Page 5

Why did the stories of E. P. Jacobs leave such a profound mark on us?
We study their images with the same intensity as our first reading and cannot help but return to them,
again and again, as if we want to unlock the secret of their magic.
To step into this project is to set out in search of the source that nourished all our childhood.
The Palace of Justice quickly took centre stage.
In one of his notes, Jacobs intended to set a Blake and Mortimer adventure there.
It was the sign we were waiting for to take on this monument that has fascinated us for so long.
Just like the pyramid of Cheops, this stone behemoth has not revealed all its secrets.
The Mystery of the Great Pyramid was never fully resolved.
The Last Pharaoh may shed new light on this adventure…

Page 7

Pyramid of Cheops, Cairo, Egypt

Two men painfully come out of a deep unconsciousness.

It seems to them that centuries have passed. Then, slowly, they regain their senses.

WHERE AM I?...

OH, MY HEAD!...

Page 8

While making an immense effort to organize their thoughts, one of them lets out a
sudden scream.

BLAKE!... THERE... LOOK!!!

Mortimer, utterly amazed, gets up with a jump…

THIS SARCOPHAGUS! THIS CHAMBER!... DO YOU RECOGNIZE THIS PLACE?!...

BY JOVE! THE CHAMBER OF THE KING!!!

THE CHAMBER OF THE KING!?!?... IN THE HEART OF THE GREAT PYRAMID!!! BUT
WHAT THE DEVIL ARE WE DOING HERE, WHEN WE WERE…THAT’S TRUE, WHERE
WERE WE?...

WELL… I NO LONGER REMEMBER… MY MIND IS COMPLETELY BLANK…

Page 9

Palace of Justice, Brussels.

Some years later…

20h30. Professor Mortimer enters the hall of the lost footsteps, which, at this hour, is
as silent as a tomb.

HENRI, HOW HAVE YOU BEEN?

PROFESSOR MORTIMER, THANK YOU FOR COMING… FOLLOW ME!

WHEN I RECEIVED YOUR FAX, I CAME IMMEDIATELY… ARE YOU SURE OF YOUR
MEASUREMENTS? THE LEVEL OF ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION IS
ABSOLUTELY COLOSSAL!

YES, I KNOW…

…AND ITS NATURE IS VERY STRANGE. THAT’S WHY I CALLED YOU. AND, MORE
IMPORTANTLY, I WANTED TO SHOW YOU WHAT I DISCOVERED YESTERDAY…

At the end of a corridor, on a badly damaged wall, Mortimer sees a series of drawings
he easily recognizes.

LOOK!

HIEROGLYPHS!

Page 10

THEY REFER TO ORDER AND CHAOS… AND THIS IS A DEPICTION OF SETH.

POELAERT, THE ARCHITECT OF THE PALACE, WAS PASSIONATE ABOUT
EGYPTOLOGY. HE FILLED THE PALACE WITH ALL KINDS OF DEPICTIONS…

THREE DAYS AGO, WE FOUND THIS. THAT’S WHEN I PHONED YOU… DURING
THE RENOVATIONS OF THE SEWERS, THE WORKERS DISCOVERED THIS
ANCIENT WALL. COME, THERE’S A HOLE HERE!

A PART OF THE WALL COLLAPSED WITH THE VIBRATIONS OF THE

CONSTUCTION WORK…

THE STUDIO OF POELAERT, THE ARCHITECT OF THE PALACE?

FOR SOME REASON, HE ORDERED IT WALLED UP. I WONDER WHAT HE WANTED

TO HIDE?

INCREDIBLE… IT’S THE ORIGINAL BLUEPRINT, WITH THE PYRAMID ON TOP…

IT’S NO WONDER THAT THIS VERSION WAS SET ASIDE…
WHAT’S STRANGE IS THAT, AS THEY APPROACH THE REAR OF THE STUDIO, ALL
ELECTRICAL DEVICES MALFUNCTION.

NOTICE… THIS GEIGER COUNTER SWITCHES OFF WHEN THERE IS

RADIATION…

…THEREFORE, NO POWER…

I’VE BEEN WAITING FOR YOU ALL WEEK TO GO FURTHER.

Page 11

THIS WALL WAS HIDDEN BEHIND THE FILES…

THIS IS ANOTHER SYMBOL OF SETH, THE GOD OF CHAOS. IT MENTIONS A

PASSAGE…

I ANALYSED THE WALL WITH A MAGNETIC PROBE. THERE IS SOMETHING

ENORMOUS BEHIND IT…

BUT WHAT?

I WAS WAITING FOR YOU TO FIND OUT.

And then the hammer strikes the surface of the stone.

From the opening, an intense light gushes out, dazzling the two men.

PROFESSOR, LET US STEP INTO HISTORY.

WAIT!

COME, MORTIMER!

HENRI!

NO!

As Henri disappears on the other side, the passage collapses due to the release of
energy.

Page 12

Faced with the violent blast, Mortimer has no choice but to flee.

BLIMEY! WHAT ON EARTH IS HAPPENING?

Mortimer quickly climbs the stairs.

RUN!
Caught in the radiation, Mortimer reaches fresh air.

HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE? NOTHING CAN STOP IT.

Page 13

Suddenly, the Palace of Justice lights up with a glacial and iridescent fire.

RUN!

Panic-stricken, passers-by try to find shelter.

MY GOD! NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS!

…WE NEED TO CONTAIN THIS.

Page 14

Three weeks later...

Mortimer is awakened by a frightening silhouette.

IN THIS CASE, WE NEED TO ALSO INCREASE THE DOSE.

IS IT ALWAYS THE SAME NIGHTMARE, PROFESSOR?

YES, IT’S GRUELLING…

THEY SAY THE NIGHTMARES ARE CAUSED BY THE RADIATION. WHEN YOU
LEAVE THE CITY, THEY DISAPPEAR.

…ANYWAY, NOTHING WORKS HERE ANYMORE.

THE ARMY ORDERED AN EVACUATION…

I CAN’T LEAVE… I WANT TO UNDERSTAND…

Page 15

This was a completely new kind of radiation, like a solar wind, a burst of electrons. One
thing only was certain: it caused an electromagnetic disturbance that prevented all
electric and electronic devices from working. It affected even the simplest combustion
engines. The army evacuated all the city’s residents, sometimes by force…

It took months for scientists led by Mortimer and supported by the army to contain
the radiation with a gigantic Faraday shield.

After some time, the Palace of Justice had disappeared behind an entanglement of
metal.
IF YOU’RE HERE, IT MUST BE BAD NEWS.

SADLY, YES… YOU KNOW ME WELL.

NOW THAT THE DISTURBANCE IS STABILISED, THE ARMY WILL DISMISS YOU.
ACCESS TO THE BUILDING WILL BE CLOSED INDEFINITELY.

HOW STUPID! SURELY, THERE’S SOMETHING TO UNCOVER…

YOU DID WHAT YOU COULD… THE FARADAY SHIELD LIMITED THE RADIATION.

I TRIED TO FIND THE OPENING THROUGH WHICH HENRI DISAPPEARED. IT’S

GONE. THERE’S ONLY ROCK. I DON’T UNDERSTAND…

THE U.N. DECIDED TO CONDEMN THE CITY. THEY’RE GOING TO PUT UP A

BARRIER… I THINK THAT WILL REASSURE THEM…

THE OSTRICH STRATEGY!

I THINK YOU REALISE WHAT A BAD IDEA THIS IS. SOONER OR LATER THIS
PROBLEM IS GOING TO RETURN…

I FOLLOW ORDERS.

THOSE ORDERS ARE STUPID…

AND YOUR NIGHTMARES?

DON’T WORRY. THEY DON’T STOP ME FROM WORKING.

Page 16

Time passed by…

Brussels became a ghost town…

It didn’t take long for nature to reassert itself…

…taking back the territory it had lost when men were lords of the land.

Page 17

But despite appearances, an operation is being deployed in this desolate place…

ALL READY? WERE YOU ABLE TO GET HER ON THE RAILS?

YES, THE HARDEST PART WAS GETTING HER HERE FROM THE RAILWAY
MUSEUM… BUT SINCE SHE RUNS ON COAL, SHE’S IMPERVIOUS TO THE
RADIATION.

An extraordinary machine emerges from the fog…

WE WERE LUCKY TO FIND THESE TUNNELS FROM WHEN THE METRO WAS
BUILT. THEYRE PERFECTLY LOCATED ALONG THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE
PALACE.

DO YOU THINK IT WILL BE POWERFUL ENOUGH?

THESE EXPLOSIVES WOULD BLOW UP MONT BLANC.

LET’S GO! GOODBYE, BANKS! GOODBYE, THIRD WORLD DEBT!

The formidable machine starts moving slowly…

THERE SHE GOES… MAYBE WE’LL END UP CHANGING THE FACE OF THE WORLD…

ABOUT TIME…

Page 18

…and quickly gains speed.

A LITTLE MORE… A LITTLE MORE…

NOW!

IT’S DONE! SOMETHING MOVED! FINALLY!

YOU WON’T BE ABLE TO DO IT WITH EXPLOSIVES…

ONLY THE LAST PHARAOH CAN HELP US.

Page 19

Moments later, outside the protection barrier, a patrol vehicle does its rounds.

Suddenly…

…it breaks down!

I DON’T UNDERSTAND… EVERYTHING LOOKS NORMAL.

HELLO? HELLO? DAMN PHONE ALSO DOESN’T WORK!

Looking up, the sergeant feels his blood run cold! From the Palace, a sinister green glow
brings back terrible memories.
MY GOD!

Page 20

Meanwhile, in London, at 11h30…

MY COMPUTER’S TURNED OFF...

MINE, TOO!

THEY’VE ALL SHUT DOWN!

London Stock Exchange.

At his neighbourhood grocery store, Mortimer is surprised by the cash register

suddenly crashing.

I’M SORRY, SIR, YOUR CARD WON’T WORK… THE SYSTEM MUST BE OFF-LINE.

DAMN IT! THE ATM SWALLOWED MY CARD!

SO MANY FAILURES… IT’S STRANGE…

Page 21

Mortimer’s apartment looks like a museum full of memories…

A few hours later, the power is restored.

While he watches the late-night news, the old scientist is assailed by a profound
unease.

…A GENERAL POWER FAILURE AFFECTED A LARGE PART OF EUROPE, DISABLING

MANY SERVICES…

IT’S STARTED AGAIN!

And, during the night…

As if rising out of a nightmare from the past, the monstrous creature approaches
Mortimer.

No!

Page 22

Terrified and with his senses blurred by sleep, his only thought is escape…
WHERE AM I?

Then, turning...

…Mortimer stumbles upon the corridor of the Great Pyramid, which, to be honest, he’s
never forgotten.
Page 23

Driven by fear, he advances down the main corridor.

But, ahead of him, rises a monolith, which prevents him from going any further.

Behind him, the sound of the creature’s heavy footsteps approaches relentlessly.

The next morning, on the banks of the Thames…

I SHOULD FINE YOU. YOU’RE LUCKY THE POLICE NATIONAL COMPUTER IS

DOWN.

EVERY CLOUD HAS A SILVER LINING…

GOOD MORNING, PHILIP.

FRANCIS, HOW LONG HAS IT BEEN?

IT’S BEEN TOO LONG. I WANTED TO SHOW YOU SOMETHING. MY CAR IS OVER
HERE.

Page 24

BLIMEY! YOU’VE BEEN PROMOTED!

I’M SENSING SARCASM.

HOW IS YOUR SLEEP?

AS WELL AS YOUR CARREER…

WHERE ARE WE GOING, EXACTLY?

FIRST, I’M TAKING YOU TO HEADQUARTERS.

Mortimer immediately recognizes the imposing headquarters of MI6.

YOU’LL UNDERSTAND SHORTLY…

Page 25

After passing various security checks, Mortimer discovers the objective of his visit.

IT’S A MODEL THAT WAS BUILT DURING THE FIRST ALERT. IT REPRESENTS
THE CITY DOWN TO THE FINEST DETAIL. YOU KNOW HOW FUSSY THE ARMY
CAN BE…

WE’RE REPRODUCING THE DISTURBANCE THAT REOCCURRED RECENTLY.

SO THAT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE BLACKOUT YESTERDAY… I KNEW IT WOULD

EVENTUALLY HAPPEN.

PHILIP, WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF NOTHING COULD CONTAIN THIS ENERGY? IF

IT ESCAPED THE PALACE WITHOUT ANYTHING HOLDING IT BACK?

AT THE TIME, I MADE SOME CALCULATIONS.

IT WOULD BE THE EQUIVALENT OF AN ENORMOUS ELECTROMAGNETIC

DISCHARGE, SIMILAR TO A SOLAR ERUPTION.

A CATASTROPHE OF GLOBAL PROPORTIONS…

Page 26

IN A FRACTION OF A SECOND, ALL TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, THE

GLOBAL POWER GRID, ALL ELECTRONIC IGNITION ENGINES AND ALL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS WILL BE PERMANENTLY OUT OF SERVICE.

AND OF COURSE, ALL COMPUTER SYSTEMS, ALL FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

SYSTEMS WILL BECOME INACTIVE.

ALL STORAGE IN DATA CENTRES ACROSS THE WORLD, ALL INFORMATION

SERVICES, NATIONAL DEBT, EVERYONE’S WEALTH WILL HAVE…

DISAPPEARED!

HEAVENS!

IS THERE STILL TIME?

Page 27

FOR YEARS, I’VE HAD ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD.

I’M AFRAID THAT WILL SOON CHANGE.

And under a torrential downpour, Blake drives Mortimer to the outskirts of London.

WE’RE GOING TO HAVE A PICNIC?

I WISH…

THIS SITUATION HAS CREATED PANIC. THE UN, NATO, THE RUSSIANS, THE
CHINESE… THEY ALL WANT THIS RESOLVED QUICKLY AND IN ANY MANNER.

NOTHING IS MORE FRIGHTENING THAN THE UNKNOWN, NOTHING MORE

DANGEROUS THAN IGNORANCE…

THEY ARE SO AFRAID, THAT THEY’VE GIVEN CARTE BLANCHE TO THE ARMY.
THE GOVERNMENTS IGNORED THE SECURITY COUNCIL OF THE UN. AND, AS
USUAL, THE ARMY DIDN’T TAKE LONG TO FIND A SOLUTION.

In a hangar the size of a cathedral, three threatening missiles seem to be waiting for a
launch order.

THE SOLUTION IS THIS?

Page 28

THEY’RE EXPERIMENTAL BOMBS. THE NUCLEAR WARHEADS ARE FILLED WITH

TRITIUM. THEY CAN BE GUIDED TO THE DISTURBANCE LINE, AND, FROM THERE
THEY’LL BE BOUND BY THE BALLISTIC LAWS OF FLIGHT…

THAT’S MADNESS! YOU KNOW IT IS… SOMETHING ABNORMAL IS GOING ON

UNDER THE PALACE OF JUSTICE… A BOMB CAN SET OFF A CHAIN REACTION.

YES, I KNOW. THE “CHINA SYNDROME”… THAT IS WHY I WANTED TO SHOW

YOU THIS. THEY’RE GOING TO LAUNCH THEM IN TEN DAY, WHEN THE
WARHEADS ARRIVE.

UNLESS OTHER MEASURES ARE TAKEN. PHILIP, YOU HAVE TO GO BACK THERE,
YOU HAVE TO STOP THE RADIATION.

I’M NOT SURE I CAN SURVIVE THE EFFECTS OF MY NIGHTMARES ONE MORE
TIME…
THERE IS NO ONE ELSE. ONLY YOU KNOW THE AREA… YOU’RE THE ONLY ONE
WHO INVESTIGATED WHAT HAPPENED.

YOU LEAVE ME NO CHOICE.

I KNOW… AND IT’S URGENT…YOU’RE LEAVING TONIGHT.

An hour later, Blake’s driver drops Mortimer off at his apartment.

SO, MY FRIEND? YOU THINK I’M STILL ABLE TO GO ON AN ADVENTURE OF THIS

KIND?

SOMETIMES I WISH I COULD BE LIKE YOU AND JUST WATCH THE WORLD GO
BY, SLEEPING COMFORTABLY ON THE FLOOR.

COME ON, THEN!

Page 29

That same night…

THIS IS NOT HOW I IMAGINED MY RETIREMENT…

TAKE CARE OF MY DOG WHILE I’M GONE, FRANCIS?

OF COURSE!

YOU’RE SURE THERE’S NO OTHER WAY OF GETTING INTO BRUSSELS?

THERE’S NO OTHER WAY. WE’RE DOING ALL THIS WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION

FROM THE ARMY AND THE CITY IS GUARDED BETTER THAN FORT KNOX.

WHEN YOU GET TO THE PALACE, USE IT TO INFORM US.

A PIGEON!

ITS NAME IS WITTEKOP. ITS A TRUE CHAMPION. THERE IS NO OTHER WAY TO

COMMUNICATE WITH THE OUTSIDE WORLD…

SINCE WE CAN’T FLY OVER THE CITY, YOU’RE GOING TO JUMP OUT AND
PARAGLIDE OVER THE WALL INTO THE HEART OF THE CITY.

YOU KNOW THAT MOST PEOPLE MY AGE ARE CONTENT WITH TAKING THEIR
GRANDCHILDREN FOR AN ICE CREAM AND A MOVIE?

I DO… BUT YOU ARE NOT “MOST PEOPLE”…

Page 30

Finally, after just over an hour’s flight, Blake’s Pilatus PC-12 is within sight of Brussels
and it’s unsettling, fortified encirclement.

WE’RE ARRIVING. I CAN’T GO MUCH FARTHER.

NOW… I HOPE I HAVEN’T FORGOTTEN HOW THIS WORKS…

BE CAREFUL, OLD CHAP!

Without a second thought, Mortimer jumps into the void.

3, 2. 1… AND PULL!

In an instant, the sail unfurls above the professor.

NOW, EASY DOES IT…

Unfortunately, strong unexpected winds blow Mortimer off course.

DAMN!

Page 31

Controlling his paraglider with difficulty, Mortimer avoids the two towers of the
Koekelberg Basilica by mere inches.

The violent landing is cushioned by the metal of the abandoned cars that fill the
streets.

FAR FROM THE PLANNED LANDING SPOT…

SO, I’LL HAVE TO WALK…

Unfortunately, after a few minutes of walking, Mortimer realises that his route will be
more complicated than he thought.

THE DISTURBANCE CAUSED MORE DAMAGE THAN I HAD IMAGINED… THE

RADIATION MUST’VE INTERFERED WITH THE TELLURIC CURRENTS…

WITH THE BASILICA BEHIND ME, THE MOST DIRECT PATH IS STRAIGHT
AHEAD, IN THIS DIRECTION…

I HOPE THERE ARE NO IMMOVABLE OBSTACLES.

Page 32

And in the unsettling silence of the Brusselian night, Mortimer sets off towards the
Palace of Justice.

CAREFUL… IT WOULD BE STUPID TO BREAK A LEG NOW.

OBVIOUSLY, WITHOUT HUMANS, THIS IS MORE TRANQUIL…

After a long trek, Mortimer is exhausted.

THIS OLD BUS IS A PERFECT SHELTER FOR THE NIGHT.

Through the window, he watches a spectacular show.

AN AURORA BOREALIS! TRULY, THE EFFECTS OF THE RADIATION ARE

ASTOUNDING.

Exhausted, Mortimer descends into sleep.

Page 33

And, once again, his dream turns into a nightmare.

Descending an infinite staircase, a creature half woman, half feline approaches him.

Around its neck, a brilliant jewel, thousands of years old.

Emerging from the medallion like a jet of copper, a swarm of scarabs fuse themselves
onto the face of the professor.

On awakening, Mortimer discovers a new obstacle.

Page 34

WHERE DID THIS CHASM COME FROM? I NEED TO FIND A PATHWAY.

THIS MAP ISN’T HELPING ME. MOST OF THE STREETS ARE IN RUINS.

MMH… I COULD TRY CLIMB THAT… ACTUALLY, I HAVE NO CHOICE.

SLOWLY…

Arriving finally on the other side, Mortimer halts suddenly.

OH NO!
Page 35

In front of him, led by an enormous Pitbull, a pack of dogs advances, threatening…

AND I, WHO HAVE ALWAYS LIKED DOGS…

The animal’s fangs dig into Mortimer’s arm with the strength to break his bones.

Perched on the roof of a car, Mortimer’s saviour proves to be a young girl.

ARE YOU OK, MISTER?

Page 36

NOTHING BROKEN?

NO, I DON’T THINK SO…

WE’LL TAKE YOU WITH US. ARE YOU FROM OUTSIDE?

YES. THANK YOU.

HOW ARE THINGS OUTSIDE, MISTER? ARE THERE REALLY FLYING CARS?

UMM, NO…

AH, TOLD YOU.

DO YOU HAVE THAT THING YOU EAT… WHAT’S IT CALLED?

CHOCOLATE!

DO YOU HAVE CHOCOLATE, MISTER?

NO!

OUT THERE, DO THEY KNOW WE’RE ALIVE?

After walking for an hour in the cold morning air, helped by the group of teenagers,
Mortimer is close to exhaustion when he sees the Botanical Garden.

WE’RE ALMOST THERE.

Page 37

Meanwhile, in London, at Command Central…

FOR THE LAST TIME, GENERAL, ASK YOUR SCIENTISTS TO ASSESS THE RISK
OF A POSSIBLE CHAIN REACTION. SOMETOMES, THE CURE IS WORSE THAN
THE DISEASE.

ZERO RISK DOES NOT EXIST! THE GOVERNMENTS OF MORE THAN 40 NATIONS
GAVE ME CARTE-BLANCHE TO RESOLVE A PROBLEM AND I INTEND TO DO IT
QUICKLY AND PROPERLY.

LISTEN, ACCORDING TO PROFESSOR MORTIMER…

PROFESSOR MORTIMER LOST ALL CREDIBILITY LONG AGO. THESE DREADFUL

YEARS HAVE GRAVELY AFFECTED HIS MENTAL STATE.

THEREFORE, AS SOON AS WE’VE DONE THE FINAL BALLISTIC SIMULATIONS

OF THE LAUNCH PROGRAM, WE WILL INITIATE THE COUNTDOWN.

THEN, AFTER A BLAST WITH THE POWER OF 150 TONS, THE MISSILES SHOULD
REACH BRUSSELS AND THE PALACE OF JUSTICE IN A QUARTER OF AN HOUR,
AND WE’LL BE DONE WITH THE DAMNED RADIATION ONCE AND FOR ALL.

Page 38

Mortimer is surprised to find that Brussels is not as abandoned as he’d thought. The
tall buildings seem to function as agricultural structures and the large avenues have
been converted into pastureland.

IT’S… IT’S INCREDIBLE… YOU’VE SUCCEEDED…

IT WASN’T US, MISTER… BUT THE GROWN-UPS WORKED A LOT…

I THINK… I CAN’T… I…

MISTER? MISTER? HE’S FAINTING!

For a few moments, Mortimer has a strange vision.

I’VE BEEN WAITING FOR YOU.

Page 39

EVERYTHING IS OK… RELAX…

WHERE AM I? WHO ARE YOU? HOW LONG HAVE I BEEN ASLEEP?

I AM LISA AND THIS IS MY HOME. YOU SLEPT A WHOLE DAY AND A NIGHT.

DAMN IT! SO MUCH TIME LOST! I NEED TO GET GOING!

IN YOUR CONDITION, YOU WON’T GET FAR.

YOU’RE NOT UNDERSTANDING…

I SUGGEST YOU TELL ME EVERYTHING WHILE YOU EAT. YOU MUST BE

FAMISHED.

THANK YOU!

Later, in a large room that serves as a dining hall…

SO, THIS “CHINA SYNDROME” WOULD MEAN A CHAIN REACTION DOWN TO

THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH…

EXACTLY… IT’S A REAL NIGHTMARE!

WELL… I NEED TO TELL YOU THAT GETTING TO THE PALACE OF JUSTICE WON’T
BE EASY. YOU’LL NEED A GUIDE. LUNA, THE GIRL WHO SAVED YOU, KNOWS
THAT AREA LIKE THE BACK OF HER HAND.

WHAT YOU WERE ABLE TO ACHIEVE HERE, UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, IS

TRULY INCREDIBLE.

WE’RE FORTUNATE TO HAVE GREAT ENGINEERS AMONG US.

Page 40

WHERE DO ALL THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE HERE COME FROM?

THEY COME FROM ALL OVER… BRUSSELIANS THAT REFUSED TO LEAVE WHEN
THE CITY WAS EVACUATED, JOINED BY THOSE WHO NO LONGER IDENTIFIED
WITH MODERNITY, PEOPLE CONVINCED THAT IT IS POSSIBLE TO LIVE IN A
DIFFERENT WORLD.

AND REFUGEES CAME AS WELL, LIKE MY PARENTS AND I, WHO HAD TO FLEE
THE CIVIL WAR IN EGYPT. HERE, NO 0NE ASKS YOU FOR PAPERS.

ARE YOU THEIR LEADER?

NO. I AM NO ONE’S LEADER. I SIMPLY HAVE SOME SKILLS PASSED DOWN FROM
MY MOTHER… AT TIMES, THEY ARE QUITE USEFUL…

AND THE NIGHTMARES?... HOW DO YOU HELP THOSE WITH NIGHTMARES FROM
EXPOSURE TO THE RADIATION?

THE NIGHTMARES ARE MY SPECIALITY! COME SEE!

WHERE ARE WE?

IN ONE OF OUR “DREAMING ROOMS”. IN THE CENTRE IS ONE OF THE DREAM

GUARDIANS I TRAINED.
WHEN I WAS SMALL, MY MOTHER TAUGHT ME HOW TO CONTROL DREAMS… IN
ALL NIGHTMARES, THERE IS A SAFE PLACE. THE GUARDIAN HELPS US FIND IT.

Page 41

AN ANIMAL… UNDER WATER… IT’S GOT ME! I’M DROWNING, I FELL IN THE
WATER!

EVERYTHING’S FINE. RAISE YOUR HEAD OUT OF THE WATER. YOU’LL SEE A
PASSAGE AHEAD. FOLLOW IT. OPEN THE DOOR. THE SAFE PLACE IS RIGHT IN
FRONT OF YOU…

NOW, LET’S GO FIND LUNA.

…WHERE ARE WE?

THIS IS OUR AQUARIUM… LUNA LIKES COMING HERE TO HELP. YOU’LL SEE,
SHE’S A FASCINATING GIRL. SHE WAS BORN HERE, AND KNOWS ALL THE
PATHS.

AND HER PARENTS?

THEY DISAPPEARED NEAR THE PALACE OF JUSTICE. IT MUST’VE BEEN THE

WILD DOGS… SINCE THEN, THESE KIDS HAVE LEARNED TO DEFEND
THEMSELVES.

I’VE NOTICED…

HELLO LUNA. TELL ME… ARE YOU READY FOR AN ADVENTURE?

YES.

I NEED TO GET TO THE PALACE OF JUSTICE. CAN YOU TAKE ME?

IT’S EASY. BUT WE NEED TO LEAVE TOMORROW MORNING. AT NIGHT, IT’S

IMPOSSIBLE.

LOOKS LIKE YOU’RE SPENDING ONE MORE NIGHT WITH US…

FINE.

Page 42

That night, a dinner is held in Mortimer’s honour. They pepper him with questions.

AND THE QUEEN? IS SHE STILL ALIVE?

AND WHO ARE THE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONS?

THE HARDEST THING IS NOT BEING ABLE TO GET ANY NEWS…

AND HOW DO WE KNOW YOU’RE TELLING THE TRUTH? MAYBE IT’S A TRICK BY
THE ARMY TO KICK US OUT OF HERE. IT WOULDN’T BE THE FIRST TIME!

WE ALREADY KNOW THEIR METHODS. THE RADIATION FROM THE PALACE OF

JUSTICE IS OUR AFFAIR… WE DON’T NEED ANYONE.

LIKE I SAID, WE DON’T HAVE MUCH TIME…

I DON’T TRUST YOU AT ALL!

STOP! THAT’S ENOUGH!

FORVIVE HIM. HIS NOT A BAD PERSON… HE WAS ONE OF THE LAST TO ARRIVE.
HE WAS A TRADER WHEN THE STOCK MARKET CRASHED.

THAT MADE HIM ANTI-ESTABLISHMENT. I THINK HE’D RATHER DIE THAN GO

BACK TO HIS OLD LIFE.

I THINK I UNDERSTAND HIM…

Page 43

As night falls over Europe and the command centre momentarily quietens down, Blake
realises that he needs to gain more time. He approaches the engineer – the only one
still present – responsible for the control system.

IF I UNDERSTAND CORRECTLY, THE MISSILES WILL ONLY BE GUIDED UP TO

THE EDGE OF THE DISTURBANCE. FROM THERE, THE SYSTEM STOPS
RESPONDING.

EXACTLY, AND THE EXPLOSION WILL GO OFF IN THE OLD-FASHIONED WAY,

ON FORCE OF IMPACT.

HOW LONG CAN YOU GUIDE THE MISSILES?

UMM, AT THAT SPEED…

…NOT MORE THAN 5 MINUTES.

AND IF SOMEONE WANTED TO… SAY… DELAY THE LAUNCH? WOULD IT BE

POSSIBLE?

WELL… WHILE THEY’RE GROUNDED, THE CONTROL SYSTEM IS IN CHARGE… OR

RATHER, I AM…

HMMM…

…AND TELL ME SOMETHING… HAVE YOU EVER WANTED TO SAVE THE WORLD?

I NEVER THOUGHT I HAD THAT POWER…

TODAY, YOU HAVE.

Page 44

DO YOU TRULY BELIEVE YOU CAN CURE ME? THEY TRIED EVERYTHING, YOU
KNOW? THEY GAVE ME LOTS OF MEDICATION…

I KNOW IT’S GOING TO WORK.

A LONG TIME AGO, WHEN I WAS SMALL, MY PARENTS HAD TO FLEE EGYPT.

IT WAS VERY HARD TO LEAVE EVERYTHING…

IN THE LAND OF MY PARENTS…

…IT’S KNOWN THAT DREAMS…

…ARE MESSAGES.

THE FEAR THAT ASSAULTS US IN A NIGHTMARE IS FROM A FEELING OF LOSS

OF CONTROL.

THIS TALISMAN WILL HELP YOU. KEEP IT ON YOU AND, IF YOU ARE AFRAID
DURING YOUR DREAM, REPEAT THIS PHRASE: “BY HORUS, STOP!”

MY FATHER GAVE IT TO ME.

Page 45

“BY HORUS, STOP”… IT’S STRANGE… I’VE HEARD THAT BEFORE… YOU KNOW, I’VE
BEEN TO EGYPT MANY TIMES. AND LATELY, MY NIGHTMARES SEEM TO BE
ASSOCIATED WITH IT.

NOW…

RELAX…

IT’S AN ANCIENT TECHNIQUE.

VERY POWERFUL.

VERY SIMPLE.

IT’S GOING TO BE OK.

Mortimer’s dream takes him once again to an unending staircase.

A feline creature, mysterious and unmoving, is waiting for him. By the light of the
lantern, he has time to read the hieroglyphs written on its chest.
CAST YOUR GAZE UPON ME, MY CHILD.

Once again, the swarm of scarabs emerges from the medallion, straight at Mortimer.

BY HORUS, STOP!

Page 46

As soon as he says these words, a blinding light emerges from Lisa’s talisman…

As if gaining a life of its own, the object slips out of his hands…

A fraction of a second later, the floor shakes under his feet.

After a fall that seems endless, he crashes into the dark surface of ice-cold water.

It’s then that a pair of hands save him from certain death.

Page 47

THERE… IT’S ALL OVER…

YOU CAN GO BACK TO SLEEP. IT’S GOING TO BE FINE.

THANK YOU… I’M NO LONGER SCARED!

A few hours later, Mortimer awakens and describes his dream.

… AND IT WAS THEN THAT I READ THE PHRASE…

“CAST YOUR GAZE UPON ME, MY CHILD.” IT’S SIMILAR TO THE TEXT ON THE
“DREAM STELE” AT THE FEET OF THE SPHYNX OF GIZA. IT CONCERNS THE
WORD OF THE GOD RA DELIVERED IN DREAMS TO THUTMOSE IV, TO ASK FOR
HIS AID. PERHAPS THAT DREAM IS A TYPE OF PLEA FOR HIS HELP.

WHO KNOWS?... WHEN I RETURNED FROM EGYPT, I HAD MORE QUESTIONS

THAN ANSWERS.

PERHAPS YOUR JOURNEY TO EGYPT NEVER REALLY ENDED.

PERHAPS ONLY NOW, CAN YOU RETURN HOME.

Page 48

The next day, at an icy dawn, Mortimer and Lisa find themselves with Luna at the
corner of the Place des Martyrs.

IT IS FREEZING COLD! FEELS LIKE WE’RE IN THE ICE AGE.

THE WINTERS ARE HARD, BUT IN SPRING IT’S WONDERFUL… IT’S A PITY
YOU’VE NEVER SEEN ONE…
HELLO, LUNA… READY TO GO? ARE YOU SURE YOU’RE ABLE?

YES… YOU SIR, I’M NOT SO SURE…

THANKS FOR YOUR HELP. HERE’S YOUR TALISMAN.

KEEP IT. YOU’RE GOING TO NEED IT, MORTIMER.

ANYWAY, I’M GOING WITH YOU.

The journey holds many surprises…

SLOW DOWN, LUNA… REMEMBER YOU’RE GUIDING AN OLD MAN…

I’M SORRY, BUT THESE OLD CABLES DON’T LIKE TO BE TROD ON. TWO YEARS
AGO, MY FRIEND NATHAN BROKE BOTH HIS LEGS.

LISTEN… I PREFER NOT TO KNOW…

In front of the old Place de la Bourse, a launch is waiting for them.

YAY! MY BOAT IS STILL HERE.

Page 49

MY BOAT IS COOL, HEY?... WE BROUGHT IT FROM THE BOIS DE LA CAMBRE. IT

TOOK US A WEEK.

BUT WHERE DOES ALL THIS WATER COME FROM?

WITH THE REPEATED LANDSLIDES AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE FIRST

BARRIER, THE WATERS OF THE SENNE ENDED UP FLOODING THIS AREA OF THE
CITY.

Mortimer glimpses bright silhouettes.

THERE’S LIFE DOWN HERE…

YES. MANY THINGS HAVE APPEARED THESE LAST FEW MONTHS THAT CAN’T BE
EXPLAINED.

The shadow of a creature with impressive dimensions glides silently beneath the vessel.

I HOPE THEY’RE NOT HOSTILE…

Page 50

When they reach the Grand-Place, the creature dives into the deep, almost overturning
the boat.
A BASILOSAURUS!

HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE?

ARE THERE MANY OF THESE?

THERE’S NO WAY OF KNOWING. BUT THERE’S ALSO CARP, PERCH AND

STURGEON… WE CAN FISH.

Suddenly, something attracts Luna’s attention.

OH! WAIT!

I’LL BE RIGHT BACK!

WHERE IS SHE GOING?