Harlock entered his new captain's room, onboard the Deathshadow. he seen the room on his first visit but now this was going to be his room for a long time forward. Lightning stepped in behind him quietly. Harlock looked around for a second before heading over to the bed and placing his suitcase down on it. he pulled out the old golden skull and cross bones marked pocket watch from his pocked. looking at the time he turned over to the desk, though he wanted to unpack what little he had, the captain's log was more important. he sat down at the desk placing the watch back in his pocket and found the memory pad in the drawer.
beginning to write about the first day of taking command of the Deathshadow had the feeling of pride return to his heart.
it was finally time. as Harlock stepped on to the bride for the first time as officially her captain, his heart drummed in his chest.
"captain on the bridge." the first officer Will said making the bridge crew stand in salute.
"at ease." Harlock said as he walked to his chair. "so how are we looking?"
"all green captain. we been given clearance for take off." the first Officer said. Lightingtooth lay down next to his chair, with a wolf like smile on his face.
"crew all accounted for and ready."
"every station is reporting in clear captain."
"then let us not waste any time." Harlock smiled and stood.
"Deathshadow! Take off!" the mighty ship roared in response and she sailed of towards the sea of stars.
the rest of the day had been quiet but Harlock suddenly looked up from the log and noticed Lightning was pacing around the room restless.
"What's wrong old friend?" he asked placing the pad down.
"I don't know.. I cant shake this feeling.." the wolf growled. "I am going to sniff around a bit. see if I can find out what that sent was." Lighting growled looking at him. getting a nod from Harlock, Lightning left.
as they had entered the ship Lightning had cached a sent that had him worried, yet as they were in a little rush to take of and Lighting admitting it was a weak sent, they had chosen to ignore it. yet if it was still bothering his friend this much... Harlock shook his head. he knew better than to ignore his friend's senses. for now he returned to writing his log but he kept listening for a word from his friend.
as he finished the log, he placed the memory pad back in the drawer. standing up he moved back to the suitcase on the bed. Harlock didn't carry many personal belongings. he smiled as he pulled out the book `Arcadia of my youth`. a heirloom his grandfather had given him on the day he had left home to travel to military school.
"it's yours now. you are the last Harlock. take it as a reminder you can always come home, my boy." his grandfather's voice seemed still so clear in his mind. Harlock flipped to the last pages of the book. at the end of the book there was a secret pocket. Harlock pulled out his treasures. a pressed white rose that Maya had given him the last day they met before he left and a picture of them together.
"hope you are doing well Maya." he whispered to the woman in the photo, smelling the rose that still smelled sweet even after all this time.
"Harlock! we got a problem." Lightning's voice cut into his mind, jerking him back to reality. before Harlock could even ask there was a call on the communicator from the engine room.
"Captain! we found a bomb in here!" the engine chief called scared as he came on screen.
"is it on a timer? can you disarm it?" Harlock asked rapidly.
"it's close to out of time captain, but I should be able to disarm it, sir." the chief nodded, looking back to were it was.
"can you move it?" Harlock asked.
"yes sir." the chief said.
"give it to Lighting. he'll move it to the bulkheads up front. if it detonates, it will case less damage there, than the engine room. I'll head to the bridge and open and shut the bulkheads so we can contain it further. Lightning! go!" he said forcefully. he knew Lightning would get there the fastest. Harlock ran to return to the bridge.
"captain is is true?" Will growled.
"looks that way." Harlock said returning to his chair. "how are we doing?"
"Lightning just placed the bomb in the room. the chief is on his way with his tools." the second officer asked looking at the screen.
"the crew?" Harlock asked seeing many of the blast doors were coming down.
"safe captain. only Lightning and the chief is close to the bomb." another crew member answered.
"the blast door should protect them granted we shut the door in time." Will said.
"how is it looking chief?" Harlock asked seeing the chief bend over the bomb.
"I am opening the top now, captain." the chief said. the stress evident in his voice.
"puh.. it does not look to complicated luckily. I still have plenty time on the timer. It should be a simple matter of clipping two maybe three wires." the chief dried some sweat of his forehead. "Lightning, stay out there." he said looking over his shoulder. a different camera showed the black wolf pacing back and forth by the door.
"and there... that should... oh no.." the chief suddenly stiffened.
"chief! what's wrong?" Harlock asked tensely.
"this box was just a trap. Captain! shut the door! quick!" he shouted backing away from the bomb, but seemingly knowing he wasn't going to make it to the door in time.
"I got him, Harlock." Lightning snared in his mind.
"shut the doors now!" Harlock shouted. seconds later the entirety of the ship shook violently.
"damage report!" Harlock called.
"the bulkheads held captain. the doors were shut in time. damage minim, sir." the crew called.
"the chief?" the first officer asked.
"cough.. I am alright captain." a voice called over the communicator. as the screen came online Lighting was still holding on to his jacket almost laying on top of the chief..
"that's two I owe you." the chief laughed as he petted Lighting's head as he stood up.
"captain! Lightning took some shrapnel to one of his back legs." the chief suddenly said noticing the wolf wasn't standing on one of his legs and the blood was dripping on to the floor.
"get him to the sickbay then." Harlock said sounding a bit tense.
"I am fine. it just nicked me." Lighting growled.
"I don't doubt that but still." Harlock answered quietly.
"that was one hell of a way of setting of." a crew member chuckled nevus.
"I cant believe the Illumidas manged to place a bomb on her even before she had a single fight under her belt." the second officer said scared.
"not sure this was the green men's work." the chief said coming onto the bridge. Harlock's eyes narrowed.
"what do you mean?" Will asked.
"this bomb was unlike, captain. it was more complicated than it first looked. it had a trap if someone tried to disarm it, and it used something so old as black powder as it's primary explosive. have you ever heard of the Illumidas using something so old?" the chief said. the crew quieted down thinking of what was just said.
"it makes sense to use something so old fashioned as they could easily smuggle it in with out detection." the second officer said thinking.
"but how did you find it then?" a crew member asked.
"Lightning came sniffing around and started howling to get my attention. how he knew the smell of such an old bomb material is beyond me." the chief shook his head with a smile.
"my grandfather was a vivid collector of old guns. they needed to be cleaned after each use. my friend knows that smell well." Harlock smiled faintly where he sat, remembering better days.
"so what do we make of this captain?" will asked.
"what did you find old friend?" Harlock asked with his eyes closed.
"I cant tell who placed it there. there were four tracks that had been walking around on top of each other around the same time and all four had been all around the ship. the tracks were around the time right before the crew came on board." Lightning answered quietly.
"so most likely someone who worked on the ship then." Harlock said oping his eyes.
"I am confused over the timer though, captain." the chief said bringing the focus back on him. "the timer was set for a little while ago. it makes little sense to blow the ship now while we are so far away from earth. if they wanted to send a message, blowing the ship as she left the stratosphere would make more sense." he said tensely. the crew thought about it for a bit.
"well what if it wasn't meant as a message? what if it was meant as an accident? it would make sense of the timing as well as the older explosives used. it would make it look like an accident or a malfunction." the first officer said.
"but what would anyone gain from that?" the second officer asked.
"the Deathshadow is the last one built out of the first four Admiral ships. if something went wrong with her they would likely scrap the building of more admiral's ships." Harlock said quietly. it fitted with what Lighting had found too.
"what do we do captain?" the second officer asked. Harlock sighed.
"I'll report it to the federation though I doubt anything will come of it." he knew the Federation a bit to well by now.
"is there anymore bombs on board?" one crew member asked quietly.
"doubt it. if there was they would have gone of by now." the chief sighed.
"then let's continue our work. no more will come of this now." Harlock said tiredly.
a year had passed since then and the war was not going in the favor of the Federation.
"captain, we are not going to last much longer like this."
"hang on, our aid is on it's way, we just need to hold out a little longer." Captain Leotard snared. having an Admiral ship now was the only thing keeping them still in the fight right now. their ship was getting pummeled by five Illumidas ships.
if we only had one more ship, we could last a little longer. Leotard thought stressed. the Federation forces were spread too thin, trying to defend too many borders. the Illumidas had more more ships and even preoccupied planet forces on their side, as given by the three alien ships aiding them now.
"please captain. there is an fleet of Illumidas ships incoming. you are alone, save your crew and surrender." again the captain of one of the alien ships pleaded with her. he wasn't an Illumidas, but what race he was, she did not know. he wore a green and white uniform with red markings. a pair of brown eyes, looked sad, yet looked to hold some respect for the crew before him. what little hair she could see seemed like a grayish brown. it was clear he was trying to avoid a bloodbath. it was almost tempting to take him up on his offer but her pride refused her.
"we will fight to the last man if we have to." she snared and nod for the com to be shut down. she looked to her crew. they were ragged, blood spotted from minor cuts and bruised. yet the pride in their eyes were not burned out yet. they would keep fighting.
"two of the Illumidas ships are incoming captain. they are are reading to give us a full broadside." one crew member shouted.
"turn our bow towards them, give them less to hit!" she shouted, feeling the ship beginning to turn.
"to late!" the crew member shouted.
just then when a storm of cannon fire should have rained down on them, one of the Illumidas ship instead took a full round of cannon fire from down below sending the ship spinning out on control.
"captain! there is a ship hidden in the planet's shadow!" the crew member shouted. another round of fire from the mystery ship sent the second Illumidas ship exploding as each shot was aimed to a weak point.
"captain! it's the..."
"Deathshadow." Leotard exhaled relived seeing the ship now come full speed out of the shadow and rammed towards the 3 last Illumidas ships. the Illumidas ships panicked trying to get out of the way, and taking a full broad side of fire from the Deathshadow as she blasted by upwards.
"finish them of!" Leotard shouted making her ship turn so that she could blast a full broad side herself into the now crippled Illumidas ships. now only one Illumidas ship remained and the three alien ships.
"your timing could not have been better, captain Harlock." she hailed her old friend as the Deathshadow now sailed up near them.
"good job holding the border, captain." Harlock said as he smiled.
"the Illumidas fleet is still incoming. now would be the time to leave." the alien man from before hailed them both.
"I can say the same to you. we have no quarrel with you or your men. leave while you can." Harlock stated calmly. the Federation main forces were incoming on their side.
the alien man smiled.
"with a warrior captain and a ship like yours in front of me, it would be a shame I could not live with, to run away now." he smiled, there was a fire burning in his eyes now. Harlock smiled. during this war he had not met any opponents like this one. one that would take him on because his warrior heart told him to. Harlock looked to his crew. Will his first officer nodded. the crew looked ready and willing to fight.
but it never got the chance to be come a proper duel. the Illumidas fleet arrived warping in, yet the solar Federation forces arriving mere moments after.
it became an all out war. the Deathshadow and her sister ships of the admiral class wrecked some descent damage on the Illumidas ships. thanks to some pretty descent tactics, the Federation forced manged to blow a hole in their defensive position and forced the Illumidas into a temporary retreat.
Harlock sat at a bar with the other captains, celebrating their momentary victory. each of them knew that the Illumidas would return in force but for now. they allowed themselves a small victory.
Harlock had pulled some strings and Will Stone, his first officer had been given the captain's seat of an older ship. the group was also celebrating the new captain.
Harlock sat smiling quietly as he finished his drink. yet to his surprise as soon as he placed the glass on the table the waitress came with a new one.
Harlock looked at the waitress placing the new drink down in front of him.
"from the lady at the bar." the waitress said and pointed to a Lady sitting by the bar wearing a black cloak with the hood up. a pair of green eyes met his.
"Excuse me." Harlock said to his friends, taking the glass and he and Lightning walked over to sit next to her.
"You weren't a person I expected to find this close to the War zone." Harlock said looking at her. she smiled and took her hood down, letting her fire red hair fall loosely over her back.
"we free traders go where the work is." Emeraldas smiled faintly, yet the look in her eyes spoke of something else.
"you're here for something else too." Harlock said looking at the glass bottles at the wall of the bar in front of him, taking a swing of his glass. Emeraldas looked at him fore looking at her own reflection in her drink.
"have you noticed?" she asked almost whispering.
"about the two metal men sitting at the other end of the bar?" Harlock said low like her, taking another swing and kept his eyes in his glass. "they been trying to go unnoticed but they cant hide their metal sent from my partner's sharp nose." he said. Lightning growled in answer.
"over the war he's picked up on a few other metanoids, but they mostly been with Illumidas. we haven't quite figured out if they are working with the Illumidas or not." Harlock growled low. something didn't feel right about these metal men. what ever it was, he didn't like it. and Lightning growled mirroring his feelings.
"your more preseptive than I first believed." she smiled looking at the bottles in front of her.
"then I am right?" Harlock asked truing to look at her.
"Not here..." she said pulling her hood back up, before standing up and truing fully around to face him. "if you want to know why I am here. come to the city gate at midnight. you will get a proper answer there." she said low, her back now turned on the metal men. she made sure they could not hear or see what she said to him. Harlock noticed the metal men staring at them. as she turned to leave, she stopped and looked over her shoulder at him.
"careful captain. your deeds are already painting a target on your back. take care who you trust your words to." she warned before she left. Harlock sat still staring into his glass, thinking about her warning. he noticed as Lighting growled beside him the two metal men followed after Emeraldas.
"she can take care of herself, Lightning." He said finishing his drink with his eyes shut. the wolf sitting back down but still eyed after them growling.
"are we going then?" Lighting asked not taking his eyes of the door.
"I don't think we will be called back out tonight. yes I want to know what these metal men have to do with the Illumidas." Harlock growled low.
midnight came around quickly enough.
the two walking quietly side by side, but the wolfs ears were constantly moving, listening for any followers or danger. so far no one was around. most were in town still so the gate lay silent to itself. Harlock stopped and leaned on the pillar, crossing his arms across his chest as he waited. Lighting sat quietly beside him but his ears and nose were constantly in motion. the wind blowing cold around the two yet Lighting's sharp ears soon picked up the steps of a lone person.
he stood up and listened. Harlock only opening his eyes yet remained where he was. the stranger came from down the road. Lighting could smell her clearly now. a woman with a small of familiarity to Emeraldas yet different none the less. now she was visible to the both of them. golden yellow hair that flowed around her back as she moved, contrasted against the black dress and hat. a pair of strong brown eyes met Harlock's, as he had now stood up and faced her fully.
"you are?" Harlock asked sensing no danger from the woman, yet even as she was seemingly unarmed, he knew she could defend herself.
"I am Maetel." she smiled as she came to a stop in front of them. "Captain Harlock, of the Deathshadow. you reputation is growing Captain." she smiled tilting her head slightly.
"then Emeraldas was waiting for you." Harlock said quietly.
"is she not here yet?" Maetel asked and she sounded worried.
"there were some mech men in the bar we met at. I am guessing she is making sure they don't follow her here." Harlock said looking back to town.
"you have questions about them. that's why Emeraldas sent you here." Maetel said quietly.
"yes the few times we have come across them, they always been close to the Illumidas. are they part of the Illumidas army?" he asked looking at her. Maetel at first said nothing, but then she met his eyes fully.
"they make the Illumidas think so. the mech Empire is only using them. that's why the Illumidas attack these border Planets of the federation, to capture prisoners for the Mech empire. in return they give them a few mech Slaves to use as they want. once the Illumidas have outlived their usefulness.. the empire will drop them like trash." Maetel said and the look in her eyes had Lightning growling, his fur standing on end.
"how do you know th.." Harlock began but Lightning suddenly snared, cutting him of. the wind had shifted, bringing a new sent with it.
"take cover!" Harlock said shoving her up against the wall, shielding her with his own body, as a laser blast hit just where she had been standing. Harlock spun around with out pause, grabbing the gun at his belt an firing of a few good shots. yet they did nothing to the attackers metal bodies. the two metal men having hid in the rocks outside of town. Lightning rushed into them sending the men scrambling unable to shot anymore. that's when two shots took both of the metal men out. coming out from the city stood Emeraldas with her saber drawn.
"you need a special gun to harm them." she smiled placing her saber back in her belt.
"are you OK Maetel?" Emeraldas asked as she came up to them. Maetel nodded.
"you need to be careful, sis. the mech empire has made you wanted by the Illumidas as well now." Emeraldas warred.
"you too. you free trader License protects you for now, but if they figure out what you are doing.." Maetel said quietly.
"it will happen eventually." Emeraldas scoffed. "I'll deal with it when that happens."
"thank you for saving my life, captain." Maetel turned to Harlock.
"thank Lightning. it was his sharp nose that picked up on them coming." Harlock smiled, petting the wolf over the head.
"are you ready to go Maetel?" Emeraldas asked. the blonde nodded, picking back up her suitcase.
"you be careful. the Illumidas will be coming soon for round two. you better leave the Castlemagne star cluster quickly. Harlock said calmly.
"be careful Harlock, remember what I said about who you trust with your new knowledge." Emeraldas said looking at him with her usual intense look.
"We will." Lightning answered, choosing to share his secret with them as well, yet either of the two women looked surprised over his speaking.
they must have seem weirder things. Harlock thought quietly as the two women nodded to them and left.
"are you calling me weird?" Lightning huffed insulted making Harlock smile.
Harlock was not happy about this. having to return to Earth because the federation wanted to discuss turning the Deathshadow fully automated. none in the crew liked that idea.
Harlock, Lighting and only his first and second officer left for the meeting. there were many others in the meeting too. Lightning usually stepped away from Harlock during these meetings, but today he refused to leave his side. Harlock's eyes narrowed as he saw the pleased expression on the man known as Nevich, the current project leader of the project. the commander in charge of the project was looking over the pagers quietly. the men standing there were muttering low between themslefs. mostly about the rivalry between Harlock and Nevich.
"now then." the commander said sitting up, having finished looking over the proposal.
"why are you proposing this change for the Deathshadow in particular, Mr Nevich?"
"the Deathshadow has proved she is one of the toughest ships in our fleet, sir. her computer was created with the tools to remember tactics used before. she would be a good fit for the conversion as it the tactics are already there." Nevich said proudly.
"her computer was created with this feature to work beside her crew. we don't know how the program would act without the inputs from the crew." Harlock said looking only at the commander.
"are you afraid of loosing you precious tactics captain?" Nevich hissed angry.
"the Deathshadow's halls and rooms are are painted with the blood of her crew. to do such a thing would be a dishonor to those that have spilled their blood defending her." Harlock said coldly not biting on Nevich's attempt to anger him.
"that is exactly why we should do it. it would lead to less crew needed and less crew members dead or injured." Nevich growled angrily.
"you would be making a game out of war." Harlock stated with a snare, but still not letting him get under his skin.
"enough! as much as I would like to see your design built Mr Nevich. I am afraid Harlock is right. we just don't have the time to properly test the computer designs and get the ships ready. the Illumidas will not wait for us to get all the bugs out." the officer in charge stated. "I think we might be able to start work on a prototype to install on the Dark victory.. but for the moment The Deathshadow will remain as is, under the command of Captain Harlock." the commander stated, making this case finished. Harlock saluted and turned. many of the men congratulating him on his defense of his ship. Nevich stood back looking angry. Lightning watched him quietly, he growled angry as the man suddenly shouted angry at someone else and then left.
it took a while but soon Harlock and his officers were back where the Deathshadow was getting some minor repairs.
"she wont be done until later tomorrow, captain." the mechanic stated to Harlock as he returned. Harlock nodded tiredly, sending his two officer of.
"why don't we take the time and go home?" Lightning asked quietly beside him. Harlock had sent his crew to do so while the ship was being repaired. the way things looked for the Federation these days allowing the crew to say their goodbyes would mean a lot for them all. thinking of Maya, Harlock sighed.
"alright." he said and the two left for the hanger to take a fighter ship. from their current location it would only take a few hours to go home.
as he sat in the fighter ship starting her up, Lightning sat in the back seat as he closed the cockpit.
"you ready?" he asked looking over his shoulder.
"always." his partner answered.
as the ship flew over the land. Earth looked for the most part untouched. green fields and blue lakes lay underneath them. they had not been home for years now. Harlock wondered about his family. was his mother and grandfather doing OK? the food situation on Earth had not been good for a while now.
landing not far from his home he found his mother rushing out to greet him.
"mother." He smiled as she hugged him.
"how you grown." she smiled stepping back to look at him. "you look so much like your father." she smiled with tears in her eyes. his grand father stepped up behind her.
"my my. you surely look like a captain." he smiled. "the stories about the Deathshadow has reached even here, my boy." he chuckled.
"how are things here?" Harlock asked as they stepped inside.
"we are doing OK." his grandfather answered. the shortness of the answer was more telling than the answer it self.
"how long are you here for?" his mother asked as they sat down.
"the Deathshadow is having some repairs done. I only have til sunrise before I should return." Harlock sighed. his mother looked at the clock.
"then you should hurry and see her." she smiled. the older man chuckled.
"are you sure?" Harlock asked wanting to at least help his family if there was a need.
"don't you worry yourself with us now. she has been waiting for you all this time, my boy." the old man smiled petting Lightning over the head. Harlock stood up.
"I'll be back soon." he said said quietly. Lightning moving up beside him again.
as Harlock had left the other two looked at each other.
"you sure he should not be told?" Mira asked concerned, knowing the grandfather was quite ill.
"not now.. what good is it to him to be worried about an old man? let him enjoy his time with his love now and have a clear head while fighting for the Earth." the old man sighed and began coughing badly.
"I'll get your medicine." Mira said getting the pills.
"you think he will find out Harlock's home?" Mira asked, as the grandfather took his pills. she was looking out the window worried.
"not in time.." the old man exhaled painfully.
Harlock had a pretty good idea where Maya would be. when he left Maya had been planting a rose garden in her home. Lighting nodded jumping into the tree on the outside of the wall and with two more jumps he was on a branch overlooking the garden. he moved quietly over on a different branch, close to the one he was on. the branch rustled it's leaves under his weight and it got the attention of a lady with a snow white dress. she spun around, making her sun golden hair swing around her.
Lightning was surprised to see both anger and fear in those usually so kind and gentle sapphire blue eyes of hers. her eyes widened and then lightened up recognizing the black wolf.
"Harlock!" she gasped realizing what his presence meant. she ran out of the garden and strait into the captain's arms. Harlock held around her, his cheek resting on her head and the sweet sent of her hair and the feeling of her trembling in his arms, told him he wasn't dreaming. he could feel her struggling to keep her tears back, knowing she didn't want to greet him with tears. regaining her composure she looked at him, meeting his eyes. his expression was hard to read, his face looked worn telling of the many hardships he had faced til now. she gently pushed some of his hazel locks away from his face to see both his eyes better. still even with everything he must have been through, his eyes still burned with the same passion and wanting for life, she had loved about him. her hand slipped down his face, cupping his right cheek in her hand and he closed his eyes, leaning in to her touch. they stood like this for a few moments before he opened his eyes again. her sapphire eyes looked at him with the soft touch of love, yet there was a hint of sadness to them too. Harlock's eyes softened as he stroked her cheek, drying away a tear that fell unwanted.
"I missed you." he said so softly and quietly it was almost a whisper. she could not answer. tears filling her eyes, she hid her face in the scarf on his chest. struggling to hold them back, she almost jumped, hearing something land softly behind Harlock. she looked past him and smiled as Lightning stood silently behind them, looking like he felt like an intruder.
"come here." she whispered sitting down with her arms open. the wolf moving quietly up to her letting her hug him, his big head resting on her shoulder.
"thank you for keeping him safe." she whispered into his fur.
"I promised you I would." the wolf whispered back and licked her cheek gently as she let go. her fingers running though his silk soft fur, but she felt spots where the fur had not yet grown back over scars. knowing there was this many scars on the wolf, meant there was probably the same on Harlock's body. she stood up again.
"how long are you here for?" she asked, knowing it was probably not long.
"sunrise." his answered seemed pained. he wasn't happy staying so shortly.
"give me a moment." she smiled and returned inside, her home. Harlock leaned quietly up against the tree. already he missed her. Lightning looked quietly at Harlock and then back to the house. had Maya asked him to stay he would, but she would never do so, knowing he needed to be free. that was the way their love was. neither willing to ask the impossible of the other, even as much as the distance between them hurt.
she returned outside with a basket. Harlock took it form her with a smile. they walked together, Maya leaning in on his side, as if she was worried she would wake up soon.
Harlock began to turn, to head to their spot up under the grand tree at the hill, when Maya stopped him. holding on to his arm hard.
"not there... not now." she said low looking around, as if scared someone would see them. meeting his eyes and seeing the confusion and worry in his eyes, she shook her head and gave a gentle smile.
"the lake cave is better." she smiled. Harlock returned to her side, but noticed she kept looking around ,at least until they were away from the hill with the tree. they soon arrived at the lake side and her mood seemed to change. she smiled happy as Harlock lifted the hanging branches, letting her into their old hideout. the thick trees had low hanging branches, making a almost cave hiding an clearing down to the lake. wild flowers growing free around them. the sun was starting to sett coloring the trees, lake and sky red. Harlock pulled a blanket from the basket and the two sat down on it. Maya pulling some food from the basket. Harlock mean while undid his boots, leaving them in the grass next to them.
Maya's earlier nervousness made Lightning restless however, and he took to the trees keeping an eye on the land outside the little cave, keeping the two with in safe.
Maya sat close up to Harlock, resting her head on his shoulder. a pair of swans swam past them, their white feather's contrasting against the red sky and lake. Harlock sighed content.
the air was clean and fresh with a sweet sent of the wild roses that grew on the bushes around them. White and wild, they had always grown down by the lake. suddenly feeling her shutter in the breeze, he sat up and undid his jacket before draping it over her shoulders.
"thank you." she smiled and pulled it shut around her, enjoying his smell on it. she looked at him carefully. studying his face so that she could memorize every thing about him in this moment, sensing it could be her last chance to do so. his eyes seemed locked at nothing in particular, but as always seemed to be looking far into the future. she stocked his cheek, bringing his face back to hers as she sat up. his eyes got a bit of confusion for a second, then to his surprise she kissed him. he tensed only for a second then she felt him relax completely, letting her push him gently backwards. laying down on the blanket she lay over him. neither willing to break the kiss. the last summer breeze flowed over the lake and over the two making the roses shutter around them.
Harlock had his eyes shut, but now he opened them slowly, before pulling free from her lips. she looked at him. her eyes as soft and kind like he loved them. he gently pushed some of her golden locks back behind her ear. the sun had sett and the first evening stars blinked above Maya's golden hair like a tiara made of stars.
"I love you." he said, his hand stroking her cheek. she shut her eyes, enjoying the feel of his touch. she leaned back in, lips almost touching.
"I love you, Harlock." she whispered back, before the lips connected again. Harlock pulled her over, making them both lay on their side, lips still interlocked.
Lightning sensing what was going on, shut his mind to Harlock's and moved father away, leaving the two alone, but staying close enough to keep any unwanted prying eyes away.
Maya's hand slipped down from Harlock's cheek softly down past his neck and rested on his chest feeling his heart beat speed up. in what was perhaps an unusual moment of passion, Harlock's hands slipped behind her back and undid the zipper on her dress, as he felt her hands move to undo the buttons of his shirt. suddenly realizing what he had done, he pulled away from her lips and looked at her. she had opened his shirt and looked at the now bared chest. old and fresh scars decorated his chest, though she could tell most would fade with time. her eyes returned to his and she found him looking embarrassed slightly and a little ashamed. she kissed him again and smiled kindly.
"are you sure?" he asked quietly. she smiled and let her dress fall of her shoulders as an answer. Harlock placed a hand back on her cheek and pulled her in for another long kiss. both knowing they only had this night together and neither wanting to leave this moment right now. the warmth of the other filling both making everything else fade away.
quietly the night slipped onward. a crescent moon lighting up the sky and mirroring itself in the cool still lake. its gentle light falling over the two sharing this night together.
Lighting returned inside the clearing only as the sun began to rise. quietly he moved up to the two laying on the blanket. Harlock was laying on his back. May sleeping with her head resting on Harlock's shoulder, Harlock's right arm laying around Maya. they had pulled a second blanket over themselves. Lightning looked at them for a second, realizing he had not seen Harlock sleep so restfully in a long time. he hated having to wake them, especially now.
he gently nudged Harlock's cheek with his snout.
"Harlock.. the sun is rising.." he sent quietly.
"hmm.. sun?" Harlock asked disorientated, slowly waking up. feeling an unusual weight on his shoulder, he looked yet smiled realizing who was sleeping next to him. yet the smiled turned sad, realizing the wolf was right. the sun was rising over the mountains.
wish I had more time... there is so much I still want to tell her.. show her... he thought quietly as he gently watched her sleep, before he pushed a few locks from her face. she stirred slightly at the touch and oped her eyes. she smiled seeing him.
"good morning." Harlock said quietly with a smile. she sat up a little pulling the blanket over her chest, letting him sit up fully. he began to dress in the white undershirt again.
"you need to go?" she said low but not in anyway that would hurt him to hear. yet it felt like her heart was breaking all over again.
"afraid so.. the Deathshadow's repairs should be done in a few hours time. it will take me that long to get back." he sighed as he remained sitting, looking for his jacket and pants.
Lighting shook his head leaving, letting the two get dressed. as they finished Harlock closed the zipper on her dress and she turned around to hug him again. as she let go she placed the white scarf back under his jacket properly.
"please be careful." she said low looking at him. all he could do was nod quietly. he placed the blankets back in the basket and picked it up, the two leaving their little hideout. both not knowing how this night was going to have a big change on their life soon enough.
Maya held onto his arm as they walked back towards her home. Harlock noticing her earlier nervousness seemed to return and she looked around for something.
"what's wrong?" he asked carefully. she jumped a bit a the question and she smiled trying to hide what she felt.
"nothing." she smiled, yet Harlock didn't quite believe her. they returned to her home soon enough. she took the basket and quickly returned inside with it. as she came back out she looked around one more time. she took stroked his cheek, looking into his eyes deeply.
"please come home." she said low, her sapphire eyes looking like tears were threatening to come back out.
"I will. I promise." he said repeating the promise, he had made her on the day he had left. he pulled her in for another kiss and one again it was hard to break way for the other. both wishing time would stop just for a little while. yet time moved on and the two had to let go. Lightning whined quietly, he hated to make Harlock leave. he didn't want to leave himself but they had to. Maya sat down letting the wolf come to her. he pushed his forehead to Maya's chest, her fingers running over his pelt. she pulled his head from her so that her eyes would met his.
"bring him home, Lightning." she said sternly.
"you have my word." the wolf said low, making Maya rest her forehead to his.
"thank you." she said whispering with a smile, then kissing the wolf's head before standing back up.
"stay safe." she smiled and kissed Harlock one final time leaving a white rose in his hand.
"stay safe, Maya." Harlock said hating to leave her again. she nodded quietly and left. Harlock looking after her quietly then he turned without a word and hurried homewards.
as they came up the hill towards the home, his mother and Grandfather stood by the ship.
"here." his mother handing him some food.
"are you sure." Harlock asked knowing food was limited do to the war.
"you have had no breakfast yet." she smiled cleverly as if knowing where and what he had been doing. "it's the least a mother can do." she smiled yet there was a hit of sadness to her voice as she said that.
Harlock and Lightning remembering Mira having given her husband a lunch on the day he took of in the Discoverer that last time. the last time, anyone had seen Harlock's dad.
"stay safe and give them hell my boy." the grandfather said giving his grandchild a hug. the old man knew this would be the last time they met.
"we will." Harlock smiled a he hugged his mother. the old man bent down to the wolf, scathing him behind the ear.
"you keep him safe you hear." he smiled remembering the wolf even attacking him when he believed Harlock was in danger even as a pup. Lightening licked his hand in response. the old man looked over his shoulder suddenly and seemingly growled.
"now you two should get going. it wont do for a Harlock to be late." he turned back to them and smiled. Harlock nodded and Lightning jumped swiftly on to the wing of the ship and into the cockpit. as Harlock climbed up his grandfather suddenly shouted.
"come back to Earth, do you hear! you are the last Harlock!" Harlock nodded and sat down putting the helmet on. the two other moved away as the engine kicked in
as the ship left Arcadia behind, neither of the two in the ship noticed a car rushing up the hill, a single man stepping out growling seeing he was to late.
upon their return to the Deathshadow, Lightning suddenly picked up on a sent.
"I smelled this person before..." Lightning growled following the fresh track. Harlock followed him into the central computer room.
"captain?" one of the repair crew asked.
"was someone in here?" he asked as the wolf sniffed around.
"yes sir. he didn't do anything in here.. just watched the computer." the crew member asked.
"nothing.." Lightning said quietly. there was no danger here. Lightning continued to follow the track of the man.
"the captain's room? what did he do in here?" Lightning growled.
as they entered they found a bottle of sake on the desk, with a small note. Lightning sniffed around the room but again there was nothing else.
"looks like he was a friend of the Deathshadow." Harlock said looking at the note thanking him for defending the ship. he smiled taking the bottle and placing it on the table, as well as a small vase for Maya's white rose. he was going to save the sake for a little later.
author's note:
yeah so.. this got way to long to stay only two parts.. I am going to try and make the third part to finish this soon.
I am really pleased with this part. there is so much I am really happy with, spes the Maya part.
feel free to tell me what you think
Ligthingtooth