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27P, Comet Crommelin...

The first comet discovered by

a Japanese person in the 20th century.

While moving in a very long elliptical orbit,

it revolves around the Solar System.

The cycle is 28 years.

The last time it approached Earth was in 2068.

And the next time will be in another 28 years.

I may not be able to see it

with my own eyes a second time.

Loading of firing charge 7.

Transport container B371 on standby.

Loading of firing charge complete.

--This is Midnight Bazooka.

--Catapult launch is clear.

--Moonbase 755, please respond.

--Time to start countdown...

--This is Moonbase 755.

--Time to start countdown...

--Our next launch is transport container B371 .

--1 0, 9, 8...

--Roger.

--1 0, 9, 8...

7...

Loading of firing charge complete.

3... 2... 1 ... Fire.

Launch successful. Ventilate firing chamber.

Container B371 in flight

and headed for moon orbit.

Course is normal.

Fly your ass to the moon.

Rick.

Don't forget to inform the moon base

that the launch was a success.

Roger. Moonbase 755,

this is Midnight Bazooka...

That was the last container.

Boss, one more unscheduled

delivery was added this morning.

Oh, really?

It should be arriving any minute now.

All right. Soon as it gets here,

load it in the catapult and we'll launch.

Aye-aye, sir!

Finally a day off tomorrow!

Boss!

There's a call from Earth headquarters,

with an emergency docking request.

Emergency docking request?

What ship?

Ship code 078962EK,

the Flying Dutchman.

Before entering Earth's atmosphere,

they want to get a tune-up.

Flying Dutchman? Never heard of it.

It's that "ghost ship"

that suddenly appears

once every 1 5 years.

Then I guess it's making its

way back from Alpha Centauri?

I wonder if their proton

mining was successful.

If they were, it'll be the

news story of the century!

Returning home after 1 5 years.

That's pretty cool, y'know?

Boss?

Yeah. Anyway, get the dock ready...

The ship's a junk heap.

We may not have enough repair parts.

After fixing that last

regular French delivery ship,

we should've stocked up on old parts too.

You're telling me.

Willie and Todd, swap out

the main nozzle later on.

OK, Skipper.

Earth's right in front of us,

and we're drydocked.

Orders from headquarters.

What are you gonna do?

Besides, our ship is rickety

as an old rocking chair.

If we don't get her fixed up here,

she'll fall apart entering the atmosphere.

I'll take care of the carburetor...

The Flying Dutchman's

loaded up with protons, isn't it?

That's classified level 5 information.

No way to confirm it.

Yeah.

But being ordered to go to the trouble

of performing maintenance on the ship

right before it enters the atmosphere...

I'd say there's no two ways about it.

Depending on the amount of their load,

they could be heroes, y'know?

Well, except for their captain,

they seem like a ship of fools to me.

This is Alpha Centauri's second planet, Horn.

It looks like a barren wasteland...

But around 2020, scientists discovered it was

actually a treasure trove of natural resources.

On the first voyage over,

a prospecting robot was brought along.

On the second,

an enormous mining plant was built.

Now this, the third voyage, and

we're finally able to bring back the yield.

Nine tons of liquefied protons, eh?

I see. Probably enough to provide

electricity for the entire Earth for a decade.

And we'll keep coming back for more.

Here. Let's toast to our reunion.

Congratulations.

You volunteered to put your life on the line

and your efforts have finally come to fruition.

It's been 1 5 years, huh?

I never would've thought you'd become

the captain of the Midnight Bazooka, Dan.

Oh, I'm just drifting

between space and the Earth.

Is this the excavation site

on the planet Horn?

Yep.

So how's Tokio?

I bet he's all grown up now, huh?

Tokio's dead.

He became a soldier.

Five years ago, in the

African War, he died in combat.

Cut it out, after all this time...

You chose space.

You abandoned me, and my son,

and everything "family" long ago!

And my wife died last year...

Now I'm all alone again...

That brings you up to date.

Dan...

Do you still hate me?

I'm a cruel woman.

Boss, the shuttle carrying that

extra container is approaching.

We need you in the control room.

Roger. I'm on my way.

You're not the one who's cruel...

But maybe you've got an obligation

to gaze at the cruelties of life.

Shuttle is approaching.

Loading gate is open.

--Stand by to receive container B404.

--Course normal. Loading normal.

Receiving manipulators

#3 and #4, under automatic control.

Container B404 approaching.

There's nothing more to talk about.

I've made up my mind.

You're going, no matter what?

Yeah.

Boss...

Boss!

Hm?

Container B404 has been housed safely.

Good. Pass the message on

to the control center on Earth.

Roger.

Mark, I'm going back to

the captain's cabin for a while.

I'll leave the rest up to you here.

Understood.

What are you doing in here?!

Did you forget, Skipper?

Tonight, it's my turn!

Put that thing down! It's dangerous!

Get out of here!

I recall ordering you to replace the nozzle!

Don't be so uptight!

Shut up! Now is not a good time!

What's wrong? You're never like--

I'm not in the mood... Not here!

What's gotten into her?!

Hey, wait!

So, seems like you and the captain

spent some time together today.

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