The Arcadia was a ship of clutter, dirt, dust, debris and general unclean due to the fact so many unkempt men lived aboard. Compared to the Vanguard however, it was a sparkling palace.
The ship was in a constant state of remodeling, with containers of tools, parts and wires scattered in every room and corridor. Heaps of trash lingered in corners, food containers, wrappers littered just about every surface, and Harlock was not the least bit surprised when he spied someone's underwear wadded up under a console on the ship's bridge.
"This really hasn't been the least bit remarkable." Baines remarked as he handed his pirate friend a cup of hot coffee and settled into the chair beside his. "The only thing we know from this is what divisions are patrolling what areas of space. The only thing I find useful is the ship's schematics and the parts we took. Not to mention the coffee machine I swiped."
Harlock made sure the cup was recently washed and free from debris before he took a sip. Baines may be a lousy housekeeper, but he did know how to make damn good coffee. "In all likelihood that simply means he's waiting for us to turn up."
Baines grunted his consensus as Harlock navigated through more pages of stolen information on the large screen before them. The gunrunner had been bored for hours and swirled his cup in hand. His friend was not satisfied that there was truly nothing valuable or game changing in the info and had spent nearly all afternoon going through the files.
"Give it a rest will you?" He urged Harlock after another half hour. "Van Buren is searching high and low for us; he has no clue where we're at. There's nothing but the ship's manual, military protocol, the ship's log, the captain's log-all of which are useless- your latest arrest warrant, two incident reports, the crew's orders and a space map labeling each ship's model, location and ranking crewmen in there."
"That doesn't mean he won't be looking for people we know." The pirate replied his gaze fixed upon the glowing screen. Harlock was looking stressed and tired as hell, Baines noted, as the light seemed to magnify the deepening lines under his eye and around his mouth. "He may have sent out scout ships to track some of our friends down."
"Most of our friends have been in hiding for years, he's not going to find them easily. You also forget many of them settled here." Baines sighed when Harlock appeared to ignore him and instead took a long drawl of his drink. The gunrunner set his cup down on the floor beside him, reached over and switched off the screen. "Enough is enough for one day." He stated when the pirate shot him a death glare. "You're going to burn yourself out at this rate, besides, we're already late, and everyone went down to Al's a while ago."
Harlock seemed taken aback for a moment before he sighed and reluctantly nodded. Baines could easily understand the pirate was simply scared more of their friends would end up dead because of Van Buren. The gunrunner himself was alarmed that day he received a distress signal from the Arcadia, something he never thought would happen. He also never expected to see Harlock lying unconscious, drenched in blood and teetering on the verge of death for nearly three weeks. It was left to the remainder of the Arcadia's crew with help from those on the Vanguard to treat the wounded and bury the dead.
That was a point in time Baines hoped he could one day forget and prayed it never happened again.
"You'll feel better after a night of bourbon and wings." Baines assured himself more than Harlock, and gave his usual, carefree grin. "Who knows, I may even get you so drunk I'll convince you to go lady searching with me later."
"Like that will ever happen." Harlock grunted, slapping Baines' arm when he elbowed him in the ribs. "Let's go if we're going." He stood, picked up the jacket he cast off and slipped it on over his long sleeved black shirt.
"Fine." Baines shrugged before he too stood and started towards the door. "You gotta lighten up sometimes, you know that? Live a little! You're a pirate for Pete's sake! You're supposed to be all pillaging booty with Davey Jones' locker on the seven seas, getting scurvy with rum and wenches while walking planks and whatever else you pirates say, or do."
"The kind of pillaging you have in mind I gave up a long time ago." Harlock retorted, trying not to crack a smile at his friend's nonsense; and did his best to ignore Baines' perverse grin as he followed him out of the ship and into the hangar similar to the one that housed the Arcadia nearby.
True to his word, Baines had stacks of crates containing supplies and ammunition crowding the hangar ready to be loaded at a moment's notice. He was certain all the other nearby hangars were in a similar state and made a mental note for some of those supplies to be loaded onto the Arcadia. Baines and his smuggling friends had nearly two years to stock up on everything they could possibly need for a war. In zealous, they had gathered more than they could ever need and Harlock was not sure they would be able to get it all off the planet.
"It's a nice night out." Baines remarked as he and Harlock set out on foot to the saloon. Jewel had no moons, and the sky was clear enough to view a spectacular array of stars overhead. Neither of them said anything else until they were close to the saloon, and able to smell the delicious food and hear the usual antics of those inside.
"Gah, that smells good!" Baines inhaled deeply as they walked up to the old style swing doors. "I think I'm gonna go for the Buffalo wings tonight, what about you?" He questioned upon entering the bar, and was caught unawares as a bottle of booze flew over their heads and exploded against the wall, showering them with fragments and sharp smelling alcohol. "I'm guessing we're gonna have to wait for our table." He joked, observing the full-scale brawl taking place on every floor.
Another bottle smashed on the floor near them and they had to dodge splinters from a chair someone smashed over another patron's head. Overall, this was nothing new or surprising to them, but Harlock instantly tensed and without a second thought, rushed into the fray.
"Where are you going?!" Baines shouted after him, placing his hands on his hips in a nonchalant manner. "Geez, could've at least asked me to watch his back." He sighed before noticing a scruff outlaw twice his size come rushing at him with a broken barstool. "Bring it on hot shot!"
Oh no, oh no! Panicked, Harlock dodged more flying debris and knocked out drunks as he searched the main floor in vain for Adalyn. He barely missed being hit from several stray punches and kicks, and had to deliver a few blows of his own to navigate the length and width of the bar in his search for her. When he was certain she was not there, he charged up the cluttered stairwell, keeping close to the railing as someone tumbled down the stairs behind him.
Upon reaching the second floor, he was relieved to see Masu who was currently wielding a makeshift club and bashing anyone who strayed within range of her. Magi was there too, dealing out a few of his own reflective jabs upon an unlucky ruffian.
"Captain!" They both called when they noticed him, Masu having to direct her attention to another combative shortly before he too was smashed in the head and slumped onto the growing pile of unconscious bodies on the floor.
"Where's Adalyn?!" He questioned in haste as both Masu and Magi looked to each other for an answer.
"She was here a moment ago." Magi replied throwing his thumb up in the direction she was last seen. "She couldn't have gotten far."
Harlock bolted in the direction pointed, finding it hard to navigate the narrow balcony that was dense with fighting outlaws. For a split second, he spotted Yattaran in the crowd and hoped Adalyn was nearby. He shoved one man to the side, and punched another. One man, fully aware of his towering height and bulk blocked Harlock's advancement and sought to strike him with one of his ham-sized fists.
The pirate dodged easily enough, and without a second thought, he seized the man's arm, knocked him off balance and sent him clear over the railing and into the fray below. For a split second, he looked over to make sure the titan and everyone he fell on was alright. Satisfied no one was seriously hurt; he sought to continue his search.
He was almost bowled over by a scrawny urchin who had been hit in the face and was caught by surprise when someone tried to grab him from behind. Dealing with him had been easier than the bulky guy; an elbow to the nose did the trick. However, Harlock was surprised when someone took advantage of his momentary distraction and hit him hard across the cheek.
"Oh no!" Cried a familiar voice, and Harlock was not worried he would be struck again as he took several moments to rub his stinging face. "I didn't know it was you!" Adalyn was wide eyed and in shock that she just punched him. Several locks of her black hair had come loose, and her clothing was sprayed with the near constant showers of alcohol, but Harlock could see she was unharmed and wondered if a few of the unconscious thugs around her were her doing.
"You've got a hard right." He commented, reflectively checking his hand for blood.
"Where were you? We waited on you for the longest time!" Adalyn cried over the near deafening sounds as Harlock continued to mull over his burning face.
"I'm fine, in case you're wondering." He was certain Adalyn could not hear him, and she knitted her brow before crying out:
"What?!"
"Come on!" Harlock grabbed her hand and pulled her back along the length of the balcony. Adalyn followed along without protest; judging by her heavy breathing, she must have been getting tired, or this brawl had been going on for a lot longer than he originally thought. Either way, it was probably a good thing he found her when he did.
"We haven't even eaten yet!" She called to him once they were again reunited with Masu and Magi.
"Don't worry about it!" Harlock assured her, motioning for the cook and engineer to join them. "We'll send for take-out once this dies down."
Adalyn said nothing else as the group of four raced down the stairs, led by Masu who used her club to clear their path towards the door. They dodged a flipping table and ducked when more glass shattered overhead. They shortly lost Magi who followed at the rear, who had to shove an ongoing brawl between two men to the side so he could catch up.
"There's the door!" Masu called in triumph as she pointed the way.
Eager to leave this mess of rowdy outlaws behind her, Masu sought to charge forward and lead her crewmates out with the help of her newfound weapon. Harlock however clamped a hand on her shoulder and prevented her from going forward. She glanced back in question, only to find the captain fixated on a bulk mass walking through the swinging doors.
Harlock made sure the old cook was maneuvered safely to one side and Adalyn remained behind him. Magi readjusted his sleeves and cracked his knuckles as he came to stand beside Harlock when he too noticed a most unwelcome patron.
Hunter, a massive man with defined arms and a growing gut he sought to hide with a wide sash over his open sleeveless shirt and pants, swaggered into the saloon flanked by a few of his armed crewmen. Their presence was quickly observed by the rest of the patrons who seemed to instantly stop fighting and turn their attention to them.
Hunter seemed not to notice and took a long drawl from the cigar he had stuck between his teeth. Flicking off the ashes, he seemed to observe the crowd glowering at him with little concern before someone caught his attention.
"Harlock! Amigo! It's been awhile." He spread his arms wide as he walked towards Harlock who silently glared at him. "One of my boys told me he saw you in here last night."
"What do you want Hunter?" Harlock growled, cautiously eyeing both Hunter and his crew.
"Like anyone else here, a good meal and fine drinks I'm assuming." He answered, doing his best to put forth a genuine, trustworthy persona that couldn't quite mask his smugness. "After your miraculous return from the grave I thought perhaps I'd find you here so we could catch up. What have you been up to anyway? You've got a lot of friends here looking like they're preparing for something major."
"Who says it's Harlock that's got something going on?" Hunter's beady eyes narrowed in on Captain Baines as he sauntered up with a pilfered bottle of whiskey in his hand. "I've stored a lot of supplies here over the years, hoping to one day open up my own supply store, honest business if you will; we're simply having a good ol' fashion moving party!"
"You would think a slimy bastard like you Baines would be able to come up with a better lie than that." He hissed while the gunrunner seemed to pay him no mind and took a swig of his drink.
"I don't know about you guys-" Baines pointed to Harlock and those clustered around him. "-but I for one think we should take this party elsewhere and not give anyone the chance to crash it." He walked promptly out the door, intentionally bumping Hunter on the way.
Many followed Baines' example and exited the bar, shooting Hunter and his crew warning glares as they left. Harlock himself left without another word, making certain Adalyn was close behind him. The dusty street outside came alive with ruckus and laughter as several of the men managed to get a hold of bottles of liquor and pass them around.
"Hey Harlock, wanna turn this into a bonfire party?" Baines questioned as he lingered outside the saloon still nursing the bottle of whiskey. "I've already talked to the guys inside; we got a party-sized order of wings coming our way! All you gotta do is provide the booze!"
The pirate's face softened and, albeit reluctantly, nodded his consensus. He was grateful Baines had managed to diverge Hunter's attention and avoid further exchanges completely. However, he was not so grateful he was willing to provide an entire street full of drunken outlaws free drinks as his gunrunner friend decided he should do.
"HEY GUYS!" Baines shouted, cupping his hand around his mouth. "Bonfire outside hangar B-12! Harlock's bringing the drinks!"
"Baines you son of a-" Harlock started, his voice momentarily lost amongst the chorus of cheers erupting up and down the street as the gunrunner sought to finish off what was left in his bottle.
"Hey!" Harlock turned when he felt Adalyn tug on his arm and looked down on her whitened face. "Was that the same Hunter you warned me about?"
"Yes." He replied, watching as she looked back over her shoulder towards the saloon doors. "At least you know what he looks like now so you can avoid him in the future."
"Does he always walk around with an armed entourage like that?" She questioned, looking back at him.
"Hunter has a bit of a superiority complex." The pirate explained, doing his best to ignore Masu as she shouted at Baines over his harebrained idea to give away all their alcohol and threatened him with the club she still held.
"Do you always end your bar fights like this, as well?" She changed the subject, a smile touching her full lips as she observed everyone carrying on as if nothing strange had transpired before hand, though many of the men now sported multicolored bruises.
"Not always, a big one like this hasn't happened in a long time." He touched his still burning cheek and wondered if he too would be wearing a bruise in the morning. "No one means anything by it when it happens though."
"I didn't hit you too hard there did I?" Adalyn brushed her fingertips over the tender spot on his face. "Does it hurt?"
"I've been hit harder than that before." He went still for a moment as her gentle hand swept over his scared cheek. For a brief time he was transfixed on her face, her dark eyes were full of unspoken concern. Such tenderness was unexpected, though not unwelcome; Harlock could not bring himself to push her hand away for some unknown reason.
"Hey Harlock! You coming or what?" Baines called when he escaped from Masu. Adalyn dropped her hand -to Harlock's displeasure- as the gunrunner strode towards them.
"Yes, I wa-"
"I don't care anymore." Baines cut him off and shoved his near empty bottle into the pirate's arms. "We haven't been introduced." He extended his hand to Adalyn while wearing his oiliest grin. "Benjamin Baines, Captain of the Vanguard, Gunrunner and Smuggler."
"Adalyn Vielle." She could have sworn she heard Harlock sigh when she shook Baines' hand, then found he wouldn't let go.
"Lovely name." He started, taking a step closer to her. "Miss Vielle, have you ever enjoyed a glass of red bourbon at a bonfire with a devilishly handsome gunrunner before?" She was a bit taken aback by the man's smug and hasty demeanor. Baines was an obvious philanderer; his rough-and-tumble good looks would have appealed to many. Yet she wasn't too sure about his forward nature, and Harlock's vague warning was firm in her mind.
"No, but-"
"Cause I ain't never done so with a fine dame like yourself, what's say we go pilfer some of Harlock's finest booze and share this first time experience together, eh?" Adalyn felt as though she had no choice as Baines looped his arm with hers and ushered her off down the street. "Harlock, would you mind grabbing the barbeque wings for me out back? I gotta flirt."
Harlock stood expressionless as Adalyn gave him a look that was both apologetic and of concern as Baines led her away. He was content with letting Baines have his way this night; unbeknownst to him however, Harlock would gladly turn a blind eye when Doctor Zero and a few of his other crewmen decided to raid the Vanguard and restock the Arcadia's liquor pantry later. Situations like this were becoming routine between the two ships.
A faint grin touched Harlock's face as he shrugged his shoulders. With nothing else to do, he figured playing delivery boy this one time wouldn't be a chore; that is, if Baines paid for the food beforehand.