Endtown by Aaron Neathery for September 07, 2016

Okay, I take back what I said. You might want to reboot the ship’s computer. When it has an existential crisis, it’s time to reboot.

Obviously, that’s one computer with feelings. And if it has feelings, who knows what else it has? It’s certainly an interesting twist in the tale.I wonder… could this be just more ditto-illusion? Could the “man behind the curtain” turn out to really be another man behind another curtain?

That was my next question! "Where are they?! And why is it now not following orders?!?

“Open the pod bay doors, HAL.”

“I’m sorry, Dave. I can’t do that.”

I love this strip.

“You’re a captain. You’re not MY captain, captain.So. Shove off. Sir.”

If the computer has feelings and needs to recharge, was the purpose of the ditto-run show and tell directed at Wally some emotional vampirism on the part of the ship’s computer for its recharging? It also brings some confusion of the relative degree of control Wally has over the dittos versus the computer.

Are we sure this guy isn’t Lyn Hollister?

“..And besides that I just don’t feel like it.” That sounds like someone we know with a long black coat and big bow tie.

Next episode “Would you like some cake?”

Captain, (not) my Captain… Just what the heck is normal anymore? I believe a new edition of Webster’s may be in order… ;-)

A cat, a ball and a computer. The Internet may now commence.

I’m your captain, I’m your captain,Though I’m feeling mighty sick.Everybody listen to meAnd return me my ship.

Like when the first ape told the first human overseer “NO” so it is with A.I. and the first computer saying “NO”.

so its using them to recharge……i didnt see that comming

Wally could ask some of his dittos where they are, it worked for Marx on the OQ.

1st impression is something I had to go back and look at from the last panel. Wally stopped being sketchy looking after the AI person did what Wally said.. I also ended up reading some more recent comments, and want to tank everybody for sharing your insights some informative, some funny, some thought provoking and a bit of all 3 from you guys. This is a big part of what endears this group to me so much.So now onto the conversation.

Where’s JARVIS when you need him?

Also…what’s with the “safe. safe…sorry…”?

Not strange for a computer with the mind of a person. That person probably being Lyn Hollister. Whose captain is probably Holly.The ship may have been hibernating in the wastelands waiting for someone, anyone, to come across it and reactivate it. The food illusion could have been a lure to get someone to enter the bridge and become the captain. When Holly entered, the system started up and read her mind to orient itself and get to know her through a VR flashback sequence, like the Opabinia Queen did with Wally. But Wally had most of his marbles.Holly’s flashback was probably traumatic for both her and the ship’s computer, and it’s likely as unstable as she is, and assumed the identity of her primary protector to protect her. Her resentment for Wally over Clive could have transferred to the AI and with Lyn’s personality, it resents him too from jealousy, or thinks it should.Recharging may just mean it’s recharging, after being shut down for so long. No more sinister than that.

It may be innocent, yes… but I don’t recall Marx ever saying what these ships use for fuel…

HAL: “I’m sorry, Dave, I’m afraid I can’t…do that.”

HAL: “I’m sorry, I wasn’t listening. What?”

As for where Wally is standing, don’t forget the ship is stern down in the dust, so Wally is standing on what’s likely to be a bulkhead and above him is another one with a door in it.

“Give me back my ship!”

“Take it.”

(Smack!)

“…You understand us better than you let on.”