The house was big and solid, with all the comforts but not luxurious: from the few, simple lines of the furniture and the absolute lack of frills, Zero deduced that the owner was someone who cared first and foremost for the substance of things.
Mayu walked ahead of him, the confident pace of someone who happens to be in a totally familiar place.
She knocked on a door and opened it before even getting an answer.
Zero followed her inside and held a motion of surprise.
Behind a large desk, Yuki Kei looked firmly at him before getting up and present him her hand.
- Welcome, Captain Zero. Come in.
Zero shook her hand, sat in the chair and watched her.
She still looked tired, but she was totally different from the frail but proud mourning woman he had seen at the funeral: wrapped in a tight suit that played her lean and athletic body up, she looked like the invincible space warrior she had been up to five years earlier and that he had seen only in a few memorial images before that day.
- Mrs. Kei. What do I owe the honour?
- To your past, Captain.
- Explain yourself better.
Yuki pushed a button, typed a command and, on the holographic screen in front of him, appeared his personal record.
- Warrius Zero, born February 21, 2948, graduated with honours at the Military Academy in the Officer Course of 2966. Appointed Captain of the space cruiser Karyu for merits on the battlefield after the death in action of your predecessor, you have been Commander of Fleet during the war against Mechanoids of 2968. Integrated in the Independent Squadron of the United Earth Fleet after a year on the patrol ship Mirage, in 2970 you contributed to the destruction of the Hell Castle threatening planet Teknologhìa, ending the power of Zeth Vorder's Extra-Solar Cosmic Government on Earth. Decorated war hero, you then left for several missions on the borders of the known universe, the latter of which has kept you busy for six years, from January 2977 until today.
- With all due respect, Mrs. Kei, I already know who I am and what I did.
- I'm sure, Captain - Yuki smiled - And with a CV like this, I'm sure you also know you should be Admiral, by now. Can you tell me why not, instead?
- Because we lost the war against the Mechanoids - grinned back Zero - And because destroying the Hell Castle was not the mission I was assigned.
- I see that we understand each other - Yuki typed a quick command and other documents appeared on the screen - Your mission was to capture the space pirate Harlock, which you never did. Your numerous reports, indeed, bring out the fact that you prevented your own men to capture him on Planet Heavy Meldar and let him leave again, that later we traded informations in more than one occasion and, finally, that you went so far as to ally with him to destroy the Hell Castle. Why?
- I had no choice - Zero leaned back and stretched his legs - No spaceship of the Federal Fleet could come and help my Karyu and, even if not, it wouldn't have worked. Regarding Heavy Meldar, I couldn't stand to capture Harlock with a trick so unfair as the one my men brewed: he was an outlaw, right, but he didn't deserve to be taken by fraud. Moreover, it's not my style to resort to that kind of subterfuges.
- Therefore, despite your merits, you were suspected of aiding and abetting, and processed by Court-Martial - another document appeared on the screen: a judgement of the Military Tribunal – Owing to the popularity gained with your deeds, they could not dismiss or disrate you, but made sure that your career could not progress any further... and you helped them by volunteering for low prestige missions in the most distant star systems. Why?
- I see you know everything about me - Zero crossed his legs and folded his arms - I bet you also know why I did it, Mrs. Kei.
- In fact, I think I do - Yuki Kei pushed back one of her blond locks with an elegant gesture of the hand - I know two other men who think just like you. You wanted to avoid meeting Harlock again because, then, you'd have been forced to fight to the death with him, a man you considered worthy of respect and, dare I say... your friend.
- Exactly. And that's why I do not understand: what do you want from me?
Yuki stood up and turned away. She remained silent for a while, looking out of the large windows that gave light to the room.
- What do you think of all this story?
- I don't know - Zero turned his hat in his hands - I can't believe Harlock could have done such a thing.
- Me neither. Yet, the evidences are overwhelming - Yuki turned back toward him - Not just the video, but also the DNA and the retina scan identification collected by the security system of the Government Palace nail him. The Minister Chīsanahito has restored the code "Z" and the bounty on his head with immediate effect. Harlock is again a wanted man now and, if caught, he will be sentenced to death.
Zero shifted uncomfortably.
- I still don't understand my role in all this. I am considered and I consider myself a friend of Harlock, to the point that I decided to give up the career and face lots of problems rather than be forced to fight again with him: what's my purpose?
- I'd want you to accept again the mission of capturing Harlock.
- I wouldn't dream of it - Zero tried to get up - I'm really sorry for the death of Mr. Daiba, but...
- Wait, Captain Zero - Yuki sat down at her desk - There's more. Apparently, Tadashi was not the only one to be targeted. It was some time that neither me nor him had news of many of our former crew-mates and today I got confirmation of my worst suspicions: there was no one of them at the funeral.
Zero flinched.
- You mean...?
- I have not the certainty - Yuki ran a hand over her eyes - But if they could, I'm sure they would have come. They loved Tadashi. And then... it's not just them: it seems that all those who in the past have had links with Captain Harlock have disappeared into thin air.
She took a long pause, as to allow her words to impress better in the mind of his interlocutor... or perhaps to avoid losing her control.
- You and your crew could be in danger too.
My crew!
He jumped up. Many of them were certainly out of the Base, off duty... some by themselves.
- Calm down, Captain Zero.
- Calm down? And how could I? I just...
- I understand your concern and respect deeply the friendship that binds you to your men, but I have not finished yet.
- Mrs Kei, I'm sorry, but my answer is no. Despite everything, I still believe in the innocence of Harlock... and in any case, I don't want to be the one who will deliver him to the executioner.
- I understand - Yuki turned off the monitor and rubbed his hands together - I would have preferred not to rely on this to convince you, but... Mayu...
Mayu nodded and opened the door. Yuki stood up and followed her.
- Come with us, please.
They walked down a long corridor and a flight of stairs to the basement of the house.
At a certain point, Mayu bent and rested her hand on the floor.
A trap door, perfectly hidden among the rough blocks of stone that formed the room's floor swung open without a sound.
The girl fell into it and so did Yuki.
Zero followed them. It took a moment for his eyes to match the strong artificial light that turned on when the door closed itself over them.
There was a faint smell of disinfectant in the air and few humidity.
Apparently, the bunker was equipped with an excellent ventilation and air conditioning system.
There wasn't a single speck of dust or a cobweb.
After another short path up to a thick steel door sturdy as those protecting the engine room of the Karyu, Mayu unlocked another lock.
A constant noise, similar to the one of a plunger, came to Zero's ears from the room behind it.
The smell of antiseptic intensified, pinched his nose. He entered.
- That's not...
Zero could not believe his eyes.
Lying on a bed, his chest and right hand wrapped in tight bandages and an oxygen mask on his face, Tadashi Daiba stared at him with interest.

Disclaimer: fanfic based on the world and the characters of "Captain Harlock" (Uchu Kaizoku Kyaputen Hārokku "and" Cosmo Warrior Zero "(Zero Kosumo Wōriā), created by and © Leiji Matsumoto.
All rights to these characters are © Leiji Matsumoto, Toei Animation, Enoki FIMS and probably a bunch of other people. Their use in this story does not imply support, approval or permission from their part. Since this story was conceived and written by a fan for other fans, please do not plagiarize it, give me my credit as author when publishing elsewhere and do not to redistribute it for a fee. Thank you!