Galaxy Express 999 35

GE999 ch35


p41
Galaxy railways also move along on many secondary lines. And if no one knows for sure where those local service roads, you can read in books that this is where the people from the bottom of the universe live.
35th stop: The crossroad of Trader


p42-43
There, there are two other trains.


p44
We are at the giant crossroad of the railroads that serves a lot of planets.
It must be fun to visit all those little unknown planets.

Look! That's a regional train for planet Reptile. It's totally waterproof because there are many swamps here.


p45
This train is always filled by employees getting to their job place.
That's crazy!! It feels like it's a subway train on Earth!!

Next stop: Trader. The stop will last 3 days, 22 hours and 15 minutes.

Connections with planets Reptile, Amazonia, Gravitationnal Mountain, Wild-Flower, Colossus and Aurora.

This planet is so crowded, it's always full of life.
Travellers meet some others, then friendships or loves are created. Each and every moment...

In the heart of travellers, it's like a crossroad where everyone can forget for a moment their usual insucurity...
Another train here...


p46
It's going to stop at each station between here and planet Sempervivum, beyond the gravity tunnel.


p47
The town seems full of life. There are people just everywhere!


p48
Dear travellers at destination of Colossus from the 11:08 train, please move to platform 1235...
panel (on the upper left corner): Colossus 11:08 Platform 1235
panel (lower right corner): Wild-Flower Rose-
The booking for the train at destination of Planetarium is mandatory. You can withdraw your tickets at the automatic ticket machine.

There are plenty pickpockets here! Be careful about your ticket and your luggages!
There are so many people that it doesn't surprise me that there are also villains and drunkards...

Shall we eat something?
Yes, good idea!!

What do you want? Some steak or chinese food?
Because of this smell of ramens, I want to eat some. With rice!!


p49
Are your ramens synthetic?
Yes, indeed...

Well, I can't say it out loud, but I have real dishes secretly imported. There are 1000 better!!
Then we'll take two portions of ramens with rice.

It's always possible to find arrangements. It seems like laws don't apply in place of share such as here.
This planet is really fun, and the ramens look delicious!!!

Psst! Say?! Don't you want to work for me? You'll get some good money!
There are a lot of job opportunities, but I'll pass anyway.

Hey, kiddo! Need a rifle or a gun? I've also some poison, lasers or bazookas.

Oh! You already have a warrior weapon. No need for another then.

But, it's dangerous here!
No, because in the end, there's a relative peace.


p50
These ramens are truly delicious.
I wish I could make him taste them.

...

We haven't chosen the best place, Tetsurou...
...

Without the Galaxy Express ticket nor the money given by the company, I would've been in the same situation too...

Somehow, I'm not hungry anymore...


p51
hotel: Trader Hotel 78


p52
The more I see this city, the more it reminds me of something.
It's because there are really a lot of things to do here!

Moreover, the lifestyle is rather nice.

You haven't finished your ramens earlier. You must be hungry, right?
Do you want to order something?
No, I'm good. I'll eat later outside.

Very well. Tell me when you leave.
Ok!

Don't forget to take a bath beforehands though!!

No, no, that won't change anything even whether I take a bath or not!


p53
What a waste of time! I wonder who is the stupid guy who invented bath.

Damn, it's locked!
Hey, Maetel!!!

You won't get out till you take a bath!

...
I don't see why it matters, really.


p54
The moon of Trader was truly beautiful... They say that travellers who gaze upon it shed tears while remembering of their home planet... For them, Trader is a haven of peace and tranquillity...


p55
...

Tetsurou?

paper: I went eating outside. It's 2pm.

...

Maybe I shouldn't have forced him to take a bath...


p56-57
[nada]


p58
That's the 3:15 regional train for Wild-Flower...


p59
...

Err... Where am I?

You're awake, Tetsurou? Let's go back to Wild-Flower.

Huh? But what are you doing here? I must go on board of the Galaxy Express 999!!
?
?
?
Don't be so noisy, you're bothering the other passengers. Come on, take a sit. The train is arriving in one hour at Wild-Flower.


p60
[nada]


p61
There is a train for Wild-Flower every 30 minutes. Taking into account the return trip, you can be back in four hours.


p62-63
[nada]


p64
panel: Wild-Flower Station
Waaah! What's this planet?


p65
Flowers grow in great number here.
And there are endless fields.

But why have you brought me here?
panel: Wild-Flower Station
I'd like to introduce you to my parents.

To your parents?!

It's been a long time I left to find a job... My parents are getting old... I'd like to reassure them by introducing my future husband.

Do you get it, Tetsurou?
...


p66
Look, this is my house!
Ah!!!


p67
Hanako!!!
Mom!!

Mom, mom! How's dad?
He's resting, he's really tired lately.

Oh, is that you, Hanako?!
Dad!

Sorry I didn't come back earlier!! I often thought that I had to come back, but I never got the occasion to do so till now.
Don't worry, dear, you have a lot of work!!!

Please come in!


p68
Hanako, so that's him?!
This is my future husband.

I'm happy you found such a charming man.
You should take a rest from your work.

Eat, you must be hungry.

We're glad to see you!!!
So glad!!!

...


p69
Here's a photo of Hanako when she went looking for a job. She was so pretty!

...

But she worked so hard.
Hopefully, she found a good husband...


p70
[nada]


p71
...

Snif snif snif...


p72
Don't leave, Tetsurou!!!

Please stay at least one night...

I'll see you off to Trader tomorrow, I swear.
999 stays more than three days, right?

I'll cover the return trip as well...


p73
[nada]


p74
We would have liked you to stay longer. Such a shame you have so much work. We'll send back our girl.
I'll go back in two or three days.

Here's the return trip ticket.

Thank you!!


p75
?
?
?

Tetsurou!!!
Maetel!!!

How did it go at Hanako's place?
I ate well!!!

I've arrived here last night.
I felt really uneasy: why didn't you come rescue me?

I didn't want to ruin Hanako's and her parents happiness.


p76
Why did Hanako choose me?

Because you didn't take a bath before going out.
Because of that?

Planet Trader is full of people...
... but only those who come from far away smell good.

That's why Hanako decided to introduce you to her parents.
To reassure them...

She didn't have any bad intention and she would never cause any trouble to anyone... However, she worked so hard all her life and she grew old before finding a husband...

When she took my hand, it was rough and hard... It reminded me a little about my mom's... A warm hand...

Hanako will be grateful forever that you didn't tell the truth to her parents.
It's just that I was too surprised to say anything!!


p77
Even though they live in a planet full of flowers and nice to live in, their house was in ruins.

In travellers' eyes, the flowers that grow there are wonderful...
but for the people who live in poverty, it can be a true nightmare.

A flowered place with singing birds isn't enough to be called heaven...

The local lines regularly take off from trader to little planets here and there... Yet, travellers rarely visit this kind of places... And Wild-Flower is one of them...


p78
When the 999 left Trader, Tetsurou stared at planet Wild-Flower that was shining afar. There live hardworking men and women who die without finding friends or love... Tetsurou will never forget the feeling he got when he touched Hanako's hand... A hand more warm than anyone else's...