Shizuo Ishikura fastened his seat belt, pushed the wind-shield's close button and started the engine of the Bullet Four number two.
Beside him, Grenadier stretched his legs on the dashboard and began whistling a merry military march. He had diddled him: he had managed to had himself paired off with him him despite his protests and he knew that he would have tried to convince him to meet Sylviana.
Ishikura lifted his eyes to heaven and started the engine in motion.
He silenltly followed Eluder and the Captain to the Saloon of Gun Frontier.
- Gun Frontier - Grenadier took a deep breath – So many good memories!
Ishikura decided to ignore him, got out and went to meet Zero and Eluder.
- So, Gentlemen, let's recap - Zero cleared his throat and adjusted his hat - The mission is one of pure reconnaissance. Objective: to obtain informations about the position of Harlock and the Arcadia. No fights, no personal initiatives, no damages to properties, persons or animals.
He shot him a significant glare and he snapped to attention.
- Yes, Sir!
- The meeting point is fixed inside the Saloon in three hours exactly, at 18.00 o'clock. In case of problems to the vehicle or the equipment, state your position and wait on the spot. If you spot the target, my order is not to engage any fight: just put a tail on him, launch the agreed signal and wait for reinforcements. Is that clear?
- Clear, Captain! - Grenadier had an ecstatic expression as he gazed at the Saloon.
- Well, Gentlemen. Eluder and I will hear the local authorities and, in case of failure, Galaxy Express Railways' train drivers. To you are bounty hunters and local shopkeepers. See you here in three hours. Good job.
- Same to you, Captain.
With a quick nod, Zero went to the office of the Sheriff followed by Eluder.
Grenadier hinted at the Saloon.
- How about we come in and take a drink?
- We are on duty and it's only four in the afternoon, Grenadier.
- All right, pain in the neck - Grenadier snorted and folded his arms across his chest - Then kick the engine started and go to Sylviana's.
- Over with this story again? - Ishikura felt his ears on fire - I don't agree, and you know it: we can't trust that woman!
Grenadier looked at him and laughed.
He had been the one who suggested to the Captain the idea of bounty hunters.
To his misfortune, Sylviana was the most famous exponent of the class.
- Come on, don't be shy, Ishikura! I know that you want to see her again too!
- Yeah, like I'd want to see a viper – he muttered as he walked to the Bullet Four - And besides, who says she's still here after all these years?
- What the hell, she's a bounty hunter! Where else might she want to stay?
In fact, this was the perfect place: a frontier town in a frontier planet, a junction place for anyone travelling in space.
It was the last sanctuary for anyone with dreams of freedom... or something to hide.
"Gun Frontier... where real men always roam with guns in hand..."
He looked around and, though he never quite understood why someone in the thirtienth century could desire to live like on Earth at the end of the nineteenth, he had to admit that it was, indeed, a fascinating place. With his immaculate uniform and that modern military vehicle, for a moment, he felt out of place.
- And where the hell you popped up from?
Grenadier's voice distracted him from his thoughts. He turned around.
He was holding somewhat looking like one of their officers wearing the Captain's hat.
Ishikura approached, looked at him and felt himself blanch.
- What were you doing in the equipment's compartment, huh? Talk! - Grenadier slapped the hat, which flew to the ground.
Thick shoulder-length dark hair fell on the stowaway's face.
Grenadier's eyes widened.
- But.. but... but...
That's it: now we're in trouble!
Ishikura looked around. Fortunately there were few people on the street and nobody seemed to notice them.
For now.
He grabbed Grenadier's arm.
- Let her go and get in, the both of you - he whispered as he gathered the hat and gave it back to the owner - Hurry!
He started the car and walked away as quickly as possible, a whole slew of thoughts running through his head... and none of them good.
- But this is Mayu Oyama!
- Tell me something I don't know already, Grenadier - Ishikura swerved violently and took the road leading out of town - For example, how to explain this to the Captain.
- You mean she has been on board the Karyu all this time? Perhaps together with Mrs. Kei?
If you only knew... he thought as he remembered the shock he felt seeing the two of them and the late Tadashi Daiba in the Captain's cabin. Even the unflappable First Officer Oki, at his side, had paled.
- I can't tell you anything without the permission of the Captain - he said instead, his eyes fixed on the road full of potholes and rocks - Contact him on the secure line, Grenadier, and ask for directions.
- No, please! Let me get off!
- I can't, Miss. For your safety, you'd better go back quickly on the Karyu. This place is dangerous.
- Please, Mr. Ishikura! I have to find Harlock. It's like a father to me... I want to understand what happened to him, talk to him ...
- I'm sorry, but I can't let you put yourself in danger. You're under my direct responsibility.
- Then at least let me come with you! I promise I won't try to run away or to do anything dangerous. With the two of you I'll be safe as in the ship. If Captain Zero will get angry for this, I'll take my responsibilities.
- Sounds reasonable to me, Ishikura - Grenadier scratched his chin – Come on, let's please her!
- Do not talk nonsense! - he swerved again to avoid a hole and took another, even more deep. The vehicle jerked violently - They're looking for her in the whole universe, in case you had forgotten. Plus, we are in one of the most dangerous places ever seeking the most dangerous men ever who, maybe, is gone mad and you...
- Mad?
Ishikura restrained.
What an idiot I am!
How could he had said such a thing right in front of her?
He looked at her. As he had feared, her large brown eyes were full of tears.
- Ishikura! - Grenadier grabbed him by the collar - Look what you've done!
- I didn't mean...
Mayu sobbed. Grenadier raised a fist.
- I'm sorry!
- I should knock the living daylights out of you - Grenadier let him go - But I'll settle for you to take us to Sylviana.
- But...
- Without further ado, or I'll tell the Captain that you mistreated this lovely Miss on purpose - he grinned - Not to mention that you didn't notice she was hidden in the equipment's compartment.
Bastard!
- You didn't notice that either - he growled - And the Captain ordered to contact him in case of problems.
- No - Grenadier held up a finger with a proud smile on his face - He ordered to contact him in case of problems with the equipment or the vehicle and to confine ourselves to shadowing Harlock if by chance we found him. Nothing like that happened.
Ishikura ran his hand over his face. That man was impossible.
And he remembered the the mission specs only when he wanted to. Or when he found it convenient.
- Do you realize what will happen when they find she's missing from the Karyu? Do you realize that the Captain will kill us with his own hands?
- We'll be back soon - he assured him - We go to Sylviana, ask her about Harlock and then contact Zero. If he order it, we'll take her back. All we have to do is to pretend we didn't notice anything until then.
Why every time I come here with him he get me into trouble? Why do I still listen to him?
Mayu looked at him from the back seat. She had dried her tears and watched him expectantly.
And why, when a woman looks at me like this I can't resist?
- Damn – he mumbled, his cheeks burning as he turned right to the path leading to the house of Sylviana – The Captain will kill me.
- Yes... definitely he won't restrict himself to give you a punch, this time.
- Thank you, Grenadier.
For a while, no one spoke. Fortunately.
They reached Sylviana's hut in less than half an hour.
Despite his hopes, it seemed still occupied: there were curtains on the windows and the lights were on, not counting the small jet with the bounty hunter's personal symbol parked under a shelter of metal sheets.
A kind of horse, a heart and a comet ...
To be a ruthless bounty killer, Sylviana still had a surprisingly frivolous and childish side. Ishikura knocked the door. No one answered.
- She's not in here – he spread his arms - Now call the Captain, Grenadier.
- Let's get in.
The former mercenary approached, bent in front of the door, pulled a crowbar and a box-cutter from his pocket and began fiddling with the lock.
- Are you crazy?
- Why? - Grenadier shrugged - Here you can do all you want: all it takes is just to be able to. And I'm a specialist with these old bolts.
- The Captain ordered us not to do harms - he wanted to cry. Or to smash his head. Perhaps he would have done both things, hadn't there been that girl at his side.
- So? I don't want to tear her house down. Just to get inside.
The lock clicked. Inside, the sound of running water.
Apparently, Sylviana was in the shower.
Ishikura blushed again.
Look in what absurd situations I always get myself in...
- Hey, Sylviana! Are you there? - Grenadier knocked on the bathroom door. No response.
They waited a few moments.
- Maybe she felt faint - Mayu spoke for the first time since they arrived - I could check.
- No way, Miss. You are under my direct responsibility.
- Then I'll go - Grenadier put a hand on the doorknob.
- No!
Too late. For a moment, Ishikura prepared himself to the shriek and the launch of objects that surely would have followed. Instead, he saw Grenadier startle several times and fall to the ground.
Electricity?
He kicked the door open. On the other side of the handle there was a terminal connected to a generator.
In the room, no one.
- Looking for me, tin toy soldier?
He turned. Sylviana was behind him, pointing the gun to Mayu's head.

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!