![](\"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault-images\/apr16\/097a01.JPG\")
<\/span><\/p>\n[Friend, I introduce my Bolzon King Sruu\u2026]<\/p>\n
The most elderly-looking person, standing in the center, slowly stepped forward.<\/p>\n[I sincerely sympathize with you. You have endured an arduous journey with your home world in crisis, and dealt with frustrating interference from the enemy.]
<\/p>\n
With those words from the Bolzon King, Okita\u2019s eyes opened widely.<\/p>\n
\u201cBolzon King! How do you know all these things about us!?]
<\/p>\n[Friend. We Bolzonians have the ability to see far. We knew everything about you from the moment you flew into the sky of our planet\u2026]
<\/p>\n
Although they already knew the Bolzonians had a special power, the ability of the Bolzon King seemed even greater.<\/p>\n[I can vividly feel in my mind the depth of misery to which the enemy has driven you. That same enemy once stretched the hand of doom toward our planet. The dreadful enemy, Gamilas\u2026]
<\/p>\n
As expected, Gamilas had visited aggression upon the seemingly defenseless Planet Bolzon after all. Okita’s curiosity was piqued again.<\/p>\n
\u201cBolzon king\u2026please permit me to ask an impolite question\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n[Friend. I already understand that which you wish to hear. Bolzon appears not to have a single machine or weapon with which to fight. And you would like to know how we could possibly have withstood these dreadful invaders?]
<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, that\u2019s right.\u201d<\/p>\n[Friend. Machine civilizations are themselves destroyed by other machine civilizations. As for your planet facing extinction, it is the inevitable result when nature is forgotten, so to speak, and one falls into the principle of machine supremacy. There is no history of mutual coexistence among machine civilizations. The stronger one just continues its history of conquest\u2026]
<\/p>\n
\u201cBolzon King. Your words are devastating. We have certainly repeated this regretful history. If my home planet Earth can be revived again, I wish to build toward eternal peace with your history as a role model. By all means, please tell us how Planet Bolzon was able to avoid the aggression of Gamilas!\u201d<\/p>\n[Friend. Listen well. We have walked a natural history. We have never violated nature, and we have lived with sincerity here on Bolzon. Our power may seem miraculous, but it was all given to us by our mother planet and is only the minimum we require to live in nature. There is a natural will, so to speak, in our Planet Bolzon, which is itself a living thing. We are merely one system of Bolzon, like the sand and the tree. We are united in the grand power of nature, but scientific power is not our enemy, either. When the Gamilas forces surrounded Bolzon they touched the wrath of nature and it can be said that they were eliminated by natural means.]
<\/p>\n
\u201cBolzon King. I will never forget your words. But it may already be too late for my Planet Earth\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Finding himself at a loss, Okita dropped his gaze. The confident and benevolent words of the Bolzon leader had caused the miserable situation of Earth to boil up even more strongly in his heart.<\/p>\n[Friend. Peace is something you must win by your own hand. It is not possible to use our power for your own purpose, but I wish you the best. Nature performs miracles for those who believe in it. Arrangements are already underway for the repair of your space ship. You should take a leisurely rest in preparation for your long journey.]
<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you very much.\u201d<\/p>\n[Dinner will begin soon, and many friends from space will gather. You may also attend and enjoy it. Planet Bolzon sincerely welcomes everyone but those with evil purposes.]
<\/p>\n
\u201cI appreciate your kindness, Bolzon King. We must issue orders for the repair of our ship. So with that, we must be going.\u201d<\/p>\n[Hmm. Until dinner, later\u2026]
<\/p>\n
Meeting with Dessler<\/h3>\n
The dinner of Planet Bolzon was a strange sight. Aliens with drastically different body structures took whatever drink suited them as a peaceful party unfolded. The meeting place was in the middle of nature, a soft meadow nestled into the woods.<\/p>\n
Shortly after they arrived, fruit juice was placed in front of Okita and Susumu, and the taste melted on their tongues.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m surprised, captain. I never imagined drinking such good juice on a strange planet in space.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIndeed. Some was delivered to Yamato<\/em> as well, so everyone should be drinking it with gusto by now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI guess it\u2019s a truly natural taste. It\u2019s a feast for someone like me, who has only known the taste of synthetic juice.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I was a child, such tastes could also be found on Earth\u2026but as the Bolzon King said, when such tastes were lost, it could be that Earth had already taken a step toward extinction\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n As Okita eased into his seat for dinner, it became more than a place where sorrow arose from nostalgia.<\/p>\n[Friends from Earth. The Bolzon King is calling.] Bolzonians stood before them in white robes. Bolzon King Sruu emerged slowly from a white tent in front of Okita.<\/p>\n \u201cBolzon King. Thank you for the invitation to such a wonderful dinner. In addition, I deeply appreciate your heartfelt gift of food for my colleagues.\u201d<\/p>\n[Ah, friend. It was nothing. In fact, someone who wants to meet you by all means has visited us here on Bolzon.] A single person appeared from behind the Bolzon King, a tall Homo Sapiens-like life form with a handsome expression.<\/p>\n Okita and Susumu both stiffened as a shock ran through their bodies. Dessler of Gamilas! The hateful instigator who had driven Earth to the depths of despair!<\/p>\n Okita and Susumu remained in place, dumbfounded. Eventually, the Bolzon King looked back toward Dessler.<\/p>\n[Dessler of Gamilas. These people came here all the way from the Milky Way Galaxy, inhabitants of Planet Earth, which has tragically been driven to the edge of extinction.] The Bolzon King glanced toward Okita with mystical light behind his eyes. Okita could sense what was on his mind. The king\u2019s eyes spoke words of their own.<\/p>\n \u2026this is the real nature of your enemy. Etch the hatred deep in the back of your mind and never forget it\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n The callous words of dessler struck the ears of Okita and Susumu through an internal translation device on his space belt.<\/p>\n \u201cThat clumsy battleship, stumbling through space, is that yours\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n The Bolzon King quickly turned to Dessler and asked an ironic question.<\/p>\n[Dessler of Gamilas. Do you know these people?] \u201cNo, I would have no reason to know such vagabonds. However, my subordinates have informed me of strange, inferior creatures wandering through space in a large battleship\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n The tone of the Bolzon King\u2019s words suddenly turned sharp.<\/p>\n[Dessler of Gamilas! Those who gather on my Planet Bolzon are neither superior nor inferior. Everyone may come and enjoy relaxation in full equality. I cannot permit even the leader of Gamilas to insult my guests!] \u201cPlease forgive me if I have hurt any feelings, Bolzon King.\u201d<\/p>\n Dessler lowered his head in false humility and arrogantly turned to walk away.<\/p>\n[Friends of Earth\u2026] Just like that, the tone of the Bolzon King toward Okita returned to that of an affectionate father toward his child.<\/p>\n[\u2026that is your enemy, Dessler. I intended for you to meet in order to inspire you to stir up your courage, so surely this meeting has not been wasted.] \u201cThank you, Bolzon King. I will never forget that face\u2026!\u201d<\/p>\n Okita and Susumu shot a look toward Dessler\u2019s receding back and Okita\u2019s expression suddenly changed. He had seen something unbelievable and his voice was overtaken by surprise.<\/p>\n \u201cIt can\u2019t be\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Okita stared intently toward a single point as he uttered this. Susumu glanced at him, worried.<\/p>\n \u201cCaptain, what\u2019s the matter?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, it\u2019s nothing\u2026Kodai, we should check into the repair status of Yamato<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll go then.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, you wait here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cB-but\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Suddenly, the Bolzon King called to Susumu.<\/p>\n[Young man, you should stay and tell me stories of Earth.] \u201cA-all right\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBolzon King,\u201d Okita said, \u201cplease excuse me for a while, thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n[Hmm. Very well, attend to your errand.] \u201cThank you very much, I will\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Okita quickly left in a trot.<\/p>\n Juuzo Okita made his way out to the edge of the dinner area where people were sparse to catch up with someone near the forest.<\/p>\n \u201cExcuse me\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n The figure stopped at Okita\u2019s voice. From behind, it could be seen that he was pitifully wounded, his right shoulder drooping as he dragged his left foot. Okita felt ridiculous as he spoke.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026I\u2019m sorry, but are you Kodai? Mamoru Kodai!?\u201d<\/p>\n Mamoru Kodai had been a Japanese Space Fighter, a valiant soldier in the battles for the fate of Earth, who was thought to be among the fallen in the fierce battle of Mars. At Okita\u2019s words, the man slowly turned.<\/p>\n His face looked as injured as his body. A black patch covered one eye and one side of his face was covered in a sutured scar. It was impossible to imagine what his face had originally looked like based on his current appearance. Juuzo Okita held his breath as the man stared at him in silence.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s no mistake! Your appearance has greatly changed, but you are Mamoru Kodai, without question!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s a different person,\u201d the man said in a quiet tone.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, it can\u2019t be. Your body is the same shape. But more than anything else, you speak perfect Japanese, a language of Earth.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo\u2026I am from Earth, but my name is Captain Harlock. I have never heard of this Kodai.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCaptain Harlock!\u201d<\/p>\n Okita\u2019s eyes opened wide with surprise. And no wonder. As the captain of a mysterious sailboat-like space ship, Captain Harlock had twice saved Yamato<\/em> from crises.<\/p>\n \u201cNow I understand!\u201d Okita cried. \u201cCaptain Harlock is Mamoru Kodai. Otherwise, you\u2019d have no reason to save Yamato<\/em> twice, out in deep space! Kodai, tell me, what in the world happened!?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou have me at a loss,\u201d Captain Harlock said, his face contorted with a gimacing smile. \u201cI suffered a mortal wound in a fight, a lone Earthling drifting in space until I was rescued by the Bolzonians. Mamoru Kodai was a hero of Earth, wasn\u2019t he? As admired as Japanese washi paper. Mistaking someone as ugly as me for him just tarnishes he who fell in battle.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs that so\u2026? If you deny it, then maybe my intuition was wrong\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n The two Earthmen stood for a moment, concealing their thoughts in their hearts. The two burning eyes of Juuzo Okita met the single icy eye of Captain Harlock as if they were speaking silently to each other.<\/p>\n \u201cHuman beings are weak,\u201d Okita murmured. \u201cAs prepared for death as they might be, lingering regrets in their heart blunt those feelings. I called to you because I really wanted to talk with Mamoru Kodai\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Their gazes remained locked on one another.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026Captain Harlock, perhaps we were fated to meet in this way. I\u2019m sorry to trouble you, but I need to say this\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Okita continued speaking calmly, his eyes still burning.<\/p>\n \u201cTwenty years ago, I had a beloved wife and a young son. I was a scientist, blessed with work and a quiet, peaceful home. However, it is said that there is a fine line between good luck and bad. My wife died suddenly one day, and I became involved in military work. After the life I\u2019d lived until then, a situation that seemed inconceivable had swooped down upon my son and me. I could offer my son no comfort.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat on Earth was a fool like me to do? I couldn\u2019t even take care of myself. How could I raise a young child? At that time, a friend of mine came to visit me and said he would take my son. He and his wife had no children, and they desperately wanted a son. In other words, it was a merciful proposal from my friend who knew my suffering.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe and his wife were people with beautiful hearts, so I knew my son would be brought up well. After I thought carefully about it, I decided to part with my son. He would go to new parents while I left my home to become a staff officer in the military. From that day forward, I had no choice but to take on the responsibility of my position, but I haven\u2019t forgotten about my son for one day.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy friend and his wife had a child afterward and I worried about how they would get along, so I went in secret to see how things were going. But they were wonderful people, and they guessed what was in my heart so they allowed me to meet with my son as often as possible. Once or twice a month I would go and watch them play.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUnfortunately, my friend and his wife died in a sudden traffic accident. I wanted to tell my son the truth at that time, but he had taken charge of my friends\u2019 son after their deaths and was growing up strong. When I went to tell him, he said \u2018Uncle Okita, we\u2019re brothers and we\u2019ll take care of each other from now on. You can become our guardian if you want, but we\u2019ll be all right.\u2019 When I heard that, I was ashamed. My son was growing up into a fine man thanks to his excellent parents.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI was a fool who had parted with my child out of convenience. I was nothing like the man he would become. My son enlisted in the Space Fighters and became a brave soldier after that. I was so proud of him. He was a bold man who willingly charged into danger. He reminded me of myself in my younger days, and it brought back happy memories.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhen Earth was hit by crisis, my son disappeared in the Mars war. Captain Harlock…Mamoru Kodai, the Eagle of Japan, is in truth the son of Juuzo Okita. If I could, I would apologize to him for not being a proper parent, and I wish he would forgive me. I would like him to call me \u2018father.\u2019 Sneer at me if you like, Captain\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Okita\u2019s long story ended. In Captain Harlock\u2019s single eye, clear as a water\u2019s surface, a flame burned like the glow of a firefly. Okita did not miss this mysterious signal of change, but he pretended to ignore it.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you for listening to my sorry tale. Thanks to you, I feel lighter. You can forget all of it and journey onward.\u201d<\/p>\n Captain Harlock slowly turned away from Okita and started walking. Filled with countless emotions, Okita called out to his lonely back.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2026I may not see you again, but take care\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Captain Harlock seemed to nod faintly.<\/p>\n Suddenly, Juuzo Okita gave out a sharp groan, and the Captain turned to see him pitch forward, beginning to fall. He saw an arrow, piercing him deeply below his left shoulder.<\/p>\n \u201cAre you all right?\u201d<\/p>\n As the Captain caught him, Okita\u2019s face twisted with pain.<\/p>\n \u201cOhh\u2026I\u2019m all right. But who in the world\u2026!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCome, come, the culprit\u2019s target is here with you. I\u2019ll go call someone now\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n The Captain laid Okita on the grass and started running toward the dining area.<\/p>\n In a room of the royal palace, the Bolzon King had been watching Okita. Anger and embarrassment roiled in his heart.<\/p>\n[Who could have done this\u2026!] It hurt the king\u2019s heart even more that the arrow had been of Bolzonian manufacture. Okita\u2019s condition was critical. Because the arrow entered under the shoulder it lodged close to his heart, and great care was needed to remove it. When Okita was brought to the palace, he had fallen into an unexplained coma. Susumu sat at his bedside, watching with great sadness.<\/p>\n A report had already been sent to Yamato<\/em>, and the ship was probably in a complete uproar.<\/p>\n \u201cBolzon King\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Suddenly, a single person appeared at the room\u2019s entrance. Dessler spoke ironically with a contemptuous smile.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026I was rude a short while ago. I heard that there was some sort of calamity and wanted to see for myself. What was it\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n The Bolzon King stood in front of Okita and Susumu as if the wrong person had turned up at exactly the wrong time.<\/p>\n[Dessler of Gamilas. We are grateful for your favor, but a seriously ill person needs rest here. Please depart now\u2026] \u201cI went to great trouble to stop by, but it appears to be an inconvenience. Very well, I\u2019ll leave immediately.\u201d<\/p>\n After spitting out these stinging words, Dessler turned to leave but another person had stepped into his way without a sound.<\/p>\n \u201cWait, Dessler!\u201d<\/p>\n It was Captain Harlock, with his unnerving appearance.<\/p>\n \u201cIs this man your subordinate\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n The tall, handsome alien was was undeniably good at upstaging the Captain. At the same time, Dessler\u2019s expression was filled with disgust.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat of it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, what of it? If this man of yours was secretly carrying this, then what exactly are you up to?!\u201d<\/p>\n The Captain produced a bow and arrow, which he held up directly toward Dessler\u2019s nose.<\/p>\n \u201cW-what is the meaning of this!?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou really want to know? All right, I\u2019ll tell you. And the Bolzon King will also hear it. The Gamilas people have Bolzonian arrows, and if we examine the arrow that struck the Earthman, it should be clear who aimed it at him\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n The Bolzon King\u2019s expression sharpened in an instant.<\/p>\n[Dessler of Gamilas! What do you have to say!?] \u201cBolzon King, even if one of my subordinates did attack and injure the Earthling, isn\u2019t it just one inferior life\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n[Dessler of Gamilas. You still don\u2019t seem to understand. On my planet Bolzon, the grand power of nature alone rules over life and death. It is never permissible for one life to assert that over another. It is a serious crime to usurp the spirit of Bolzon. I now strip you of all the special privileges I granted to you here. After this, I forbid you access to Bolzon airspace under any circumstances. If you violate this, you will be repelled without mercy!] \u201cBolzon King, what are you so angry about? We forged the friendship between our two worlds with great effort. There is no need to break it over such a pathetic lower life form.\u201d<\/p>\n[It\u2019s useless to argue, Dessler! Take your leave immediately!] Faced with the intense anger of the Bolzon King, Dessler\u2019s attitude suddenly turned violent.<\/p>\n \u201cBah! Foolish man. You are speaking to Dessler. Soon, my planet Gamilas will dominate all of space. It will be too late for you to beg for my friendship again!\u201d<\/p>\n[It has already become unpleasant to look upon your face. Leave now, Gamilas!] \u201cSee here! You will regret that!!\u201d<\/p>\n With that parting shot, Dessler left. Captain Harlock intended to leave, too.<\/p>\n \u201cBolzon King, I will also return to space. Take care\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n[Captain Harlock. You take care as well.] Susumu watched in stunned surprise.<\/p>\n \u201cThat person is\u2026Captain Harlock\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n[That is so. A great man. His injured body contains superhuman spiritual strength that keeps him alive after others would give up. However, even his life will eventually run out\u2026] As the Bolzon King murmured this with sorrow, everyone glanced toward the door but the Captain had already disappeared. Susumu had a faraway look in his eye.<\/p>\n \u201cBolzon King, will Captain Harlock die soon?\u201d<\/p>\n[Hmm\u2026It won\u2019t be long now. That man has continued to live by the power of his strong spirit.] At that moment, low, delerius words leaked out of Okita\u2019s mouth.<\/p>\n \u201cMamoru\u2026forgive me, Mamoru\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Susumu\u2019s eyes opened wide at this and he continued to stare.<\/p>\n Okita\u2019s coma continued for the next three weeks.<\/p>\n Yamato<\/em>\u2019s restoration was finished and preparations to resume the voyage to Iscandar had been completed. But Juuzo Okita, the lynchpin of Yamato<\/em>, remained motionless.<\/p>\n From the day of the incident onward, Okita had been housed in the palace of the Bolzon King, receiving treatment from Dr. Sado who had rushed over from Yamato<\/em>. Through his efforts, Hiroshi Sado determined that the cause of Okita\u2019s coma seemed to be a mysterious bacteria applied to the arrowhead that pierced him. Sado was in hard pursuit of the bacteria\u2019s identity, but had thus far uncovered nothing. Nor did he have any clue about how to treat it.<\/p>\n On the other hand, while Yamato<\/em> was anchored in Bolzon airspace, the various section chiefs held several emergency meetings. Susumu and Dr. Sado took turns returning to the ship for days at a time.<\/p>\n \u201cAnyway, three weeks have passed,\u201d Sasuke Sanada said with a serious expression. \u201cWe\u2019re now at the limit of our navigation schedule. We should set sail immediately.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUnderstood,\u201d Hikozaemon Tokugawa replied, taking it in calmly like an elder. \u201cOf course, we must leave at the earliest day and hour we can. However, we can\u2019t leave the captain behind. Until Dr. Sado\u2019s prospects for treatment finally become clear, we have to wait until the last possible minute.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right,\u201d Yuki Mori said with conviction. \u201cIf Captain Okita were to disappear from Yamato<\/em>, it would probably upset most of the crew and compromise leadership. It would be difficult to navigate successfully in such a situation.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEven so, we should move the captain to Yamato<\/em> and treat him during the voyage.\u201d Sanada had repeated this claim at every meeting.<\/p>\n \u201cBut Hiroshi Sado says it\u2019s too dangerous. If we do that, something could happen to the captain!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, then I have to say this clearly! We\u2019re weighing the life of the individual captain against the important fate of everyone on Earth! I feel sorry for him, but I have to emphasize that we must set sail as soon as possible. Kodai-kun, what do you think?\u201d<\/p>\n Susumu was at a loss. There were two opinions, and he could understand both.<\/p>\n \u201cSusumu-san,\u201d Yuki Mori prompted before long, \u201cplease let us hear your opinion. We\u2019re just wasting time with this argument. Let us decide based on your thoughts.\u201d<\/p>\n Biting his lip, Susumu began to speak.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026I support Sanada\u2019s opinion. He\u2019s as worried about the captain as we all are. But in this case, we have to give priority to our major goal and save the Earth.\u201d<\/p>\n With that, the trend of Yamato<\/em> was decided. As orders for final checks were hastily announced on board, Susumu went at once to Planet Bolzon to retrieve Okita and Hiroshi Sado.<\/p>\n Shortly afterward, Susumu returned with the sleeping Okita. The Bolzon King had sympathized with Yamato<\/em>\u2019s hardship and watched Susumu\u2019s transport boat rise away until it disappeared from sight.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault-images\/apr16\/097a02.JPG\")
<\/span><\/p>\n[My friend. I introduce to you Leader Dessler of Gamilas.]
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\nThe true identity of Captain Harlock<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault-images\/apr16\/097a03.JPG\")
<\/span><\/p>\nRage of the Bolzon King<\/h3>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\nEmergency meeting<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.ourstarblazers.com\/vault-images\/apr16\/097a04.JPG\")
<\/span><\/p>\n