Ep 9. Trader's Fork, Part 1

In Galaxy Express 999 season 1 episode 9, titled "Trader's Fork, Part 1," the story follows Tetsuro, a young boy who dreams of getting a mechanical body so he can live forever, and his companion Maetel, a mysterious woman who accompanies him on his journey.

In this episode, the pair arrive at a planet called the "Trader's Fork," which is known for its bustling market where buyers and sellers from all over the galaxy come to trade goods and services. Tetsuro and Maetel are on the lookout for a rare and expensive drug called "Superman," which can help them achieve their goals.

As they explore the market, they come across a strange man named Goron, who offers to sell them some Superman. Goron seems friendly at first, but Tetsuro quickly realizes that something seems off about him. Maetel reminds Tetsuro to be careful and not to trust anyone too quickly.

Their suspicions are confirmed when they meet a group of travelers who warn them about Goron. They reveal that Goron is a notorious criminal who often tricks people into buying illegal and dangerous substances. The group tells Tetsuro and Maetel to stay away from him and warns that they won’t be able to help if Goron tricks them.

Despite the warning, Tetsuro decides to continue trying to buy Superman from Goron. He believes that the drug is essential for him to achieve his dream of eternal life. Goron seems to take a liking to Tetsuro and offers to sell him the drug at a lower price than anyone else.

Tetsuro and Maetel are excited to finally get their hands on Superman, but soon realize that something is wrong. The drug has some harmful side effects that they were not aware of. Tetsuro starts to feel sick, and Maetel realizes that they’ve been scammed by Goron.

The episode ends with Tetsuro collapsing and Maetel desperately trying to save him. As they lay on the ground, Tetsuro wonders if he made a mistake chasing after eternal life and if it was worth risking his health and safety for it. Maetel comforts him and reminds him that there’s more to life than just living forever.

Overall, "Trader's Fork, Part 1" is an exciting and suspenseful episode that explores the dangers of greed and the importance of being cautious when dealing with strangers. The episode also touches on the theme of mortality and the lengths people will go to in order to extend their lives. It sets up the stage for an exciting conclusion in Part 2.