"Sons of bitches!" "Dammit!" "Eat this!" "Dammit!" "I dunno who you are, but you're too gung-ho for me, pal." "It was hard enough making it this far, so the spaceport will be..." "Shall we rest here 'til things settle down a bit?" "What?" "!" "No way!" "It can't be!" "What's the matter?" "— The Bonanza's been destroyed!" "— What?" "!" "It's been blown up!" "And the spaceport's been shut down!" "Damn!" "Must be those guys from before!" "What shall we do?" "Oh, hell!" "I'm just about ready to pack it in..." "We've got to go a long distance with a cumbersome cargo." "Luckily there's no damage." "We must deliver it, no matter what the cost!" "A person's life?" "!" "How disquieting!" "There's a person who's balanced between life and death..." "I want to request that you save her." "You ask that we save her, but we're not doctors." "We're only Crushers." "Am I wrong, Mr. Valenstinos?" "Even though you're not doctors, you can still get her to the doctors." "Just about anybody could do that!" "Why do you need to hire Crushers to do such a job?" "The person I want you to save is a lady by the name of Elena." "She is in a cryogenic suspension coma..." "Unless she's operated upon within 30 hours, she will die." "However, the only one who's able to perform the operation is Dr. Greco, of the planet Miccola." "Miccola is about 5000 light years away." "That's only three or four warp jumps." "It doesn't matter what ship you charter, it'll be a piece of cake." "The problem is not one of ships or of distance." "Then, what is it?" "Ms. Elena is an heir of a certain industrial super group." "She is young, but she has been raised to become the leader of the group." "But, before she was able to assume her position, she fell ill... and because of this, the factions of the group are in conflict." "Ah, in other words, a family squabble." "Exactly." "We have encountered a great deal of interference." "Why don't you contact the United Space Force?" "Huh?" "The United Space Force." "If you ask them, they'll probably give you a battleship as escort!" "Plus, they won't charge you like we Crushers will." "It's a great deal." "— I can't do that!" "— Why not?" "!" "That would make this a public matter." "It'd ruin the public's trust in our conglomerate." "Oh?" "So corporate P.R. is more important than her life?" "Now that's hard for me to accept." "If Ms. Elena were conscious, I am sure that she would agree with me." "For better or worse, that's the kind of training she has received." "Can you at least tell us who Elena really is?" "Ms. Elena Scorlan." "The Scorlans, eh?" "No wonder they'd be worried about their public image." "They're one of the top 10 industrial groups in the entire Galaxy." "And?" "Who are you?" "My family have been stewards to the Scorlans for three generations." "— Can you prove that?" "— Yes." "How's... this?" "This is the special name card of the Scorlans." "This is the real thing!" "Alfin used to be a princess, so she's seen cards like this before." "Is..." "Is that so?" "Well, that's very nice!" "Talos..." "Yes, sir." "How much time 'til our next job?" "Let's see now..." "In Standard Time, I'd say just about 250 hours." "So much for our vacation then." "Then, you will take this assignment?" "It won't be cheap though..." "Well, everything's okay." "I can't guarantee how comfortable the ride will be, so I ask that you remain in your cabin until we reach our destination." "— Will that be a problem?" "— Not at all!" "It's amazing how easily we were able to get away!" "You see, all it takes is a little smarts." "And, I guess, a little courage too." "I must say, you Crushers are truly the best!" "Oh, yes!" "This is for you..." "As promised, the advance fee of 5,000." "Here you go, sirs." "Please verify that it is correct." "How are our guests?" "They seemed better than I expected." "The space sickness drug must be working." "They don't look like it, but maybe they're used to being aboard a spaceship." "Hmm..." "As long as they remain well until we get to Miccola..." "Who cares!" "They wanted to ride in a Crusher ship." "It's not like we can gently warp out like some cruise liner..." "Alfin, start the warp countdown." "Sure thing." "We'll start at 60." "Get sync'ed up, please." "Okay!" "60... 50... 40... — Synchronisation normal!" "— 30..." "Warp coordinates... set!" "— Power nominal!" "— 20... 10... 9... 8... 7... 6... 5... 4... 3... 2... 1..." "Warp engaged!" "10... 20... 30... — Power, still nominal." "— 40... 50... — All green here." "— 60... 70... 80..." "Wait!" "Something's wrong here!" "— It's out of sync!" "— What?" "!" "Oh!" "Abnormal power indication!" "It's all messed up!" "Data check!" "Ricky, check the engines!" "Data is all normal!" "But we're losing sync!" "No good, it's uncorrectable!" "The ship isn't broken!" "Space itself is!" "Disengage autopilot!" "No use!" "I don't know what's going on!" "All systems off!" "Disengage everything!" "Dammit!" "Hey..." "Hey, Talos!" "Joe... did we have a black out or something?" "Oh, what do we have here?" "Didn't realise we were out of warp." "Where are we, I wonder?" "I don't have a clue..." "Are you all right?" "My head hurts." "I feel pukey!" "What did you expect?" "Even Talos got knocked out, so we humans... — Humans!" "— Joe!" "Passengers!" "Hey!" "Passengers!" "There's no response." "Looks like the on-board cameras are out too." "Do you think... our guests are..." "I'll go check." "Alfin, you try to figure out our current location." "Ricky, check inside the ship." "Come on, Talos!" "It's empty." "They might be in the cargo hold." "Right!" "They might be concerned about their cargo." "It's empty." "The device holding Elena is... gone." "This can't be for real." "Ricky, check out the on-board mass meter!" "Operating?" "It's normal?" "And?" "I see." "I gotcha." "Joe..." "They're gone... the passengers and Elena's capsule." "That can't be!" "Joe, get up here quickly!" "We've figured out where we are!" "Good!" "I'll be right there." "Cetus Sector, CET 203, 1181..." "Right in the middle of a trade route." "We're off by 700 light years!" "That's weird!" "I mean, the energy levels aren't down even a little bit!" "That means... we were carried here..." "Sheesh!" "Beats the hell out of me!" "Joe!" "Abnormal gravitational wave readings!" "A ship is coming out of warp!" "Put it on the main screen!" "1-N, 242." "About 2,000 km from here." "It's come out of warp." "Just one ship." "We're being signalled!" "They're asking us to open a communications channel." "— Get their codes." "— Yes, sir." "Oh!" "These energy readings!" "Blasters!" "Damn!" "Heave to, you pirates!" "If you resist, our next shot will vaporise you!" "You idiot!" "Are you blind or something?" "!" "Can't you see the Comet mark?" "!" "We're not pirates." "We're Crushers!" "Shut up, you rats!" "You're all the same!" "S..." "Say what?" "!" "We will now inspect your ship." "Let me be clear... one false move and you'll be eating hot photons!" "Got it?" "!" "Wh..." "What kinda crap was that?" "!" "It pisses me off!" "They're approaching fast!" "Looks like they're serious." "Let's take them on and blow them away!" "Nobody is watching us anyway!" "Don't get cocky, you amoeba brain!" "That's a battleship... and combat is their trade!" "We wouldn't stand a chance." "Dammit!" "Dammit!" "But... what shall we do?" "!" "We'll let them inspect us..." "They're the honourable United Space Force, after all." "I'm Col. Kowalsky, commander of the USF's 3rd Inspection Unit." "Let us see your ship's registration and the roster of crew members." "Are you the captain?" "I'm the team leader..." "Crusher Joe." "This is a commercial trade route, not a place for scum like you to hang out." "What is your destination and mission?" "Our destination is Miccola..." "Our mission is... to transport a patient." "Miccola?" "!" "A patient?" "!" "Do you Crushers run an ambulance service too?" "What is a ship that's headed for Miccola doing here?" "!" "Well, you see, there're reasons for that..." "Where's the patient?" "!" "Sh..." "She's not here now..." "She disappeared!" "What do you mean disappeared?" "!" "If you try to lie to the USF, you won't get away with it!" "What's disappeared has disappeared, whether you like it or not!" "We're the ones who wanna know exactly what happened!" "There's been an increase in pirate activity in this sector." "We had to put out a cordon on an emergency basis." "Looks like we've caught what we were fishing for." "What's that supposed to mean?" "!" "Do you think we're lying?" "!" "You gotta be outta yer mind if you think I'll buy that lame story!" "Wait a second, will ya?" "Who the hell are you?" "We've got contract documents and money." "Please examine them." "Huh?" "The Scorlan Family are our clients!" "It's true!" "It's true, I'm telling you!" "Oh?" "The Scorlans, eh?" "I'll go get 'em!" "— Gaston..." "— Sir!" "— Go with him." "— Yes sir!" "You're pretty well prepared, aren't you?" "Joe, it's not good!" "The papers, the money, they're all gone!" "Looks like we've gotten to the heart of the matter!" "Based on suspicion of piracy, you'll now be escorted to our headquarters on Stargis." "Based on your testimony, we made inquiries with the Opus Police." "Wanna know their answer?" "No!" "We even contacted the Scorlans, but they say they've never heard of you." "Isn't it about time you tell us what's really going on?" "So what do you think we should say?" "We haven't lied to you at all!" "I've interrogated hundreds and hundreds of pirates, but you're the stubbornest of the entire lot!" "I've dealt with dozens of military officials, but you're the first rockhead I've come across!" "Silence!" "If you think that mouthing off will get you anywhere, you're wrong!" "Piracy is a major crime." "You can get the ultimate penalty, pal!" "Listen to me..." "lock them up until they confess!" "— No need to feed them either!" "— Aye, sir!" "That naïve fool!" "Who the hell does he think he is?" "Colonel..." "I see you've got quite a handful." "Oh, it's you." "The Office of the Attorney General has made their decision." "— An immediate indictment, right?" "— No." "They're dropping the charges." "Eh?" "What the?" "!" "There's not enough evidence, so for the time being, we'll just see what happens after they're released." "What a dumb idea!" "Ah, but if it all goes well, you can bag them all in one fell swoop." "But if they get away, the rats will be out of the bag!" "That depends on how skilful you are." "Get off my case!" "You listen to me, now." "I have dedicated... 20 years of my life to exterminating pirates!" "I don't have to take any crap from the likes of you!" "Well, fine, fine." "If you don't care for my nice bait, then I guess I'll go see someone else." "Y..." "Ya tryin' to make me buy this?" "!" "Their headquarters on Aramis will be giving them a suspension order." "That's when we'll dangle our lure." "I think they'll find the bait quite tasty, you know?" "Ooooh..." "Fine!" "For now, I'll go along with this!" "Now that's the stalwart commander of the Gordova that I know!" "Listen, you rat!" "Don't kiss up to me!" "Planet Aramis" "Sir, the weather at the space port is improving, but under these conditions, flights would usually be cancelled." "I am worried about the potential for mid-air accidents." "It is your trip, sir, so we cannot take any chances!" "This is just so unusual, sir!" "Why not just use the regular channels to deliver the council's decision?" "It's not necessary for you, the council president, to deliver it in person!" "How about putting Article 24 into effect?" "Besides, it seems that they believed they were saving a life, so..." "What?" "I can't hear you..." "I'll be back by the day after tomorrow." "Organise the agenda for our next meeting!" "All of a sudden, they release us..." "Just what the heck is going on?" "!" "I don't know, sir." "The decision was made at a higher level." "If you're releasing us because we're innocent, then at least say so!" "If you wish to complain, please ask your attorney to file a protest." "Ha!" "Whatever!" "That's pretty much how things work on this planet." "This way, please." "Long time no see..." "Joe." "Dad!" "S..." "S..." "Sir!" "What's the matter?" "Don't just stand there." "Have a seat." "Why are you here?" "!" "I was contacted on Aramis by the USF, regarding the recent incident." "It has to be some kinda mistake!" "If not, then it's gotta be some kinda set-up!" "Crushers must not involve themselves in illegal activities." "To ensure that rule is followed, Aramis HQ must approve all urgent missions." "You have violated this regulation." "We had no time!" "It was an emergency... someone's life was at stake!" "Excuses." "I will hear none of them." "The Crusher Council has placed you under a 6 month license suspension." "Go back to Aramis and reflect upon your misdeeds." "S..." "Sir!" "Th..." "That's unreasonable!" "You are not without responsibility for this either, Talos!" "As Joe's right-hand man, you have failed." "You should know more than anyone here just how things are done!" "Y..." "Yes sir." "That's all I have to say for now." "Make your move!" "Dig it, dig it, dig it!" "The night is young!" "The night is long!" "You've got a full night ahead of you!" "Argh!" "License suspension?" "!" "6 months?" "!" "Ha!" "Besides, I've never heard of HQ needing to approve of emergency jobs!" "— Right, Talos?" "— Wh?" "Well, I guess." "Emergencies are called emergencies because they emerge with urgency!" "If we have to wait for approval from some dumb officials, nothing would get done!" "Exactly!" "Well, what can I say... it's all my fault..." "Don't be ridiculous!" "We ain't responsible for any of this!" "We were trying to save a life!" "A life!" "Er, if I had only gotten in touch with Aramis HQ sooner..." "Knock it off, I'm tellin' ya!" "It's Aramis this, Aramis that!" "What's so special about Aramis?" "!" "We're Crushers because we like it!" "Why the hell then can't we do anything unless we see smiles on their faces?" "!" "J..." "Joe, you had too much to drink..." "Shut up!" "And butt out!" "Yeah, Ricky, mind your own business." "I'll join you..." "It hurts me, knowing exactly what you're feeling, Joe!" "Al..." "Alfin, I think it'd be better if you don't... 'cause you'll..." "Got a problem?" "!" "You're jealous 'cause you can't drink, you little brat!" "Why don't you have some milk, you baby!" "Oh my..." "Are you having good time, guys and gals?" "Have fun!" "Have fun!" "Have lots and lots of fun!" "Get down!" "Get down!" "Shake your booties!" "What's with that old fart?" "!" "Can you believe that he's Joe's father?" "!" "They're not alike at all!" "He's no gentleman... he's a tight wad!" "Well, you shouldn't badmouth him like that." "He is, you see..." "Don't say it! "One of the founders of the Crusher trade..."" ""as well as the founding father of Aramis, the nation of Crushers."" ""The current president of the Council", and on top of that, he's my father." "Joe, it's not good for you to be so moody..." "Moody my butt!" "Sheesh!" "Why did my dad have to drag himself all the way from Aramis?" "!" "I admit that I goofed up." "That Va..." "Val..." "Valenstinos." "Yeah, that punk made us look like fools!" "But it was only one little, silly incident." "And yet, he had to come just to tell us the Council's decision in person!" "He's dissing us!" "He thinks that I'm still inexperienced!" "Aren't you jumping to conclusions a little?" "No I'm not!" "Exactly!" "It's just the kind of thing that old tight wad would do!" "Er, I was just wondering..." "Huh?" "What is it?" "Got a problem?" "!" "Ah... no, not really..." "Then, just pipe down!" "Joe, I'm sure that's not the way your father is thinking." "He wants you to become an established Crusher as soon as you can, so..." "Yeah, I'm sure!" "I'm not yet fully qualified, after all!" "Joe..." "Look, I don't want you to butt in." "Let me tell you..." "I'm me, my dad is my dad." "Even if I'm only half qualified or whatever, I choose to live my own life!" "If you wanna be on his side, then go back to Aramis right now!" "Why don't you just team up with him like you used to?" "!" "Joe..." "Joe..." "Why don't we dance?" "Like there's no tomorrow!" "— Right on!" "Let's do it!" "— Yeah, let's!" "Yeah!" "This doesn't look good, does it?" "Nope..." "Headquarters went overboard as well." "They should've checked things out, not sent the Council president!" "Ha!" "Don't be so presumptuous!" "There are things called circumstances that brats like you don't understand." "Don't talk to me like that!" "That's how Joe got PO'ed to begin with!" "Clueless brats should just shut up!" "Get outta here, you robotic lackey!" "Size isn't everything, you know!" "Why you... you bed wetting brat!" "— Oh, no!" "It's Joe!" "— It's Joe!" "Take that!" "You butthead!" "Oops..." "There!" "Another one!" "Yeah!" "Yeah!" "How's that?" "!" "It's a fight!" "— Joe!" "— Let's party!" "Ow!" "Ow!" "Ow!" "Take your fight somewhere else!" "Oh!" "Oh, man!" "Please..." "Please have mercy!" "End of the road, folks!" "Don't be too rough..." "Yahoo!" "Joe!" "Uh-oh, the cops!" "Joe, we gotta split!" "Joe!" "You!" "Ow!" "Ow!" "Ow!" "Ow!" "You're a man, aren't you?" "Hold still!" "I don't know what to make out of this!" "No matter what the provocation, destroying an entire disco is a little too much!" "Really, you give a new meaning to the term Crushers!" "Well, be easy on us." "You were a Crusher 20 years ago, too." "You're absolutely right about that." "20 years ago, eh?" "I get nostalgic thinking about the days I teamed up with you and Joe's dad." "And, what're you doing these days?" "I'm with the Space Force." "I'm a Lt. Colonel." "Lt. Col. Bard, eh?" "Looks like you've got it made, eh?" "I'm in Intelligence, 2nd Unit." "You know what that means?" "A spy, eh?" "That's an overstatement... though it's just about the same thing!" "I don't think it's a total coincidence that we ran into each other..." "What is it that you want?" "I read Kowalsky's report... and I thought I might be able to help you out..." "What?" "!" "You mean, there's a way to prove we're innocent?" "I'm not sure." "But I can give you a lead in that direction." "A lead?" "To begin with, I went to see the Scorlans, regarding that Special Card." "And, so, what happened?" "The Card was definitely genuine." "But, it had been stolen." "Stolen?" "!" "Yeah." "They were so worried about their reputation that they didn't report it." "This guy is the thief." "Does he look familiar?" "No..." "Okay, fine." "Then, does this face ring any bells?" "Yosef Dodge is his real name." "He's a pirate, and has a long record..." "He created a cover identity, and managed to become the Scorlans' secretary." "Where the hell is he now?" "!" "Before we determined who he really was, he disappeared." "Nobody knows his whereabouts?" "Well, we know where he went to." "He fled to Lagol." "Lagol?" "!" "Lagol?" "You mean, that Lagol?" "!" "Yes..." "The Lagol that's in a solar system in the Aries Sector." "While it's a rapidly growing Mod Class 4 planet, it's also an outlaw society." "They're encouraging immigration to raise the population, but they've eliminated residence qualifications altogether, so shiploads of criminals and suspects keep pouring in." "Hmm..." "In other words, if you're scum on the run, it's an ideal hideout." "To complicate matters, Lagol restricts entry by various Treaty members... and their military forces and police, as they want to handle everything locally." "So, unless we get a special request by the Lagol government, we can't go in." "However..." "However?" "It's a different story for Crushers." "What a fine lead, Bard!" "Wait, Joe!" "Don't forget that we've been suspended for 6 months and been recalled!" "We will go back to Aramis." "But, it shouldn't be a problem if we make a little stopover, you know?" "Well, I think that's what they call poor judgement..." "Poor judgement is still judgement." "Bard!" "I'm gonna stop by Lagol!" "That's fine by me." "By the way, this conversation didn't happen, okay?" "You cheater." "But, it's not like we wanna continue being falsely accused either, so..." "Lagol..." "All right!" "Those rats!" "Shall we go?" "Yeah!" "— When do we depart?" "— Right away, Joe?" "Damn right!" "We'll dig those rats out of their hole!" "All right!" "I'll go do the preflight checks." "Talos, you go with him." "I'll go get our transit visas." "Alfin, let's go!" "Okay!" "Kowalsky?" "The Minerva has just left." "Their destination is Lagol." "They'll be in orbit soon." "You take it from here." "Lagol?" "!" "Now that's a tough place to go to." "Don't act too fast now." "Follow them as far as you can." "Even if I wanna act fast, I can't!" "It involves Lagol, after all." "You know, you really are too honest for your own good!" "Leave it to me." "Lagol, eh?" "Just as I'd thought!" "This time for sure, you punks!" "Warp out!" "Power, all normal." "Energy Gauge is also normal." "Lagol consists of 3 planetoids, right?" "The second one, Minaus, is the one that's been terraformed." "But, if it's Mod Class 4, that means it's still a tough place to live." "Until the crust stabilises, anyway." "I hear that Crusher Kevin's team did the mods up to Class 2." "Yes, he'd be perfect for that." "Besides, there's not many planetoid remodelling jobs around these days." "Please state the name on your entry visa." "SV-06542-8A..." "The Minerva." "Thank you. 4 people, and a robot, are in our registry." "Please dock at Orbital Station X-483." "Dock... at the station?" "That is correct." "There will be an entry inspection." "Roger." "We'll dock at Orbital Station X-483." "Over and Out." "Bye!" "Now that's unusual." "A landing inspection at the station." "They don't turn away immigrants, but they're picky about visitors." "Pretty weird place." "Definitely a spooky neighbourhood." "Spot No. 7, okay." "No. 2, ready to depart." "Gate open!" "AK-477, please proceed." "No. 3, 5 minutes to departure." "Please complete the final checklist." "Your turn!" "Er... wait a sec!" "It's that ship!" "Ha!" "What a junk heap!" "Crushers, eh?" "Yeah!" "But, they're not your average Crushers." "Kenny and I used them to carry the cargo." "They must've come after me!" "Looks like you've goofed up, Yosef." "No way!" "We took every possible precaution!" "Then how do you explain that?" "You're losin' it, Mister Yosef!" "Would you knock it off?" "!" "But, Bluebeard Nero..." "If they become a bother, then we'll eliminate them." "— They're Crushers, right?" "— Y..." "Yes." "Interesting..." "I always wanted to play with some Crushers." "Inspection is complete, and your entry is approved." "Please wait in the lobby until you are escorted down." "— That was a breeze!" "— Yeah." "Really, that was such a crude inspection." "— Who the hell was that?" "!" "— Talk about awful driving!" "Gee, those are Crushers?" "!" "They're only little brats!" "Huh?" "Don't beat me to it, Nero!" "Norma!" "You're on the ball, as always!" "You shouldn't keep all the fun for yourself!" "Wow, this place is better than I expected." "Altitude normal at 30,000, we're continuing to descend..." "What's wrong?" "Joe, the beacons are out!" "Over here too!" "What's going on here?" "Did something go wrong?" "Oh, wait..." "I'm reading ships at bearing 2B-912." "8 of them in all." "They're small fighters." "Talos, evasive action!" "Aye, sir!" "Talk about a warm welcome." "Combat positions!" "Let's give them a fight!" "Now that's how I like it!" "Not bad..." "You must not underestimate them." "Now the battle really begins!" "2 ships!" "Heading straight for us!" "Morons!" "Gotcha!" "Damn, they're good!" "We're outnumbered!" "Alfin and I will fly Fighter-1!" "— Ricky, take over!" "— Right on!" "— Let's go!" "— Yeah!" "Joe!" "Over there!" "We've got trouble!" "We're losing power fast!" "We'll cover you!" "Head for the spaceport!" "B..." "But..." "I'll deal with the rest!" "Make a run for it, now!" "It's 4-to-1!" "You're in the way!" "Beat it!" "We did it, Joe!" "Not yet!" "There's still a tough one left!" "This one's stubborn!" "How's this?" "!" "Smart-ass!" "We're going down, Joe!" "Hold on tight!" "You want to die with them, or what?" "!" "If this scares you too much, then go home!" "Nonsense!" "What kind of girl do you think I am?" "Don't get cocky!" "You klutz!" "Watch where you're flying!" "Look who's talking!" "Are you blind?" "!" "— What did you say, you idiot?" "!" "— You're the idiot!" "— You lard head!" "You oaf!" "— An oaf?" "!" "Why, you..." "Wimp!" "Loser!" "Are you all right, Alfin?" "Yeah..." "Dammit!" "The engines!" "You were too rough on them!" "We're going down!" "Alfin, quick!" "What're we gonna do now?" "Who knows?" "Watch out!" "Abandon ship immediately!" "Calm down!" "I need to get this ship repaired fast." "Get real!" "Your ship's gonna explode!" "Don't worry about that." "I just need to get it flying again fast." "I'll pay!" "Just shut up and get the mechanics out here!" "Talos!" "We're getting an emergency message!" "Not now!" "Do what we say and get out of there!" "Do what I say and get maintenance!" "Damn those firemen!" "They'll wreck the engines!" "Why you!" "— The Minerva, is it not?" "— Who the hell are you?" "I'm the chief secretary to President Mardola of Lagol." "I got no time to deal with you!" "Put that spaceport guy back on again!" "I have a message for you from the President." "Give it to me later!" "Get me the other guy!" "Time's wasting!" "Don't be so hasty." "This concerns the rescue of your friends." "Huh?" "What did you say?" "!" "I don't know what to do..." "I can't even figure out which way is which." "Say... do you think the Minerva is okay?" "I'm sure it's okay." "At the very least, even with that damage, they can limp into the spaceport." "Then, they can come get us in Fighter-2 or something..." "'Cause I've had the rescue beacon turned on for a while now!" "Hmm..." "The hangar area was blown up, so..." "Don't say stuff like that!" "Shhh!" "What is it?" "Something... just moved out there." "It's all in your head." "It's so quiet, see?" "— That's what's so strange." "— What?" "!" "All the animals are on the alert for something... so something must be out there." "But, what..." "What is it?" "!" "I don't know." "— Joe!" "— Stay still!" "— It's those guys from before." "— What?" "!" "Looks like they've traced our rescue signal." "That means they are..." "Help!" "They're coming from above!" "Watch out!" "Damn you!" "Die!" "Alfin!" "I'm all right." "I'll get you for this!" "Over there!" "Klutz!" "Look who's talking!" "I can see you perfectly!" "Gotcha!" "Looks like it's Game Over." "And you lose." "Both hands up!" "What an idiot!" "Joe!" "Don't move!" "One twitch, and I'll blow her brains out!" "It's her head, pal... her Crusher Jacket won't save her!" "Drop your weapon!" "At times like this, Crushers can be rather tame." "Scared?" "I thought so." "You shouldn't have made it so difficult for us." "So, I'm going to enjoy this a little, before I finish you off." "Don't look!" "Damn you!" "Joe!" "Alfin!" "Joe!" "Alfin!" "Joe!" "Talos!" "Just in time, eh?" "It's a nest of monsters in here!" "Get us outta here fast!" "Roger!" "That ship!" "The President?" "!" "Yeah, they knew about us, you see... and so he let us borrow this ship." "What do you think that means?" "We don't know for sure... but his secretary was saying that the President wanted to see you." "He offered to completely repair the Minerva as well... and that makes me wonder if something fishy is going on." "What're you gonna do?" "We owe them one." "So we have to see them." "Well, you're right about that." "But... it does seem a little strange." "It's a nicer place than I thought." "Ha!" "This planet is just plain tacky..." "What do you think you're doing?" "!" "Just where are we heading, I wonder?" "What's the story?" "!" "Th..." "This doesn't look too good!" "There... 3 down!" "Say, where's our pick-up?" "There won't be any, you dimbulb!" "The President will be joining us soon." "You must be Crusher Joe and his team." "I must apologise for having made such a sudden request to meet you." "I am the President of Lagol..." "Dupro Mardola." "Regarding the difficulties you've had, I am stunned and speechless." "We regret that we could not come to your aid more quickly, but please forgive us, and bear us no ill will." "It seems that you have some idea of who attacked us." "Who were they?" "There is a group of space pirates who are trying to conquer this planet... while we are still trying hard to build it." "I believe they are responsible." "They attacked us while we were making our descent." "Obviously they were monitoring our every move." "Is your Space station's data network there for the pirates' convenience?" "!" "No, not at all!" "But it is true that they have infiltrated virtually everything." "That's why I had no choice but to meet you here, of all places." "So?" "What is it that you want from us?" "I believe that there is something that you should know... about the incident you were involved in." "It was an act of the Murphy Pirates, who are based here." "Their leader is one of the galaxy's most notorious pirates..." "Big Murphy." "His men have brought to this planet the cryogenic suspension system... and the woman suspended in a coma state." "That was the cargo that you were trying to deliver to Miccola." "If you knew all this, then why haven't you... asked the USF to take care of them?" "!" "We would love to be able to do that, but it isn't that simple." "We're being threatened by the Murphy gang..." "Should even one ship from the USF appear, they'll blow up the planet." "This ain't good!" "— This way!" "This way!" "— Where are you going?" "!" "—There's a cute guy over here!" "— Oh!" "Lagol is still a young nation." "Our military forces are weak, and our terraforming is incomplete." "If Murphy's gang have the powers they claim to have, then the destruction of our planet would be easy for them." "I see what you're getting at, Mr. President..." "You wanna ask us to be... your pirate terminators, right?" "You are a fine group of skilled Crushers, even though you act recklessly at times." "Wow... he's right about that!" "You dummy!" "You just shut your mouth and watch the film!" "Okay!" "You obnoxious idiots!" "Bloody Card!" "™" "Eat that!" "The reason we've come here is to catch a rat named Yosef Dodge... and to make him pay for making us look like pirates, not to start a war with Murphy's gang!" "It doesn't matter." "Either way, you'll have to take on the pirates." "Joe!" "Over there!" "No, no, Mr. Mardola." "Even reckless Crushers such as us won't pick a fight with a gang of pirates." "Of course." "I did not expect that you'd go that far." "However, we can provide you with very useful intelligence... and furthermore we can equip you with a variety of materials." "However, we need a commitment from you in return..." "We cannot give things away... for free." "I thought so." "And... what's your price?" "Bring me the head of Big Murphy." "Hmm..." "Fine." "But, we won't be assassins." "We'll capture him and hand him over to you." "How's that?" "Very well." "You must keep in mind, however, that for obvious reasons, the Lagol Government will deny any knowledge of your actions." "Ch..." "Cheater!" "I'm the President of Lagol!" "I have a duty to protect the planet and its citizens!" "Fine!" "We'll do what you want us to do." "So, give it to us... the information!" "This is Begonias Island." "The Murphy Pirates have made a home for themselves there, essentially turning the entire island into a fortress." "Their headquarters are in the central crater... and both Murphy and the man you're looking for should be there." "I get it now..." "That's why you put the floats on our ship, without asking." "The Marine Jets are all in the water." "Okay!" "How're you guys doing over there?" "— I'm all set!" "— I'm ready!" "Okay, Dongo." "You take care of the ship, okay?" "Hunters..." "They've deployed them to guard the island." "Wow, incredible!" "Right on!" "Go for it!" "All right!" "Yeah!" "— Yes!" "Yes!" "Drop Kick!" "Drop Kick!" "— Yeah!" "Right there!" "Go!" "— There goes one!" "Two!" "Three!" "— Rocky!" "Jackal Rocky is in command!" "Jackal Rocky!" "The Count is 5!" "This can't be!" "Man, I'm psyched!" "This is gonna be cool!" "Don't get carried away, dummy!" "Found it!" "This must be our current location." "The spaceport is there, and the central block must be the residential district." "The information we were given is very accurate." "He said that he used spy satellites to gather the data." "That Mardola's pretty sharp!" "Such a sly old fox, full of tricks!" "All right!" "Let's go!" "I found a car in the back!" "What are you doing?" "!" "How much time does it take?" "!" "You useless bunch of fools!" "With all due respect, sir, the operation has succeeded." "Her breathing and body temperature are both back to normal." "She simply has not regained consciousness!" "It's as if she's been put to a deep sleep through a spell, not just drugs..." "Her consciousness just won't... er... come back..." "So what difference does it make?" "!" "Stop whining like a baby!" "We are doing our best, sir!" "But, please, give us more time..." "Time?" "!" "We've given you more than enough of our money, time, and patience!" "His Excellency, Big Murphy, has grown tired of waiting for you!" "Listen to me... if you continue to fool around like this, you won't live to regret it!" "— Mr. Killie, sir!" "— What is it?" "Please come quickly." "Just now, Cat's Eye Norma has..." "Norma..." "What happened to you?" "!" "K..." "Killie..." "I can't believe it..." "Nero's dead!" "They got me too, as you can see..." "Nero's dead?" "!" "I'm sorry." "I screwed up." "I've ruined the reputation of the Murphy Four." "Wh..." "Whoever did this to Norma..." "I won't forgive 'em!" "Who were they?" "C..." "Crushers!" "We thought they'd get in the way, so we decided to kill them at the Station." "Nero and I, that is." "That was your plan... and this is the result?" "Killie!" "You shouldn't talk like that!" "Don't butt in, Roki!" "I'm sorry..." "I'll take care of this unfinished business!" "Don't do anything on your own!" "I'll go report to the boss." "So... what happened to those Crushers?" "Some damned VTOL came and rescued them." "It's very odd, Killie..." "They must have allies on Lagol... somebody came to rescue them!" "Roki!" "Go with Norma, search the entire island, and smoke them out!" "They or their allies might have snuck onto the island." "Find them, even if it means using all the Hunters!" "Aye, sir!" "I will be in Murphy's quarters." "Dammit..." "Who the hell does he think he is?" "!" "Okay!" "All right, we're going." "You ready?" "Be very careful." "— Crushers?" "!" "— Yes, sir." "That bothers me." "What do you mean, sir?" "The fact that they have allies on Lagol... that bothers me." "Perhaps there's a connection between them and USF Intelligence." "You're naïve." "Sir?" "There's another suspect... a really slimy one." "He couldn't!" "A coward like him wouldn't have the guts to betray us!" "Don't underestimate him, Killie." "Sir?" "He might not look like it, but he's..." "There's been an explosion in Sector 4!" "Intruders may have broken in!" "What?" "!" "Who are they?" "!" "How many?" "!" "We don't know, sir." "It happened so suddenly... — Killie..." "— Sir!" "Go catch me the mouse..." "It'll be easier if we learn the truth from the traitor's own mouth." "Aye, sir!" "Sector 7, tell us your condition..." "How is the spaceport?" "Sector 13, how about you?" "What have we got?" "2 intruders, but we haven't been able to capture them yet." "...damage has spread to Sector 5!" "Route 6 has been destroyed!" "— Deploy the Fox." "— Yes, sir!" "You think you're hot stuff... you Crusher fools!" "Take it easy!" "We're the diversion!" "I know." "— Ha!" "Take that!" "— Don't get cocky!" "All right... it should be around here." "— It's time!" "Let's go!" "— Okay!" "They're mine!" "Yahoo!" "Close it!" "Close the gate!" "Hurry!" "Damn!" "Oh, to hell with it!" "Ricky!" "Good Lord!" "He's uglier than I am!" "He's strong, too!" "— How do you do!" "— Oh!" "Hello there..." "Welcome, my young Crusher friends!" "It was a spectacular performance, but you were fools to underestimate us." "Even an idiot knows that a big, noisy commotion... has got to be some sort of diversionary tactic." "What's so funny?" "!" "Don't underestimate us either..." "If you thought that my team has only 4 members, you're terribly mistaken." "Eh?" "We're a diversionary tactic too!" "You've missed our main operation." "You're lying!" "Drop your weapons, and put your hands up!" "Are you sure you're right?" "Well, don't say I didn't warn you..." "Catch!" "After 'em!" "Well, that was a mistake... — Where are we going now?" "— To the roof... there's a heliport there." "Damn..." "It doesn't go to the roof!" "What's this?" "!" "No response yet!" "Increase the voltage a bit more!" "But, we're at the upper limit, sir..." "Any more will fry her nervous system..." "Do it!" "Otherwise, she will never regain consciousness!" "Joe!" "It's..." "Elena!" "Wh..." "Who are you people?" "!" "Quiet!" "We're taking her with us!" "Got a problem with that?" "Gimme that... you pervert!" "There should be a heliport up on the roof... where's its elevator?" "!" "T..." "To the right of this room..." "there's one for the patients' use..." "Take me there!" "Hurry up!" "No, stop!" "Ow..." "Dammit!" "What kind of lousy heliport is this?" "!" "Joe... over there!" "Good... we'll take it!" "But, it's built for just two!" "It's that, or jump!" "There they are!" "— Listen up... hold on tight!" "— Yeah..." "We're falling!" "I knew we were overloaded!" "Stop screaming, and don't let go of Elena!" "Don't let them get away!" "Damn!" "How could this happen?" "!" "Where are the VTOLs?" "!" "W..." "Well, sir, they were all scrambled to deal with the earlier incident..." "You idiot!" "Go after that helicopter!" "Catch them no matter what it takes!" "Where are Talos and Ricky?" "They're nowhere in sight..." "Do you think they got caught?" "Maybe so..." "But, don't worry." "They aren't dead." "You're right." "It's those two, after all." "The other two escaped, leaving you behind." "Well, they'll be caught sooner or later, I'm sure." "You're rather brave to plan an attack on us, just the four of you." "Ha!" "The four of us were too much for you weenie pirates!" "Considering your predicament, you ought to be more polite." "We just got careless, 'cause you weren't worth worrying about, that's all." "You've got a big mouth, little boy... — Ha!" "You got that right!" "— Silence!" "Someone must've helped you, or given you information about us." "Who was it?" "!" "Talk!" "Ha!" "We didn't need any information!" "Right!" "Who'd need it, to take out a crappy hideout that looks like a birdcage?" "!" "It seems like you're trying to make a sucker out of me." "Ha!" "If you were a sucker, you'd be a sourball, you albino geek!" "Killie..." "Wh..." "What is it?" "Lemme hurt 'em a little..." "I've got just the tool for teaching him some manners." "Yeah, help me out and give me a little shoulder massage, okay?" "!" "Oh yeah?" "Well, my big-mouthed little friend..." "Have you changed your mind at all?" "— Wait!" "— Huh?" "Are you finished already?" "A wussy massage like that won't help my aching shoulders!" "Put your back into it, you moron!" "Why, you!" "Stop, Roki!" "Knock it off!" "Hey!" "Boss..." "Help!" "Stop!" "Stop, I said!" "That's enough!" "B..." "Big Murphy!" "Oh!" "I thought that you'd be up to something like this..." "You're nothing but a bunch of dimwits!" "But, Boss, he called me names..." "You stupid idiot!" "Killing them won't do us any good..." "Why do you think we're holding them as hostages, you idiot?" "!" "You good-for-nothings never use your heads!" "B..." "But, Killie couldn't catch the other two!" "I..." "I caught these two!" "Killie was in charge here, not you." "Boss!" "You're always making me look like a fool!" "Enough of this nonsense..." "You specious schmuck!" "— Killie..." "— Y..." "Yes, sir!" "You're so disorganised!" "When will you be able to manage on your own?" "!" "Sir!" "We'll continue with this after capturing the other two." "Why don't you pour some water on the big one." "Yes, sir." "I..." "Impressive!" "If she's not Elena Scorlan, then... just who is she?" "Joe!" "They're coming!" "— Joe!" "— Shhh!" "They're shooting at random!" "They're just guessing that we're here." "Thank goodness..." "Huh?" "!" "What's with the hug, you lecher?" "!" "Where am I?" "Oh!" "I see..." "You've gone to these lengths, just to save me." "I don't know what to say..." "N..." "No, it's not like that..." "We were only trying to clear our names, so..." "Yes, that's all there is to it." "My name isn't Elena..." "I'm Matua Jona..." "I was working as Dr. Barbos' assistant at..." "Opus University's Gravitational Physics Lab." "Then, you're a scientist." "Then, why would the pirates want you?" "They were interested in the theme of Dr. Barbos' research." "The theme?" "Dr. Barbos was trying to perfect... a new kind of warp system." "A new kind of warp system?" "!" "Yes." "It corrected many of the problems of conventional warp systems." "It extended the jump distance, and eliminated motion sickness..." "It was a revolutionary system." "But... when we built a prototype, we discovered its horrible potential." "— Potential..." "— ...for what?" "I know how unbelievable it sounds, but the system... allowed for external manipulation of the warp field." "— External manipulation?" "!" "— What?" "!" "Yes..." "It made it possible to control other ships' warp systems." "That's incredible!" "Joe, then that entire incident must've been..." "Yeah." "That's exactly it, Matua..." "The pirates used the system to snatch you from our ship!" "What?" "!" "The pirates... have the system?" "!" "Matua!" "Oh, no!" "The system shouldn't be used at all!" "It's still in the earliest stages of development..." "We can't predict when it will become decoherent." "Decoherent?" "!" "It'll be awful... if we don't stop them from using the system, then then, what?" "Hunters!" "It looks bad!" "We're being surrounded!" "Take this!" "Dive, Alfin!" "Are you all right?" "I'm having a bad hair day!" "How about you guys?" "We're fine here!" "Close your eyes!" "It's all right now." "That took care of most of them." "I've drained my energy tube." "Me too." "And I had to use the photon grenade." "There's gonna be more of them coming though." "Say, do you think that we can somehow use the Hunters' weapons?" "Let's give it a try." "You see what you can do over there, Alfin." "This ain't gonna work!" "These are totally useless!" "They're full of cheap and crappy parts!" "They must have picked them up on the black market." "Sheesh!" "Joe..." "Did you say something?" "How old are you?" "Huh?" "Wh..." "Why ask me that now?" "I'm 19." "Why?" "You're so young." "Being so young... why would you be in a dangerous line of work... such as that of the Crushers?" "Huh?" "I'm doing it because I'm young!" "I guess it's "Like father, like son."" "He pioneered dangerous crushing when he was very young." "Even I know of Crusher Dan." "He's a very famous person." "I see..." "He's your father." "It's irrelevant..." "I'm not a little kid anymore... and Dad's changed totally." "— Changed?" "— Yeah." "He's become one of those important persons..." "He doesn't understand how people like us feel." "— That's not true..." "— Yes it is." "I'm sure it's not, and I'm sure that he's concerned about you..." "It is so!" "You're wrong!" "Dad's a different person now." "Joe..." "Never mind that, and finish telling me what you were gonna tell me before." "If the Murphy Pirates are actually in control of such an experimental, yet dangerous warp system, what would you do next?" "It's not a hypothetical question." "The pirates already have it." "And they realised that they needed me to perfect the system." "Then, you can... control the system?" "Y..." "Yes, I can control the system... as well as..." "As well as?" "...make sure it never works again." "— Joe!" "— Oh!" "Why, I'm over there working my butt off, and you're here messin' around!" "You piss me off!" "You pervert... you womaniser... you..." "Wait, will ya?" "This was really important!" "Stop!" "Stop, I said!" "I hear something!" "Oh!" "What are we gonna do, Joe?" "!" "I don't think that we can fight right now." "Shall we call the Minerva?" "It could get here in a few minutes." "No, we'll do that later." "For now, let's go with Plan C." "Plan C?" "We'll give up, and wait for our chance." "Why?" "!" "If we follow that plan, then..." "Our mission isn't complete yet!" "They've still got Talos and Ricky, and besides..." "And besides?" "...we can't leave them in possession of the warp system." "Isn't that right, Matua?" "Argh!" "Why does it always have to be like this?" "!" "Damn!" "I don't like this..." "You had to make it all so difficult, didn't you!" "I'll take very good care of you later!" "Please be patient!" "They're so rude!" "Don't they know how to treat a lady?" "!" "The fate of the beautiful shall be to end in torment!" "I'm so unblessed!" "— Joe!" "— Boss!" "Oh, my." "We're all together again, eh?" "Geez, we assumed that you'd rescue us!" "This is so embarrassing!" "What're you talking about?" "!" "Just look at the mess you're in!" "Well, what can I say." "Looks like our mission has bombed miserably, eh?" "Not at all!" "It's a-okay!" "Talos..." "What?" "!" "Is that for real?" "!" "Well, if that's the case... then..." "We don't have much time." "Shall I use our last resort?" "I'd say so." "Let's see now..." "Stand back..." "Looks good!" "Okay, let's get out of here fast!" "Hey, wait up!" "Don't leave me behind!" "Oh, that's right... there was a little pest in here with us..." "But you know, little boy, I kinda like you like this." "Shut up, you nincompoop!" "You big idiot!" "You rat!" "Here!" "Come on!" "Thanks!" "Okay, okay, I was wrong!" "So, help me, will ya..." "Ricky!" "Ricky, my man!" "What was that about a pest?" "Enough nonsense!" "You'll be really sorry if you continue giving us a hard time." "This is your last chance." "What's your answer?" "Is that your answer?" "!" "Wait, Norma..." "Do you remember this, Miss?" "Stop..." "Please stop..." "I'll do anything you say..." "Please stop..." "Such honesty!" "This was the solution to the problem..." "No wonder those damned doctors weren't able to do anything." "Well, then, you will help us perfect the system, will you not?" "Take me to it." "Excellent." "We'll put you to work immediately." "Emergency!" "The Crushers have escaped!" "— What?" "!" "— They got away?" "!" "I see... he literally had something up his sleeve!" "We must not underestimate them again." "Still, this will be great entertainment." "Broadcast it throughout the entire base." "Excellent, sir." "Let us hope that they give us a fine performance!" "This way!" "This doesn't look good." "I'll go first..." "Cover me!" "S..." "Sure!" "Joe!" "Joe!" "Dammit!" "Take this!" "Open the emergency hatch!" "We'll finish him off inside!" "He's stumbled into a very interesting place!" "Hah!" "This, we have got to see!" "This smell..." "I knew it!" "You idiot!" "What kinda dimwit would use a laser in an explosive atmosphere?" "!" "A-ha!" "I didn't know this was such a handy item!" "Take this!" "Yes... you guessed what place this is, didn't you!" "Well, here comes the climax!" "You look so stylish, my boy!" "After all the trouble you've caused us, that's hardly fair!" "Do us a favour... and dissolve!" "Why, you stubborn brat!" "Yeah, just let go!" "Then, you can rest in peace!" "Come on!" "Bitch!" "L..." "Let go!" "N..." "Norma!" "H..." "How could he?" "!" "— Killie..." "— Y..." "Yes, sir!" "I'm growing tired off this "big show" of yours." "Don't let him get out of the underground passage..." "Eliminate him at all costs!" "Is that clear?" "Valenstinos!" "Joe!" "Are you guys all right?" "Er..." "You stink!" "We fell into the sewer." "That's what saved us!" "Joe, they're hemming us in pretty tight, so we shouldn't go any further." "Let's call the Minerva." "It's time to play the game our way!" "Let's return a few of their favours!" "There it is!" "Ha ha!" "It's been so long that I thought they were dead." "Okay, that's that!" "Now, let me see..." "Eeek!" "What next?" "Missiles above the island, sir!" "— They're approaching fast!" "— What?" "!" "They're here!" "Hey!" "Not bad!" "Where's our Air Defences?" "!" "Shoot them down!" "— Looks like we're saved." "— Yahoo!" "This is awful..." "— This is just too much!" "— Very strange..." "The Minerva's missiles shouldn't have caused this much damage." "— The generators have been destroyed!" "— Transmission lines are all out!" "— Wh..." "Where shall we go, Sir?" "— Gomora." "Bring the girl!" "Y..." "Yes, sir!" "Talos, break right!" "Got it!" "— Are you okay?" "— Yeah..." "Ha!" "There you are!" "You son of a bitch!" "You wanna get beat up again?" "!" "Well... why don't we see what happens!" "C'mon!" "Allow me to return the favour, with interest!" "Once more, on me!" "Oh, damn..." "I guess I got a little carried away there!" "W..." "Wait for me!" "I'm coming too!" "Look at your face!" "You're such a loser!" "Oh, dammit!" "Talk about bad timing!" "Joe, look!" "Dammit!" "Murphy is getting away in that shuttle!" "Matua is with him!" "Damn!" "Isn't the Minerva here yet?" "!" "Here she comes!" "Idiots!" "It can't get any worse than this!" "How could they let Murphy get away?" "!" "Just when things were going so well..." "This wouldn't have happened if they'd just killed him right away!" "He'll be headed for Gomora, I just know it!" "If he does get there... it'll be all over for us!" "The Minerva has also taken off." "I believe that Joe's team is going after Murphy..." "I've had it... with those good-for-nothings!" "Request the assistance of the United Space Force!" "What?" "!" "They're always roaming around this stellar region." "Call them at once!" "But, sir... what about the..." "It doesn't matter now!" "Our top priority is destroying Murphy!" "I don't want anything else... not even that thing!" "Nothing matters, as long as we can destroy Murphy!" "Ha!" "A Dracoon, eh?" "!" "What an ugly piece of junk!" "Hey, Colonel!" "Sorry to keep you waiting!" "I'm tired of waiting!" "Just when will I get to kick some ass?" "!" "Don't be so grouchy." "Things will soon get quite interesting." "Oh?" "That's not just more bullshit?" "— Colonel!" "— What is it?" "We've received an emergency communication..." "Sir, it is a special request from the President of Lagol." ""We have been attacked by pirates, and we are engaged in combat..."" ""We request your aid at once..."" ""Position:" "APP-1038, N-204, the orbital station Gomora." "End of message."" "I get to kick some ass for real!" "See?" "What did I tell you?" "Well, I'm going." "See ya later." "H..." "Hey, you!" "If you snatch my prey away from me, you'll be sorry!" "We're leaving at once!" "If that piece of crap beats us there, we don't deserve to be in the USF!" "The shuttle is heading towards Station No. 6..." "Its code name is Gomora." "Mass and function, unknown." "Joe!" "They're following us..." "About 40 of them!" "A gang, eh?" "Shall we prepare to engage them?" "The shuttle comes first." "I've lost radar lock on the shuttle!" "They've made it inside." "Gomora, huh?" "That's not just a space station..." "It's a space fortress!" "Murphy!" "Murphy!" "Murphy!" "Murphy!" "Murphy!" "Murphy!" "Tighten the security at the docking port." "I'll be in the control room." "Yes, sir!" "So, this is Murphy's ace in the hole." "Payback time!" "No good!" "They're too big for us!" "Let's go for the docking port..." "One concentrated attack!" "Ha!" "What a bunch of stuck weaklings!" "Come on now, hurry up and initialise the system." "Now, I'm sure that it is usable, but controllability is another matter." "Of course, you of all people know what I'm talking about." "You are, after all, the only one who knows the system inside and out." "I am sure that you will assist us, won't you?" "It's not working!" "It's heavily reinforced!" "Joe!" "They're coming after us!" "Looks like we're in for it now!" "Those are all battleship class ships!" "Wow!" "What now, Joe?" "There's no turning back now!" "Assume combat formation!" "Prepare to engage!" "We'll show them the difference between Pirates and Crushers!" "Ignition!" "Alright!" "Where are we hit?" "Topside!" "You'll pay for that!" "They took out our port engine!" "Jettison it!" "We're just asking them to kill us by inches!" "Don't give up so quickly!" "Scum!" "Oh, no!" "What happened?" "!" "Howdy!" "I dropped by to help out!" "Bard!" "Buttinski!" "Sorry about that." "Well, Doctor Matua?" "Just as I suspected... the Controller is burnt out." "The system has to be shut down, and then rebuilt... otherwise, the consequences will be disastrous!" "Can you fix it?" "Wh..." "Yes..." "I'll see what I can do." "Very well!" "That's what I call technical support!" "Big Murphy, Sir..." "The orbit-to-ground missiles are ready for launch." "Good." "Fire them at once..." "The first target shall be Pablopolis!" "Send them right into Mardola's office!" "B..." "Boss!" "W..." "We can't do that!" "What was that?" "Do you have a problem with my orders?" "B..." "But, that Joe-somebody's Crusher gang blew up the base..." "Mardola had nothing to do with it..." "You idiot!" "Did you think that those stupid Crushers were able to do that unaided?" "!" "You're an ignorant fool, so just shut up and keep quiet!" "— All right!" "Prepare to fire!" "— Aye, sir!" "Ha!" "Traitors!" "What?" "!" "The United Space Force!" "Fire!" "Don't let a single ship escape!" "Fire!" "The Space Force?" "!" "Impossible!" "They can't be here, unless Mardola requested it..." "I see!" "It's him!" "That fool... spared no effort to defeat me!" "Out of my way!" "If it's come to this..." "No!" "You mustn't use it!" "Hold the girl!" "Stop before something awful happens!" "Spacetime itself will implode!" "Silence!" "It may still have some bugs in it, but it's still invincible!" "Observe..." "Learn this lesson well, Mardola..." "This is what happens when someone bothers me!" "Sir..." "It's the system..." "Murphy is using the system!" "What's going on?" "!" "Sir, our ships are vanishing!" "What?" "!" "That's absolutely impossible!" "Don't talk nonsense!" "Goddammit!" "Please!" "Please stop!" "Silence!" "Now I'll show no mercy..." "The Space Force, the Planet Minaus, I'll annihilate them all!" "Mardola... this will be the end of Lagol!" "Boss!" "Huh?" "Roki, why you..." "B..." "Boss, you're always putting me down!" "All that ends now!" "Mardola told me... that I'm the one who ought to be the boss!" "I'm the boss from now on!" "You're gonna die right here!" "You idiot!" "Mardola has deceived you!" "From now on... it'll be the Roki Pirates!" "I won't let you get away with this!" "Don't move!" "Shoot me if you want." "But if I don't stop it, spacetime will crumble!" "It won't stop!" "It won't stop!" "Joe!" "The gravitational wave meter has gone berserk!" "Look!" "Look at Norn..." "Minaus' primary!" "It's all because of that system!" "Oh?" "It's moving!" "The spacetime distortion is swallowing Norn!" "A spacetime implosion..." "Is it for real?" "!" "Sir!" "It's too dangerous here!" "We've got to leave now!" "It's over..." "It's all over!" "Kowalsky!" "We've got an emergency situation here!" "Lend us a hand!" "Oh!" "It's you!" "That was one hell of a mess for both of us, don't you think?" "Looks like we're bound together by a terrible destiny!" "We can chitchat later!" "We're gonna enter Gomora..." "Use your blasters to blow open their docking port for us!" "Colonel!" "This is crucial!" "Help them out, please!" "I don't have a clue what's going on... but..." "Okay!" "Yaw +90 degrees!" "Aim the blasters at the docking port!" "Maintain continuous fire!" "Otherwise, we won't be able break down their shields!" "Turret No. 2... elevate plus 2!" "No. 4, elevate plus 3!" "Fire!" "All right!" "Good!" "We're going in!" "Thanks a lot, Colonel!" "We're not too far off..." "It's just ahead of us!" "Roger!" "How can I stop the system now?" "Oh, yes, that's it." "The power generator!" "S..." "Stop!" "Where do you think you're going?" "!" "S..." "Stop!" "Stop, I said!" "Stop!" "Stop, I'm telling ya!" "Goddammit!" "Get back here!" "Don't go near that, or I'll shoot you down!" "Now's our chance!" "You lousy bastard!" "Let's go!" "Matua is in there!" "What do you think you're doing?" "!" "Stop!" "That belongs to me!" "Keep your mitts off!" "Stop!" "S..." "Stop!" "It's mine!" "Stay away!" "Dammit!" "Matua!" "Joe..." "Matua!" "I'm all right." "Joe, will you help me?" "Th..." "That lever... please..." "pull it all the way down!" "Got it..." "This one, right?" "Yes..." "Hurry!" "It stopped..." "The system's stopped, Matua!" "Thank you..." "Joe..." "Matua!" "Hang on, Matua!" "You can't die!" "Open your eyes!" "Matua!" "Looks like a disaster and a calamity waltzed through here!" "Where's Boss Murphy?" "Why don't you look around." "His man, Roki, is right here, down for the count." "Very well done." "Guess I was wrong about you guys..." "You Crushers are a little better than I thought." "We don't need any commendations from you!" "If you wanna thank someone, thank Mardola!" "M..." "Mardola?" "!" "I..." "I get it now..." "Th..." "That bastard Mardola... had me fooled!" "What's so funny, punk?" "!" "Talk about a big laugh..." "That scum Mardola not only fooled Murphy... but me as well!" "I'm such a total moron..." "That scumbag!" "As chief representative of the nation... and as the one to whom the safety of all of our citizens is entrusted, please allow me to make this delightful announcement." "With the help of these dedicated Crushers... and through the efforts of the gallant United Space Force, we were able to completely eliminate the illegal activities and violence... of the Murphy Pirates, who have long been a stain upon our nation's honour!" "Today is a new beginning for a new Lagol..." "Our pursuit of justice and prosperity... shall resume on this, a brand new day!" "Congratulations, Sir..." "The press conference was a major coup!" "Uh-huh." "How are the arrangements for tonight's event?" "Ah, sir, they are all set just wonderfully!" "J..." "Joe!" "Wh..." "Why are you here, all of a sudden?" "The party doesn't start for quite a while." "There's something I have to tell you." "Something?" "Got a message for you from Roki and Murphy..." "They said they'll be waiting for you in hell." "Just what are talking about?" "Jokes like that..." "Don't play dumb!" "Of course, an outside threat, like piracy... would help you maintain your popular support." "But, the conspiracy was much deeper than that." "You were a part of the Murphy Pirates from the beginning!" "Exploiting the powers of planetary sovereignty, you agreed to turn a blind eye on the pirates' hideouts... in exchange for a piece of action!" "But, you weren't satisfied with your share." "The fact that executive control was in Big Murphy's hands got in your way." "Furthermore... you wanted the warp system!" "With it, you could've obtained enormous riches without using the pirates." "Thus, you attempted to acquire the system, but you failed, so you used us and Roki to eliminate Murphy!" "That's a nice piece of detective work, but do you have proof?" "Proof that will substantiate such an outrageous theory?" "!" "I thought you'd ask..." "The proof?" "Here it is!" "Wh..." "What do you think you're doing?" "!" "There's no need for violence!" "He's an outlaw!" "A terrorist!" "Get the police!" "Y..." "Yes, sir!" "Sorry, old man!" "Mr. President... how do you do?" "I'm Lt. Col. Bard of the United Space Force, Intelligence Unit 2." "Intelligence Unit 2?" "!" "Thanks to the special dispatch request sent by you, the President of Lagol," "I am able to be here and present to you... warrant for your arrest, sir." "In the name of the Prime Minister of the Galactic Federation – Dupro Mardola," "I hereby arrest you for conspiracy to commit piracy!" "Hey, Joe..." "Thanks to you guys, everything turned out well." "I really appreciate your assistance." "Joe!" "I wonder if he still likes me?" "I'll ask him for ya." "A job well done, Lt. Col. Bard." "Oh, give me a break!" "I didn't come out of it unscathed, sir!" "I'd hoped that you'd feel a little sympathy for my suffering!" "Did he do well?" "Well, as you can see, he gave me a nice little punch right here!" "Oh, really?" "Well, I have to say that you, sir, are a cruel father, for pretending ignorance while letting the Intelligence Unit use your son." "Oh!" "N..." "Never mind!" "Oh, brother!" "I asked them if they wanted to come along..." "But no, Ricky and Talos would rather be on the Minerva!" "Say, Joe... want me to guess who you were thinking of just then?" "Sorry." "I didn't mean it that way." "You know..." "I heard that..." "Dr. Barbos was actually Matua's father." "That must be why he had to do what he did..." "To save her life, he put her in cryogenic suspension... in the hopes of preventing her from being forced to work for the pirates." "I'm sure it's not, and I'm sure that he's concerned about you..." "Joe!" "Make it fly, Joe!" "Birds take flight... out to the horizon..." "Space is unfolded by the clashing of waves." "We wanderers roam around... in the river of eternity... 'til the day the fire dies inside our hearts." "The journey will never come to an end..." "Oh, our trip will never end." "in this infinite universe." "Travelling in dark, deep space." "So let us fly to the end of time..." "So let's see eternal grace." "let us go, with all our friends." "The trip with all my friends – the human race." "The flame flickers... at the edge of darkness... beyond the night, a new day is born." "We seek dreams... that never end... 'til the day we lose our voice of passion." "The journey will never come to an end..." "Oh, our trip will never end." "in this infinite universe." "Travelling in dark, deep space." "So let us fly to the end of time..." "So let's see eternal grace." "let us go, with all our friends." "The trip with all my friends." "The journey will never come to an end..." "Oh, our trip will never end." "in this infinite universe." "Travelling in dark, deep space."