Bodacious Space Pirates (モーレツ宇宙海賊)

The Serenity Stellar Monarchy.

A federation of seven old planets

that have not undergone global terraforming.

The leader of this federation is the blue planet Serenity.

Its ancient history and beautiful natural environments

are the stuff of fairytale kingdoms.

But even here, there are many who

desire independence from the Galactic Empire.

Amidst these surprisingly complex circumstances,

the seventh princess, Princess Gruier,

sneaks aboard the Bentenmaru alone,

and now...

A ghost ship...

I'd like you to find the wandering golden ghost ship.

A pirate adventure begins!

Even at the furthest fringes of the universe I think of you

Countless shooting stars surround me and I make my wishes

So close, yet so far,

and every day my eyes fill with tears

Whom can I blame? Fate? Destiny?

I'll devote all I have,

and explode, combust, blow up, detonate, erupt

Rage!

Even if I should turn into cold stardust

I would continue to love you

My feelings burn

like the scorching flame of Antares

I don't care how many lightyears I have to cross

because I love you

My wishes won't falter

The star children will continue to protect you

Rage!

I'm getting major energy readings

and combat radar signals from all five ships.

Everyone's ready for a firefight.

They're serious.

Send our transponder data!

Sending transponder information.

Now what?

Full power to sensors and radar.

Log as much information as you can.

I don't know what's happening,

but make sure everyone knows

the Bentenmaru is here.

Roger.

Initiating combat logging.

Wanna transmit an off-site backup just in case?

That's the right call.

The Serenity Defense Forces are putting a lot of power into jamming us.

Thought so.

What about the initial Corback?

I'll put it on your screen.

It's approaching Tau Ceti at high speed,

heading directly for Sea of the Morningstar.

One Corback is running and five are giving chase.

One battleship, four escorts.

Now that they know there's a witness, they'll block our data transmissions,

silencing us.

Which side do we pick?

Space pirates are the good guys.

Gruier!

Huh?

Uh, yes?

Didn't you mention that you'd like to wear my uniform?

Pirates are like soldiers.

We have to wear uniforms and undertake missions.

You're going to act as captain for me.

Hey, it's a pirate queen!

W-What does that mean—

Here.

Can we contact the Serenity ships?

If we can't, you can make it possible, right?

Of course.

With a pinpoint directional beam,

we'll be whispering right in their ear...

Okay, ready!

Go on, Princess.

Go address your soldiers.

Right!

Pinpoint transmission beam ready.

Locked on to all six ships.

Firing.

What are you doing here?!

I order you in the name of Gruier Serenity,

legitimate heir to the throne of Serenity.

The glorious...

The glorious Serenity Defense Forces

are to cease fire immediately!

Failure to comply will be regarded as treason.

That is all!

And that is all.

Good job.

That's enough.

That was kind of exciting.

Glad to hear it.

What's the situation?

Jamming's stopped.

Energy readings are decreasing too.

All combat functions have shut down.

Guess you scared 'em pretty bad.

We're fortunate they're a well-trained army.

Two of them are hailing us.

Two of them?

One is the battleship.

The other is from the first Corback

The transmission from the battleship is from their captain.

The Corback's isn't, though.

"Grand Chamberlain of the Privy Council"?

It's Yotof.

Grand Chamberlain of the Privy Council, Yotof Sif Shideux...

"Your dress is finished, so we've come to deliver it.

Please try it on."

What do we do?

Would you put me in touch with Yotof's ship?

I swear by my royal bloodline that I will handle any explanations

and demands that the Serenity ships require.

Please open a channel.

That's not a good idea.

Even if they were only attacking other Serenity ships,

they were firing weapons inside another star system's absolute defense line.

If we withhold all information

and let them interpret the situation themselves...

It'll give us the advantage!

That's right.

They don't want to make it obvious what's going on here, either.

A high-level political decision, huh?

So I'm sorry, Gruier...

Would you allow my crew to handle this?

By all means.

I'm not terribly accomplished at foreign relations myself.

Send a message to the battleship in the princess's name,

ordering them to stand down,

return to formation, and await further orders.

Roger!

As for the Grand Chamberlain aboard the first Corback,

tell him that the princess is on her way to pick up the dress.

Right.

Kane, you've set the course, right?

Yeah, we're on our way.

Come to think of it, I'm sorry.

They've extinguished the fires on the Corback.

I'm not very captain-like.

We should have no problem docking.

I realize I'm speaking to you very casually...

Do you know what I mean by casually?

I do.

The previous Captain Kato taught me.

It is my honor

to have known two generations of pirate captains.

Please continue to address me that way.

Roger!

Yotof...

Can you tell who it is?

Grand Chamberlain Yotof.

I'm certain.

Behind him is Catherine, squad commander of the bodyguards.

Impossible... Could they have stolen that ship?

Are they that strong?

Yes.

Very strong.

No weapons or energy signatures detected from them.

Unarmed?

But their bearings indicate that they're highly trained.

I'll show them our real arsenal, not just our stage weapons.

I'd like to keep this as peaceful as possible...

They're here.

Open the door.

I am Grand Chamberlain of the Privy Council,

Yotof Sif Shideux.

I am Kato Marika,

captain of the Bentenmaru.

I have brought Princess Gruier Serenity.

I'm so glad you're safe.

If you're here, then...

Nothing has happened at the palace.

It's been quite peaceful since you left for your study abroad.

So the two most useless people there have undertaken this mission.

Do not worry.

The palace is safe.

I see.

I understand.

Thank you.

Then show me.

Yes, Princess.

Oh, right...

Thank you.

Please take care of the princess.

What's wrong?

I've never seen one in person.

That's a container used only by the royal family.

You could probably buy a luxury liner with one of those.

Marika, take this.

This should contain

all the information we have on the golden ghost ship.

The golden ghost ship...

Okay, I might make it today!

I could be...

I could be

the first person here!

Chiaki?