Guests
It was beautiful…
Peaceful…
The little girl beside him laughed as he placed the crown of flowers atop her head. Her eyes, a beautiful green, smiled up at him even as her soft lips did the same. He returned the smile, his heart bursting with joy.
Nami…
The sky seemed to darken overhead, and the green that surrounded them turned to ash. Logan peered about, knowing all too well what had happened and when he whipped his head around to find her she was already beneath the metal. He screamed her name, lurching towards her when suddenly a figure loomed before him.
Ezra…
He was broken and bleeding, the gunshot oozing blood and scorn graced his features.
"Look what you've done, Logan." He hissed, his voice filled with so much menace that it stabbed at his heart, slicing through his defenses as if they were butter. "This is what you've done!" He screamed and the crumbling walls shook with the force. "You've killed us!" He shrieked and gestured with his arms. "You've killed us!"
Logan shook his head, unable to understand, willing the nightmare to fade but it wouldn't. Ezra's words echoed over and over inside his head until he crumbled to the ground, holding his head in his hands.
"You've killed us! You've killed us!" The words ripped through him until Logan couldn't take it anymore.
"No!" He screamed and he felt his body pull from the dream. His eye flashed open just as his body jolted up out of the cot. He yelped, losing his balance and tumbling out onto the cold steel. He winced at the pain that lanced up his arm from where he'd fallen but it was faded due to the adrenaline that raced through his body. His breathing was ragged and he shook his head, blinking rapidly to try and clear his head.
Ezra…
Nami…
He gasped, feeling his throat close as tears threatened his eyes. He pushed them away, shutting his eye tightly and curling his fingers into fists. Stumbling to his feet he grabbed his clothes, stumbling out into the halls to head for the showers. He ran, not caring who saw him but the time was early, early even for the crew and he knew that the ghost ship was sleeping.
Dashing into the showers, his hands shaking, he flipped on the facets, pulling off the simple sleepwear he had on and plunged in. It was cold but refreshing, shocking him out of his dazed and frantic state. He leaned against the walls, bracing his arms against them as he let the water slide down his trembling body.
Would they ever stop?
He gritted his teeth, turning his head to toss off the eye patch. His hair was a little longer, concealing the marred side of his face but that didn't hide the scar itself. It would forever mark his face, mark the hatred Ezra had felt for him.
It was one thing for Ezra to have indifference towards him, he could live with that, but hatred, pure hatred, was another thing. Why couldn't Ezra have loved him more? Just a small breath of warmth would have been enough but that wasn't in Ezra's heart. After all the only reason he'd saved the Earth was because of mother and Nami, not himself.
The thought made his shoulders tremble and he lifted his head, dousing it in the cold water. He missed the sliding of the door, the hiss as steam met the cold water but he heard the deep, lilting voice.
"Logan?" Harlock's voice snapped him out of his thoughts, causing him to jolt and turn sharply. The space pirate stood there, clad in nothing but a towel, his hair dripping wet and his eye focused solely on him. For a moment Logan was almost thankful that the captain only had one eye, for having just one alone staring at him like that nearly brought him to his knees. Logan flushed, embarrassment filling him when he realized he was naked. Harlock's lips twitched at the corners, amusement covering his face as he tossed him another towel.
"Here." Logan caught it gratefully and wrapped it around him but he still felt his cheeks flush, his heart beating hard in his chest as he also realized that underneath that towel Harlock would be naked as well. The man crossed his arms, titling his head in curiosity and Logan narrowed his eye, doing his best not to stare at him.
But good god…
He was mesmerizing…
His chest was lean, muscles blending perfectly together with narrow hips and long, strong arms that gleamed from the water. He swallowed, his throat dry and his palms tingling as he remembered that only hours before Harlock had held him, even for a moment.
What the hell?
"Why are you up so early?" Harlock questioned, his face still holding a small shred of amusement, as if he was aware of a joke that Logan did not.
"I couldn't sleep, Captain." He replied, ducking his head and refusing to meet that golden orb. Harlock didn't reply and the silence made Logan slowly turn his head upwards to look at him. His face had lost amusement, instead that same sad, surreal expression replacing it and Logan felt his body tremble. Harlock took a step towards him and Logan instinctively drew away. This caused Harlock to stop, his eye filled with mild curiosity before vanishing.
"Nightmares, is it?" Harlock's soft question made Logan's gut clench and he nodded wordlessly. Harlock eyed him for a moment, his gaze accessing, before turning and heading out.
"Follow me after you've dressed." Harlock ordered and Logan blinked, noting the long scar that graced the immortal man's arm, and watched as he left the showers.
His body…
It had been covered in scars…
Logan knew that he'd been in battles, but how many? The marks were evident of violent conflicts, but they also showed Harlock's strength and conviction.
It showed the soul of the man who bore them…
Doing as he bid, Logan dressed, noting how his heart was still pounding before stepping out into the hall. Harlock was there, already dressed in his usual attire. Logan immediately felt at ease, for seeing Harlock in his striking clothes that gave him the air of defiance, menace, and a certain devilish beauty that only he could fully control, made his heart calm.
Only a little however…
Harlock turned, not waiting for Logan to speak, and started walking. Logan followed after, noting how the cloak, or cape, whatever you called it, flowed down off of his shoulders. He stood nearly a head taller than he and the slight difference of height shouldn't have intimidated Logan, he'd face many opponents to get where he was now, but to no avail it did. He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't notice Harlock halt, waiting for the doors to slide open and Logan nearly plowed into him. Then he realized where they were at.
His quarters…
Logan glanced surreptitiously around the room. The architecture in and of itself was magnificent yet haunting. Logan knew that the Arcadia was just a ship, but it somehow felt alive.
As for this room…
It was an enormous gothic dining room that looked like it came out of humanity's long forgotten past. All shadows and dark colors, the air feeling haunted and cold. It should not have fit anywhere, yet it fit within the most feared pirate ship of the galaxy.
Unlike him…
Logan glimpsed another room that branched off, spying a desk with what looked like a cracked beaker. He squinted his eye, trying to see the contents of the jar when Harlock's voice called him back.
"Logan," the way he said his name, it made his nerves tremble, "Come here." He was standing beside a mantle, shrouded in shadows and Logan frowned, confused, but did as he ordered.
"Yes, Captain?" He asked and Harlock turned his head, his gaze latching on a rose, long ago dead and withered away. Logan's frown deepened and he glanced up at Harlock's face that was hid in shadow.
"This was a gift," he murmured and gently reached out and touched it, "from someone long ago." His fingers caressed the dead petals and Logan peered at him. Logan couldn't help but catch how his face softenedand his throat went raw. He swallowed, trying to relieve it but Harlock's next words drew his attention again. "She died because of me," he turned his head to look at him, "because of my choices…of who I am." They were so soft, so sad. Logan suddenly wanted to reach out and wrap his arms around the man's midsection, squeezing him tightly but stopped himself.
"Who was she?" Logan asked quietly, his eye returning to the rose.
It must have been beautiful when it was alive…
"My wife." The simple reply knocked the wind from Logan's lungs and he shuddered. "She was taken from me," he stepped towards the rose, stroking the husk of the stem as if he was touching his long lost lover.
"I'm sorry, Captain." Logan whispered, and he was sorry. To lose anyone was heartbreak, but one whom you chose to spend the rest of your life with was another. Harlock didn't reply, simply looking at the rose and Logan saw his face grow distant, memories only he could see flashing through his mind's eye.
"It was a long time ago." He dropped his hand, failing to hide the hurt that graced his features for a moment. "But I see her every day, remember her face and who she was. What she stood for…" he trailed off and turned to face Logan squarely. "Nightmares plaque men who have regrets, and to erase those regrets you must face them. Make peace with them…if you can." He was looking straight at him and Logan couldn't look away.
"What happens when I can't?" Logan's soft question hung on the silent air. Harlock studied him for a long moment, his face an unreadable mask of emotion. Logan knew the Captain of the Arcadia kept his emotions and thoughts close to his heart, sharing little with anyone, even Miime, and so by the look that was on his face he thought that Harlock was done speaking with him. He turned, prepared to leave but Harlock reached out and touched his shoulder, clasping him lightly along the arm. Logan halted, glancing cautiously back at the Captain's face.
"Then I'll be there to redeem you," a soft smile, filled with both sadness and a hint of warmth, touched his lips, "to set you free." He squeezed, "Like you did for me." Logan looked into that golden orb and felt his walls breaking, felt them crumbling down at that look. He felt his body inwardly shudder and knew he would break, break into a thousand pieces and there'd be nothing left but before he could a high wailing filled the ship. Harlock snapped his head towards the door, dropping his hand and stepping towards the entrance just as Yulian filled it.
"Captain!" He halted at the sight of Logan. He stared at the younger man and Logan scowled.
"What is it, Yulian?" Harlock's commanding tone brought the other man around.
"Uh sorry, Captain, but there's sighting of a Gaia cruiser!" Yulian cracked a wide grin. "And she looks like she's gonna put up a fight!" Harlock dipped his head in a slight nod of acknowledgement and strode forward, Yulian stumbling back and out of the way to trot down ahead of them. Logan stayed behind Harlock, slightly off to the man's right. He may be the next captain, but Harlock was the true captain and the air that surrounded him showed it.
They entered the battle bridge and Kei glanced at him. Her blue eyes were filled with questions but Logan looked ahead through the observation windows. A massive ship loomed before them, their feeble guns swinging about to latch onto them.
"Orders Captain!" Yulian shouted as he went to his panel, Kei already furiously working out commands on her own.
"Dismantle their guns and engines." Harlock's voice was calm as he strode towards the helm. Grasping the wooden wheel he glanced at Yulian. "Hack into their servers and explain their situation." His cape ruffled behind him and Tori alighted down from the air to land on his shoulder.
"Yes sir!" Yulian and Kei shouted at the same time, throwing themselves into what he'd ordered. Logan watched quietly from behind the captain, his hands behind his black. Yulian pressed the intercom button and called out to the ghost ship's crew.
"Battle stations boys! The Captains at the helm again and well…" he snickered and glanced at Harlock, "like I said, we all know what that means!" He flicked it off but there was a round of cheering that filtered through the intercom. At the words Logan remembered his first time on the ship, when he'd heard similar words spoken to him.
Harlock remained firm at the wheel, swinging it to bring the Arcadia about. The guns groaned, the sound chilling yet oddly sounding like sounds of home as they took position.
"That's the Queen Mary!" Kei exclaimed, her eyes widening in shock and she glanced sharply at Harlock. "That's a well known elite ship!" Logan perked his ears, looking at Harlock to see if he'd react. The space pirate didn't; his somber face like ice.
"So? The bigger the prize the better!" Yulian shouted happily and saluted the captain. "Orders to fire sir?" Harlock steadied the wheel and an ominous breeze wavered through the bridge. Tori shrieked once, the sound echoing about the room.
"Fire." He ordered and Yulian slammed his palm down. A second later the ship rocked as the guns unleashed their fury on the cruiser. Harlock spun the wheel, whipping them about to give an open angle to the engines.
"Kei." Harlock commanded and Kei nodded. Her fingers flying over the commands she nodded again.
"Ready." She answered and Harlock looked at her. He nodded his head and Kei pressed the final button. A torrent went off at the right, the shots streaking out and crashing into the engines that adorned the back of the space cruiser. The engines sputtered, seeking life but ultimately dying. Logan dimly wondered how many bodies would be among the twisted pieces of metal that now glided through space.
He remained silent until Harlock pulled up beside the damaged Queen Mary. Striding forward he halted beside Harlock, his eye on the harpoons as they were deployed. "Permission to lead the men to board, Captain." His quietly spoken words made Harlock glance at him but Logan saw how both Yulian and Kei looked at him.
"Captain—" Yulian started but Harlock smoothly interrupted him.
"Granted." Their eyes locked for a long moment, Harlock's face unreadable before he turned back to the helm. "Kei, assist him. Yulian, stay aboard and man the guns." At his orders Logan could tell that Yulian and Kei were not pleased but they did not argue with the deadly captain.
Logan turned, striding for the doors with Kei following after him. They headed to the armory, the silence heavy on the air but Logan didn't feel like talking to her and she didn't seem to want to break the silence herself. The Arcadia bustled with activity, men running to their stations and gathering their weapons and suits.
"Do you have a plan?" Kei asked as she donned her suit, Logan simply putting on a hard mask to filter in oxygen to him.
"Of course," he replied simply, walking towards the anchoring tubes. Kei snorted, obviously not convinced but Logan adjusted the two cosmo guns that adorned his hips. Men assembled behind him, their suits blinking and whirling with the sound of machinery. Across the space that separated the two ships Logan noted the men running, the Gaia Coalition uniforms catching the light from the fires.
"There's certainly a lot of uniforms on that ship for a cruiser." Kei commented to him but Logan didn't reply, his mind already calculating the man power that was contained on the other side.
"Let's stop yapping and get to it." He looked back at the men, pulling on a black cape and unfurling the collar. Kei lifted her brows but said nothing as her helmet whizzed over her face.
"Shall we give them a warm welcome?!" Kei shouted, her mechanized voice filling the air. The men shouted, lifting their arms and whooping with excitement. Logan didn't join in on the cheering, grasping the harpoon belt and putting it on.
"Then let's go!" Kei shot out her harpoon, the rest of the crew following suit and she turned her head to look at Logan. He knew that she'd be smirking underneath the metal mask but he didn't return it. Instead he swung out, his body momentarily suspended in the air as the platform below him filled with soldiers. They lifted their guns, pulling the triggers and bullets whizzed up at him. He grunted, twisting and flipping through the air before landing hard on the other side. He heard the crunch of the crew following him and Kei as she took out a round of men. He pivoted, grasping the Cosmo guns and firing off shots as he turned and twisted. Using men as shields and flipping them over his back when they'd lost their usefulness, the scene before him became a blur. His mind was only focusing on the instinct to survive and nothing else.
His blood was pounding, the adrenaline giving strength to his limbs and he paused, time seemingly to slow as he saw a man out of the corner of his eye raise his gun. He heard the click of the gun and swinging his black cape out, twisted away and out of range. The man gave a chortled gasp but was too slow as Logan lifted his arm and fired the last shot. It echoed about the now empty corridor and Logan holstered his Cosmo Gun. The other one he kept ready and he looked up to see Kei watching him.
"You twelve," he gestured his head to a group of men, "come with me. Kei," he looked to her, "take the rest and make sure to spare as many as you can." He saw her hesitate and for a moment he thought that she'd object but didn't.
"You heard him! Move your asses!" She shouted while heading the opposite direction. Logan half smirked, turning and striding the other direction, towards a set of doors at the far end. The crew members followed him, the weight of the suits crunching against the metal underneath their feet. They trotted up to the door, it whizzing open to reveal more soldiers at the end of the hall.
"I thought this was supposed to be a cruiser!" One of the crew members shouted as they charged, returning fire and Logan inwardly frowned. There were far too many Gaia Coalition soldiers aboard this ship for it to be a cruiser, but he knew it carried no weapons or ammunition so what did it carry?
The thought muddled about his head as they dispatched the small group, leaving most of them alive but wounded. Moving farther down Logan halted, static coming over the failing intercom. He picked out a few voices, one shouting for escape pods the other talking about the bridge.
"Kei," Logan pressed the private communicator and a moment later Kei's voice answered him.
"Yeah?" She responded and he heard the distant sound of shots and men shouting but wasn't concerned for her safety.
She could take care of herself…
"Tell Yulian to disable the code to the escape pods. Then meet me at the bridge. They're hiding something and we're going to find out." He waited for her to reply, the sound of gunfire increasing before she answered.
"Fine, meet there in fifteen." He heard the click of her getting off and continued down the hall, grasping the Cosmo guns tightly in his hands. The crew members followed after, shooting any soldiers that happened to cross their sights.
The ship was larger than it looked, and impressive. She was built for speed but sadly, whatever she carried must have weighed her down. Logan could feel it as the Queen Mary fought to rid herself of the Arcadia but the anchoring tubes held her securely in place. Logan also noted the lack of civilians on the ship. If it was a cruiser the wealthy should have been on board, not soldiers.
The thought irked him once more as he halted outside the main bridge's door. The men piled in behind him, anxiously awaiting orders.
"Come on already! Let's just go in!" One shouted, causing an uproar from the rest, but Logan silenced them with a glare.
"As many men as we have encountered so far, I highly doubt they'll leave the main bridge unprotected. We wait for Kei and her group." His orders were firm but he felt more than saw the irritated looks the crew members gave him. He didn't care, he wasn't going in there to be killed just because a few men couldn't be patient. Static filled his ear and a second later Kei's voice replaced it.
"Gonna be a little late," she huffed over the communicator, "found a nest of them and they're putting up a fight." An explosion filtered in amongst her words and worry prickled up Logan's spine.
"A little?" Logan inquired and Kei laughed sarcastically.
"Well you know how a girl always likes to be late." She replied and he heard the shots of her gun. "If you think it's a go, take the bridge while I deal with these. If not, wait and I'll be there in a bit." Logan listened to her words, mulling over the situation in his head but before he could reply another explosion went off. This one rocked the ship, causing Logan to nearly lose his balance.
"What the hell?" He pressed the communicator. "Kei? Kei?!" He demanded but there was no answer. He pivoted swiftly, pointing at the man closest to him. "Wait here until I get back. If these doors open and you think you can take them, do so, but if not fall back and find cover while I go help Kei and her men. Understand?" Metal helmets nodded in unison and Logan took off down the stretch of hallways and corridors.
Ships were laid out about roughly the same and so after a few twists and turns Logan made it to the escape pods. He noted one was twisted and warped, its contents ash and he silently prayed it wasn't of a dead family. There were similar pods like that, the room filled with debris and bodies of soldiers. He looked around, his eye accessing everything until he spotted it. There was a gaping hole in the wall leading to another large, dark room that must have wrapped around. His ears picked up on the distant hum of gunfire coming from it and keeping his Cosmo guns at the ready, ran forward.
As he drew closer so did the sound of battle and as he stepped through the twisted hole of metal, bullets peppered his feet. Swearing he leapt behind a stack of crates, slamming his back into them to keep his head down. He pressed the communicator, leaning his head out to try and see his assailants.
"Yulian, come in. Come in." There was silence until a scratchy voice answered him.
"Woah Logan, looks like things are a mess in there." Logan silently gritted his teeth, unable to decide if Yulian was trying to make a point or just stating the obvious.
"Have you heard from Kei? She was taking the escape pods when an explosion went off. It may have damaged her communicator." Logan peeked again but this time bullets sprayed the crates, causing him to yank his head back and down.
"No. The explosion was manual, from inside. Don't know who did it but whoever did didn't want us getting a hold of their precious cargo." Logan silently agreed with Yulian and since he was pinned down decided to look around the room he'd stepped into. It had a high ceiling, a railing running about the room that had doors marking exits, and wide doors along the bottom. Perhaps it was a docking bay, for that would explain the cargo crates behind him and the size of the room. A round of gunfire interrupted his observation and Logan gnashed his teeth together, his fingers tightening around his Cosmo guns.
"Looks like you're in a tight spot," Yulian commented and Logan snorted.
"You think?" He snapped back and tilted his head out but to no avail, more bullets whizzed at him. He swore; trying to calculate where it was coming from and how many there were.
"There's a line of Sentries forty feet in front of you. They're on the walkway." Yulian offered and Logan snorted.
"Where's Kei at? Can you locate her with the cameras?" Logan went to the belt that adorned his waist, grasping a grenade and clicking it.
"She's pinned down in the room next to yours. They're taking heavy fire." Yulian must have hit a button and Logan glanced up to see guns that lined the far wall whirl to life. "I'll cover you!" He shouted and Logan nodded. The guns blasted to life and Logan tensed his muscles, throwing himself out from behind the crates. Bullets peppered his feet but he kept his eye on the far wall.
One…
Two…
Three…
Logan twisted his body, his eye latching on a group of shadows that lined the catwalk, and threw the grenade. He watched it fly through the air before he turned back around, his arms pumping as he raced towards the door. He heard the final click and heat erupted behind him.
Flames licked at his cape, racing up his legs as he dived through, the door bursting open as fire nearly engulfed him. He skidded across the iron floor, noting the gunfire that sounded above his head and the line of soldiers that were to his left. He caught a glimpse of Kei's suit along with the other crew members and twisted his body, scrambling towards her direction. She shouted something, raising her Cosmo rifle and firing off shots.
Picking himself up he dived over the crate, it splintering only moments later and Kei ducked her head, grasping him by the collar and hauling him back undercover. His chest was heaving and the adrenaline that flowed through his body made his heart pound but he was alive.
"What the hell Logan?!" Kei shouted beside his ear and he winced but flashed her a mocking grin.
"I can't leave all the dramatics to you," he shot back and peeked over the crate. It looked about forty men were across from them, a considerably large number considering all the soldiers they had previously come across.
"Humph, well you gotta plan?" Kei snapped as she fired off more shots. Logan glanced around, noting that they were in a supply bay so there would be no help from Yulian.
"Well," he racked his brain, looking down at his belt but he only had one grenade left and if he pulled it now they'd all be lost in the explosion. Kei must have seen the look on his face and snorted.
"No way." She turned her head, spying a set of steel enforced crates. "Move on my count!" She shoved Logan, getting him to a crouching position. "Move!" She lifted her rifle and fired off shots and the crew made a dash towards the crates. Bullets whizzed off armor but Logan noted that it was tearing through the steel plates. Whatever weapons they were using they tore through armor.
Now that was a problem…
Undercover, Kei reloaded her rifle and Logan did a head count. They had twenty men so the odds weren't exactly in their favor. He turned, keeping his Cosmo guns at the ready. The soldiers were piled in front of a large door and it was sealed shut but the windows inside showed other soldiers scurrying about, carrying something. Glancing up the sides Logan noted that they'd stacked crates to keep them from fire but he grinned.
Idiots…
"Kei," he turned to face her, "aim for the crates." He ordered and he could feel more than see her brows furrow in confusion.
"No way, we're already low on ammo as it is!" She replied and he gritted his teeth.
"If we get the crates to topple, they'll take out the soldiers." He hissed and she flicked her head up, the green mechanical eyes looking towards the stacks.
"But they're steel, our bullets won't shatter them." Kei yelped, ducking her head when a bullet caught her shoulder. Logan grasped her, pulling her back against the cover and she grunted, her head down as she looked at the dented piece of golden metal.
"I'll take five men; you distract the soldiers while we flank them." He pointed to the handful beside him. "You, come with me." He shifted, keeping his low. "One volley will have to reload soon, once they do we'll take our chance." Kei nodded her head and started issuing orders. Logan gestured to his men and snuck to the side. He waited, counting silently to himself. He heard the pause as they reloaded and silently smirked to himself.
"Now!" He shouted and together they charged. Kei and the remaining crew members covered them, forcing the other soldiers to get behind the crates. His heart pounding in his breast, Logan reached the crates first, firing shots to cover the remaining men. Once they were all there he nodded his head and as one they shoved.
The iron crates groaned and Logan shouted encouragement and a moment later they toppled. The soldiers scrambled back but it was too late and they were covered. Kei and her men shot forward, quickly disarming the soldiers and throwing them up against the wall in a line. Logan flicked a piece of metal off of his arm, looking around to see if any of the crew members had been hit. They all appeared to be somewhat unharmed, the most fatal injury being a graze along the upper thigh.
"Hey," Kei's voice brought Logan's attention around. He looked at her and her helmet pulled back, revealing her face and he saw that her temple was bruised, a line of blood trailing down. "Your plan was pretty simple, but," she looked at the soldiers and then back at him, "it worked." She gave him a hint of a smile before her blue eyes went to the reinforced door. "Now for this…" she trailed off and shook her head.
"We're not getting in there until we take the bridge." Logan turned back around, looking up at the cameras that lined the room. "Leave a group of men here to watch these; we'll take the rest to the door of the bridge." He holstered his pistols.
"Yulian," he waited for the static to calm before Yulian's voice came on.
"Yeah, hot stuff?" Logan didn't react to the nickname, simply ignoring it.
"Can you hack into the door to the bridge?" They started walking, picking through the toppled crates and debris.
"Already on it, by the time you get there it should be down." Logan nodded, the crew of the Arcadia falling into step behind him. Kei remained on his left as they picked their way back to the large steel doors. "Captain's coming aboard." Yulian added and Logan nodded, keeping his aura calm. The men he'd left their earlier seemed bored when he rounded the corner but they perked up at the sight of them.
"Heard Captain was coming," one tilted its head at Logan, "better wait for him." Logan cast him a hard look.
"Get ready." His tone offered no argument and a second later they heard the gears grind into place. The door whooshed open and Logan stepped inside. The bridge was similar to that of the typical ships that belonged to the Gaia Coalition, all shiny and sleek silver with deep cushions to line the seats.
However what did surprise Logan were the people…
He expected to see commanding officers, their subordinates and a handful of other soldiers but surprisingly it was empty. A man, dressed in wealthy clothing that only applied to men apart of the Gaia Sanction Elite stood there. He was large, thick through the shoulders with a head of white hair and hazel eyes. A woman, more of a girl, stood beside him. She was dressed just as elegantly, her hair a dark brown with eyes the same color as the man who stood beside her. By their age difference Logan guessed that they weren't married, though it wouldn't have surprised him if they were.
"How dare you!" The man bellowed as Logan strode in, the crew members filing out to surround them. Kei remained at his side and she snorted, her helmet sliding back to reveal her face.
"Careful, gramps, or you might have a heart attack." She observed and the girl's eyes lit with fire.
"Don't you talk to my father like that!" She hissed, her tone applying that she was used to people bowing down before her. Kei only smiled, recognizing the tone and the girl's face twisted with rage. Logan noted it but ignored them, looking about and noting the technology that the ship possessed.
This wasn't an ordinary cruiser…
"Hush, Marinna," the man growled and though his daughter didn't look happy about it she did as he told her. He straightened, puffing his chest out and trying to look as intimidating as possible. "Are you the captain of the Arcadia? The dreaded Captain Harlock?!" The man demanded, his eyes on Logan, and Logan lifted his brow in surprise. Kei was surprised as well but no one had a chance to react.
For the captain…
Had arrived…
VVVV
Harlock heard the man's words as he strode forward, the rest of the crew parting for him. He smirked, knowing that his test for Logan had succeeded. He entered the bridge and kept his eye level with that of the wealthy man's. They widened at the sight of him and Harlock saw the fear on his face. He also noted the girl whom he tried to tuck behind him and Harlock's brows twitched.
Did he think him such a monster as to harm a woman?
"You…you're…" he stuttered and Harlock didn't bother to correct him.
They all knew who he was…
"What is your name?" His voice wasn't loud, the same tone he always used but it vibrated about the room. It was commanding and apparently the older man, though Harlock doubted he was older than him, wasn't used to it.
"I am Montonio Akashi, captain of this ship and a high ranking member of the Gaia Sanction. You, pirate, have made a grievous mistake!" He lifted his chin and looked down his rather impressive nose at him. "May you—"
"Yes, yes I know." Harlock strode forward, his cape billowing out behind him as he drew closer. "Pirate I am, but I still have my manners." He halted in front of Montonio, noting that despite the man's height he was still rather short compared to him. "For instance," his voice was still low, holding no emotion, "I could have your ship destroyed and you left to perish inside." He noted the fear but kept going. "Your ship, the Queen Mary, a lovely name for a lovely vessel, yet," he casually lifted his head and looked around, "I do not think she is an ordinary cruiser." His words made the man's face turn red.
"What are you accusing me of, scoundrel?!" He shouted and Harlock felt the tension rise in the room but Harlock didn't react, his face and heart like ice.
"Accusing?" He clucked his tongue once in disapproval, "I was merely stating the obvious." His eye, his gaze fierce, locked onto the man and he saw that he was lying. "However, I am willing to lend you passage on my ship, that is if you are willing to return my gracious favor." He saw his cold words make Montonio's face redden in rage even more but what surprised him was when the girl behind him spoke.
"Stop playing games, fiend!" The girl, Marinna, hissed and she stepped out from behind her father. "Stop playing the gentleman! We all know it's a façade! Why don't you just hurry up and kill us like all pirates do!? Like you did to my mother!" Her hands were trembling at her sides and Harlock looked at her for a long moment.
"I am not like most pirates." His words caused his crew to chuckle, the mechanized laughter vibrating off of the walls and he turned to Kei. "Escort Sir Akashi and his daughter to the Arcadia, where we will later discuss the cargo of the Queen Mary when he is able to have suitable conversation." He turned, his cape flowing out behind him when he heard the click of the gun.
"How dare you!" Marinna shrieked and Harlock saw her reflection in the gleam of Kei's armor. Her arm was shaking, and Harlock's mind was already telling him that even from this distance she wouldn't have a high chance of hitting him. He tensed, prepared to twist free of the line of fire but something slammed into him just as the gun was fired. He hit the ground hard, his mind already processing that he was unharmed but then he realized who'd taken the bullet.
Logan…
Harlock sat up, his heart beating swiftly in his ears and he dimly heard Kei restraining the screaming Marinna as he accessed Logan's body. Logan grunted, rolling onto his side as Harlock steadied him but relief flooded him when he saw Logan's captivating eye open.
"Damn," Logan gritted out and Harlock saw where he was bleeding. It was along his forearm, a flesh wound, nothing vital or severe. A tense sigh left Harlock's chest and he glared at Logan. Logan glanced up at him, their eyes meeting and for a moment he thought he saw Logan's cheeks heat up but he ignored it and stood, pulling the younger man to his feet.
"Idiot," he grumbled but Logan shook his hand off, instead gripping his forearm to stem the bleeding.
"A thank you would be nice, Captain." He replied and Harlock stiffened, anger still burning hotly in his chest but Kei got his attention.
"Captain, permission to end this—" Kei started but Harlock whirled towards her, lifting his hand to stop her.
"No." The word was firm, not a shout or a whisper but still held the power to command the attention of the room. Two other crew members held Montonio by the arms and the relief that covered the old man's face was undeniable. Marinna glared at him, but he could see the relief in her hazel eyes.
"No?" Everyone demanded and Harlock kept his gaze level with Marinna's as he crossed to her.
"Take her with her father aboard the Arcadia, make sure they're comfortable." He gestured with his hand back towards the rest of the crew. "Prepare the Queen Mary for towing." He turned back to Logan, fixing him with a level glare. Logan flinched, glancing away and Harlock silently gritted his teeth.
Stupid boy…
"You," everyone knew who he was talking to, "come with me." He went to stride from the room when Marinna's voice halted him.
"Why? Why spare my life?! You're a terrorist, a thief, a pirate! Why?!" She shouted, struggling against Kei's grip and Harlock halted, turning and looking back at her.
He could easily draw his Gravity Sabre and pull the trigger, sending a laser through her heart but he wouldn't.
He might have been those things…
But not anymore…
"Like I said," he straightened, his whole body hardening, "I am not like most pirates." With that he whirled from the room, his footsteps echoing down the now silent halls. He heard Logan's footfalls behind him but they remained silent all the way back to the Arcadia. They headed for the infirmary, Logan still silent behind him. The silence irked him, he didn't like it when Logan was quiet.
And he didn't like how the boy thought that he would save him by putting his own life on the line…
Stepping into the infirmary Harlock gestured with his hand to a set of beds.
"Sit." He ordered, his voice holding a tinge of a bite to it. Logan did as he was told, silently sinking onto the bed while avoiding eye contact. Harlock gritted his teeth as he got out fresh bandages.
"Shouldn't the doctor be doing this, Captain?" Logan asked in a hushed tone, causing Harlock to pause. Logan still wasn't looking at him, his eye on the far wall.
"Remove your cape and shirt." He replied and saw Logan's jaw clench, yet he did as he was told. He reached up, unclasping the cape and unzipping the leather jacket he wore. It revealed a black turtleneck beneath and Harlock watched as the younger man tried to get it over his head. Harlock bit back a sigh and stepped towards him. He saw Logan stiffen but he didn't offer any protest as Harlock grasped the bottom of the sweater. He pulled it off, careful to try not to cause too much pain but Logan still drew in a sharp hiss. It revealed pale skin, unmarred by scars and covered in subtle muscles.
Harlock paused…
Though Logan was slightly smaller in build than he, it didn't draw away the strength and gracefulness he possessed. His hair just brushed the top of his shoulders and he suddenly wanted to brush it back, touching the tips of it. Blood trickled down Logan's right bicep, drawing Harlock's eye to it. Mentally shaking himself he knelt down, gently wiping the blood away and noted that Logan wouldn't look at him.
Why?
He cleaned the wound and noted that it was going to need stitches. He pulled back, drawing out a needle and thread and glanced at Logan's slender face.
"This will hurt." He waited for Logan to acknowledge his words and Logan dipped his head in a nod. When Harlock started, Logan drew in a sharp breath, his fingers tightening around the edge of the cot just as his slim body did the same. Harlock narrowed his eye, forcing himself to concentrate.
Silence…
As Harlock drew towards the end it was Logan who finally spoke.
"Why did you spare that girl's life, Captain?" He murmured and Harlock glanced at him.
"She's young, impulsive." He tied off the last stitch and cut the thread. "I understand her anger, where it comes from. People have their own freedom to make their own choices, so why should I kill her because she made a choice of her own free will? To avenge a loved one?" He reached up and gently wrapped it, keeping his touch light. "When I too," he paused, memories coming to play before his eyes, "have done the same." He drew back and almost flinched when Logan grasped his wrist tightly with his fingers. Heat leapt up his arm, going straight to his chest and his eye collided with Logan's.
"So you would so carelessly throw your life away?" He growled and Harlock might have been amused by this, and to a degree he was, but his gut was coiling, his skin tightening at having Logan touching him.
It was unsettling…
"A single bullet wouldn't have killed me, Logan," he murmured, slightly touched that Logan was so concerned. A soft grin pulled at the edges of his lips. "After all, I would have easily dodged it had you not tackled me to the ground." His eyes flicked to the wound on his arm, "And having you injure yourself in the process," he reached out and lightly touched the wound, his eye returning to Logan's face. What he saw made the air leave his chest as if someone had kicked him.
His cheeks were flushed…
His eye looking away from his, his lips parted as his chest heaved slightly.
Such pale skin…
Harlock couldn't help but look at it…
It was so smooth…
He suddenly wanted to touch it, to run his lips along the man's collar bone, down his body to feel those muscles tighten underneath his touch. Logan turned his head, golden-green meeting golden-brown and for a moment Harlock thought he saw something.
Saw that same hunger…
That same desire…
"Captain Harlock!" Kei's voice sounded behind him and Harlock straightened; turning and latching his eye on her. Her blonde hair was ruffled and it looked like she'd been in a scuffle, as if the girl Marinna packed more of a punch than Kei had anticipated. "Sir Akashi would like an audience with you." She huffed and Harlock nodded his head. He looked down at Logan, who was surprisingly looking up at him.
They're eyes met…
Held…
"Take care of your arm." He whispered before turning and striding out of the room, his cape billowing out behind him.
Missing the longing that entered Logan's gaze…
VVVV
AUTHOR NOTE: Chapter Two! Please review and tell me what you guys think! It'd really give me a confidence booster!