Chapter Text
Harlock and Zero walked into the lobby, their steps echoing across the marble floors.
- Warrius… didn’t think you’d treat me to something like this.
- I was hoping you’d say no.
- Sorry to disappoint. But under these conditions… there was no way I’d refuse, wouldn’t you agree?
Zero clicked his tongue and quickened his pace toward to the check-in counter. The clerk greeted them with a polite smile.
- Good evening, sir. Do you have a reservation?
- Yes, for me and my… husband.
This weekend was going to be hell.
It was an infiltration mission. Nothing too complicated. Still, not the kind of assignment Warrius Zero expected to receive as captain of a warship. Command had contacted him directly on a private line a few days earlier.
- Why me? I’m not a spy. Doesn’t the Federation have… undercover agents for this sort of thing?
- We understand your concern, Captain Zero. However, for this plan to succeed, we need to… involve Captain Harlock. He possesses the access codes required to open the briefcase. It is the simplest and fastest solution.
Zero didn’t like where this was going. Nothing was ever simple when it involved Harlock. He had narrowed his eyes.
- I fail to see what that has to do with me.
He could hear the smile in the voice on the other end.
- Captain Zero, your… affiliation with Harlock is not unknown to us. You have a history. You understand him. We cannot officially request his cooperation. Do what you must to obtain it.
Zero had hung up with a sigh. Infiltrating a luxurious resort? He had handled worse jobs than that. But there was a catch: the establishment was…
A couple’s retreat.
So here they were, in an exotic hotel room on a remote island, unpacking swimsuits and spy microphones, preparing to pose as a couple in difficulty to get close to their target. Zero nervously eyed the only double bed in the room. Harlock caught it and grinned.
- Don’t be a prude, Zero. It’s not like it’s our first time sharing a bed…
Zero winced. He would have preferred that statement not be so true. He turned away, choosing to ignore the heat creeping up his neck.
- We’re here for a mission, Harlock. Try to remember that and focus. We only have a limited window of opportunity.
Harlock hummed, entirely unconcerned.
- Remind me again why I’m here?
Warrius pinched the bridge of his nose.
- All you need to know is that important documents are being carried by a very dangerous – and highly inaccessible – man. They’re secured in a briefcase that never leaves his side. We intercepted a communication from his wife, who insisted on bringing him here for… couple’s therapy.
Harlock’s smirk widened. Zero continued, shooting him a look.
- As for your role in all this, I don’t know how or why, and I don’t want to know, but apparently, you have the codes to open that briefcase.
- He brought the suitcase to couple’s therapy island? I’m starting to understand his wife… And what are these documents?
- I don’t want to know! Important enough for the government and you to be willing to cooperate to get them. The less I know the better.
- So if this goes south, you can all blame it on me.
Zero turned on him at once, pointing a finger straight at his chest.
- If this goes south, it will be all because of you! You’re a liability, and I would never have involved you in an official mission!
- But you’re the one who invited me!
- Are you even listening to me?!
Harlock crossed his arms, thoroughly amused.
- You know, I think we’ll make this whole “couple-in-need-of-therapy” cover very convincing.
Zero narrowed his eyes. Harlock continued, with a glint in his eyes.
- How about some recon? Let’s start with the restaurant. I’m starving!