9

We had such potential, such promise.

But we squandered our gifts, our intelligence.

Our blind pursuit of technology

only sped us quicker to our doom.

Our world is ending.

But life must go on.

Wait! I'm a friend.

Yes, I always hoped.

Aha!

So much thought.

The details... Carved wood. Molded copper.

You can't speak.

Uh-huh.

Come with me.

Here.

Stop!

Some things in this world are better left where they lie.

But if you know where to look,

these ruins are full of riches.

Friend? Wait, wait.

Friend? Almost there.

Friend.

Friend.

Friend? Friend.

What's this?

You found it!

He's... He's always drawing this.

Are... Are we alone?

No, no.

Go.

Get in the can. Go on.

Why don't you finish what you started, with me?

It's all right, I'm not going to hurt you.

You're safe now.

Where am I?

With us. I never expected to see another one.

There, that should hold.

If 2 were here, he would have done a better job.

I wonder where he's gone to.

I was with him.

2? Where? Out there?

What was he... Keeping secrets from me, I see.

I was coming to tell you.

What's this?

I... I found him in the emptiness.

What were you doing out there?

I... You'll lead the beast straight back to us!

But... How many times have I told you?

The beast. That's what took 2! If we hurry, we can save him.

If the beast took him, that's the end of it.

But he was still alive.

No! We have rules!

Our new guest seems confused.

Perhaps I can help you achieve some clarity.

It didn't kill him?

Quiet!

Hey.

Hold on.

When we woke in this world, it was chaos.

Man and machine attacked each other with fire and metal.

Look out behind you!

I found others.

There's a path ahead.

Follow me.

The gas killed everything.

I led us here to sanctuary.

And here we waited for the war to end.

Slowly the world became silent.

The only thing that remains now is the beast.

So we stay hidden.

And we wait for it, too, to sleep.

But where did it come from? Why is it hunting us?

Questions like that are pointless.

We need to protect ourselves, keep ourselves out of danger.

Too many of us have already been lost.

But he isn't lost.

Why aren't you listening to me? 2 chose his own path!

I suggest you avoid making the same mistake.

Go to the watchtower and take our guest with you.

This was the first thing we built together.

We can still go after him.

Us? But he could be anywhere out there.

That's where it took him. Out towards those three tall shapes.

Oh, no. We can't, not there.

We have rules.

Why do you listen to 1 ?

A group must have a leader.

But what if he's wrong?

Come with me.

I can't do it alone.

I...

I... I can't.

But wouldn't he have come for you?

I...

Wait.

We're going to need a map.

Actually, I don't mind having one eye. It's easier for me.

Allows me to concentrate on just one thing at a time, you know?

Why was he out here alone?

Where's this tunnel?

I don't know!

Wait!

We should go back!

We can't.

The beast.

It's too dark.

We can use that.

Wait.

2 would be impressed.

We'll find him.

You know, you're just like him.

You forget to remember to be scared.

Can I wait here?

Oh.

Why would it bring him here?

2!

2!

I knew you would come.

I thought...

7! I don't believe it!

You've come back!

I never left. You finally decided to join the fight.

You dropped this.

Where've you been hiding?

Rusty, hacked-together, shoddy pile of...

We did it. 2: Remarkable. I never thought...

Wait!

What are you doing? We don't know what it is!

Oh! No! 2!

- Whoa! - Jump!

Hurry! Quick!

What are you waiting for?

Keep up! Come on!

I knew we shouldn't have come!

Why? Why did you do that?

I didn't know! I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

What were you thinking?

What is it going to do?

I know where we can find answers.

Is this what it was like?

Keep up!

Oh! They've been here?

The whole time?

Twins.

They've been hiding here. Lost in the past.

Looking for answers.

Oh!

They're cataloging.

Whoa!

We need your help. We awakened something.

No. I awakened something. Something terrible.

That's it!

Today, the Chancellor presented the latest advancement

of technological wizardry to the public.

Comrades, today dawns a new era.

Let us praise this new technology.

Welcome to the age of the Machine!

It will create new machines in its own image!

Machines of peace

that will usher in a glorious new era

of wealth and prosperity for the state!

Residents are advised to pause for a public address.

Science has turned its sinister hands against us.

People of our mighty state,

join me in repelling the iron fist of the Machine.

But the thing that woke it,

it was round and imprinted with strange shapes.

The shapes corresponded.

It fit perfectly into the Machine as if it were made for it.

That's what 6 always draws!

6?

2 collected his drawings.

He was always studying them.

I have to see them.

What? Go back to 1 ?

So he can lock us away while this nightmare awakens?

Never.

Where did he put them? Uh... They're here somewhere.

Uh...

Here. Here. Here they are.

Right?

You awakened what?

You fools! I warned you!

He warned you.

Now you've put us all in unimaginable peril.

And may I ask, did you manage to save 2?

Of course not!

By following this witless folly,

you've endangered everything we work for!

Why was 2 sent out to begin with?

I sent him to scout.

That doesn't make any sense.