Tales of memories

Translation from "Souvenirs souvenirs"

3 – The first flight

The boy found his way through the old fence. A man was running after him, handling a great staff.

- Robber! Come back here!

These quite simple words wouldn't stop this frenzy boy. The man, a dishonest merchant of the neighbourhood, was bored with this run. He left his shop alone, and he lost only a few clothes.

- If you dare coming back to me, you will suffer! shouted the man.
- Of course, sucker! Said the boy, always running.

The boy arrived on a junk place, near a sport facility. It was quite a good place to meet someone quietly. Tired, he found a teenager with a very aggressive look.

- Show me your "catch-of-the-day". Bad, very bad, only 4 clothes in synthetic material? I give you… 30 bucks.
- But this is robbery! Claimed the boy.
- You are the Robber. I am the Customer. 30 bucks. Do not forget, this is the last day…
- All right.

The boy sold these clothes for a few yellow coins. The teenager disappeared quickly with his treasure. He would be able to resale it three times this price soon.

He counted his money. With all his change, he got 56 bucks. It was enough to do what he wanted. He left the junk place and walked to the show land of the town centre. A great exhibition was happening. He waited this moment a long time. He tried to enter without a ticket, but the safety measures were very tight, even for him.

He bought, for the first time of his entire life, a ticket, honestly. Inside, he was amazed by the exhibition. All the brand new spacecrafts, warships, were explained. There was a building only for one-person ships. Suddenly, a voice shouted:

- Ladies and Gentlemen, our main show is about to begin. Please go to the landing facility.

He ran to the place and found a seat in the very first rank. But, he randomly came to an official tribune, full of military officers and their families. They left him alone to see the take off of several vessels.

- Ladies and Gentlemen, the Earth Defence Forces are proud to show their last prototype of space battleship. It is his very fist flight! Please welcome the "Karyu" or "Fire Dragon"!

A large battleship, with a red and grey painting, with four triple guns turrets, took off with some applause. The little boy paid a great attention to this show.

- One day, I will command a ship like that!
- This would be surprising, said a voice.

Next to him, another little boy, dressed like a soldier. His hair was shorter.

- And why will I be unable to command this ship?
- Because there's only one "Karyu" and I will be its captain.
- You're right. This ship isn't good enough for me.
- You dare, don't you?
- Umpf…

These two boys were looking at each others, to defy themselves. The other boy's father took his hand.

- We must leave, Warius. Warius Zero, do you copy? Asked the officer.

Warius was again looking at the rag boy.

- I'm sure we'll meet in the future. What's your name?
- Harlock.

Harlock saw the "Karyu" one more time. He disliked this name; it wasn't very aggressive for him. "Death Shadow" sounded great or better "Arcadia", like this old-fashioned three decks battleship he read the story some time before.