true colorsCause inside you’re uglyYou’re ugly like meI can see through you. See to the real you."(Tears stain the key board)
SapphireDragonStudios almost 11 years ago
Whoo boy, things are going from bad to worse! The rats have abused their gun-toting authority too long, now, and now the Endtowners are out for blood. I wonder if the High Council anticipated this, are worried, or don’t care.
stevegallacci almost 11 years ago
I’m now wondering it the Rats now turn on the HC or quit en masse. Its all fun and games until you get a body count of your own. If they quit, then the HC, and premusably the manipultator, won’t have any muscle or protection and the tone of the proceedings would change in an instant.
Darwinskeeper almost 11 years ago
I’ve never had more mixed feelings about the rats. Up until this point I’ve generally hated the rats for their senseless violence and the trouble they’ve caused. Their trigger-happiness is a waste of ammo (which should be considered a precious commodity) at best and blatant disregard for civilian life at worst. They were involved in the violent arrest of three women who had broken no laws and went so far as to toss a couch out of a window when searching for evidence of something that was not a crime. None of this justifies rioting and killing the three rats but its easy to understand why the crowd behaved the way it did. Veteran, how would you feel if your wife was pulled over and arrested because she drove a Japanese car? You would know better than to go out and looking for blood, but it would at least sour your opinion of the arresting officer. It should also make you wonder what might be next. I think a lot of Endtowners disliked the rats but generally tolerated them until they carted away three women who had committed no crimes.When the rats were originally surrounded I was hoping they would just be made to feel uncomfortable, and leave chastened, maybe they would reconsider their behavior. Yeah, I REALLY have a bad grasp of human behavior.
mr_sherman Premium Member almost 11 years ago
“Two guns and no ammo”.That is if the car the rats came in is empty. I would be surprised if there was nothing in the trunk. Also, does the car have a radio? There may be more guns and ammunition than originally thought and there could be a way for Endtowner’s to monitor what’s happening among the rats until they realize it and change frequencies.The rat thrown thrugh the window may still be alive. Wally’s against fighting. Is it possible he may try to work something out?
Vet Premium Member almost 11 years ago
Dawinskeeper:You make a good point. It is the center of this entire incident. It has apparently been brewing and cooking for sometime in Endtown. Those of the Human Value sides and those to embrace the Mutant Value sides. This is a MEGA conspiracy of monumental proportions.WHO, WHAT, WHY, HOW all questions needing answers. We know some of the players but they cannot be the entire iceberg. This is just the tip of berg. The first breeze from the storm about to consume Endtown.It surprises me no one has consulted the Oracle.In the end could this be but a dream of Linda’s or some ones?We know poor Wally is tortured by his past. The entire incident never happened? In the end its all a movie about what would happen IF?Remember Dallas and the death of Bobby??Just something to liven the mood.I do have one word of advise for ALL ENDTOWNERSRun like your pants are on fire kiddos.Get home. Close the doors and windows. Hope like the Israelite’s in Egypt with Moses. That the Angels of Death will pass you by.What the Rats do next will be critical. Like Du’h. Talk about an understatement.
Vet Premium Member almost 11 years ago
And mr_shermanWork out what to go where?They are here and here is what must be fixed.So he is either got to get off his sorry ass and fix this or sit there and pine away.Violence won’t work. He already has that figured out.
ConstanzeN almost 11 years ago
I see the rats as another set of pawns is this power game. To the HC they are dispensable.
craigwestlake almost 11 years ago
If a thing is weak and going bad, sometimes it is best to break it and rebuild it properly…
boreas2 almost 11 years ago
crap if the rats are how i ve been thinking they are now are going to get down and kill many civilians
Lyons Group, Inc. almost 11 years ago
Gildedtongue said:“The rats aren’t some trained, noble group of peacekeepers. They are bullies with badges.”-
Mike Thomas said:“They are neither. They are acting under the orders of a packed Council”.-
Josh says:Goes back to the famous Nuremberg Trials in which one of the Nazi soldiers said: " I was only following orders!"
witchspell63 almost 11 years ago
You wonder what the rats were before the big change? Washed out prison guards or mall cops with bad attitudes
Vet Premium Member almost 11 years ago
Redesign, rebuild, break it and re do it.At what costs?Who if you take all the Rats and send them away is going to defend the Endtown gates?The common easily bored folks of Endtown. I would give them two weeks tops before the first dangerous thing enters Endtown. There are monsters up there in many shapes and sizes. Just one into Endtown would be like Alien getting to Earth.You think the Rats are bad just let about two Topsiders down there. Zero weapons out do a rifle any day of the week. Just point and all dust in an instant. And from what was seen in the Al and Gustine episodes they have some BIG Zero guns. One I remember was shoulder fired like an RPG. Petey yelped at that one when it grazed him.The system does need reworking. The Rats need a strong firm hand and EXACT orders and instructions. They would follow them with no problem. But a vague order like Council “Go arrest those women and bring them here.”Rat “What force do we use?”Council “Whatever just bring them here now!”Rats are going to use the max force necessary. They know no better. Going in blind with your pants down is not the way to go.Flask let them get away with things because she was on a different BOAT so to say. As long as she was not bothered everything was fine. Whoever is leading them now cares even less about how they do things. What ever they do now will be interesting.Do they respond in vengeance?Scared snotless and run away?Seek guidance from the most senior of their group?Seek guidance from maybe the ones who sent them there to begin with?From the looks on their faces they have never seen themselves as dead. That is a fearful look on their faces. They have always had some control but now they seem uncertain, confused, scared…….and you know what a scared cornered ANIMAL can do.
witchspell63 almost 11 years ago
And yet still again, no one knows where the hell are the cops
Vet Premium Member almost 11 years ago
I believe the Rats were designed as a defense of Endtown. They were designed to man the gates and secure the city below. They were picked due to their tenacity and willingness to follow orders even if it meant risking life and limb to defend the city. That would explain their number and similarity.I do not think the Rats are like the folks of Endtown.I would say they were never human to begin with.I said it before. Some APEX experimentation with mutating Rats to be more human for experimentation or other usages.You know that could be cause for the virus to begin with. APEX or someone experimented turn lab rats into humans. A result was a virus that escaped and caused mutations. Rats to humans. Humans to animal forms. It was just a virus that mutated things. What was animal mutated but may have been specific to the rats at the beginning to human and human mutated to animal as the virus as we know they can do changed itself.Just a though. There are a lot of Rats and all the same. All the same.
JanBic Premium Member almost 11 years ago
Tragedy and death on both sides. While I generally side with the Endtown general populace, I do feel a little sorry for the Rats. They are caught in the middle. Up until now, they have been playing at being Peacekeepers. Really, how much experience can they have had in the last 6 or 7 years since the Change? Now they are confronted with a real situation and find themselves in over their heads (admittedly low to the ground). The Rats are scared and their reactions can be very unpredictable.
One more point. This is not Rats vs Endtowners. They are ALL Endtowners
JanBic Premium Member almost 11 years ago
Upper Endtown vs Lower Endtown, maybe?
Vet Premium Member almost 11 years ago
I know this has to trip their triggers.If they were assigned to defend Endtown and Endtown KILLED them what is their line of thought now seeing one of their own dead at the hands of the ones they were instructed to defend?
Robert Nowall Premium Member almost 11 years ago
Problem. Suppose the Security Rats and the High Council give in, and order the release of Holly, Maude, and Linda. They (and Jake Jackrabbit) then leave the security area—-via the elevators—-which the Endtowners below will now have in their gunsights…
ConstanzeN almost 11 years ago
And…I won’t be suprised if someone supplies the Endtowners with weapons to fight the Endtower rats…. That will be the beginning of the end.
mr_sherman Premium Member almost 11 years ago
Could this have to do with dwindling resources? Start a war. Kill most everyone else off. Do in your subordinates and whatever’s left is yours, even if you are by yourself.It wouldn’t be the intent, but it would satisfy the Topsider’s agenda.
RickD Premium Member almost 11 years ago
Should it be considered ironic that the non-military (and theoretically deserving of our sympathy )Endtowners actually drew first blood? They started by stoning Allgood. Then, by throwing objects at the rats. I’m sure someone here can answer this—have we ever seen the rats shoot anything besides scenery? I can only recall one time they actually clobbered anyone—and that was Jacob when they trashed the paper and abducted him while they were working for Flask.
Tyrnn almost 11 years ago
There are no winning sides in a civil war.
Tyrnn almost 11 years ago
Nor is there anything civil about it.
Lyons Group, Inc. almost 11 years ago
Tomorrow will be a week since this strip had no dialog,just chaos, carnage, one dead citizen, and 3 dead rats.
Lyons Group, Inc. almost 11 years ago
Since then, this comic has been moved off my Midday lineup to a stay-alone strip briefly entitled “The Shot That Spiked Endtown” to be read early mornings when I awaken
Propatri Premium Member almost 11 years ago
Poor guy; went to break up a bar room fight and “Civil Unrest” breaks out.
Strider Keninginne Premium Member almost 11 years ago
Rat squadron runs up.Watches lift door open up.They are filled with fear.
An Endtown haiku.
Jenner Premium Member almost 11 years ago
121 comments on a weekday. Endtown has really got people talking. Personally, I think this brilliant story has reached even greater heights than ever.