Falco had landed his plane, the Arcadia in the forest of Titan.
Falco Harlock, a distant relative to the Great Captain Harlock himself. He had auburn brown hair that fell down in locks in his face, some times covering his grey brown eyes. He had a small scar across his nose, and a scar across his left cheek, going down from under his eye to nearly down to his mouth in a line. He was dressed in much the same fashion as the great pirate. A black suit with a silver grey skull and two crossing sabers over the chest. A black cape over his shoulders with a red brim and inside and a silver grey edge, held in place by a silver medallion shaped like a skull and the crossing sabers. Two belts around his waist, one with a gravity saber at his left side in it's sheath and a gun at his right, one of the Phantom Dragoon guns that his friend Kai made for him and Fritz Harlock, his ten year old son. His son came running up to his father. His auburn brown hair were jumping around his head as he ran to his father's side. His two grey brown eyes looked up at him with more life in then than ever before. Still it kinda hurt Falco as he saw the cut on his face, it was not yet completely healed, the Harlock trade mark scar, a scar going from over the nose bone and down over the left cheek. Why Fritz had insisted that he wanted it, Falco could not yet understand. Fritz was dressed in a light blue suit, it had some black triangle shaped marking around his wrists and legs as well as around his neck and waist. At his chest where the black mark were there were a small medallion shaped like Falco's skull and crossing sabers. He also had his gun around his waist as well. Nearly running into his master, a small silver grey bundle of fur came running. Silvereye, Fritz's pet wolf grinned dumb as he came to a stop. A small collar around his neck with a medallion dangling down from it. A skull and the crossing sabers, shined in the silver colour as he moved around.
"Dad! We found it, Wolf howl rock." Fritz called happy. Silvereye yapped next to him.
"Easy you two, I told you to not go to far way from me. This place is dangerous." Falco said looking at them.
"But Kai said that this were paradise." Fritz looked at his dad confused. Falco sighed. How were he gonna make then understand this.
"Listen, on this planet you are free to do anything. So if someone to find out that they want to kill you, they are free to do so. So please stay close okay, you two?" He asked, the two of them exchanged looked of confusion but both nodded.
"Good, okay now where is this place you wanted to see so much?" Falco smiled. The two of them shined up.
"This way, this way!" Silvereye cried in joy as he jumped up and down leading the way. Falco shook his head smiling.
------------------------
They had come to Titan to make a new home for Mira, Captain Harlock's mother. She had been driven out of her home in Arcadia, when Falco and his son had met Harlock an his son young Harlock. They had been driven out into the sea of stars by a man named Draghund, a governor that hated captain Harlock more than anything. Falco and Fritz had been welcomed back in the proud Harlock family, after their two families had been astray for generations. It was also then Falco had gotten his pirate ship the Atlantis, and had broth Mira with them.
The Atlantis stood now hidden not to far way from where Falco and his crew were building a new home for the elder lady, as Space had been no home to her. Together with the Harlocks, Falco had decided to make her a home on Titan, since it was similar to Earth now.
On the way there they had attacked a Mech ship. The Atlantis lay side by side with the Mech ship that were mostly scrap metal after the fight.
Falco, Kai and the some of the ships crew returned to the Atlantis. They were nearly run down by the questions the young boy and wolf had for them. Kai eagerly shared the events. Kai was a small Japanese man that also shared bloodline with the Great Tochiro, Captain Harlock's best friend, as well as with his son Tochiro Jr. young Harlocks best friend as well.
"I will be resting in my room if there is a need for me. I leave the rest to you Kai." Falco said smiling before turning around, leaving for his room. His small friend agreeing, not wasting a second to tell on to the eager boy and cub.
As Falco closed the door to his captain's room, he exhaled painfully. Moving over to his bed, he took of the cape and opened his shirt, using his left hand to hold to his right shoulder. He hissed painfully as he took his hand out again. His fingers were covered in blood.
"Shit. seems like I reopened the wound." He growled to himself remembering the incident were he had reopen it clearly. As they had boarded the Mech ship, he had been forced into a saber fight against the Mech captain. Falco had only learned the basics behind fencing and had some trouble taking him down. Ducking out of the way from a blow, he had hit the wall pretty hard and the wound on his right shoulder, that he had gotten protecting Captain Harlock from a sniper, had reopened at that point. He had not shown any signs to be in pain during the fight and he had not said anything to any one about it. He was not sure to tell Kai or not as it would just make his friend worry. He took up a bottle of wine and filled his glass. Taking a sip from it, he looked out into the stars,
The door suddenly opened and Kai came in. With him he had Doctor Zerò.
"What's going on, Kai?" Falco asked sitting down in his chair looking to his friend.
"I think maybe you should let doctor Zerò have a look at your wound. As you have reopened it." Kai grinned, knowing full well that Falco would never admit it himself. Falco sighed.
"What gave me away?" He asked as he took of his shirt. As Doctor Zerò started to take of the old bandage, Kai grinned.
"I know you Harlocks. Never ever want to show that you are in pain, to damn stubborn and proud to say that. I saw you hit the wall and could nearly hear the stitches snap. Also Silvereye asked who of us were hurt when you left, as he said he could smell blood." Kai grinned but his look could not camouflage the worry in them. Falco sighed before cringing as the doctor started to sow the wound together again.
"How bad is it?" He asked looking to the doctor.
"Not really as bad as I feared. It was a lot worse when you came on board the first time." He said. Falco sighed as there were a moment of silence between them.
"I have been thinking, Kai. Maybe it would be best if Mira got a new home. She does not complaining or anything, but I can see it her eyes. She misses to walk on grass." He said taking an new sip of his glass. Kai nodded.
"I have seen it to. I have talked to young Harlock, he says that Titan would be the place, as it looks a lot like Earth. Captain Harlock agrees to." Kai said taking a glass of wine as well. Falco smiled faintly.
"Will she be safe there? It is one of the more dangerous places, in the universe." He said growling a bit in pain as the doctor finished sowing the wound.
"I don't think anything could take down that woman." Kai grinned. Falco smiled.
"Well then, I will talk to her tomorrow." He said smiling faintly.
"All we need to to now is to find a good place to make her new home." Kai said moving over to some space maps and lay them over the desk. As the doctor finished taking on the new bandage, Falco moved over to him taking on the shirt again.
"Thank you, doctor Zerò" Falco said.
"No problem captain, just be a little more careful." The doctor ginned as he left. Falco smiled and looked down on the map.
"It will be hard to get to Titan first of all... From the reports, there is a large group of Mech ships patrolling the area." Kai said pointing to the point where the ships were. Falco sighed and changed the map to a map over Titan.
"There is quite a few places that will be good to make her home in. Here and here for instance." Falco said and pointed to two places.
"It is close to one of the towns, and yet far enough away for no one to notice as she will have a lot of pirate ships coming and going." Falco continued. Kai nodded.
"The question is how are we gonna get there?" He asked looking to the space map again. Falco looked to the map silently and looked grim for a long time.
"The only way, and that is a risky way, would be this way." He said and pointed past a meteor belt, that were rumoured or its many sudden meteor showers that had taken down so many ships before.
"Hmm, it would surely seem that we have no other way to get there with out having to fight our way." Kai said nodding.
"And we need to stay out of trouble to get to build her home." Falco said taking up his glass of wine.
"It would surely be hard to get anything done, if we we have an army of metal heads after us." Kai said smiling.
Fritz and Silvereye came in. They looked at the two men and smiled. Silvereye suddenly got a wicked look in his eyes as he jumped up and play bit Fritz in the arm.
"Hey! You little..." Fritz laughed and soon the two of them were rolling on the floor, play fighting. Kai started to laugh seeing the two of them going at it for full.
"Yosh, then you rest up. I will go inform the crew." Kai smiled and left. Falco sat down, looking to his son and his pet wolf play fighting. He looked down on the map over Titan again, silently thinking.
--------------------------------
The Atlantis had landed down in a small clearing in the forest, not to far form where it had been decided Mira's home would be.
"Puh, that was rough." Kai had exhaled. As the had passed thorough the meteor belt, they had been surprised two times by the sudden meteor showers, but thanks to the greatly build Atlantis and it's skilled captain, they had made it to Titan with only a few minor damages. Falco had gasped for air as well as it had been rough against his wounded shoulder as well.
For the next weeks everyone had done what they cold to build Mira a new home. Kai stood behind the drawings and the house took quickly shape. Then Kai, a few day s later, had come to Falco.
"You should take the time now to take a flight in the Arcadia. I am sure your son would love it and you need to find some resting time. Your wound wont heal like this." Falco had sighed realising that he could not argue this his friend.
"You know he is right. You should take the time to let your wound heal." Mira had said smiling as she came.
"Fritz and Silvereye said that they wanted to see a place not to far from here, named Wolf howl rock." Falco had sighed and agreed to go.
--------------------------------
They came to a clearing in the woods, where a large rock formation stood . Falco smiled as he saw the black meteor rocks that stood out of the ground.
"Wow!" Fritz said running to look closer. Falco stretched his sore body. It had been a calm flight but his body were sore from sitting still for so long. He sat down and rested his back on one of the rocks.
"Don't wander off to far you two. Stray here where I can see you." He said looking to his son as he came around to him.
"Okay dad. " Fritz said but Falco got a feeling the boy was not listening. He seemed like he was looking for something.
Suddenly there were a new sound coming behind Falco. He stood up a realised that the sound had been Silvereye howling. He stood up on the rocks and howled out as strong as his young voice could.
"Silvereye..." Falco said wondering.
"Oh, sorry I... I just had to do that." The cub said looking a little dumb.
"That was cool." Fritz said and took his hands up to his mouth and tried to make the same sound, making the cub howl even more, before the two of them started to laugh. Falco sat back down and shook his head. As he, with out knowing it dosed off, he did not see the shadows that watched them in the woods, nor did he notice the other shadow had been awakened by the cubs howl. It on the other hand had seen the other ones watching them and followed as Fritz and Silvereye forgot Falco's warring not to wander away.
--------------------------
"Dad!" Fritz's voice suddenly called from somewhere in the forest, brutally ripping Falco out of his dream. He looked around realising that the sun was setting. He stood up, looking around. He could not see his son anywhere nor could he see any sign of Silvereye.
"Fritz!" Falco called worried looking around in the forest.
"Fritz! Where are you?! Answer me!" He called again not sure where to go.
"Dad, help!" Fritz called further in the forest. Falco started to run towards the voice.
"Fritz!" He called skidding to a stop as he realised that he did not know where go.
"Fritz, Answer me!" Falco called again, his heart racing and his stomach were twisted in fear. This time there were no answer.
"Fritz! Silvereye! Fritz! Where are you!?" He looked around desperately.
He pulled up the watch and called for them through the communicator. There were only static to be heard.
"Fritz!" He called again into the woods.
"Atlantis come in!" He called desperately hoping for some help from the crew.
"Atlantis here, what is wrong Falco?" Falco had never been so happy hearing Kai's voice but it did not change the situation.
"Kai, I lost Fritz and Silvereye. They disappeared somewhere in the forest." He said worried. Kai turned silent on the other end.
"Where are you?" He suddenly asked.
"Not to far from the place called Wolf howl rock." Falco answered looking around.
"We're on the way." Kai said. Falco nodded to himself and turned back to looking around.
"Fritz!" He called running on while calling for his son.
Suddenly he heard a small howl like he had heard before.
"Silvereye!" He said and ran in the direction it came from. The howl ended in a loud whine as Falco could also hear the sound from the strike that hit the young cub. He had come to an opening in the forest where a small ship had landed. He quickly hid behind some threes. His eyes narrowed seeing only one man that held Silvereye upside down by holding in by his bound back legs. The cub had a rope over his much locking his jaws shut. Falco could also see the bleeding wounds on the man's hands and arms after the cub's fangs. The man were a big man, dressed in a black hunter's suit with white arms he had a belt around his wast with some guns and hitting weapons. He had black short hair that had one lock, going down to his black eyes. Falco stood in hiding looking for his son.
"Falco Harlock!" A voice suddenly called as a man came out from the ship. He was dressed like a bounty hunter, many guns at his belt as well as other gadgets hunters needed. His suit were green and had white arms and legs. His black eyes looked around in the forest. His long raven black hair where up in a ponytail behind his head, the tail waved slightly in the wind. Falco's eyes narrowed even more as he saw the man holding a hand to Fritz shoulder. Fritz's hands where chained in front of him, and had a piece of cloth over his mouth. Falco could also see that his son had a red mark over his right cheek.
Bastards dare to hit my son. Falco's blood boiled as he saw this.
"Falco Harlock! I know you are here!" The man called again. Falco did not move.
"If you value your son's life, then show yourself!" The man called looking around in the forest.
"I know that your friend captain Harlock probably told you about this thing!" The man smiled and showed that Fritz had a metal ring around his neck. Falco's boiling blood turned ice-cold as he realised what that ring were, remembering very clearly the elder and the younger Harlock's warring, as both Captain Harlock and Young Harlock had experienced those things first-hand.
"I heard the Captain were nearly killed by the ring he had on. Will you let your son suffer like that?" The man laughed. Fritz's eyes narrowed and the young cub struggled in the grip of the man to get free and help his master.
"What do you want?" Falco called out, fearing for Fritz's life. Fritz struggled and tried to warn his father not to came out, but the gag made his calls only into muffled sounds.
"Your friend Harlock really, but you will do as bait." The man laughed.
"Come out peacefully and surrender, and I will not let your son feel the terror of the ring!" He said. Falco growled as he heard this.
"How will I know that you will keep your word?" He asked as he looked around for more hunters.
"It is not him I am after. I have no real need to hurt him if you give up now." The man called.
"Don't, master Falco!" Silvereye called out for the first time in mind speak. Falco shook his head as he wondered how the cub had gotten into his head. He looked to the men in front of him. He had no other way out, as he was alone. The Atlantis were to far of to be any help.
"Let my son and the cub go, and I will surrender with out a fight." He called. The man grinned.
"That is a pirate's promise? Those you are not ever breaking?" The man grinned, feeling already having won.
"Yes." Falco called.
"All right, so come out!" The man called. Falco stood up and moved into the clearing. Both Fritz and Silvereye started to struggle and tried to warn him not to. Falco stopped a little away from the two hunters.
"Drop your weapons, all of them!" The man called, showing the control that controlled the ring. Falco removed his gun belt and also took away the little knife he had. Throwing them to the ground, out of his own reach, he looked to the hunters again.
"Lie down on the ground, face first! Do it!" The hunter called. Falco growled and lay down on his stomach. Suddenly from nowhere, another hunter came up behind him and lay his weight on Falco's back, as he chained Falco's hands behind his back. The third hunter, a lean man with black hair and black eyes. His suit were grey with white arms. Falco growled but did not struggle. At least not before he suddenly realised that the man behind him also had one of those cursed rings, and tried to take it around his neck. He nearly threw the man of him, as he moved away from the ring.
"Stay still, or your son gets to feel the ring's power!" The first hunter called and held the control up. Falco stopped to struggle.
"Cowards!" He cursed as the third hunter took the ring around his neck. It snapped in place, and already it was choking him a little. Falco were haled to his feet by the hunter.
"Now, let Fritz and the cub go!" Falco said looking to the first hunter.
"You got me, so let them go!" He called angry, seeing the grin on the hunter's face.
"No, I don't think so. You see, we are bounty hunters, not pirates. So your pirates laws of honour, does not bother us. I think I will give them your son as well." The hunter laughed.
"Bastard!" Falco called and struggled to get free from the chains. The hunter grinned and suddenly the ring became burning hot around his neck and choked him even more. Before suddenly strong currents were going through his whole body. The chains on his wrist burned even through his gloves. His body shook and as the currents finally went away, he fell to his knees, breathing hard. He looked up at Fritz. His son looked at him wide eyed and tears were coming up in his eyes.
Don't cry, Fritz. You are a Harlock. Falco thought, gasping for air. Even now for Falco, it felt like his last hour had come.
"Did you want some thing?" The first hunter mocked, laughing as he saw the pirate suffer. The other two laughed as well.
"Do it again, brother. Make him twist like a worm on a hook." The biggest one laughed, as he come towards Falco with Silvereye hanging down from his hand. The young cub struggled in the ropes and growled. Falco looked up at the hunter. His grey brown eyes glowing in hate.
"Let him g..." He started to say and nearly bit his tounge as the first hunter made the ring burn up again. His neck burned badly cutting of his air, before a new wave of pain come over him again. He bit his teeth together, refusing to scream out even as much as it hurt him. He looked to his son even now. Fritz looked at him with a bit of fear in his eyes, but his tears were gone.
Good boy, look at me and remember how a Harlock handles pain. He thought, trying to focus his mind on his son, but the pain made it nearly impossible. The three men laughed at him twist in pain.
"Hoho, look at him twist." The biggest one laughed.
"Make him twist even more, brother." The third one called to the first and eldest one.
"More? okay." He called an pushed the button harder down. Before there had been a few seconds before the next current came, but now it came with out brakes. Falco growled in pain and threw his head backwards, shutting his eyes closed. Fritz struggled in his chains, trying too get free and help his dad. He looked up at the hunter with hate in his eyes. The hunter did not look at him, being more busy laughing at Falco's pain.
Suddenly Fritz threw his hands up, knocking the control out of the hunter's hands. As the currents finally stopped Falco gasped for air and were fighting to stay awake.
"Blasted kid!" The hunter growled and struck Fritz over the face, knocking the ten year old boy to the ground.
"Fritz!" Falco called out, seeing his son take the hit, while gasping for air.
Fritz struggled up in a sitting position and looked to his father.
"Dad!" He called as the gag had fallen out as the man struck him. Falco could see that Fritz lip began to bleed.
"Fritz!" he called before turning to the hunter again.
"Bastard! I will see you in Hell for this!" He cursed to them. The first hunter grinned and nodded to his brother beside of him.
"Not likely, we will send you to hell first, but first you will lead captain Harlock and his son into our trap." The hunter laughed as the third one struck Falco in the back of his neck, knocking him out cold.
"Get all three of them on board. He would have had the time to call for his ship so they will be coming soon. We need to get away before that." The first one called and grabbed Fritz by the neck, haling in to his feet and forcing him into the ship. The biggest one grabbed Falco and threw him over his shoulder while holding Silvereye in his right hand. The third hunter picked up Falco's guns and walked in after his brothers. None of them had seen the black shadow, that had been watching the entire time, from its hiding place in one for the threes.
The leader needs to know of this. If those two are friends of the Captain, then he will want to know. In the mean time, I will help any way I can. The shadow grinned to himself, as he watched the men pick up the last of their things covering all their tracks, with his dark blue eyes. As the men finished up and before they made their way back to the ship, the shadow took his chance and jumped into the ship with two long jumps. Hiding with in the ship, the shadow sent out a silent message to his leader and dear friend.
"Lighting, there is trouble."