Little Harlock sat down in the chair by the desk in the captain's room.
It was still a bit strange to him to think this was now his room.
Tic and Tac were having a discussion among themselves as to find out how they would share the wolf bed in the corner of the room. Little Harlock looked over the things on the desk, his eyes some how drawn to one of the drawers, and opening it he was surprised to find some sort of memory pad in it hidden under some papers. Starting it up he quickly came to realize this was a journal, the captain's log.
The last entry's was to no surprise his brother's but going further back in the pad's memory, he found entries made by their father written during the Illumidas war. Feeling a surge of pride in his chest, he moved over to the bed and began reading from the first entry, so absorbed in his father's words about how it felt to take command over the ship, and wondering how alike it was his own experience in some ways, he had not even noticed the two wolfs had stopped talking. He jumped slightly feeling them both jump up beside him in the bed. He smiled happy as he petted the two wolves ears.
"I had no idea... Guess I would have to begin adding my own logs now." He chuckled and continued to read, absorbing as much as he could of his father's tactics, not knowing when it would come in handy.
Being as of now the only one of the Harlock sons that had not spent time in the military, writing logs or strategies had not been drilled into him like his father and brother had. In some ways you could say Little Harlock had been the first one to be born into being a space pirate from the get go, and he liked it that way.
Continuing to read, he came to realize now how old the DeathShadow was, and even how she was still overpowering the modern ships. Of course the Oyama's over the years had made sure she was in tip top shape and it showed.
Looking over the old logs Little Harlock began to feel a needle in his heart of the loss of his family. A low whine from Tic and Tac made him turn his head to them.
"I am okay, it's just been a long day." He said petting their heads and leaning back looking into the roof. The two wolfs said nothing but yawned in turn, they too was tired. The day had mostly passed in getting to fully know the ship and her works, they didn't know when it was going to be needed.
He looked into the roof, laying the log down on his stomach. He thought about what they knew so far, and what they had come to learn. Little Harlock still worried about what Mayu did not seem to tell them, but it was clear that she wasn't keeping it from them to case problems. She was deeply troubled over it. He wasn't about to force her to tell.
Tomorrow it would be a few hours until they reached the Tira border. The Earth federation had lost much of the space territory they once owned and the Tira Kingdom had been expanding picking up what space the Earth federation had given up on. Now their borders were really close. There was a treaty between their two lands, allowing free travel between the two for both. Yet of late the tension between the two had seemed a bit strained and it seemed the Earth federation was doing everything in it's power to keep the pace. Little Harlock knew the Tira king would never attack the Earth, but if they did, they would have been over run in a matter of days. The Earth federation did not really have any battle ships these days.
"Time to turn in." Tac said nudging his hand startling him, he had not noticed he had dosed of.
"Yeah.." He yawned and got up to turn of the light and prepare for bed.
Zero sighed, leaning back in his chair, looking over the council arguing pretty loudly around him. He had been called there do to his run in with the pirates a some days ago. It was becoming clear the government was getting radder stressed about Fritz not showing any sign of letting up his attacks as well as his sudden return to Earth not long ago. As well as the government having lost the DeathShadow. It being stolen from right under their noses. It had not helped hearing from Zero as to who it was behind it as well. Zero looked down onto the new report. The new unknown ship that was following the two others were a mystery, as well were the reasons they had been to Rhine for a short amount of time and now seemed on their way again.
"It is clear they are going to seek refuge in Tira!" One of the consul members shouted, making Zero look up. Looking back down to the map of where the pirates were last seen, indeed they were heading that way, but Zero doubted it was to hide. What ever their reason was, it probably had something to do with the missing pirates, which Zero had tired to press on to the others, but as usual, he was ignored.
"We can not let them slip past us."
"That's right, if they do.."
"Admiral Zero, you need to stop them."
"With all do respect sir, the Karyu is maybe a match for the DeathShadow on it's own, but you cant be serious sending me alone against it, the Talon and this mystery ship." Zero said, feeling still angry noticing once again they had not listened to him, there was no need to go after them right now.
"We will send other ships to back you, as soon as we can, you just need to keep them from crossing the border." the counsel leader said.
"Is this an order, sir?" Zero asked, hiding his angry shaking right fist under his table.
"It is." The president said. Zero took his hat, bowed and left the room.
By the time he returned to the Kayru, he was still shaking in anger. His wolf partner Drake, a chocolate brown wolf with a scar over his blind right eye, looked up at him worried with his remaining dark blue eye.
"All those hours sitting there and no one is listening at all." Zero snared.
"It don't seem right. They haven't done enough to be considered such a big problem to the Earth, surely not enough to earn being hunted down. And even if we wanted to do it it seems like a suicide mission.. We have no idea what kind of firepower the Talon is hiding, not mention the mystery ship." Drake growled staring down the hall as they walked towards the bridge.
Zero didn't answer. The wolf looked up at this master and sighed.
"What are we going to do? Only way to get out of this would be if we could not get there in time." Drake said knowing full well Zero didn't want to attack the pirates unprovoked, and even less as he knew full well that Fritz and his friends were only looking for his family.
Zero suddenly stopped and looked down on Drake.
"Your right." He said and suddenly grinned, turing around quickly and headed down into the ship. Drake following slightly confused as the bridge was the other way.
They soon arrived in the engine room, where Zero quickly made his way over to the chief engineer and pulled him aside.
"I am guessing you already heard our new orders?" Zero asked now they were alone.
"Yes and I cant say I like it. Not to mention it seems pretty much a suicide mission." The chief answered annoyed.
"That's what I said." Drake growled low.
"As it is, we need to stop them from crossing the border." Zero said and looked at the engine away from the chief. "But The Karyu is an old ship, and older ships often needs a bit of repair." Zero said just glazing at the chief in the corner of his eye with a faint smile. That made the chief grin evil.
"Oh yes, sir. She does have a old components is that needs some changing very soon or we might get stuck somewhere in space." The chief grinned brightly.
"I'll leave it to you then." He smiled and left towards the bridge. Drake chuckled beside him.
"Very sneaky master." He laughed making Zero smile.
Fritz stood at the helm of the Talon, they were only an hour away from the border now. Fritz stood lost in his thoughts, thinking about what to do what to do once they arrived at the observatory.
"Captain.." A voice broke him out of his thoughts.
"What is it Irai?" He looked over at her.
"I am afraid we gotten some bad news from our friends on Earth." She said concerned. Fritz eyes narrowed.
"Apparently the Earth federation has sent some ships after us." She said worried.
"Guess they didn't like our little trip to Arcadia." Fritz smiled.
"Or Little Harlock's test run with the DeathShadow." Silvereye chuckled getting a laugh out of Mizu.
"Either way I am guessing they are trying to prevent us from crossing the border. We better be on guard, we don't know if someone is already waiting for us at the border." Fritz said quietly.
"Should not be a problem getting past anyhow." Mizu said nodding to the screen showing the DeathShadow and the Princess Mayu following right behind them. Fritz smiled, but a part of him hoped to reatch the border with out having to fight their way though.
"Sir, the Princess Mayu is hailing us." Irai said.
"Put it on the main screen." He said sitting down.
"What can I help you with?" He asked with a smile as Mayu appeared over him. He wasn't surprised seeing her still looking very concerned.
"I need to to speak with you in private if I can." She said quietly.
"I'll be right over." He said calmly with a faint smile. As the screen turned of, he turned to Irai as he stood up again.
"Let Little Harlock know about the Earth ships, I'll be back soon."
"Yes, sir." she said and hailed the DeathShadow.
"Now to see if she is finally thinking about telling us what is bothering her." Silvereye said as Mizu opened a gate to the Princess Mayu.
Coming out on the other side, they was however surprised as they arrived, seeing Mayu seemed much more rested and relaxed.
"Follow me." She smiled and lead them into her captain's room.
"This is the most rested I think we have ever seen her." Silvereye said mirroring his master's thoughts.
"Is every thing okay?" Fritz asked as he sat down.
The surprising calmness about her made him wonder what had happened.
"I guess you got a pretty good idea what I want to tell you?" She said and looked away, the sadness once again coming up front. Hoshi whined, making Mayu look down on her and pet her as the young wolf had her head in her lap.
"Somewhat." Fritz said quietly, not wanting to press her.
"It began as nightmares.. Terrible realistic nightmares. Every smell, every sound, even the warmth of the blood.. It seemed all so real." Her hands began to shake. "I could not.. Still cant tell if it isn't.."
Fritz eyes narrowed slightly at the word blood but said nothing. Mizu looked up at Fritz worried and Silvereye rustled his feathers restlessly.
"It started with the horrible dream where I kill.." She swallowed, not daring to look at Fritz. "Where I kill Harlock." She said under her breath, struggling to keep her tears back. Getting no response from Fritz but Hoshi's gentle nudge with her head, Mayu continued.
"Then it began coming while I was I awake, after I met you. Then when you mentioned this Pinoko girl, I.. I don't know.. it feels like a memory but.. It feels so wrong.." Mayu said and explained everything to Fritz and his guardians.
The trio said nothing until she was done.
"I am terrified of what we will find then we get there.. What if the worst has happened?" She said struggling to hold her tears back now. "What if I did it? What if I learn I did do it? Killed.. him?"
"No wonder you been so quiet." Mizu said quietly, shaking his head.
"This does confirm our suppositions though.. It would seem we where right assuming the black spider woman is behind all of this." Silvereye said flapping his wings angrily, from his place on the chair head.
"I am sure Hoshi has already told you that Harlock is not dead." Fritz said taking her hand, startling her to look at him as he sat down before her. She nodded, tears forcing their way.
"But what if.. What if I suddenly turn on you?" She said scared, terrified that the other her she had felt like in her dreams would take over.
"We'll tackle that if it happens. Like Silvereye said, now we at least know that we might be right in our suspicions. This means we can prepare for it. We'll find a way Mayu, don't worry." He smiled, some how making Mayu stop both crying but also shaking. His was so kind and true. She nodded and felt her fears let go for now.
"Captain, I am sorry to disturb you, but there is a ship on our radar." Kikan suddenly but carefully said.
"Oh boy, looks like the Earth government isn't going to let us cross the border that easily." Fritz smiled seeing Mayu seemed more relaxed again. "We'll see what kind of trouble we are in." He winked and returned to his ship as Mayu and Hoshi ran down the halls to return to the bridge.
"Sir, we are almost by the border now." Marina said standing up.
Zero nodded, it had like expected not taken long to arrive.
"Captain! We got a problem!" The chief's voice came over the intercom.
"What's wrong?" Zero asked.
"Well you would not believe it.. but it seems the power coupling to the warp drive is about to go out... I need to repair it now or we might be a drift during a time we might really need it."
"Chief, we don't have time to get stalled here." Zero said radder calmly.
"Yes sir, I know, but this will take some time as I need to get under the engine to get to it... I am sorry sir, I should have noticed while we were on Earth."
"Fix it as soon as you can." Zero said doing his best to ignore the bridge crew chuckling realizing what the captain had done.
"Marina, contact the Federation, explain our situation." He gave Marina how ever a wink and a smile.
"Yes sir." She smiled.
Zero petted Drakes head. With this their hands should be clean when the pirates manged to escape them, as there seemingly was nothing he could do.
"Sir... it would seem the Earth Federation manged to get hold of 4 ships to assist us. They have already left Earth. They will be here in an hour maybe two." Marina said worried as she finished her conversation.
"Nothing we can do.. Let's just hope Fritz and the others arrive before then." Zero said though he worried now.
Zero was looking grimly at the open space before him. sighing, he looked around and it made him smile slightly seeing most of his bridge crew where relaxing, playing cards, talking and such as they waited. Most of his crew had all been glad to see they would fail to capture the pirates.
Looking over to Phase Breaker their radar operator, the mech man were focused to his task.
Leaning back in his chair, he sighed again as he looked out to the empty space again.
"Come on Fritz." He thought silently but noticing Drake were just as restless by his side.
Phase Breaker suddenly stood up.
"Admiral! Three ships have arrived on starboard side, one of them is the DeathShadow."
"Finally." Zero sat up and opened the intercom. "Chief, how are we doing? The pirate ships have arrived." He asked the engine room.
"No good sir, I need little more time." The answer came quickly.
"That is time we don't have," Zero smiled as the bridge crew chuckled and returned to their places.
"Get it fixed or the pirates will get away." Zero said.
"Yes sir, as soon as we can."
Zero nodded for himself with a small smile. The Karyu was in no way blocking the pirate ships from passing them, but looked like they were trying too.
Fritz smiled as he saw what ship was in the way for them.
"Well well... now what?" He asked to his guardians with a smile, awaiting a hail from the Karyu.
"Little Harlock is hailing us." Irai said nervous.
"Patch it though and call Mayu too." He said as there yet had been no contact or movement from the Karyu.
"What is going on?" Little Harlock asked not liking the silence from the Karyu.
"Should we stop?" Mayu asked not really wanting to fight.
"No let's keep going... I think the Karyu might have.. some tecnical problems." He smiled realizing what Zero had planed.
"Head to the border." Fritz said and signaled for his crew to slow down, letting the other two pass them though staying close, as they passed the Karyu and closed in on the border.
Waiting until the three ships had passed them and nearly over the border, Zero called the engine chief again.
"Chief, I need that engine."
"Yes sir, she is back in 3-2-1." There was a roar in the Karyu as she fired back up.
The DeathShadow and mystery ship was already over the border and the Talon was half way over as the Karyu turned around to go after them.
By the time the Karyu reacted them, the Talon had crossed over all the way.
"Looks like you were a little late there, admiral." Fritz smiled as he appeared on Zero's screen with his arms crossed over his chest, with a mischievous grin on his lips, with Silvereye on his shoulder and Mizu by his side.
"Seems that way." Zero said calmly, ignoring the snickers from his crew.
The Talon had turned around now and was facing them.
Fritz gave a short nod to the admiral as a thank you, knowing he would get in problems if it became clear he had let them go. Zero nodded back with a faint smile but it died away quickly.
"Sir, the 4 ships from the Earth is arriving." Marina said worried. Zero eyes narrowed, it had been close, a bit to close for his liking.
"Admiral, your ship?" The captain of the leading ship asked as they come towards them.
"Were repaired a little to late." Zero said shortly, looking at the ships that arrived. Not true battle ships like the Karyu yet just one step above a patrol ship or escort ship. The new coming ships gathering around the Karyu.
The DeathShadow and Princess Mayu had turned facing the new comers head on.
To Zero's sudden surprise, the new ships were passing the Karyu heading towards the border and the 3 ships.
"Wait, what are you doing? They are over the border!" He shouted hailing them.
"Our job is to capture and bring in these criminals." One of the captains answered.
"We have no right fighting any ships over our borders! The treaty with Tira.." Zero didn't even get to finish his sentence.
"They aren't here." The answer came quickly.
"Of all the bad timings for this guys to suddenly grow bold." Zero cursed realizing this was going to end in a fight.
Fritz was more than a little surprised as they clearly were readying to attack, the Talon's guns were armed as well was he knew was his friends ships.
"Attention Earth federation ships! Stand down!"
"This is captain John Varg of the battle ship SpaceFang of the Tira Kingdom!"
"You are in breach with the treaty, and trespassing on our border." Two voices cut in stopping everyone in their tracks.
3 battleships suddenly uncloaked. Two of them were both sides of pirate ships and the third and biggest of them appeared behind them..
Mayu didn't like the looks of this, surrounded by the unknown battle ships and with the Earth ships at their front... She evaluated cloaking, getting behind the battleships and making an opening for the others to escape.
"The treaty clearly states that the Talon, the DeathShadow and any ship following them are welcome in Tira space and will not be handed over to Earth." The voice from the big battleship said. "Or are you intending to break the treaty?" The man asked his voice sounding somewhat humored.
"No captain. My fellow captains just got a bit overzealous during the hunt." Zeros answered as the other ships stood down pulling away from the border. To say he was relived would be a major understatement.
"Talon, bring your friend's and follow me." The captain said as the big battleship turned.
Fritz wanted a second to argue, feeling time was of the essence and that they might not have the time to waste. Yet he came to conclusion, thanks to the Tira ship they had avoided a fight that would have wasted even more time, it didn't seem right to refuse.
As the battle ship began to move closely followed by the pirate ships, the captain seemed to have a change of heart.
"Karyu, you can come as well."
Zero was relived the unnecessary fight had been avoided as well having avoided a break on the treaty, holding the peace between the two governments. Hearing he was asked to come made him smile, glad he would get to learn what Fritz and the others had found out. He signaled to his crew to follow them.
The four other ships began to move intending to follow the Karyu, when the captain's voice broke in again.
"Only the Karyu." His voice sounding low, almost like a growl. The two remaining Tira battle ships moved to block the way.
"Admiral.. Are you sure about this?" One of the captains of the Earth ships asked.
"It might be a chance to learn what they are planing and were they will go." Zero said calmly, though not necessary intended to share what he learned.
The 5 ships now moved away and out of any listening range for the Earth ships to their conversation.
"Thanks for the help there. Who do we owe of the help?" Fritz asked hailing on a open channel allowing the others to talk as well.
"My name as I said is John Varg. This is the battle ship SpaceFang. I am here on orders by my king." The young captain finally showed himself. He was some years older than Fritz but still a young man. Half long Light blue hair fell around a pair of amber eyes that held a unusual fire to them. He was dressed in a suit somewhat reminding of Zero's but the main difference was the colors. The main color was a deep dark blue with light grey makings.
"I was told to escort you, as he had a feeling the Earth federation would try something when he heard you were heading this way." The young captain smiled.
Maryu wondered as to who this king was and how he would help them, but more than that she was surprised with herself. In a flash when it seemed like a battle was going to break out, she had come up with a strategy to help her friends.
"I don't even know where that came from.." She thought silently.
"From your mother I would believe." Hoshi said looking at her from beside her chair.
"Could be." She smiled feeling almost a bit proud as she petted her new found friend.
On board the Deathshadow bridge, a big argument had broken out between Riki and their first officer, a tomboyish girl named Sara.
"I am telling you the harpoons would have worked, their reach is much better." She said bending towards Riki.
"No way, the harpoons would have been too slow!" Riki waved his arms.
Little Harlock sighed as he leaned back in his chair looking at this two wolfs. Both Tic and Tac had their ears flat to their heads, trying to shield out the yelling.
"So what if they are slower? It would be better not to kill anyone!" Sara argued.
"Who said anything about killing shots? I was gonna take out their steering!" Riki battered back.
"Enough!" Little Harlock called out, freezing the both of them in their tracks over how forceful that shout was.
The yelling had even begun to get on Little Harlock's nerves, not to mention the two wolfs sharp ears. The two quieted down and took their places again. Little Harlock looked at the ship they were following. He knew the bond that old Tira king had with his father, which was the reason why the Harlock's were welcome and safe to enter the Tira borders. He wondered if getting to talk to the men at the observatory was as easily done as well.
They soon enough arrived at a place were a group of 5 ships awaited them.
2 of the ships were battleships much in the same stile as the SpaceFang, but all three seemed to have different markings and colors setting them apart. The two other ships seemed more like escort battleships as the final ship clearly was a Tira flagship, and a big one at that.
They were given permission to dock with the flagship and come on board.
Mayu felt very uncomfortable with the this detour, and unsure what to take this as. Hoshi excused herself, unable to tell her much as she had grown up on Luviji and weren't too familiar with the Tira empire.
They came out into a big hall way. The space ship seemed even bigger now. A few guards further down the hall but none seemed to notice her, or did any indication to what she should do.
"Easy Mayu. No need to worry." Riki said as he and Little Harlock arrived behind her, with Tic and Tac by their side.
"The Tira kings are old friend's of the Harlock clan." Little Harlock said making her relax a bit more.
"It's good to have friends in high places." Riki laughed as Little Harlock leaned up against a wall to wait.
"I would say so." Zero said as he arrived alone with only Drake. Mayu stepped away from him, somewhat surprised over the kindness in those brown eyes.
"You are?" He asked somewhat surprised seeing how much alike she was her mother.
"Mayu Oyama." She said, a bit nervous.
"I see.." Zero said and looked at her quietly, not really saying anything more. Hoshi growled low feeling a but uncomfortable under the Drake's sharp one eyed look.
"Thanks again for the help." Fritz said as he arrived, Silvereye giving a call. Mayu exhaled relived as Zero took his eyes of her.
"Well I could not let you get arrested before I knew what you had learned." Zero said with a smile.
"That is what my King wants to know as well." John said with a smile as he was the last to arrive. "If you will all follow me." He smiled and began to lead the way down the halls.
The flagship where grand as they walked though the many halls. It was everything you would expect of the flagship of the great Tira empire.
Arriving in the big greeting hall, they were greeted by a group of men, most of them military dressed, some of them dressed in fine suits, signalling they were counselors to the king.
4 of the military dressed seemed dressed in a slightly different suit from the other, meaning they were the king's personal guards.
The king, a tall, lean man about Zero's age, deep blue friendly eyes filled with life. Pale white skin that seemed even paler to his short fire red hair. He was dressed in a military suit but seemed more elaborate than that of his captain's and other military men.
"My lord, King Lukas of the Tira kingdom." John said as they entered.
"It's good to see you, my friends." He said coming over smiling brightly as he rested a hand to Fitz and Little Harlock's shoulder.
"Same to you my friend. Thanks for the help." Fritz rested his hand the king's shoulder as well, showing just how unusually friendly this king was with them.
"Well done John." The king turned to the Tira captain and smiled. John bowed with a smile on his lips.
"I had a feeling they were going to try something...They drive me so mad at times... I tell you, there have been times I just wanna take over the earth government and actually put some people that know what they are doing in charge." The king snared upset, telling just how much he had to deal with them.
"It would not be a too bad idea." Zero said from the side making the king laugh.
"I would guess they are even more frustrating for you, right old friend?" He smiled coming up to Zero and greeting him. "It has been to long, Zero."
"Indeed." Zero smiled. The king turned to Mayu now with a friendly smile.
"Well I must say it's not hard to say who you are. You look so much like your mother." He said and smiled. Mayu greeted him surprised over how friendly he was.
Lukas turned to Fritz again.
"We finally gotten hold of Isaak at long last. They have finally broth down that tyrant and will head back as soon as they can, but I fear it might not be in time to help out with this."
"Isaak is one of the pirate family though he with some other friends of ours, Benedikt and Franz left to the very borders of the galaxy to take care of a tyrant ruling a large solar system there. They left before the others went missing and we have been unable to get in contact before now. Let's just say worth everything Isaak and his brothers went though, I understand why they felt they needed to take care of this." Fritz explained knowing Mayu did not know what they were talking about.
"What about Burkhard and his crew?" Little Harlock asked. Lukas shook his head.
"We haven't been able to contact them."
"So other than us here then we are alone.." Zero muttered.
Mayu was shocked. She kept learning new things as the journey continued on, but more than anything she was surprised learning how many friends the good captain now had.
"Well then. Let's get down to business." Lukas smiled shaking of some of the gloominess everyone were feeling and pointed to the table in the room. "I been waiting to hear from you ever since the Rhine king let me know you where heading our way." He smiled as they took places around the table.
"As have I." Zero said looking to Fritz, the young pirate leader. Fritz nodded and began to explain, what they had found and come to understand as well as what they needed.
"I cant say I remember the observatory give any report about something like that." Lukas said thinking.
"When were you ever paying attention to him? Not while he was your teacher, that's for sure." Brand his wolf chuckled beside him. That got some needed light hearted laughter around the table.
"Sir I am sorry to intrude but, no we have not gotten any reports of strange energy readings from the observatory." One of his counselors said carefully.
"That may well be but there is a good chance they have seen these readings but will not report it until they know for sure what it is." Zero said calmly.
"It could also be that the gateway is closed and do not give out much readings right now." Riki said breaking an unusual silence for him.
"If that's the case... How are we going to open it?" Lukas asked leaning back in his chair.
"And how did Harlock and the others enter the gate way when they vanished? As far as I know they were far from the nebula at the time." Zero asked worried.
"Well I think both questions can be answered pretty easily. From what Maetel told us this gate way is the.. well front entrance. The main gateway if you will. We know she can open gates where she likes, meaning she probably opened a way for Harlock and the others. From what I understand she needs the main gate to be open to be able to make other gates open." Fritz said and smiling faintly. "As for the other question.. If she wants a full set, she will need us as well meaning she will most likely open the way as soon as we get close to the gate." His smile having a mischievous twist to it now.
"Or for me..." Mayu added to herself making Hoshi whine beside her.
"I wont let her do anything to you, Mayu." She swore growling low in her throat. Mayu nodded faintly, knowing Hoshi would keep her promise, but what she was afraid of was what where laying under her skin sleeping.
The group of ships soon arrived at the observatory.
Fritz, Mayu, Little Harlock, Riki, Zero, Lukas and their guardians came of their ships and going into the observatory spaceship, where they were met by an older man leaning to a cane.
"Welcome, welcome. We do not get many visitors here and especially of such high honors either." He greeted them with a smile. "So what can we do for you, your highness?" He asked Lukas, though said king looked uncomfortable being called highness.
"We were wondering if you had gotten some strange readings from the area close to the horse head nebula." Lukas said calmly.
"Strange readings you say?" The older man said and left, making Lukas turn to the others, seeing the confused looks he got from the others. He shrugged his shoulders, showing how used he was to the older man's erratic ways and lead the group to follow the old man.
"There as been an energy reading from there but it has been the same all along. It did not see like much of interest. Now these space gas readings we have gotten of late are much more interesting. You know that.." The old man started on what seemed to the start of a very long rant when Lukas cut him of.
"The same the entire time? Seems like you were right Fritz. This seems like the front door." Fritz nodded quietly.
"Well then, should we go knock?" Little Harlock asked, smiling, firing up a energy in the group to go out and take care of this witch.
"Indeed I think it's time." Fritz said , making Silvereye call and Mizu bark in agreement. The group nodding and turned around to leave.
"But your highness, what about the gas clouds readings?" The old man asked coming towards them again.
"Let's go, now." Lukas said not wanting another long lecture about space gasses.
As they exited, Fritz stood back as Mayu and Little Harlock and his friends returned to their ships.
"Zero, Lukas, a word please." The two stopping and turning looking a bit surprised over Fritz serious expression.
"I got a favor to ask." Fritz said gravely, looking and sounding like his father would have. The other two had turned around now and looked at him.
"I would like to ask you to remain here.."
"Fritz.." Zero began to protest but stopped as Fritz raised his hand.
"I need you on this side of the gate. Should something happen... Should we not return by 24 hours, I need you to blow the gate up. As this is the main gate, she needs it. If we can blow it up, we might at the very least lock her in in this pocket dimension of hers. With no way to get out, we can keep her from trapping anyone else. I fear it would take both the St. Elmo and your flagship to blow it up."
"You do know that would also mean no way for you to get back.." Zero said worried. Fritz nodded.
"I wish I could ask Little Harlock and Mayu to stay behind as well, but you know as well as I do none of them would have listened." He sighed with a faint smile, making the other two smile.
"Very well Fritz, we will stay. Just make sure you find them and make it back in time." Lukas warned. Zero nodded as well though still worried. Fritz nodded and headed back to his ship, though changing his mind and desisting they should rest a day, before they left. After all the things that had happened before, getting the chance to rest up and restock what they needed, would be best for all parts.
"Hang on dad, we are coming." He muttered to himself low as he entered his ship, the feeling amplified by his guardians.
So... This has been a loong time coming.
I am so sorry it has taken me this ficking long to get this done but I had no idea how to continue this for the longest time. Then suddenly, it just loosened up.
I can how ever tell you the next chapter is well on it's way as well and wont be long of hopefully. I promise the action is coming next one. Hopefully it wont be too long and I have to split the ending to another chapter but we'll see, I guess.
As always please tell me what you think of this.
Lightingtooth