Golgo 13 2

Golgo 13, Special Edition Volume 1, Chapter 2 (pp. 79~154)


<79>
The Howls of Delos


<80>
Part 1: A Surgery

=Scalpel!!


<81>
=Kocher!!


<82>
=Operating...

[x3]RUCK


<83>
=The three surgeons are experts at plastic surgery. They will create the perfect face within three months.

=We are running short on time. Do you remember Stalin's words at the brink of death!?

=Of course, Your Excellency!! I too was present as the physician...
=I shall never forget...

=He bore into Bulganin, Khrushchev, Molotov, Malenkov, and myself with those characteristic eyes till the moment he died! What do you think will happen once I die!? You are all blind, the way a kitten is blind at birth. To think that you will lead Russia to ruin because you cannot tell your enemies apart...!! To avoid ruin, this operation must succeed at all costs!!

=Yes, Your Excellency, certainly...!!


<84>
Part 2: The Outskirts of Assassination

=Athens Airport, Greece...

WHIIIR
VWOOSH—

VWOOO—SH


<85>
CHUK!
KACHUK

=...It seems to have gone as planned...


<86>
WOOO—SH

KABOOO—M


<87>
=Piraeus Harbor, near Athens, Greece...


<88>
VROO—M

=They're late...

GUU—SH
BAROO—M

=Wh-Whoa!


<89>
CRACK
GR-GR-GRICK—

CHUK
DASH

GRAAA—SH


<90>
GRAA—SH

[x3]RUMBLE

RRR—

SQUEAK!

BAM!
VROOO—M


<91>
=Mykonos Island, Aegean Sea, Greece...

=5 seconds...

=2 seconds...


<92>
BAGOO—M

BABABA—NG


<93>
Part 3: Meanwhile, at French Intelligence

=France...

=Ministry of Foreign Affairs...

=So... How far have I gotten...?


<94>
=By heavens, it's hot. The heating here is much too strong. Us French have gotten used to being pampered lately... We must be careful not to overindulge. Particularly for us working in foreign affairs.

=Uh, so... The son of his Lordship Maximilien has requested that our embassy in Athens arrange a meeting with his father. Here are their photographs!! Two recent photos and two photos from forty years ago!!

=Our experts have run detailed tests. They're most definitely the genuine wife and son. Our local embassy and bureau have confirmation as well. These are the reports!!


<95>
=The blood types match as well. After being taken by the Gestapo, the two were taken to the Nazi camp in Izmir, Turkey, rescued by Greeks from Mykonos Island at the end of the war, and were welcomed graciously to the nearby island of Delos. The wife underwent extensive torture at the hands of the Nazis, resulting in amnesia and a speech impediment. She was bedridden for almost twenty years, and only recently claimed her heritage.

=Mr. O'Mailley! The wife has recovered her memory then?
=According to the reports. They asked her various questions just in case, but she answered them all without a hitch.

=Then what is it you asking us to do!?
=Nothing came up from our investigations. The location is surrounded by Greece and Turkey, neither of which are friendly with the Communist Bloc. A reunion would certainly be touching... But, there's still something fishy.

=The timing is much too convenient. And Delos is an isolated island. Why didn't the Greeks take them to Mykonos Island, which has better medical facilities!? Did they have something to hide...?

=The timing is definitely too convenient... Lord Maximilien is currently being guarded with extreme care...

=Precisely. Our country has completed a long-range nuclear warhead which we are planning to test in the Sahara. His Lordship is the one commandeering that operation. If anything happens to his Lordship, the country will be in a state of emergency. If the Eastern Bloc learns of this test... They will panic far more strongly than Kennedy did with the Cuban Missile Crisis! Sadly, us Westerners will never be able to truly understand the Slavic mind.


<96>
=If they learn of our plan to install the missile near the state borders, they will definitely move to obstruct our plans at all costs.

=Therefore...

=As a precautionary measure, we sent agents over to investigate!
=And just then, the unthinkable occurred.

=One agent killed in an explosion on the flight from Athens. Another killed in a traffic accident. The last agent was sent to make contact with the other two, but was killed when his ship exploded en route to Athens.

=All of the agents sent to investigate were killed!

=Th-Then the wife and son are impostors!?

=It's seeming very likely...
=But here is the other quandary...

=Why did the enemy run such an obvious hit operation when they had created seemingly perfect impostors!?

=By killing our agents, you mean...


<97>
=If their objective was to use the impostors to approach Lord Maximilien, then they would have never done something like that...
=Which means their true objectives lie elsewhere!!

=Lord Maximilien is eagerly awaiting the reunion with his family. However...

=I haven't reported any of this in case we create unwanted confusion.
=We must commit to secrecy until we uncover their true objectives!

=Oh! The direct line from the president!

=Yes, O'Mailley speaking... Yes, yes...


<98>
ZWUP

=Huh?

=Wh-What the!?

="Reunion of the century!! Lord Maximilien reuniting with his wife and son after 24 years of separation at the hands of the Nazi Gestapo!!"

=It's written on that newspaper, yes? Mr. O'Mailley...!?

=Y-Yes, Mr. President!

=What is the meaning of this...!?

=I swear I gave orders for absolute secrecy. There was no possible way for a newspaper to find out.


<99>
=But since this was published by the media...
=Yes, it was probably...

=Information gained from outside...

=Regardless of their authenticity, the article shows that the wife and son are connected to them.
=Yes...

=Which leaves us only one path to take...

=My heart is crying out to me. Maximilien is a true friend... But, there is a nation I must protect. I have no intention of resurrecting a Jean d'Arc...

=I hope you understand...
=Y-Yes!!

=I understand your feelings... Very well, Mr. President.

=Thank you Mr. O'Mailley...
=Thank you...


<100>
=This leaves us only one option...

=B-But director!!
=If they are the true heirs...
=They are impostors!

=They absolutely must be impostors...

=But director... Three of our agents... Were disposed of so easily. If we're up against a group like that...

=We also need to be careful about who we send in...
=Yes...
=About that...


<101>
=Unfortunately, no one in our agency meets the criteria... But... I know one outsider who may be able to accomplish it.

=Outsider!?

=Recall the H.T. case from Annaba, Algeria! Our Algerian agency was completely duped by one man.

=And we ultimately allowed him to carry out his plan in full.
=Yes, I do remember...

=As we know from the H.T. case, his sniping skills are top notch...

=Th-Then we're using that man!?

=B-But, a man like that!?

=He is an absolute pro. The H.T. case proves he isn't one to allow emotions to get in the way of work.


<102>
=But... That man's identity is completely unknown. We have no way of contacting him...

=No,
=We do have ways.

=Leave the rest to me.
=The question is whether you all will agree to this plan.

=Do we know the man's name?
=No, it's not known.

=All we know is that he always uses a modified ArmaLite M16...
=And goes by the name Golgo 13.

=Golgo 13...

=Yes... Golgo 13!


<103>
Part 4: Golgo 13 vs. Bonet

BATHUMP


<104>
=From Paris.
=It's here?

="French Intelligence decided assassination of canary wife and son. Intelligence sending skilled operative to Delos Island. Operative details unknown, set to depart Athens and arrive at Mykonos Island shortly."

=Heh-heh... So those French have finally taken the bait...

=Not knowing that we've been leading them on this whole time... Their sole option!! Get rid of the canary wife and son for the sake of the nation.

=All that's left is to wait for this operative the French are sending in. Heh-heh...


<106>
=Well Madame Maximilien, I shall take my leave here...
=Oh, Monsieur Bonet will not return to the island with us?

=I still have some duties here on Mykonos Island...

=I will return in time for tonight's party, so please stop by.
=I see... Au revoir.


<107>
[x4]TAM


<108>
=It's that man...?

=He checked into the hotel as Saul Demio. A filipino merchant. According to the hotel's Madame Argarita, he's an able merchant... And merchandise samples have been delivered in packages. I checked them when I entered his room, but none of them seemed relevant. I just don't feel like he is the one...

=I have no interest in your opinion... What were the contents of the packages?

=Y-Yes, comrade Bonet. The contents were... A jewelry box from Mexico, a door chime, and a screw production machine, I believe.


<109>
=He doesn't appear to have any weapons, and besides, he is an Asian. I doubt he has any connection with the French...

=You... Have you ever been to the Siberian Plains?
=Huh? N-No...

=Decisions can be skewed even with the most objective facts at hand... The Siberian Plains! Human decisions and opinions are utterly useless in the face of those dreadful blizzards...

=Only the facts matter.
=Pros don't need to form opinions. The only tools required are a calm and objective viewpoint!!


<110>
=What a stunning sunset. Quite a luxurious view don't you think?

=Oh, my apologies!! I am a tourist as well... Please call me Bonet. For someone who has basked in the lights of civilization for most of his life, the long stay here becomes quite lonely...

=I envy such a long stay in a place like this. I am Saul Demio. Nice to meet you.
=I've been resting at the Mansion of the Blue Bird on Delos Island. Please feel free to stop by at any time. Oh, that reminds me, I am hosting a party at my place tonight. Would it please you to stop by? There will be some interesting people there.


<111>
=The Madame from your Hotel Lyto and Mr. Maximilien... You must have heard of them, the security director of France... His wife and son. Excellent people who withstood 24 years of horrors.

=Of course I've read the newspaper. The whole world is abuzz now... Oh, that's right, it did mention their residence in Delos Island...

=I shall arrange a ferry from Lyto Hotel, so please come by.
=Thank you for the invitation. But tonight, I need to check on my sample merchandise... I begin meeting my clients tomorrow... I'm terribly sorry I can't make it...

=That's very unfortunate...
=I was hoping to learn more about your business...

=By the way, I'm surprised you knew I was staying at the Lyto Hotel...
=Oh no, it was intuition, pure intuition!!

=As a member of the same species...

=I see...


<112>
=Well then... I hope to cross paths with you again sometime.
=Goodbye...

[x2]CLICK
[x3]CLACK


Part 5: The Mansion of the Blue Bird


<113>
=Welcome back, sir.
=Did you enjoy the sunset?
=It was certainly a splendid sight.


<114>
=Bonet... Huh...
=He's probably realized that I'm a professional.

=Back there... We introduced ourselves, but never shook hands. A pro never offers his own hand... He was the same. We may as well have announced our true identities right then and there.

=Since I accepted the job and its conditions, I absolutely must confirm my suspicions. Forget the 10-day limit from the French, the bell has already rung for the 3rd round...
=The woman is 51 years old, the man in 29.

=Both go by the name Maximilien and live on Delos Island... Here are their files! We need you to eliminate these two!!
=Any proof that they're impostors?


<115>
=The newspaper had photographs and all, but we're positive they're impostors. Quite honestly, there's no evidence to back our convictions. However, the communists are definitely behind those two. They're trying to attract public attention and take over once they've assassinated the security director. There's no way to stop them after that. I can only imagine what could take place at the touching reunion...

=We can safely infer they are impostors from their communist ties!!

=At any rate, the three agents we sent in were all eliminated!!

=I'll accept on the condition that the two are impostors like you inferred.
=However...

=I will make the final decision myself.

=Understood... I don't think I need to remind you, this stays between us only... We've never seen you before, let alone met with you.


<116>
=We are complete strangers from here on out. We'll assist you in getting into the country... But you're on your own after that.

=We'll wait 10 days!! If the two are still alive after that, we will move to extreme measures!

=Let's get to the samples shall we...

GACHUCK


<117>
[x4]TAM

[x4]TAM

=Heh-heh-heh... Our party will be enlivened by your presence, Madame Argarita.
=Why thank you...


<118>
Part 6: The Canaries of Delos Island


<120>
CHUK!

=Well?
=Heh-heh-heh... Party's in full swing.

=So nothing's happened yet?
=No...

=These infrared cameras are finally doing their job.


<121>
=Huh!

=Camera D has caught sight of someone!!

=Calling all comrades!

=The operative has entered from Location D! Focus immediately!

=Damn it, so it was him...

=Now, let's sit back and watch the wonderful performance by the French actors...

=All to our little script...


<122>
GACHING


<123>
BLAT

BLAM

BLUCK

ZWISH

CHIK CHIK...

BLAK


<125>
=Good evening, Monsieur Saul Demio. You see, I'm not quite aware what the French call you. Heh-heh...

=Allow us to serve some champagne. Please, take a seat.

=Here you are, it's top notch champagne.
=If I don't drink...

=You'll force me to, is that right...?


<126>
=Oh no... You all well aware that it will be far better to enjoy the taste rather than have us force it down your throat.

=Please!
=The contents?

=Just plenty of actedron and mescaline...
=Derangement drugs...

=The first few minutes, you will enter a state of panic, and attempt to resist the effects. A migraine begins... Then dizziness, nausea, flaccidity... Ending in total psychological derangement...

=Why don't you tell me what information you want? You may not need the champagne after all.
=I see, it wouldn't hurt to try.

=Your position in the French Intelligence Agency, and your name!!

=That's too bad... I have no connection with the French government.

=So we will need you to drink the champagne after all... If you're making a childish excuse like the French would hire an outsider for this operation.

=But that's the truth, you see...

=Drink it...
=I salute your devotion to your country.


<127>
=Now that I think of it, the French government, yourself, so many cruel people... Killing an innocent pair whose only desire was to be reunited with their husband and father. Is that democracy's humanism?

=Ha... Reuniting an impostor as humanism...

=Huh!?

=When I shot, I first hit the son's right arm. Do you understand why!? I wanted to observe the mother's reaction. Any mother would immediately run to her son's side! But that woman's terrified expression... Didn't contain a shred of the motherly love that shielded her son from the Gestapo.

=I see... Only becoming of an operative sent by the French...
=By the way, what is it you are trying to accomplish?

=Let's have you drink that champagne first.

=I see, the champagne itself is indeed top notch...

=Good, good.
=Now I shall explain.

=You are correct, the two are puppets made with the best plastic surgery. They are really condemned criminals. Our objective was not to assassinate Maximilien using those two. We presented the possibility of doing so, and prepared used them as bait! And we disposed of three of your agents to make this seem even more likely... And... France took the bait... All your actions tonight have been captured clearly by infrared cameras. And now you will tell us your rank and name as we record on tape.


<128>
=We have plenty of witnesses, including the Madame from Lyto. They have absolutely no connection to us. We've just been holding parties every night, waiting for you to appear...

SHUCK!

=A French Intelligence operative is sent on a secret mission to assassinate the Maximilien wife and son... Why!? Because they are suspected of being communists... Other possibilities... None. We will release the evidence to the entire world! What do you think will happen... Director Maximilien will be angered, suffer from the cruel actions of his own nation! What of your government! What of de Gaulle! How will they handle the responsibility of killing two innocent Greek nationals... What of the intelligence agency... Public opinion will do the rest. Your government will retreat under heavy criticism. Then the reformist groups will increase their influence...

=Our true objective, suspend the missile project. Public opinion is a monster created by your system. Heh-heh...

=The effects are kicking in... But it will take another hour.

GACHUCK
=Get inside!!

<129>
=The ruckus upstairs has stopped.
=Monsieur Bonet is assumed to be pursuing the killer, so please make your exit...
=All right... And, what is the madame doing here?

=I-I don't know! I heard nothing! Mr. Maximilien was killed! S-So...

=She somehow snooped down here and was eavesdropping.
=N-No, I heard nothing!

=No need Madame... Your luck ran out, simple as that...

=I'll leave it to you... Get rid of her...
=Oh...
=Sir!

=Well, Mr. France! We part until you're ready to tell us everything.


<130>
BATHUMP

=The actedron and mescaline will take effect in an hour... B-Before then...

=B-Before then...

=A-Ack!

SHWICK

R-RIP

BIIP BIP!


<131>
BRRIP

*stagger*

GLUCK

CHIK CHIK!

=Ugh

GACHUK

BII—P

CH-CHIK

=Sh-Sh-Shit!


<132>
PLIT

GUSH

=U-Uck!

=G-Good!

CH-CH...

CLICK

=Huh!?

WHACK


<133>
=Ugh...

=Ah...
=Heh-heh-heh...

GRACK


<134>
BLATATAT—

=I-I helped you... Now I need your help!
=Th-There isn't much time... Urrgh...


<135>
CRACK

WHUSH

=What's the matter?

[x3]CRUNCH

CRUNCH!

CRUNCH!


<136>
=I thought I heard something...
=It was nothing... Let's head back.

PHEW

TI-TI-TI...

TI-TI-TI...

GRAB

=What's wrong?


<137>
ZWUSH

=Just my mind after all...


<138>
Part 7: Beloved Argarita

=A-A—ck!

=U-Ur—gh
=U-Ugh...

=Arr—gh!
=H-Hold steady! Steady!

GRAB

[x3]RIP

=Aa—ck!
=D-Don't.


<139>
GRAB

RIP

=U-Ugh...
=A-Ah...


<140>
=Where am I, Madame?
=If you remember anything from last night... Call me Argarita...

=Piraeus Harbor near Athens, this is my friend's home, so there's no need to worry!!


<141>
=Thank you... Argarita...

=I should be the one thanking you.

=What's on your mind?

=They'll stop by this harbor today, then head for Athens Airport. They think I'm a French agent... They need to get to France before me to release their phony evidence... So they've probably cordoned every possible exit.

=Can you help me one more time?
=...I'll do anything...


<142>
Part 8: In Return for the Champagne

=Piraeus Harbor...


<143>
TING!

[x2]BWIR—

=They're coming. They're on an Opel Diplomat...


<144>
WHU—SH

WHU—SH

=Five miles to Athens Airport...
POMP!


<145>
=Five more minutes...

VRRRO—M

=All areas likely for him to appear, including the airport, have been alerted, so there should be nothing to worry about...

=We just need to hurry!
=We couldn't get a confession, but we can release this film and take measures afterward...


<146>
BLAP

BLAP

SQUEEEAL

=Wait, don't go outside!


<147>
=Huh!?

=I see!

=If the flat tire was caused by a sniper, then they will try to shoot us through the windows!!

=Not knowing that they're fully bulletproofed.

=All right... Go take a look...

[x2]CHUK!

<148>
=Damn, rusty nails!!
=Those fisherman, think they own all the land themselves!

CHICK CHICK!

=Hey, hurry up and fix it.

=We've only got one spare tire...

=Ah! There's a gas stand!

RRR—

*cough cough*


<149>
*cough cough*

=Hurry it up!
=Sir.


<150>
VRROOOM

WUSH

CHUK

TAP


<151>
[x2]BLUCK

BAM
BLAA—NG

VRRR...

=Damn!

TAP


<153>
CHUK

CHUK

BAA—NG

WHUCK


<154>
TII—NK
TI—NK
TINK!
TINK!
TINK...

Published December, 1968.