Jidai Time

by ElenaNJ

Crossover with Cosmowarrior Zero, translation. We are in 2984 and the Earth Federation is shocked: Tadashi Daiba, its beloved Prime Minister, has been murdered by a man identified as... Harlock! Warius Zero, back from a long mission, is contacted by Yuki Kei and asked to accomplish the same task he was given fourteen years before: capture Harlock.

14. Cavalry is coming!

Marina Oki closed the connection with the hold, rubbed her temples and looked away from the screen. The stocking operations were almost finished.
She looked at the time: there were a few minutes to 7.00. Still no news from Zero and Ishikura .
- Don't worry, First Officer - Kaibara laid on the chair and turned toward her - Zero can take care of himself... and also of his men, if necessary.
- I know – she raised her hand to show him that everything was OK - But this waiting unnerves me. Usually, he's so punctual...
- He must have had some mishap, or maybe Ishikura got in trouble and he's giving him a dressing-down: you know how polemic is that guy and how a stickler for discipline is Zero.
- I hope so - Marina laughed - I can't wait to leave this place!
She rose and stretched her arms. Her shoulder and back were numb and her toes were aching.
All she wanted was taking a shower and lie down a bit in her cabin, but the work ahead of her was still very much: she had to inspected the hangar and the engine room, check the loading and unloading records, the inventory of weapons and the maintenance team reports.
The operation on the ground took precedence, though: she could not devote herself to other things until Zero or Ishikura had called.
In addition, she and Rai were to replace them a few hours from there, hadn't they found anything.
She felt a vibration in her pocket.
She pulled out the radio and looked at the display: the call came from the Captain's cabin.
An emergency?
- Mr. Kaibara, please replace me for a moment.
She exited the bridge and headed for the cabins. She put her hand on the electronic lock and waited for the retinal scan.
When she entered, Yuki Key was walking back and forth nervously while Dr. Machine was bent over Tadashi Daiba with a syringe in his hand. Dr. Zero was sitting on a chair, rubbing the bridge of his nose.
- What happened? He felt faint?
- Worse - Yuki looked at her, a worried expression on her pale face - Mayu drugged us all and disappeared. I fear she got ashore. One of the uniforms we used to dress up and get on board is missing from the closet.
Daiba let out a whimper and tried to open his eyes, but they immediately rolled in their sockets.
-This is indeed the effect of a narcotic – Dr. Machine rubbed Daiba's right forearm with a cotton swab and the smell of alcohol made her nose pinch - I'm sorry, I was the one who gave them to the girl.
- It's not your fault, Doctor - Yuki stopped and watched the syringe penetrating the skin of his companion before looking back to her - But we must find her before someone recognizes her and she get in trouble.
- What a mess - Marina chewed her thumbnail - Neither Captain Zero nor Lieutenant Ishikura have returned from their mission yet. I'll contact them and ask them to look for her... I don't think she's gone too far. I'll also start a search on the ship. In that regard, I ask you to authorize me to make your presence acknowledged by the rest of the officers.
- Okay - Yuki nodded - But hurry, please.
Marina ran out of the cabin and reached the main bridge.
On the main screen she saw the face of Eluder and the silence told her immediately that something was wrong.
Her heart began to beat faster, but she tried not to show it.
- What's happening?
Kaibara turned toward her, his face ashen.
- Eluder says that the Captain is gone.
- And Ishikura and Grenadier too, for that matter – added the Pilot with a funeral voice.
- What? - Marina paled - How could such a thing happen, Eluder?
- The Captain and I took possession of certain informations, so he sent me here to contact the other group and you without too many people around. I gave you a first update a short time ago, then I tried to call Ishikura: he didn't answer and almost an hour has passed since he and Grenadier should have been here. I went back to tell the Captain, but he was gone too.
Marina fell back on the chair of Zero.
What the hell is going on?
- What have you discovered, Eluder?
- That, it seems, Mr. Yattaran and Maji disappeared here and not on Earth. The Deputy Sheriff Carson has even shown us the evidences: Galaxy Express tickets purchased under a false name and forged travel documents.
- They went missing in Gun Frontier?
- Exactly. Carson is sure he saw Yattaran getting off the train and leaving with a person wrapped in a black cloak. From then on he disappeared without a trace. As for Maji, there are both a passport and tickets.
So, Harlock is lurking here on Heavy Meldar?
If it was true, Mayu Oyama was in serious danger. And maybe they were the next target.
She tried to control the tremor she felt in her hands and to appear calm and resolute as Zero ever did I such occasions. She was the officer in command, and could neither afford a panic attack nor let fear or uncertainty spread it among the crew.
Assign tasks, keep everyone busy...
- Come back to the Saloon, Eluder. Ask for informations. Maybe someone in the room saw what happened or noticed something that might be useful. Ask also about Ishikura and Grenadier: they can't be vanished into thin air. Wait for me there. I'll reach you soon.
- Yes, Sir - Eluder put his hand to his forehead and hung up.
- I'm ready, First Officer - Rai was already hooking up his jacket.
- Wait a minute! - Breaker arrested them with an alarmed tone - I receive the emergency signal both form the Captain and Ishikura!
- What?!
How can they both have found Harlock? And Zero is alone!
She tried to overcome the apprehension, straightened up and hoped that she made the right decision. - Gentlemen, follow me all.
Rai, Kaibara and Nohara threw her a puzzled look when she took the path leading to the cabins instead of the elevator that would have taken them to the hangar.
As for Breaker, he was even more expressionless than Eluder and kept his opinions to himself.
- What you'll see and hear in here is confidential, remember - Marina shot them a stern glare and opened the door of the Captain's cabin.
They entered and a chorus of muffled exclamations greeted the scene that came before them.
Daiba was on his feet and looked wide awake, now. He held one hand on the shoulder of Yuki Key who, from a chair, looked at her with bloodshot eyes. Marina wondered if she had cried.
She thought that what she was about to say would have worried her even more, but she had no time to sweeten the pill or wait for her to calm down: she and her men had to run to help their companions. She took courage, took a deep breath and looked them straight into their eyes.
- Sir, Madam, there are problems. Apparently, both of our groups have met Harlock. Neither the Captain nor Ishikura respond to calls... they could be in trouble. Indeed, they are for sure.
Daiba stiffened, Yuki looked dismayed. Marina turned to her companions.
- Rai, Nohara, Breaker, Kaibara... we have another problem: on board there was also Miss Oyama, who apparently disappeared.
- Her too? - Rai was shocked to say the least - But...
- We have no time for explanations, Rai - cut short Marina – We must look for her and go to the rescue of our comrades! Kaibara, I entrust you the command and the search of Miss Oyama aboard. Breaker, help him. Discreetly, I recommend it.
- Right - Kaibara snapped to attention and ran out, followed by the Chief Radar Operator.
- Nohara, to you the search on the ground. Rai, you go to Ishikura. I'm going to help the Captain. Sir, Madam, if you need something, please contact Dr. Machine.
- One moment, First Officer Oki - Daiba stopped her with a gesture just as she was about to leave – Do you really think you can keep up with Harlock in so few and separated from each other?
Marina frowned: it would have been hard and she knew it, but they were the only remaining Operational Officers on Karyu: the rest of the crew was composed mainly of technicians, utility men or space fighter pilots... and to involve other people would also have meant to reveal them who they had on board, in a place where nothing remained secret for too long.
No, too risky...
- There is no other choice.
- There is - Daiba went to his cot and grabbed his belt - We'll come too.
- It's too dangerous, Tadashi - protested Dr. Zero while Daiba closed the buckle - Your conditions...
- It doesn't matter!
- But... - Marina was indecisive too.
- No time, remember? - Daiba glanced at Yuki, who rose and disappeared into the other room.
She returned immediately, her Cosmo Gun tied to her waist and a bundle of clothes under her arm.
- He's right. We'll change on the road... and hope that no one recognizes us.
Daiba gave her a thin-lipped smile and grabbed her hand.
- Hurry.
They reached the Bullet racing, with Yuki and Tadashi covering their face as best they could with their jackets uniforms.
It seemed that, despite concerns, they hadn't lost all their prudence and lucidity.
What they were doing was without doubts an hazard: they could be recognized or even killed, but they were right... their collaboration could make the difference between life and death for her comrades.
They arrived to Gun Frontier Saloon in less than ten minutes, but to Marina it seemed an eternity.
Eluder was waiting at the door. He ran to meet them as soon as the vehicles stopped.
- I have news, First Officer! The bartender says that the Captain exited from the back-door with a friend who had offered him a drink, a scarred guy with only one eye. Apparently, he followed him on his own free will.
Harlock! So it's true...
Marina had feared it. For a moment, she thought only that the man she loved was in danger and perhaps she would never see him again.
Then, she felt anger: for sure, Zero had left to deal with Harlock even, man to man, and had activated the signaller only at the last moment.
She would never understand his way of doing: sometimes it seemed that, to him, honour came first of all, before duty, before his own safety... and before her.
Why are you so naive, Zero?
If he had been before her in that moment, he would have slapped him.
I have no time to cry, I do not have time to get angry ... I have to hurry!
- Well, Eluder. We know the position of Captain: It is not far from here.
- I also news about Ishikura. A guy is sitting this afternoon here at the Saloon claims he saw two men matching the description of his and Grenadier out of town in a gallop, but I do not know if I trust: he said that there was another person with them .
- Another person? - Daiba stepped forward, a feverish light in his eyes clear.
- Yes - Eluder eyed him carefully but did not change - A boy with an officer's uniform and wearing a hat.
Marina moaned.
- So it is with Mayu Ishikura and Grenadier?
But what jumped at the head of those two fools?! Bring along a girl!
- This makes things easier - the tone of Nohara seemed relieved, in sharp contrast to the tension that radiated from them all - We can divide into two teams of three items each.
- Well, gentlemen - Marina nodded - Eluder, Nohara, with me! Mr. Rai, the three of you go to the aid of Ishikura, Grenadier and Mayu. Aggiorniamoci soon.
Boarded the Bullet and, while beside her Eluder put in motion, he turned and cast a last glance to the other half. A dense cloud of dust penetrated into the nostrils and eyes as it marched. When the tears and the coughing subsided, the vehicle was nothing more than a faint speck flickering in the air as he walked away the evening in the direction opposite to theirs. At that time, Navy hoped to herself that this was not the last image that would keep the Sugata Rai, Tadashi Daiba Kei and Yuki.
- Good luck ... - Murmured, aware that now they could no longer hear it.
Then, Eluder swerved and the red rocks of the canyon entirely hid them from view.
He put his hand on his holster and thought of Zero ... and Harlock.
Please let 'it's not too late ...

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!