Planetes
Damage resulting from the meltdown of the #2 tandem mirror engine has reached 800 billion.
There has also been a serious worsening of the company's public image.
Technora is the key figure in the construction of the Von Braun, after all.
If there is another serious accident, we'll be looking not only at a setback for the project,
...but also massive financial settlement payments and a public scandal.
Which is one of the reasons why we must put some distance...
...between our company and the Jupiter development project.
We need a warning bell, as well.
And that is why you've created this company.
Galileo Development. We're working through three levels of intermediary companies,
...so legally speaking, it is a completely independent entity.
I'm sending Dolf Azaria, the current Second Division Director that I mentioned the other day,
...to act as representative director of the new company.
What about the post he'll be vacating?
I'm Norman Schwimmer, and I've been put in charge of Second Division starting today.
On the insistence of Chairman Joshua, I will be serving concurrently...
...as director of both Second and Third Divisions.
Now, while this may be an additional post for me, it doesn't change the fact...
...that I am the top dog in Second Division starting today.
I'm going to be running things my own way from now on.
Is that clear?
I suggest that you forget everything about how the old director ran the division.
Soshite hito wa toki wo koeta yume wo miru, And people dream dreams that transcend time,
...seijyaku no umi ni idakarete. ...held in the arms of a still sea.
Tori ya kumo wo miagete wa... As they looked up at the birds and clouds,
...hakanai inochi moyashita... ...it set their ephemeral souls on fire...
...ikusen no asa ni. ...on a thousand mornings.
Hikari ga mukau basho e... I bet they're taking flight...
...habataku darou. ...to where the light is headed.
Negai wo hanatsu toki wa ima. Now is the time to launch your dreams.
Hatenaki yume wo noseta... Off into the frontier that is carrying...
...frontier e, ...boundless dreams, .
...tooku tooku dive in the sky. ...farther and farther, dive in the sky.
Planetes
Debris Section's gonna be disbanded?!
I was just told in person by Director Norman.
Phase 18: Debris Section's Last Day
I was just told in person by Director Norman.
Phase 18: Debris Section's Last Day
He said we'll be disbanded at the end of the week.
Something about earnings being more important to a company than its image.
He can't! What's gonna happen to us?
Will we be transferred? Or...
Fired.
They wouldn't!
No, she might be right. He mentioned something about downsizing.
You're kidding!
It's true!
That old bastard still has it in for us over what happened with that test module.
That's why I was against getting involved! Look what you've done!
I still have a family to provide for!
Um...I thought you and your wife had split up.
Maybe, but I had seven children with her!
That means child support times seven!
But we're always running deep in the red, and we don't have any connections at the top!
Quit your damn crying!
Nobody said we're gonna be fired!
She's right! Let's wine and dine them!
We'll all entertain them to smooth things over and try to get him to forgive us!
Right?
I'm only a temp worker.
Sempai! This is terrible!
They say Debris Section is gonna be disbanded!
Yeah, I heard you in there.
No matter how precious their profits are to them, don't you think this is going too far?
Yeah, I guess.
If we don't come up with a way to keep them from disbanding us, we're gonna...
Yeah, I guess...
Let's get something to eat. I'm starving.
Huh?
Aren't you supposed to be working today?
Sorting management orbit paperwork or some such?
I'm playing hooky.
It's all right.
Anyway, I've been taken off all my duties, so I don't have anything to do.
Why's that?
I've had one failure after another lately.
Plus, I guess they think I'm a member of the old division director's clique.
Political infighting, huh?
It all seems so stupid to me now.
Maybe I'll go down to Earth and get married or something.
Come on, don't go silent on me. I was joking.
Claire.
Do you know a country named Mananga?
An oil-producing country in the Middle East, right?
I'd heard that there's been constant civil wars there ever since oil stopped being used.
It's my homeland.
Poverty triggered the civil wars, and the government is in a state of chaos.
We can't even hold fair elections without going to INTO for help.
That's what my homeland is like.
You're taking personal command out here today, ma'am?
Yeah, 'cause it looks like this is gonna be the last time.
It's sort of a tradition among sailors.
Yuri, how's it look on your end?
Fine. All green.
What?
Are you okay with this being the last?
There's not much we can do. It's the boss' decision.
Besides, I can keep collecting debris even if I'm not at Technora.
You're going to change companies?
I don't know...It wouldn't be the first time I've switched companies,
...and there's also what they did to Dolf.
Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! I'm Lavie!
That was terrific! I haven't laughed this hard in a long time!
All right, I'll find you a position in General Affairs, how's that sound?
Thank you so much!
It does a man good to enjoy nonsense like this every once in a while.
An astute observation, Director Norman!
The last director wasn't able to enjoy this kind of entertainment.
Dolf has no idea how to use his human resources,
...keeping a man like you down in Half Section like that.
I want you to handle the entertainment the next time INTO visits.
If it works out, there's a manager position in it for you.
Really? Not assistant manager?
I look forward to seeing you crack us all up.
Thank you so much, sir! Thank you!
I'll give it all I've got!
What the heck are you doing?!
This is no time to be reading an EVA textbook!
Our team is about to be split up!
You always said that space needed the Debris Section!
Hey, give that back!
Fine.
I haven't read this thing in three years. It's got some useful info in it.
If Debris Section gets disbanded, making EVAs is gonna be the least of our worries, you know?
This isn't the only place we can do EVA work.
What about debris retrieval?
Yeah, that's nice...
C'mon, Sempai...
Fine! Suit yourself!
I'll save Debris Section all by myself if I have to!
No, honest! It's the truth!
Daddy's gonna be made into a manager!
Are you gonna get paid more?
You bet, you bet!
Honest? Then buy me a game!
A wanna soccer ball!
I want a telescope!
Telescopes are expensive! If Dad buys a game, we all can play with it!
No, that's okay! It's to celebrate Daddy moving up in the world.
I'll buy everything you want!
If you've got a bigger job, Daddy, that means you're gonna pick up bigger de-breeze, right?
Dummy, it's pronounced "de-bree"!
I'll be manager of General Affairs Section, so I won't have to pick up debris anymore.
Then who's gonna keep space safe?
They're blowing things out of proportion.
I'm not sick enough to be put into the hospital yet.
I can still handle everyday...
Absolutely not.
Someone who isn't at 100% might put the team as a whole in danger.
I taught you that, didn't I?
Maintaining your physical condition is part of the job.
I'm sorry if I spoke out of turn, sir.
Forget it. I was lucky to have such a good pupil.
Sensei...
Yeah?
I'm quitting the Orbital Security Agency.
I see... You're serious about this?
Yes, sir.
Like I said, my rank in the company doesn't have anything to do with it!
If you have a complaint, take it to...
It's as a fellow human... If you have a complaint, take it to...
It's as a fellow human... ...General Affairs or Personnel!
But I want to tell the division director in person!
In person? Who do you think you are, you Half Section scum?
I swear, what a bunch of nonsense...
Hey, wait!
Give it a rest, would you?!
It's useless.
And what's that supposed to mean?
For someone at the bottom to defeat someone at the top, regular tactics won't work.
Is this about right? How's it look?
A little more to the right, Assistant Chief.
How about now?
-Are you all right? -Ow...
Assistant Chief?
I'm sorry!
I'm sorry that I'm so useless!
I can't protect Debris Section, and I rely on you to do everything for me, Edel...
Even if I tried my hardest, it's probably too late for me to make any difference...
Assistant Chief.
What's everybody gonna do in their old age?
Now this is a rare sight.
I didn't expect you to come along, Lavie.
Mark confirmed. Zulu 1024, 36, 54.
Yes, well, it's our final mission.
Mark confirmed. Zulu 1024, 36, 54.
Guide us in until we reach orbit correction point. You copy?
It's part of my duties.
Guide us in until we reach orbit correction point. You copy?
I copy.
Datalink via area Navstars confirmed through Molniya orbit.
Say, Hachimaki...We really are corporate drones, aren't we?
Datalink via area Navstars confirmed through Molniya orbit.
What brought this on?
Power transfer laser tracking control is nominal.
What brought this on?
Power transfer laser tracking control is nominal.
A distress signal?
Pass me the coordinates of their location.
Manager, I'm going to switch jobs. That okay with you?
Sure...
So, our last mission will be rescuing a spaceship that's adrift, huh?
That's a perfect ending for heroes who keep space safe.
Planetes
Wow, that really takes me back!
We were on a work boat like that back when I got my license!
In other words, it's a rust bucket that's over 20 years old, huh?
Now docking. Hachimaki, you stand by in the Fishbone as planned.
I copy.
Yuri and Tanabe, get some oxygen tanks ready.
Once I've docked, get confirmation of their shipboard status. Especially the pressure.
I copy.
Opening hatch.
Yuri...
Yes. I am checking it out right now.
Fee, target ship's pressure and air circulation are both green.
It looks like it is only their flight system that is down.
Didn't I tell you this would happen?!
It looks like it is only their flight system that is down.
Didn't I tell you this would happen?!
Will now check out ship's interior.
I said that changing course and coming all the way up into a Molniya orbit was a bad idea!
Will now check out ship's interior.
I said that changing course and coming all the way up into a Molniya orbit was a bad idea!
Survivors?
I'm charging you for breach of contract and repairs! I'm just a courier!
What're you talking about? I wasn't the one who crashed your systems!
Director, don't get too worked up.
What're you talking about? I wasn't the one who crashed your systems!
Director, don't get too worked up.
Besides, who told you to get us a clunker like this?!
The unlicensed director!
Who are you?
It's me! We met on the Luna Ferry!
Oh, that girl who had her head in the clouds!
Oh, it's those guys.
You really saved our skins!
Oh, it's those guys.
You really saved our skins!
Are you filming a movie without a permit again?
You know them?
Are you filming a movie without a permit again?
Something like that.
Hey, stop talking nonsense! Me and my crew are social activists now!
Something like that.
Hey, stop talking nonsense! Me and my crew are social activists now!
We bumped into them when... Huh?
Hey, stop talking nonsense! Me and my crew are social activists now!
Hey, can I come back in now? There wasn't any serious trouble, right?
Hang on, Hachi.
There's some debris out there with a relative velocity of about zero.
We can't look this gift horse in the mouth, now can we?
Anyway, it's our last job.
Sure, why not?
I'm sorry, but I should really check in with my company.
Sure, go ahead. Use the comm system in our residential block.
Thanks, I appreciate it.
Cut us a deal on the repair costs, okay?
The hell I will!
Anyway, I sold that movie I shot on the Luna Ferry for a bundle,
...so I tried to get into journalism.
I knew it, you're still in it for the money, aren't you?
What're you talking about? I'll suddenly be happy if I'm poor?
I'm just saying that your motives are corrupt!
We can't grab it? Why not?!
We're saying that we don't want you to retrieve the debris that you contacted us about!
Is it on some other company's retrieval checklist?
I say again, DS-12 is not to attempt retrieval, and is to return to base at once.
You copy?
Huh? At least give me a reason!
The jerk hung up on me.
What's with this new Control supervisor they gave us?
See? I knew it, Director! It's gotta be a mine!
A mine?
There have been rumors that INTO has been laying mines disguised as debris up here.
We came up here to expose what they're doing.
Is it some kind of bomb, then?
Not exactly. They call it a "data mine."
When a ship comes close, it burns out its flight systems.
Oh, so that is what crashed your work ship's systems.
Yeah. It's listed as debris, but it's anything but.
I can't believe dangerous things like that are floating in space!
Needless to say, we can't leave that thing out there.
Fee, you aren't seriously going to...
Besides, this is an emergency evacuation orbit used by Russia and the EU.
Hey!
If INTO is claiming it's just debris, then they can't complain if we go pick it up, right?
Yeah, right!
Wait! If Control Section says we can't, then as loyal employees, we have to...
Lives are at stake here!
It probably works by detecting changes in the communications data environment.
So it would react to our Fishbones, too?
One person will have to go solo in a spacesuit with its face-computer shut off.
But we don't have a lifeline that'll reach that far!
It's hopeless! I'm telling you, nobody could possibly do that!
I'll go.
Sempai?
Weren't you listening, Hachimaki?
This is an S-class EVA we're talking about!
That's why I'm going.
I have to be able to handle something like this...
Understood.
Fee!
Tanabe, prep some spare oxygen tanks for me!
R-Right!
This is gonna make for some awesome footage...
But this is Debris Section's last day. You don't have to try so hard...
But can we destroy the mine manually?
I'll have him take a connector along. We can feed it false data through the Navstar.
Don't do it!
Oh, we're going to make it think that it's floating out there all alone, huh?
I said, don't do this!
If we can manage to fool it, we can close in.
Then we hit it with Toy Box's arm until it stops working.
Please, don't do this...
Hachimaki, did you get all that?
Yeah. Find out where the connector hooks up. I'm gonna make this work...
I SAID STOP!
Lavie, there's more to the world than Technora.
I know that!
But...
Well...My oldest, Khorana, is a bright girl. I want to send her to a private school if I can.
Haal loves space, and said that she wanted a telescope.
Musharraf is still little,
...but he's got a gift for music, so I want to get him sitar or piano lessons.
I can't be with them as their father anymore,
...so all I can do now is earn money for them.
So please... Please, everyone!
I can't afford to be fired!
Tanabe, get those spare oxygen tanks to him ASAP.
I copy!
Fee!
Weren't you listening? Technora might be a company, but it isn't the whole world.
Besides, even if Debris Section is going to be disbanded,
...right here and now, were still debris haulers!
These are the last of the official documents, then?
Yes, I think so...
Chief!
It looks like the DS-12 is going to send out an EVA worker!
I told you to stop them, didn't I?!
Can't you even train your men to obey orders?!
I'm sorry!
Calm down.
We just need to use the emergency shutdown system, and that'll be that.
What's that?
I see you don't follow the material from our general meetings.
As part of our anti-terrorism security measures,
...every one of our ships has been fitted with a device that allows us to shut it down from here.
But they're only trying to pick up a piece of debris!
We can't let them do that.
Why not?
Well...
I don't need to explain myself to you.
All right, now it's your turn.
The program will activate once approved...
...by the division director and the head of the relevant section.
You can at least remember your own ID password, can't you?
Do you think Sempai's gonna be okay?
An S-class EVA...I have to be able to do at least this much.
Hurry up and input your code, you scum!
Um...This will shut down Toy Box, won't it?
I mean, this is their last job and all...
What about it?
Um...
I forgot it! I forgot my security code.
Stop fooling around!
I'm so sorry, I've always been the forgetful type!
Plus, I'm about to retire, and my memory's getting noticeably worse.
Maybe it was my birthday...
Or maybe my wedding anniversary!
My relative velocity's too...
Almost there!
Have to grab on!
I did it?
I...
Sempai did it!
I wouldn't believe it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes.
Hey, that guy's pretty good!
You Half Section lowlife! Quit your faking, you're not fooling anybody!
It's the truth!
Enough.
Navstar connection status is nominal.
Okay, we fooled the mine!
Center of mass is stable.
I copy. Leave the rest to me.
Navstar's denying access?
But that means we won't be able to fool the mine!
Give it up, you Half Section halfwits.
I've cut your Navstar access from here. Your little ploy ends here.
Leave that orbit right now.
If you don't do it quickly, DS-12's systems might be fried, and you'll end up dead in space, too.
Of course, maybe it's already too late.
Hey! What do you mean, dead in space?
You aren't saying that they're all going to die, are you?!
Let go of me!
I'm begging you! Anything but that!
I don't need trash like Debris Section in my division!
Assistant Chief!
I swear, give me debris any day.
We can recycle debris and make money off it, unlike you people.
Right?
Junk jockeys being set adrift and becoming debris themselves is poetic justice!
Now that I'm division director, I'll...
Even if you don't need us in your division, the human race needs us!
We just went to emergency power!
What happened? Did the mine get you?!
Yeah, but our communications and life support systems seem to be working.
I copy! I'll fiddle with the mine's systems and try to do something on this end.
You bastard!
How dare you lay your hands on the division director?!
My work hours just ended.
That means that right now, I'm no longer a temp worker under contract to Technora!
Hey, Half Section's going crazy up there!
Somebody! Call security!
You murderer! If they don't pick up debris, space development will stop in its tracks!
Who do you think you are? Security, clean up this trash!
That's telling him, Chief.
Who do you think you are? Security, clean up this trash!
Keep your hands off me! Come any closer, and I'll sue you for sexual harassment!
Edel...
Keep your hands off me! Come any closer, and I'll sue you for sexual harassment!
Give me back my people! Fee! Yuri!
Hachi! Ai! Lavie!
Shut up, you Half Section halfwit!
Hurry up and grab these two!
Right here and now, Debris Section is hereby disbanded!
Who's gonna keep space safe, then?
You keep space safe, don't you, Dad?
Everybody says that spaceships can go into space because you pick up debris, Daddy.
It's cooler to be a debris hauler!
Okay, baby...
Hey! Lavie, where are you going?
Lavie!
Please! Stop! I'm ticklish there!
What's the matter, you're holding back because I'm woman?
That's a military bird for you... This thing's built tough.
Fee! Our emergency power's only gonna last another ten minutes!
I can't get the arm to work. We don't have any way to smash the mine.
All right, I get it. I guess that's that.
Fee...
Ensuring the safety of her crew is part of a captain's...
Did you get the arm working?!
No, that system is still down...
What did you people do this time?!
Don't look at me! We've got our hands full with filming!
Wait, don't tell me Lavie is over in the work ship, and he...
But aren't their systems down, too?
Oh, I get it! That ship is over 20 years old,
...so the arm can be operated manually, just like on the old Toy Box!
Let's see...It's in hydraulic mode right now, so I need to return it to neutral, and...
Lavie! Over here! Smash it over here!
Do it soon, or we're in serious trouble!
Do you read me?! Hey!
I've got it!
No, I don't think you do, entertainment boy.
If you don't stop this, you won't be moving up, you'll be moving out.
Have you forgotten that I said I'd make you manager of General Affairs Section?
The company is all you people have, am I right?
If you defy the company and get thrown out,
...who else is going to give you a place where you can belong?!
Yes, I suppose that's true. As a company man, I understand that.
But the place I belong...
I just can't win, can I? No matter what I do, I'll...
So at least I can be... At least Daddy can be...
At least your Daddy...can be a debris hauler who keeps space safe!
He did it!
Nice!
The DS-12 is back online?!
Yahoo!
Oh. Um. I finally remembered it. My code, I mean.
I went and did it this time...
System shutdown of target debris confirmed.
Nicely done, Father.
I was wrong about you, Lavie!
Oh, screw it! I'm gonna throw some back tonight!
You're all invited! Got it?!
We copy!
Welcome back!
Hey.
Lately, I had been thinking that you haven't been acting like yourself,
...but you're still in there, all right!
When the chips were down, you came through just fine!
We were able to shut down the mine because you pulled off your EVA!
You're amazing, all right!
I am? You think I'm amazing?
Yep!
Tanabe.
Yes?
I'm quitting the company.
But they only said that Debris Section was disbanded. There's still...
No, it's not about that. It's just that...
I'm not a hauler anymore. I'm done with debris.
Gutto mizu wo nomihoshi, We gulp down some water...
...yuuyakegumo miageru no sa. ...and look up at the evening clouds.
Kyou mo ichinichi ga owatte, Let's wind our way home...
...gairoju no shita wo kaerou. ...under the roadside trees as another day ends.
Yaru koto darake de tenpatte, Even if life's so hectic that our tempers flare,
...muri wo shite, tsumazuite mo, ...we push ourselves too hard, and we stumble,
...nani ka kanarazu tsukanderu sa. ...I know there'll be something to grab hold of.
Kiraku ni ikou ze. Let's move on without a care in our hearts.
Subarashii jinsei dakara, It's a wonderful life,
...jibun wo aisuru yuuki wo motou. ...so let's have the courage to love ourselves.
Atarashii doa tataite... Let's take it one step at a time,
...hitotsu hitotsu aruite yukou. ...knocking on new doors on the way.
Subarashii jinsei na no sa. It's a wonderful life.
Kimi mo boku mo subete no hito mo... You and I and everyone else...
...yorokobi to kanashimi no imi... ...keep on searching for the meaning...
...sagashitsuzukete, so just on my way. ...of joy and sadness, so just on my way.
Next Time: Endings are Always...
Planetes