Golgo 13 1

Golgo 13, Special Edition Volume 1, Chapter 1 (pp. 4~78)


<5>
Operation Big Safe


<8>
SSS...

WUSH

=AAA—CK!
CRACK

=Ugh!

BLAM

BLAT BLAT BLAT...

BAM
=What's going on!?


<9>
=Hey!

=Wh-What do you think you're doing!? Who do you think you are!?

TUG

=Bastard!!
DASH
SWIP

CRASH


<10>
WHAP

WHUP

CRUNCH

SH—

=Shit!
SWOOP

DASH

CRACK

RUCK RUCK

=Ack!
BLATATA

WUSH


<11>
RIP RIP

WUSH

SWISH

BWOOP BOP BWOOP BOP


<12>
BWOOP BOP BWOOP BOP
=Hm!

SWISH

WUSH
TUG

CRICK
=Aaagh!


<13>
WHUP

TAP
=Hey!

=Ugh!

=Don't move, or we'll fire!

DASH


<14>
=Huh!

[x6]CLICK

<15>
Part 1: The Sniper!?

=London, England...


<16>
SHUCK

=Show it!

CLICK!


<17>
=From the Congo revolt. The location is outside the premier's residence in Leopold City... General Lunamuba, who led the successful coup d'etat, was shot after exiting the residence. Killed by a single shot to the heart from behind... The bullet retrieved resembles a super magnum round... But is revealed to be a completely custom made kind.
=According to our weapons unit, the weapon used was most likely an ArmaLite M16 modified for high accuracy sniping. Definitely the work of a professional! Shortly afterwards, the revolt was turned back by the governmental army and ended in a failure.

=Remember this man's face.

=Next!!
CLICK!

=This photograph was taken by a UPI journalist who happened to be on the scene.

=A year after the Lunamuba assassination, on the eve of September 10, 1966, Cypriot smuggler boss Peter Zold was killed at a house party. A single shot to the heart from behind, super magnum custom made bullet. Most definitely the work of the modified ArmaLite M16... Zold's considerable fortune became the property of the government, and illegal foreigners were expelled from the island as a result.


<18>
=...That man...//...

=None of the witnesses from that day can identify this man... Meaning he was an uninvited guest. The two photographs and this piece of information lead to an obvious conclusion.

=This man is the expert sniper who uses the modified ArmaLite M16. We used every possible resource at our disposal to discover the identity of this man... And as a result, we obtained some interesting intel from our bureau in West Germany.
Next!!

=This is a labor prison where inmates repair roads and highways. Only those with relatively light sentences are sent here... By light, I mean over two-year sentences!!


<19>
CLICK!

=Oh!
=*whisper whisper*
=*whisper whisper*

=Could he be Japanese!?
=Hmm...

CLICK

=*whisper whisper*
=*whisper whisper*

=The reason for his arrest... Now this is where we were confounded! He was arrested for a petty crime, far removed from his work as a professional.

=He hit a prostitute at a hotel in Hamburg's infamous red-light district, almost killing her. He was drunk, of course... But still, would a professional ever make a mistake like that!? He was arrested for assault, but he never uttered a word in defense. The files even suggest that he may be mute.


<20>
=Of course, he never spoke a word in prison either... This makes the case even more interesting for us... A strong, unbending will is a sign of the ultimate professional. The West German police did their best to force the man to talk, but their efforts were fruitless.
SHUCK

=Return to picture E6...

=The other inmates assigned him the moniker "Golgo 13"... The "13" was probably taken from the man's prison number, which was 1214, but it's unclear where the name "Golgo" comes from!! Perhaps it is meant as the 13th disciple who betrayed his master, sending Christ to the hills of Golgotha with a crown of thorns on his head...

=The number 13, so avoided and reviled in our society, seems almost fitting for this man!!

=One month after 13's arrest, the prison was blown apart with two plastic explosives... 13 is reported missing... However!! Next!!


<21>
=The target was the vice director of the GDR National Defense Agency. The driver was a high-ranking officer of the police force!!

=Both were well known monsters of the Berlin wall, and executed countless attempted defectors. This photograph was sent to us by our esteemed colleagues in the KGB. They say they are going to demand a U.N. inquiry along with the GDR.
=Even the CIA was caught off-guard. They appear to be scrambling for intel!!

=We've already conducted a thorough investigation... And as a result, we are certain this wasn't planned by our Western Bloc, and it wasn't the work of the Eastern Bloc either. The 22 calibre modified ArmaLite M16 was also used in this assassination.

=Indeed!! This was also the work of 13, not that any real evidence remains. He first entered West Germany for this mission... Assuming that the arrest was a slip-up... He then entered East Germany. And the ones who employed his services... They used plastic explosives. They must be an organization of considerable proportions... They helped him escape and allowed him to complete the operation.

=Unfortunately, this is the extent of the intel we possess. However, I believe we should express our sincere gratitude to the members of the central information bureau for their lengthy investigation on Golgo 13.

WUSH WH—USH

<23>
=All right... A certain individual is scheduled to depart Portugal by boat and arrive in Liverpool harbor tomorrow...
=The man we have hired with fifteen-thousand pounds for the Bernhardt operation!!

=My close friend in Portugal introduced me to him and he assures me he is a very capable man... This is coming from a friend who won service awards during the Second World War, so his talents must be considerable. I contacted the agency in Lisbon to run an investigation on the man... but that resulted in one wasted agent. A capable man indeed!!

=He is said to be...
=An expert user of the ArmaLite Explorer.

=It's too early to make assumptions. That's why I showed you the photographs of Golgo 13. If the man we contacted is 13, then the Bernhardt operation is very likely to succeed.

=It's no longer wartime. The age where intelligence agencies assassinate and infiltrate is over.
=Though they still seem to be at it in the movies and novels.


<24>
=These are my orders!!

=Surround this man with all of your agents... Keep sight of him at all costs. If he does happen to be Golgo 13... We arrest him the moment he finishes the operation. All of the past cases have been international calamities. Of course, this operation is as well... But a man like this cannot stand in the way of world diplomacy. The Americans and Soviets will approve of our actions.

=Very well...
=Dismissed!!


<25>
Part 2: British Intelligence


<27>
=He'll show up with a glove tucked onto his coat shoulder and a white handkerchief...
=Right...

=He's not here...


<28>
HUH

=Oh... Just a kid...


<29>
[x3]TAP!

=I did it.

CHING!

CHIK

FFT—...

[x4]TACK


<30>
RRRR...

=Wh-What!? The man didn't appear!?

=Th-That's impossible.

=But we saw nobody of the sort...
=Yeah...


<31>
=Wh-What's the meaning of this!? There's no doubt that he got on that boat!

=So you're the one who hired me!?


<32>
WUSH!
CLUCK!

=Wait!!

[x2]CLACK!

=Golgo 13...

=Hmm... British Intelligence lives up to its name...
=So you're aware of my nickname, I'm surprised...

=How did you learn we were here!?


<33>
=The same way you guys sniffed around about me, I also begin by assuming the worst of my clients. There's lots of backstabbing, and I don't want any bad memories after finishing my work.

=So instead of meeting directly as planned, I followed you here instead!!
=Th-That's impossible. We would have noticed if you were following us.

=There's no need for me to follow your vehicle with my own eyes. It's easy enough with the methods your men use!!

=A tracking device...
=That's not possible either.

=I was standing next to the car the entire time. I would've noticed if you'd come anywhere near!!

=There's no need for me to go near the car either...
=Huh!?
=Th-Then, you were never...

=Right... I was never on that boat.
=Or rather, I never got off at that harbor... I took a lifeboat and stepped on shore at Land's End.

=Bu-But how did the tracking device get on the car without anybody going near it...?


<34>
=Forget about it!! He's standing before us now. And he got here by following your vehicle.


<35>
=By the way, Mr. 13, our men must have tried to stop you as you made your way to this basement...
=Yes...

=It was certainly... Difficult getting inside...
=So I had the people outside go to sleep for a short while.

=Let's talk business now...
=Certainly...

=Please take a seat. Let's talk!!

WUSH


<35>
WHACK
CRASH

=Wh-What are you doing!?

=Shit!
WUSH

=Ugh!
WUSH!

=Ah!

=Never sneak behind me like that...
=I dislike having anyone stand behind me...


<36>
=Please forgive them... My subordinates meant no harm. It's in their training.

=However... I think I now understand the reason for your actions in Hamburg... It seems to be a habit for you to attack anyone who sneaks up behind you.

=It seems you've uncovered more about me than I ever expected...
=Why, we can't claim to know anything without a real name.

SST!

=Very well... Let's get back to business...

=It's difficult to converse from this distance... But, I suppose it can't be helped.


<37>
=There's someone we need you to eliminate! The target is Bernhardt Mueller. Former Nazi SS leader. We've discovered that he's undergone plastic surgery to change his face, and is living in Zurich, Switzerland, under an assumed identity!! We've spent over 2 years searching for this man... He is a war criminal who disappeared at the end of the war with a massive collection of jewels... You've heard of him haven't you?

=This man has money. So he's surrounded himself with tight security including 10 professional bodyguards... All former Nazi or Gestapo agents.

=Take this...

=Those are photos of Bernhardt's home, and the floor-plan.
=He never exits his home. We've gathered that much from the past half-year. He's even encased his living room and roof with bulletproof glass... Sniping is out of the question. That's why we hired you. You can use any methods you please. Also, the Israeli war crimes bureau is searching for Bernhardt as well.


<38>
=Naturally, their investigation has been more purpose driven than ours. They've recently obtained information on his whereabouts. Bernhardt's presence is like a ticking time bomb for us. Though I'm not at liberty to explain why.

=We'll have you take the first flight tomorrow to Switzerland. Here are your ticket and papers. We've reserved a hotel in Zurich. The password you'll need there is "woodpecker."

=We'll pay eight-thousand now, the rest comes once you've finished the job.

WHAP!

WUSH!

=Wa-Wait.

=All right... We'll play in full right now.

=The cases...


<39>
=Very well...
=I gather you won't need a receipt?

SQUEAK...

=Get Zurich for me. Now!!

=Yes, it's me. G will head there as planned. That's right, it's G. Burn it all and eliminate G once the operation is completed.


<40>
Part 3: Woodpecker

BWEEE—

HUMMM—...

Zurich Airport, Switzerland


<41>
=Where to!?

BLAT

=Lakeside Hotel in Upper Zurich...

=Okay sir. That's a nice place. A little lonely but the best lake around Zurich.

CHUCK!
VROOOM—

<43>
=Sir, there are 4 packages under your name, shall I send them to your room?

=Please do. They're business samples...

WHUT!

=How would you like lunch sir?


<44>
=Bring it to my room. No wine or beer though.
=Yes sir.

=Thank you.

=BLIT

=CLACK!

=WUCK!


<45>
WUP!

=Inspected, eh...
CHUCK!

=Sample Jewelry Box . Made in Mexico.

WHUCK!


<46>
CLUCK

WHAPP!
WHAP!

=Screw Production Machine. New Model.

KACHING!

[x2]CLICK!

=Door Chime. Steel Model Sample.

[x3]RHICK

WHUCK!

CHUCK


<47>
=Safety Insulator Samples.

[x2]GUCK

KACHING—

CHUCK!

CLAT


<48>
=A flower-bed with a 2-inch machine gun... Ha... They must think the war is still going on...

=Hmm... I suppose this may be a bit of a siege.

=Huh!?


<49>
KNOCK! KNOCK!

=Just a second.

CHUCK
WHICK!

CHUCK!
=I've brought your lunch.

=Today is poultry, is it to your liking?

=Huh!?


<50>
=I see, so you're the "woodpecker..."

=Yes, I'm woodpecker. I've been ordered to assist you.

=Wait here.

=Huh?

=Uck!


<51>
=Ca-Can I help you!?

=What do you plan on reporting to Bernhardt?

=Huh!? Wh-What are you talking about!?
=Don't play stupid... How do you explain that weight in your coat pocket!?

=DASH

=B-BA—NG


<52>
=Having an informant in a hotel like that... This job may be more work than I imagined...


<53>
=What!?
=Tonight?

=Yes... I ran into a little problem. We should finish up as soon as possible...
=B-But it'll be difficult to get into Bernhardt's mansion...

=There's no time to waste! I'll think of a way...

=I see...
=Wait, I have a message for you from my commander!!
=Hmm... A message from my employer, I suppose I'll need to listen up.

=After you've disposed of Bernhardt, he wants you to enter the room with the large safe, cut the safe's time lock with this lazer, and destroy its contents with explosives. The safe is impossible to destroy from the outside. The time lock opens every 48 hours, and there's no other way to open it. Absolutely none... We bribed the safe's designer, so we're certain about this. Bernhardt visits the safe once ever two days... Meaning he brings all of his guards to check the contents each time the safe opens.

=He maintains his authority by showing them his enormous fortune.
=Here's the time schedule for the safe and the explosives!!

=I'll pass on destroying the safe... I agreed to an assassination. Get rid of the fake pound notes yourselves!!

=H-How did you know!?
=With Bernhardt's name and the panicked expressions on your agents faces, it isn't difficult to tie the rumors to the truth.


<54>
=So... You knew...

=Near the end of the war, the Germans were said to have produced a huge quantity of fake pound notes at the Oranienburg Concentration Camp, but all of the Jewish prisoners involved in the printing were killed, so no one knew the whereabouts of the notes or the man responsible for it...

=That man turned out to be Bernhardt...

=The total value of the fake notes is said to be over fifty million pounds. If released, they would slump the stock market, and destroy the value of the pound. These notes are incredibly detailed. Indistinguishable from genuine notes, even to the trained eye.

=A big safe...

=You're certain this floor-plan is accurate!?
=What!? Yes... Definitely...

=All right.
=I know a way!

=S-So you understand. The contents of the safe...

=I won't do it!! I told you already...

=Never mind that, my beautiful assistant. I need you to charter a Cessna aircraft for me immediately.


<55>
Part 4: The Big Safe's Timeout

=RRRR...R...


<56>
WUZZZ—

DROP

BAGOOO—M


<57>
WHIIIR—

DASH

GUSHHH—...

=Sh-Shit!!
=Put the fire out, hurry!!

=Yes, Mr. Bernhardt. No, the damage was minimal. Yes, probably the work of the Israelis!


<58>
=Mmm... Mmm...
[x3]CLANK


<59>
[x3]BLIT

=Those damned Israelis, surprising us like that.
=Yeah. But that's about all they can do.

=This mansion is built stronger than a fort, after all...


<60>
ZWOOP

CHUCK

BZZZ—T

[x2]BWHIRRR—


<61>
[x2]BWHIRRR—

CHUCK!

PULL

GWHUCK

[x2]CLACK!


<62>
=I'll finish up in a couple days when the concrete has hardened. But you won't need to worry about any leakage.
=Right, thanks!!

=Take care.
[x3]CLANK


<63>
TAP!


<64>
=Mr. Bernhardt will be mad if he finds you loafing around like this.
=No worries, Mr. Bernhardt never goes near any windows.

=But they're all made of bulletproof glass.

=He won't trust them even if they're made of steel!!

=Never-mind that, you've got other things to take care of.
=Mmm...


<65>
FLICK!

GRUCKK


<67>
=30 more seconds...


<68>
=All right, the time has come for us to inspect our fortune!!

=The Israeli war crimes investigation will be called off soon. That is the moment we shall be liberated with our riches!! Let us open this safe and pray for our continued safety!!

=It's time!!

PING—
GACHUCK!
ZWHUN—K

[x2]WHUNK!

GRRR—


<69>
GWHIIISH...

BAAA—NG


<70>
[x2]DASH

WHUT

DASH

ZWHUN—K

=Sh-Shit, he's closed it!!

=No wait, he's trapped himself in!!
=The fool!!


<71>
TAP

=No good. H-He was killed instantly...

=B-But, why did he sneak into the safe!? H-How in the world...


<72>
Part 5: Farewell to the woodpecker

[x4]CLACK

=Oh, welcome back.


<73>
=You saw the four men downstairs? They're the Israelis.
=Hmm...
BLAM

=So... Did you succeed!?

=Yes, it's done...

=If Bernhardt is still alive after that, you can forget about ever trying to kill him...
CHUCK!

=I see, well done!!


<74>
=What do you think you're doing...!?

=Orders. You're going to die now...

=Hmm, so Mr. Britain is wanting a refund...?

=It's for the safety of our country...

=But... Wouldn't shooting here alert the entire hotel?
=Not to worry. This room is completely soundproof.

=Ah... I see.
=So I've got nothing to worry about either...

DASH

GWA—NG

BAAA—NG


<75>
ZWUSH...

=When you're killing someone, don't waste time making small talk. Just pull the trigger...

GLOT!

=Press that button and the safe will be destroyed...

=Goodbye, my beautiful assistant...


<76>
WHAP

=The taxi will arrive shortly...
=Hmm, I see...

=Ma-Manager, come quickly!! The Bernhardt mansion on the far bank is on fire!
=What!?

=I-It's burning like mad! Almost like there was an explosion.


<77>
CRIICK!

=Thank you very much.
=Take care.


<78>
VROOO—M

Published November, 1968.