Gatchaman Episode 101 – The Sniper Group Heavy Cobra



In the heart of a large city, at the bottom of massive skyscrapers, is an alley. Two familiar men are there.





“You’re acting real weird, Joe.” Ken says. “What the heck happened to you? Just put it to me straight. If it’s something I can help you with…”



“It’s none of your damn business, Ken.” Joe snaps.



“What the hell, Joe?” Ken asks, not sounding the least offended. I guess he knows Joe!

“I know myself better than anyone else, so stop poking your beak in places it doesn’t belong, all right?” Joe says, walking away.



“You’re the Science Ninja Team’s best marksman.” Ken reminds him. “But you missed with a Super Bird Missile, and you’ve screwed up the Tornado Fighter twice already!” Um, Ken, is it really a good idea to be talking about these things in a public place?

“Come on, man! You owe me an explanation!” Ken says, grabbing Joe by the shoulders.



Yeah, I know, it’s a yaoi pose…

“Get off of me!” Joe’s response is predictable. I guess he’s not into yaoi.



Ken stumbles and falls back against a fence.

“Okay then, if this is what it’s going to take, so be it.” Ken says to himself.



He stands up, brushing off his pants.

“Let me tell you something, pal,” Joe sneers, “I’ve always hated pushy people.”

So Ken decks him.



Joe goes tumbling into some oil drums, but gets up again… a strange look in his eye.



Suddenly, the two are charging at each other!



Ken punches at Joe, but Joe blocks him. Then Joe chops Ken on the neck.



Ken stumbles back and crashes into the fence again. Joe goes to grab him, but Ken uses his feet.



Next thing you know, they’re brawling on the ground like a pair of hooligans,



Think this scene is what first inspired Capcom to do its Street Fighter series?

Joe throws Ken, but Ken lands… just as a truck approaches fro behind



Joe doesn’t care about the oncoming vehicle.



Ken grabs Joe’s foot and swings him out of the way of the truck.



But just because he saved Joe doesn’t mean he’s giving up his advantage.



Joe kicks Ken off, but Ken comes at him again. Joe throws him.



Joe’s ready to throw another punch…



But suddenly his bracelet starts beeping.

“Cool out, man, we’re getting a message!” Joe says.



Ken checks his bracelet.



“This is Nambu, come in!”

“This is G1. Gatchaman. Ken the Eagle. Over.” So… I’m guessing that Ken wants anyone listening to be absolutely, 100%, sure of his identity…



“This is G2, go ahead.” Joe adds.

“We are in a state of emergency.” Nambu says. “Members of the Science Ninja Team, assemble here immediately!” Of course, Nambu doesn’t say where ‘here’ is. I’m guessing it’s his villa? Or ISO Headquarters?

“Roger that.”

“Roger.”

Ken gets up and stares at Joe.



Joe stares back.



“As the leader of the Science Ninja Team, and also as a friend, Ken was very concerned about Joe.” the narrator explains. “For his part, Joe understood Ken’s feelings, but his pride as a man would not permit him to reveal the secret of his illness to Ken and be forced to retire from the front lines.”





Both men run off to answer the call.

“What in the world happened to you two?” Nambu asks in surprise when they assemble. Jun looks like she can’t figure it out either.



“Thos are nasty bruises.” she notes.

“Were you attacked by Galactor on your way over?” Jinpei asks.

“Don’t worry about it, Jinpei.” Ken replies.

“Don’t sweat it.” Joe adds. “Ken and I were just having a little mano-a-mano, that’s all.”

Jinpei and Ryu find this very amusing… perhaps they’re seeing the yaoi implications of that statement?



“Pipe down!” Nambu says sternly, and they do.

“There’s a reason I’ve called you all here.” Nambu explains. “At the ISO Headquarters, we regularly receive research data from scientists and engineers around the world, through a secret communication line. Incredibly, we have just now become aware that someone is intercepting our transmissions.”

Ken and Jun can’t believe it!



“Galactor, of course!” Jinpei cries.



“No doubt about it, small fry.” Ryu agrees. “Those guys attack us way more than anyone else I can think of.”



Funny, I can’t think of anyone else who attacks, other than Galactor.

“It seems unlikely though, Doctor.” Jun says. “The ISO’s top secret communiqué transmission line shouldn’t be tapped into so easily, should it?”



“It utilizes a special frequency known only to those on the inside, so it should be impossible.” Nambu replies, yet he sounds doubtful.

“But Doctor, wouldn’t it be easy to pinpoint them, using a trace?” Ken asks.



“Of course we’ve tried that already.” Nambu admits. “But we ran into a jamming signal that prevented us from tracing it.”

“Yeah, typical Galactor tactics.” Joe sneers.



“Those guys sure do play dirty.” Ryu agrees.

“I think we either have a den of spies right next door to Headquarters, or their wiretapping device is set up nearby.” Nambu reveals.

“Wait a minute!” Jun gets an idea. “Maybe we can try to capture those jamming signals by using our bracelets!”



“It’s worth a try.” Nambu agrees. “Maybe the five of you can track down their source covertly.”

“Enough! Let’s go already!” Joe snaps.



“Joe’s sure hot to trot!” Jinpei notes, as Joe goes to leave the room on his own.

“Wait up, Joe.” Ken calls.



“If we act as a group, they’re more likely to locate us first.” Ken points out. “Jun and I will take care of this mission, all right?”



“Well that’s just great, Ken!” Joe snarls. “Now you’re going to start holding grudges, is that it?”



“Come on, Joe, don’t be ridiculous” Ken retorts. “I’m doing this for you!”



“Gentlemen!” Nambu interrupts. “It’s as Ken says. Joe, Jinpei and Ryu, stand by and await further orders from him!”

Joe emits a noise of disgust.

“Listen, Ken,” Nambu returns to the briefing. “All of this data is highly classified, and we can’t allow it to fall into Galactor’s hands. I want you to find the culprits no matter what!”

“I’m picking up what you’re putting down, Doc.” Ken replies, using just a little too much ADV 70s slang. “Come on, Jun, let’s move out!”



“Roger!” Jun replies. Joe doesn’t look very happy as they run out of the room.