7. An eventful journey
Raflesia hurried. She left precise instructions to her trusted collaborators on how to handle her temporary absence, she took care of the last urgent matters and quickly prepared a light baggage for the trip.
As the night fell, the three went out from an unguarded exit of the palace and set off to the spaceship. They walked slowly, as Galia moved slowly, helping herself with a stick. The researcher wouldn't listen to anybody, she wasn't going to stay on Beta. She would still stay on the Arcadia for the whole duration of the mission, collaborating in everything she could without having to move around too much.
As they arrived, Miime was amazed at the unexpected presence of the Queen, but her initial mistrust vanished when she clearly sensed the changes in the soul of that ancient enemy.
She felt the deep pain of that woman and the painful anguish that tormented her. Out of due respect towards her, the Empate did not show what she had perceived. Raflesia immediately sensed it with a grateful smile.
As they walked along the ship's mobile walkways, the queen could not hel herself:
-It is so strange, now, wandering for real inside this ship that so many times I have visited as a projection, a ship that once I wanted to see reduced to cosmic dust.
At those words the lighting along the corridors began to flicker. -Tochiro did not really appreciate your last joke. Harlock said with a smile. -Right, Tochiro, the famous forty-second member of the crew. So much trouble to find out…. -Not just your trouble, some people died while looking for that answer. Said the captain who had suddenly become serious, thinking back to Namino.
Raflesia took the blow and fell into a dead silence. Harlock immediately regretted that joke that had done nothing but rage on an already tortured person, so he tried to change the subject: -Since the whole crew has landed on Earth, Tochiro has taken over himself most of the tasks related to the ship's operation, leaving only a few duties to Miime and myself. Now with your and Galia's presence we could reintegrate some functions that were entrusted to the second officers, such as the tracking of the route, the technical-scientific analyzes or the control of weapons ... – Are you saying that you would entrust me with a job on the bridge command of your ship? The queen said in an incredulous tone, - Why not, if Tochiro doesn't mind ... and then I'll always keep an eye on you, Harlock replied with a mischievous smile.
Once on the bridge, they immediately settled in their respective positions and set the route for Faelder. The journey proceeded safely for two days at top speed. Two more days would have passed before they arrived at destination.
Raflesia had been accommodated in what had once been Yuki's cabin, which was a little bigger than the other pirate cabins and boasted a bathroom with a large tub. Harlock had jokingly apologized for the fact that his ship did not have comforts to match the standard of a queen.
That night the captain just could not sleep, he got up in with a thousand thoughts that whirled in his head, confusing him: the events of the last few days had moved too fast, as in a crazy carousel, and as usual "she" was the pivot of it. After walking in circles in his cabin all night, like a lion in his cage, Harlock decided to go out, also to avoid drinking too much wine: in such circumstances, better to remain sober.
He walked along the corridors of the ship without a precise destination when he realized he had arrived near the queen's cabin.
He attempted to go further, when he realized that strange sounds were coming from the door that had remained open. With extreme care he tried to peek inside to see what was happening. Raflesia was lying on the bed, wrapped in an almost transparent robe that left very little to the imagination. Her body was still just as perfect as he remembered it from their last duel, the white skin almost shining, the long black hair with bluish reflections covered part of those perfect curves, making her look like a goddess of the Celtic mythology.
She was asleep, but judging by the moans coming out of those coral lips, her sleep was being troubled by nightmares. At some point, among other words pronounced in that language he could not understand, he distinctly recognized his name: Harlock! Repeated twice.
Out of sudden respect, he instinctively withdrew in the corridor, when that voice, made even deeper by the sleep, petrified him: -How long have you been there observing me? She asked him. Raflesia had awakened and saw him!
-Not long, he answered guiltily. -But long enough to hear you sayiing my name twice.
You must hate me just so much to make me the protagonist of your nightmares… -They are not always nightmares… She replied in a tone that he had never heard in her voice and that almost caused him a syncope.
-Anyway, if you care to know, these nightmares keep me company every night. All those who died by my hand return promptly to see me, and I assure you that they are not few. She resumed with a fake playful tone. -I'm sorry to have disturbed your intimacy - He replied – And I'm sincerely sorry for your troubled soul. Each of us carries his own monsters inside. It's part of life. He added sadly.
Meanwhile Raflesia had gotten up, but then she immediately went to kneel down in a corner of the room. -Thank you Harlock for these kind words, I guess you too have your ghosts haunting you.
– she resumed with an hint of smile.
-Well, since I'm awake I will take some time to pray the gods.
The two were about to say goodbye when a sudden alarm signal broke the silence of the night.
-It's a red alarm, we're under attack! - the captain shouted.
They rushed to the bridge without even putting clothes on, just in time to see on the screen, spotted by Tochiro, three battleships that were placing themselves for an attack.
"But…They are ours!"- Galia exclaimed – "I thought we no longer had any ships!"- she said to Raflesia. The queen, for her part, seemed the most surprised of all.
- I thought I had seen the very last ship dismantled wit my own eyes, but apparently it was not like that! She answered, still amazed.
-Tochiro has raised the shields, they are about to hit us! Said the captain – Elusive maneuver, turn 30 degrees to starboard! A very strong blow shook the whole ship.
-We have been sideswiped, minor damage, the shields held up the struck. -Miime said from her position.
-Let's try to contact them" - said Harlock – You talk, Galia, it is better that for now they do not know we have Raflesia on board.
-Here ship Arcadia, Galia speaking, high academic of Mazone. I'm on a mission on this ship on behalf of our queen. Stop the attack!
-No answer, they continue as if nothing had happened! -We must respond to the attack! Said the captain – I do not think they have the slightest intention to parliamentary.
Pulse cannons, three-degree elevation, automatic aiming ship to port, particles torpedo salvos on the ship to starboard, direction 159 dot 308, fire! Tochiro, take care of the third ship!
The Arcadia was able to respond quickly enough, and within a few moments the three ships were turned inoffensive. One by one they exploded into a thousand pieces.
-More deads because of me - said Raflesia bitterly.
-This time, I do not think so! - Miime said – The sensors didn't detect any forms of life on those vessels.
-Drones! Harlock exclaimed .
-But it's a technology we've never used! Said Raflesia. -For us Mazonians it is dishonorable not to fight in the front line, delegating war actions to robots or machines.
-Well, there's always a first time - Harlock said sarcastically.
-It is clear that your enemies were perfectly aware of our plan. I am convinced that they knew you were on board, and were aiming to break us down with a surprise action.
It also seems obvious to me that they are in possess of advanced military technology. Someone must has spared a few warships from deployment behind your back, who knows how many of them actually exist, and who knows how many of your soldiers are behind all this.
The queen was furious: -How is it possible that all this happened without me seeing it, how can I have been so blind! My isolation has encouraged the growth of this tumor within the kingdom! I was a fool, a dreamer thinking that Mazone would have stayed quiet, and that people who were used to centuries of war and conquering would resign themselves to a life of peace and respect of others' freedom!
-Not the people, - said Galia – But only some of the nobles and the militaries who like war. Believe me, Raflesia, Mazone can and wants to live in peace!
-O Galia, tell me that I did not do everything wrong, that my desire to remain attached to this earthly life was not an act of presumption that jeopardized all the good things I wanted to build!
Raflesia hugged her friend and almost started to sob.
At that point Harlock went near them and put his hand on the queen's shoulder. -Galia is right. You have no fault. You did what you thought was right for the good of your people. The blame lies only on those evil ones who plot in the shadows, trying to go back in time to restore their power and their dirty interests. But we will stop them, now I feel more confident than ever about it. Me and you Raflesia, this is a promise, and you know that I always keep my promises.