-A traditional parental threat to children living in Laprok State, on Planet Leesh.
''If you don't go to sleep, I'll have Abh come and take you away.''
-From Kevin and Kushatoria, a play written by Lejiste.
''There's no point in telling you to go to hell because they've already thrown you out of there. Someone like you deserves to be in Abh hell.''
-A conversation between the 11th Emperor Dougnaa and an anonymous man.
''Just this once will I give you the right to refuse. Because although it is necessary to protect the lives of our people, what I am asking you to construct is so detestable."
"That won't be necessary, Your Imperial Majesty as long as you would graciously avoid leaving my name to posterity.''
''.....Very well. I shall take the dishonor upon myself.''
Imperial Calendar Year 956.
The Humankind Empire Abh has launched Operation Hunter...
...in an attempt to recapture any territories still left stranded.
With the Empire's boundaries expanding...
...a Territorial Ambassador was assigned to the planet Lobnas II.
It was Princess Abriel Nei Dubrusk Paryunu Lafiel.
Her Deputy Ambassador was Count Lin Syune...
...Rocke Hyde Jinto.
However, waiting for them down on the planet...
...were over a million of the worst prisoners imaginable.
For Lobnas II was used by the United Mankind...
...solely to house convicted criminals.
Hey! This isn't the road!
Did you input it wrong?
Hey, what's going on?
It won't accept inputs!
Forget it. I put a lock on it.
You, too?
See? I've already taken care of the inputs.
Why do you guards want to aid the prisoners in this rebellion?
It's all for the sake of Alkaik.
Is that...
...the name of some god?
I suppose for some people it really is like a god.
It's a narcotic found only on Lobnas II.
Drugs?!
Yes.
We don't know who started it...
...but the prisoners have been manufacturing drugs...
...from the Alkaik plant.
And now the prison guards are taking part in the drug trade?
That's right.
Hey!
Don't be stupid!
Give me the gun!
No!
How brutal.
I thought you two were friends.
Some things are more important than friendship.
I hope you understand now...
...why I didn't want you to withdraw even temporarily.
If you were to leave for even two months...
...this planet would be taken over by drug addicts.
And this place would turn into a living hell.
Why didn't you tell me all this earlier?
How can I show any weakness to the invader?!
Administrative Director...
...aren't you going to ask what's going to happen next...
...or what's been planned for you?
I know that you're a coward, and therefore...
...you won't be jeopardizing your access to the Alkaik.
I also know that scum like you can't work for themselves...
...so you're probably going to take us to Angusson or Dokufu.
Very clever, Director.
Absolutely right.
You need intelligence...
...to become a high-ranking official in the United Mankind.
This isn't bulletproof?
I never thought I'd need it!
Hey!
We've got to go back!
I can't go back now!
Your Excellency, have you got a weapon?
I didn't think I'd need it.
Banner of the Stars II
Abh Hell
To think they took over the administrative agency so quickly!
I've captured the administrative director.
Take me to your leader.
He's expecting me.
I wonder if I'm only an extra.
What have you done?
You brought one too many!
But I didn't have a choice.
I couldn't help it. He came along.
It's okay.
We've got more hostages.
You gotta be kidding.
This could cause a major incident!
Capturing the administrative director is an internal thing.
But a nobleman from the Empire is a completely different matter!
If that's what you think then let His Excellency go.
Then you should let me go, too...
...but I doubt you will.
You're absolutely right.
Releasing an administrative director won't mean a thing.
Of course...
...if you cancel that emigration permit...
...we might change our minds.
I'll never do that!
You.
You like kids?
What?
All of a sudden.
Yes, I love them.
What's your point?
I love children.
I have five of my own scattered around.
But I'm not allowed to see any of them.
That's why I want another one.
If all the women leave, there won't be any children.
All this, just for that?!
What do you mean, ''just'' for that?!
Now, now! Cool it!
Can't you respect his dream of having a family...
...Administrative Director?
If you had lived an honest life...
...you wouldn't have been separated from your family!
Besides...
...those you've killed had families, too.
We have no interest in the past.
What we're interested in is the future.
A future where children run freely across the land on Lobnas II.
And you're trying to take that opportunity away from us!
Excuse me...
As I mentioned, we can provide you with artificial birth technology.
A child needs a mother!
Don't you understand that?!
No matter how much love a father gives...
...only a part of it is appreciated by the child.
There's always a thick cloud between father and child.
But a mother's love is accepted by the child wholeheartedly.
But half the Abh race manages without mothers.
Maybe that explains why you're all so screwed up!
Your Excellency...
We have no intention of using artificial birth technology at all.
Have we made that clear?
If you don't intend to accept artificial birth technology...
...then give up the idea of having children altogether.
The options available to you...
...are not between artificial or natural birth...
...but rather between artificial birth and a childless future.
So, you have no intention of canceling the emigration order?
No way!
If you're not going to cancel it...
I am a high-ranking official of the United Mankind.
Such threats won't...
I'll have to kill him, then.
Me?!
What would you achieve by killing His Excellency?
You said you don't want to cause a major incident with the Empire!
Killing him would lead to huge repercussions!
No one needs to know that I was the one who killed him.
He'll just go ''missing'' on Lobnas II.
Along with you, Administrative Director.
But what good would that do?
It'll just put you in a worse position!
And also those from Lobnas II who've already left the planet.
I have no idea what'll happen...
...but we look forward to it.
I'm sure the emigration will be cancelled.
No way!
I'm sure our situation will go from bad to worse...
...but you'll take the brunt of it.
Don't worry.
We're staking everything...
...on a future with children running around!
Make up your mind!
I refuse!
I lose.
Why didn't you kill the coward?!
Because he's part of the nobility.
It would be a bad idea to kill imperial nobility.
It's far too dangerous.
However...
There's nothing to stop me from killing you!
You go ahead.
After you kill me...
...what are you going to do?
Who's going to cancel the emigration order?
I will, as the new administrative director.
Forget it.
I've already given the territorial ambassador...
...a list of succession in case of emergencies.
Everyone on that list is due to emigrate...
...but as long as they're still on this planet...
...the position of territorial ambassador is taken...
...until everyone on the list has left.
Could the first one on the list...
...be someone by the name of Tomasof?
It is so easy to read your mind.
Did I guess it right?
It doesn't matter whose names are on the list.
But it does matter.
You didn't think that he's the only one who's come to our side?
No.
But Tomasof would have nothing to do with the Alkaik trade.
Well...
You confessed.
Think whatever you want!
That's exactly what I intend to do.
So, are you sure you won't cancel the emigration order?
Of course not!
Then you're not needed anymore.
Don't do it.
Cancel the order and I'll back off.
I can't do that!
Tomasof can't be on your side. I should have realized.
If he was able to cancel the emigration order...
...you wouldn't have had any hesitation in killing me!
You may find this difficult to believe...
...but I really dislike having to kill people.
That's all.
Tomasof will do whatever I ask.
Of course, you could cancel the order yourself.
It would seem like the simplest solution to me.
I have no intention of that!
Tomasof couldn't possibly have gone over to your side!
You're a third rate con man!
I'll give you five seconds to change your mind.
Five...
...four...
...three...
...two...
...one!
Time's up.
Is he really a military officer?
Yeah, but he's also nobility.
He's probably never even seen a dead body before.
I admit that I didn't really like this man...
...but he was a man with a sense of responsibility.
Why did you have to kill him?!
This rebellion is a kind of war, Your Royal Nobility.
You've killed even more good people!
How can you criticize us for this?!
That may be true, but...
That may be true, but I...
Now what do we do?
Get in touch with Tomasof.
Well, well.
I didn't think you'd believe such a ruse as well!
A do-gooder like him would never have anything to do with drugs.
Of course he's our respectable enemy.
You tricked me?!
I didn't trick you!
It was the administrative director!
It would've been so boring for him to die...
...believing his wishes would be carried out by his men.
That's a despicable thing to do, Dokufu!
I agree.
Show some respect for the dead, you guys.
We may not have liked him...
...but the guy was not a coward.
Whatever. Now we have to decide what we're doing next.
We've got ourselves this extra hostage.
The little coward.
Although cowards make better hostages.
Like I said, we can't afford to incur the wrath of the Empire!
We'll just have to send this nobleman home.
I'm sure he's upset at all this...
...but he'll quickly forget the internal problems of an insignificant planet.
I don't think so.
You think?
I don't think I'd ever forget having a gun held to my head.
Maybe that's because I'm not a coward.
So, let's not complicate the situation any further.
Then do something about it.
But... That's easy enough for you to say.
You see, we really don't want the Empire to get involved in all this.
But if we were to threaten you, would you stop the emigration?
I'm only the territorial deputy ambassador.
I have no authority.
Then you could recognize me as the new territorial representative.
I'm only the territorial deputy ambassador.
I have no authority.
Shit, are we in trouble here!
Who has the authority, then?
Her Highness the Ambassador, of course.
She's up in orbit right now.
In that case we threaten her. And we use him as a hostage.
But that's...
If you can't do it...
...then you're as much of a coward as he is.
How could I face my late mother, having joined forces with a wimp?
I'd kill you first.
Captain!
It's the new territorial representative.
Ignore it.
Now, Supply Officer Lin is trying to get through.
Put him on.
He's using his Clyuno.
Is that the territorial ambassador?
Who am I talking to?
I am the newly inaugurated Prime Minister of Lobnas...
...Dokufu.
Please accept my transmission.
This Clyuno is difficult to use, although it's a very handy size.
Captain, it's the new territorial representative.
Go ahead, then.
I want to hear your explanation.
By an explanation...
...you mean you want to know why I have...
...the territorial deputy ambassador's Clyuno?
Well...
...you see, to put it simply...
...we've taken him hostage.
Is he alive?
Well, of course.
As you can see.
Hi.
That's so much like you, Jinto.
These are our demands.
I refuse!
Will you at least listen to them?
After all, we have the deputy ambassador in our custody.
You must return him to us.
Immediately.
Well, that may be the best solution.
No!
Keep negotiating, Dokufu.
Are you not the leader?
I want to speak directly to whomever is in charge.
Well, technically, I'm the one in charge here.
At least I try my best to be.
I don't consider myself under your command!
Captain, we've analyzed the voiceprint.
It's Angusson, Representative of the Eastern Detention Sector.
The one who's been in touch with us once before.
We'll never return this coward to you.
Not as long as you take the women off this planet.
Jinto is not a coward!
He is a coward.
He was frightened at the sight of a corpse!
That's right.
I have to tell you what's going on.
Meideen has been murdered.
You must consult the list and appoint the next representative!
You shut up!
Why, you!
I'd like to go down to that planet right now...
...and teach that creep how the kin of the stars exact revenge...
...with my bare hands!
I'm not afraid of dying.
If we can't breed...
...then we might as well be dead.
So stop taking our women away!
Or we'll kill him.
You may be able to kill us...
...but you can't make him come back to life.
Kill you?
No way.
We're not so merciful.
What do you mean?
Well...
...perhaps I can enlighten you...
...Mr. Angusson...Mr. Dokufu.
We believe that the faithful execution of revenge...
...is one of the primary reasons that we, as Abh, exist.
If anyone is found guilty of murdering a fellow Abh...
...we believe it is important for them to learn...
...that there is a fate worse than death in this galaxy.
Mr. Angusson...
...you tell us you're not afraid to die.
But how do you see that death?
If you believe death at our hands will be merciful and humane...
...I'm afraid your expectations are sorely lacking.
I guarantee you will be given plenty of opportunity...
...to recognize just how wrong your expectations were.
Once you have learned how the Abh exact their revenge...
...you will beg us to kill you by any means, no matter how painful.
However...
...we won't give you that luxury.
We may not believe in religion...
...but we do believe in hell.
That's because in this galaxy hell does exist...
...and it is in the hands of the Abh.
The wrath of the ancient Emperor Dougnaa...
...along with the dark sciences...
...has created something truly detestable.
You will know it well.
Now, just wait a minute!
There's no purpose in revenge!
The hatred fuels more hatred, and it continues forever!
It may serve no purpose.
But our notoriety for vengeance has ensured our survival.
When I was younger, I traveled to strange lands...
...and encountered many dangerous situations.
I believe the reason I'm still alive...
...is that our reputation for revenge...
...has kept me safer than any armor.
I sincerely hope the same will be true in this situation, Dokufu.
For all of us.
No way!
I believe in God.
And before I get thrown into the hell he created...
...it'll be good practice for me to experience this fake hell of yours.
If you take the women, I'll kill him.
All right then.
But promise me that you won't run away and die...
...before we get to you.
I really don't agree with this, you know.
You're a coward, too, Dokufu!
That's too bad.
If you change your mind, let us know.
Please, wait!
I'm against this!
Please listen to me!
Jinto...
I am an Abriel.
And Abriels don't cry.
If I weren't an Abriel...
Captain!
Transmission from the Lweyses.
It's Line Wing Aviator Samson.
Put him through.
I'm sorry, Captain.
I should've gone with him.
It's not your fault.
He was the one who made the decision.
Yes, but...
It's all right. It's his fault for getting captured.
And mine for abandoning him there.
You intend to abandon him?!
I thought you would order us to...
...head right back to the planet in order to mount a rescue mission!
Come back to the ship.
You're not equipped for a ground battle.
But, Captain...
They don't want to wage a battle against the Star Forces.
I doubt that they would launch an attack against us!
Return to your normal duties.
Captain, please.
Allow me to fulfill my duty.
I won't take my men. I'll go on my own.
My guess is that they want to avoid getting into a fight.
They just need a catalyst.
I'm sure they know they've screwed up.
But people who fall usually don't like to admit it.
That's how it is, Captain.
My going there will give them a chance to admit their mistake...
...and return the kid.
Please let me chance it!
Be silent!
I don't want to hear another word about you going alone over my head.
I said you're not responsible.
Be silent...
Samson Bolge Tilsal Tiluse!
anatano me wa mirai no yokoku Your eyes foretell the future
manazashi wo kaesareruto When you returned my smile
munasawagi ga shita My heart skipped a beat
tooi nami mita youde Like I had seen a distant wave
ima wa futari kokoni irunoni Although we're both here together
hasanda kyori ga hateshinaku naru The space between us seems so distant
misetakunai namidatsu kokoro The tormented souls that we hide
kami wo hitotsu yusuri Shaking off my hair
nomikonda I love you I hold back my ''I love you''
Farewell, my love
kizuita toki wa When I realize it
It's time to go
wakare no toki It's time to part ways
We will forget about him.
Now we have a reason for keeping this coward as a hostage.
Hey!
Let go of the young master!
Explain what's going on.
But we Spoors can see through it all.
Can you, Your Highness?
That's the first time she's ever called me ''Your Highness.''
Next Episode... The Flag of Gasarus