Galaxy Express 999 26

GE999 #26


p187
They say that trains follow their rails without straying. They also say the same about the Galaxy Expresses which are supposed to be perfect... But on his deathbed, a space train engineer confessed, "there is nothing like perfection in space"...
6th Stop
Queen Emeraldas, the Pirate Ship

Don't you think the train is acting weirdly, Maetel?
They're busy hanging a special wagon.


p188-189
[nada]


p190
Why are they adding an armoured wagon?
Because there are many pirates around here...

Pirates?!

If only it could be captain Harlock.

But captain Sharknotane is a pale copy...
Those who are satisfied with copycatting quality pirates without having the same determination can never get near the Galaxy Express.

Only the most brave of them will try to attack us...
That's why we need to spare their anger, otherwise they become ferocious opponent. If they engage in combat, it's too late... Underestimating them might cause your own death...

I heard that the way of Galaxy Express is totally safe...
Once, a bandit managed to get on board, so there's nothing perfect in space.

And about my robotic body...?
You might get one, but to know that, you'll have to go there.

Mom often says that I shouldn't judge a book on its cover.
Your mother was really someone...

I guess that there are soldiers in the armoured wagon.
No, because it's piloted by a robot that can make its own decision.

It destroys those who attack the train without any mercy.
Eh?!


p192
Oh, a blackout!!!
The light are shut so we can't get seen.

But with radar, it's useless.
It's better than being exposed.

You mean that pirates are humans?
Yes, because it's easy to face robotised humans or androids...

... But it's impossible to predict changing intents of humans...

Waah!!!

Ah, this is you, Mr. Inspector.
Forgive me, I wanted to lower stores...

It's boring to have lowered stores without light.
Quite the opposite, when the pirates will appear, it will become interesting.


p193
[nada]


p194
Pirates are currently flying in the same direction as the train, but from lower.

I wanna see them!
You can see them from the junction between two wagons.

I'll go!! I can't help it.
You'll eventually see them from up close anyway...

That's true, I can see them underneath.
We are surrounded by the train barriers. Air isn't getting away, even if there is some hole...

I can only see some fireball with a long trail. I wonder what is the shape of the spaceship.
It's at 20 universal km from here, you can only make out their shape under 5 km.


p195
What's that noise?
Gravitational waves are coming.

Gravi-what?
A fearsome pirate weapon.

Waah!


p196
The train suddenly change its trajectory!!!


p197
This is bad! A control device has been hit!
It's controlling the train at distance.

Ahaha... Whatever, since we are in an armoured wagon!!


p198
The range of the cannons isn't enough!!!

All resistance is futile!!!
If you persist, I'll destroy the whole train!!

But it's a female voice, it might be some kind pirate.
It's Emeraldas!!!

Emeraldas, the woman pirate!!

The famous Emeraldas, merciless, who's never shedding tears nor blood...
I'm scared!!


p199
[nada]


p200
Aren't you hungry, Tetsurou?
Why are you asking me that now?

You won't be in full shape if you don't eat beforehand...

And Emeraldas won't forgive you.
If you don't have enough physical strength, you'll die!

We'll take two beefsteaks.
Yes!

Look! That's the shining man who got on at "Firefly Mariko"...
He's shaking like a leaf!

Is that good?
Yes, but in such a moment, I don't even feel the taste.

But just the fact of eating is giving you courage.


p201
Tetsurou... During the fight against Emeralda, I'll be the one the most in danger.
Huh?

Women are harsh towards other women...
Even if they can be tolerant towards men, they're merciless against their fellows.

In animal world, combats opposing same gender opponent are often full of bravery...
The same goes even in space and for humans...

Jewel, the pirate planet...


p202
Here's a mysterious planet with an unknown orbit...
The planet of freedom which is absolutely impossible to locate on a space map!!


p203
It's far from being soft landing.

A flying object is coming!
That's Emeraldas pirate spaceship: the Queen Emeraldas.

Resistance is futile!! You'd better cooperate...


p204
When the desolate soil of Jewel, the planet of pirates, is swayed by a thick cloud of gold powder, you can hear the Queen Emeraldas, piloted by its pirate captain, splitting the wind. People say that it's the scream of the this witch riding the skies*...
*This expression is often used in "The Ring of the Nibelungen" when it is about Walkyries, the maiden riding the skies.


p205
The flying object is 1km above us!!!

Is this the Queen Emeraldas?
Yes, it's in this ominous ship that is moving this pirate woman...
I'm scared!! I'm scared!!
What should I do?!


p206-207
[nada]


p208
Every passenger and employee, get off the train, now!!!

It can't be helped.

Tetsurou, you're forgetting your weapon!!!
But the pirate might...

She just asked us to get off.
She never said to come unarmed, that's one rule of piracy.

Ah, I see!!!


p209
I said everyone off the train!! Even the man still on board!!


p210
It's the shining man!!
The coward who got on at "Firefly Mariko"...

This is my last warning, get off right away!!!

Uh...

What will Emeraldas do if he doesn't obey?
She can as well kill us all...

What an idiot!!!
It's too late now.

...


p211
[nada]


p212
...

Waah!!!


p213
!!


p214
Welcome, both of you...
You're on board of the Queen Emeraldas and you'd better give up on your life.


p215
Boss!!

Did you call me "boss"?
Yes!

You'll clean the toilet for the next two years.
How many times do I have to repeat myself? Call me "captain"!

Understood...
Are you unhappy with it? Would you prefer the electric whip?

Please forgive me.

My name is Maetel... and this is my friend Hoshino Tetsurou.
Hm...


p216
I'm on my way to the planet where robotic bodies are free.
I did nothing to you, then why causing us troubles?

Do you really seek a robotic body?!

Once I'll get one, I'll go back on Earth because there are things I need to deal with there!!

You're a kind boy, Tetsurou...

Take it!

...

...


p217
I wasn't talking to you!! Don't be so self-centered!!!

You're no match for me, Emeraldas the great pirate!!

I was talking to you, Maetel!!!
I'm challenging you according piracy rules.


p218
If you win, you will be able to get back on the train.

But if you lose...
... you'll have to reveal your secrets!!

What is your true purpose...
... the reason why you got on board of the Galaxy Express.

I'm in!

But Tetsurou has nothing to do with that. Even if I lose, you have to promise me that you'll let him go.

Quite the opposite, he's deeply involved in this matter, Maetel!!
Tell him, Maetel!!!


p219
Tetsurou is your...
!!

... Hm, I feel that you're ready for a fight, now!!
Get closer! I won't ever lose to such a delicate woman!!

Maetel!


p220
Ah! Ah! Ah! Miss Maetel!!!

Oh my god!!!


p221
Maetel!!!
Hm! It was way too brief for you, Maetel!! It wasn't a very enthralling combat!!


p222-223
I... I can't believe it!! Miss Maetel...


p224
Move back up Maetel's body!!!

It's useless, Tetsurou!! If you try to resist, you'll end up like Maetel!!


p225
Tetsurou!! I need to speak with you. Follow me to my room...
...

Maetel is dead. It's useless to think about dead people...
We're getting her body back up and we'll take care of her.

How many time do I have to say that resistance is futile?

But if you want, I can reduce you to ashes, Tetsurou!!


p226
Come in!

Since I have very good taste, I turned the Queen Emeraldas into my fortress.
Do you want some wine? Red one? Or white one?
...

I need to ask you one question. You said that you wanted to go to the planet where you'll receive a robotic body...
Why going so far as giving up on your biological body to become an android?


p227
Because I want to be immortal!!
Once it'll be the case, I'll take care of what I need to do on Earth!!

I need to avenge my mother who was stuffed by Count Mechanical!!

I see...
This is strange, because it's the opposite for me, I want to leave this robotic body to integrate a human envelope!!

Hm.. But don't worry...
... I'm not after your ugly body.

The one I want is...

Maetel's body!!!

!!


p228
Look!!!

...!!

Maetel!!!

I put her on an operating table . I'm going to transfer my heart into her body...


p229
Ah, too late!! Where is Emeraldas?

Dammit, all the doors are locked!!

I absolutely need to prevent that!!

?

This door is opened, I wonder where it leads.


p230
!


p231
When entering a lady's room, you need to take off your hat and close the door behind you, young man...
Huh?

Who are you?
I'm captain Emeraldas, this ship belongs to me...

E... Emeraldas?
Why are you so surprised? I did nothing to you.

But then, who is this Emeraldas hidden behind a black mask?
This is one of my substitute android...

An android, but then...
Yes, she's entirely artificial and built from scratch, it's a mere machine.

That's why she wanted Maetel's body!!
Maetel?


p232
Maetel is on this ship...

But...
The substitute androids have changed their mind.

Then we need to act fast!!

I'll open the gate of the operating table.

Hurry!
Roger that!!!

Now the door is opened.

Ah!!


p233
Maetel!!
I'm fine, Tetsurou! Stay behind me!!


p234
I won't let you!! Die!!

Hm!

I'm immortal!!!


p235
Maetel, why have you lost so easily during our first combat?

The real Emeraldas would never try to kill me!

Ah!!!


p236
Don't look at me, idiots!! Don't look at me! Don't look! Don't look!!
No matter how many times I shoot, I can only damage her black coat.


p237
Ah!!!

Maetel!! Tetsurou!! The ship is about to land!! When we'll be on the ground, you'll be able to get off.
Emeraldas!!!


p238
!!

Farewell, Maetel! We'll see each other again somewhere in space!! Till then, take care!!


p239
Why didn't she show herself if you're her friend,
Because you never show yourself to a rival weakened by illness, Tetsurou...

... Or maybe that she was ashamed that her substitute androids took too much liberties with the Queen Emeraldas.
Even if she was healthy, she might have refused to see me.

But despite all, I wish her to recover quickly.
Rivals are giving our lives some more spice, Tetsurou!

And even if she would be ill till the end of her life...
... I think that Emeraldas will always be happier than me...

... Because she's travelling free, following her wished, on the sea of space...
... Unlike me, I'm only following the way imposed by the rails of the Galaxy Express...

My fate is linked to this way...
and I'm not ready to die until a long time...
...


p240
The beauty and the gifts offered by nature are getting old and eventually disappear, this is the fate of every life in the universe. Now, no one knows where is going Emeraldas, the pirate woman. And even by knowing that she couldn't have ran away, Maetel will never forget Emeraldas fierce fight against her own destiny...