Galaxy Express 999 Chapter 001

## *出発のバラード*

***Departure Ballad*** (*Tabidachi no Ballad*) is the debut chapter of the manga series *Galaxy Express 999* and is the first chapter in the Andromeda edition. The chapter was originally in three separate parts, spanning three weeks, but collected as one whole in the tankōbon release.

## Summary

Out in the depths of space, the Galaxy Express 776 is on its way to Megalopolis Station..

A young boy and his mother, walking through a brisk cold, see this train. The boy dreams of going to Megalopolis. His mother tells him with a mechanical body, he will never have to worry about the cold.

Suddenly, the boy's mother is struck down, and she tells young Tetsuro to somehow get on that train and get to the station with her dying breath. Out in the distance, two men on horseback, one with a mechanical face, collect the remains of the body.

Tetsuro wakes up, and is greeted by a woman who looks mysteriously similar to his mother. She introduces herself as Maetel, and presents Tetsuro exactly what he wants: a pass to ride on the Galaxy Express 999! However, Tetsuro still has revenge on his mind, and sets out to find where the man who killed is mother resides.

Tetsuro storms into the machine known as Count Mecha's house, and ambushes him and his lackies. Beaten, Mecha pleads for Tetsuro not to damage his brain, as it will lead to an instant death. As he sees his mother's body used a trophy on the wall, Tetsuro pierces Mecha's brain with his gun, as he promises his mother he will receive a mechanical body. He burns the mansion to the ground.

Maetel is waiting right outside, and the newly formed duo travel to a hotel just outside the station. As they enter, a smoke bomb is thrown inside! Tetsuro's pass is gone! Maetel is able to find another one, this time with no name on it. The two return to the hotel, where Maetel is heard speaking to a mysterious voice about the boy she has met..Tetsuro questions her, but Maetel assures him that he was just hearing things.

The two arrive at the station, and board the 999! The first person Tetsuro encounters is a woman who is sleeping, who eerily speaks of arriving on Andromeda..Suddenly, the woman reveals a gun, and says she has changed her mind, and doesn't want to go! Maetel tells her that once you are, you cannot leave. The woman fires her gun, and is promptly escorted off by the conductor, and thrown off the train. Curious as he may be, the excitement still overwhelms Tetsuro.

The first stop is Mars..

## Characters

* **Tetsuro Hoshino** (debut)
* **Maetel** (debut)
* **Conductor** (debut)
* **Kanae Hoshino** (debut)
* **Count Mecha** (debut)

## Collected Availability

* Hit Comics Volume 01: "Titan's Sleeping Warrior" (15 August 1977)
* Gentei Volume 1 (24 December 1978)
* Sousho Volume 01: "Formless Planet" (10 December 1988)
* Bunko Volume 01 (05 April 1995)
* Big Comic Gold Volume 01: "Departure Ballad" (01 June 1997)
* My First Big Volume 01 "Setting Off" (26 July 2002)
* My First Wide Volume 01: "The Song Of El Alamein" (01 August 2009)

## Mechanisms

Laser Gun

Weapon given to Tetsuro by Maetel as his only requirement to accompanying her onto the 999. He uses it to kill Count Mecha and his peons. He uses it until going to Titan, where he receives the Cosmo Dragoon. It isn't known what happens afterward to the Laser Gun, though it was likely discarded.

Sled

A sled used by Maetel to rescue Tetsuro from Count Mecha's burning mansion. In the anime, there is a visible Megalopolis Police threat that is chasing Tetsuro, while in the manga there is no police seen. The sled is moved by mechanical horses, similar the ones Count Mecha's crew use. Maetel uses the whip that she tradionally carries on the horses.

Taxi

The most popular means of transportation on Megalopolis, Tetsuro and Maetel use this on their way to boarding the Galaxy Express 999.