Chapter 230: CGS (Part 2)
Once Tolle's identity was confirmed, Joncas Yanke immediately bowed respectfully. "Welcome, Chairman Tolle of the Spark Group, to CGS for your visit. Please wait a moment—I'll go inform our company president, Maruba Arkay, right away."
Before Tolle could even respond, Joncas had already bolted off. Still, that was fine—this would give Tolle an early chance to meet Maruba and discuss the acquisition of CGS.
Joncas rushed into the CGS office, panting heavily. "B–boss… we… someone's—someone big is here!"
Before he could finish, Maruba leisurely sipped his coffee and gave Joncas a disdainful look. "Why are you panicking? Who's here? It's quiet out there—no reason to get worked up. Sit down and talk slowly."
Joncas sat, took a sip of water to steady himself, and continued, "Boss, the God of Death from the Spark Group is here! We need to go greet him, now!"
Maruba spat his coffee all over Joncas's face. "You mean that Spark Group chairman—the one who kills space pirate leaders whenever he's in a bad mood?"
Now it was Joncas's turn to look annoyed as he wiped his face with his sleeve. "Yes, boss, that's exactly who I mean."
"Then what are we waiting for?! If we upset that man, we'll be losing our heads next!" Maruba jumped to his feet and hurriedly ran out the door.
Meanwhile, Cracker had already finished talking with Biscuit, Orga, and Mikazuki, arranging for them to come help out at the farm.
Since Tolle wasn't too familiar with them yet, he didn't force conversation, just made some light small talk.
As long as Akihiro showed up later, though, Masahiro could play his part and set things in motion.
Unfortunately, Akihiro showed no sign of joining them. Instead, Biscuit, Orga, and Mikazuki got into a truck and prepared to leave first.
If this doesn't work out, Tolle thought, I'll just play the emotional card after I've bought out CGS next time.
Just then, Maruba and Joncas arrived, quickly spotting Tolle. With a deep bow, Maruba said respectfully, "Welcome to the private security company CGS. I'm Maruba Arkay, the company's owner."
Tolle nodded politely. "Hello. I'm Tolle Koenig, chairman of the Spark Group." Then he pointed toward Biscuit, Orga, and Mikazuki. "I'd like to borrow a few of your men for a bit of work. You don't mind, do you?"
"Of course not! You could borrow as many as you like—it's our honor!" Maruba said eagerly, then pointed toward Akihiro. "But just three people? That seems too few. Look at that big guy, Akihiro—he's built like a tank. He must be great at physical labor. And those young ones next to him—they've got experience too. Why not take a few more?"
Tolle had been wondering how to get Akihiro involved, so Maruba's suggestion was perfectly timed. Pleased, he smiled. "Excellent idea. Let's take that muscular one, Akihiro, along with a few of those young workers."
Seeing Tolle's satisfied expression, Maruba was overjoyed—he felt he had just made a valuable connection. Smiling broadly, he turned to Orga. "Orga, make sure they all follow your command and do their best for the chairman. Understood?"
Though Orga disliked Maruba's fawning tone, he still answered loudly, "Yes, boss!"
After that, the group took another vehicle and departed for the farm, bringing Cracker along with them.
Tolle stayed behind to chat with Maruba, subtly steering the conversation toward CGS's business situation and the idea of a potential investment.
Maruba became even more ingratiating, seizing the opportunity to complain about how business had been bad lately—how profits were shrinking, expenses were high, and he had too many mouths to feed.
Tolle already knew CGS's business had been declining, mostly because his own Spark Interstellar Trade Security Group had taken over many of their contracts.
Of course, that wasn't Tolle's problem—he wasn't running a charity.
As they talked, Tolle discreetly implanted a sample of neo DG cells into Maruba's body. This would ensure that when Gjallarhorn eventually attacked the base, Maruba would still meet the same fate as in the original timeline—killed by a landmine during his escape.
And if the mine somehow failed to detonate, Tolle could simply make Maruba's own body explode instead.
That way, when Tolle officially acquired shares of CGS, he could take full control of Tekkadan without suspicion.
After some light discussion about the investment details, Tolle excused himself, saying that further negotiations would be handled by his subordinates, and left the CGS base.
He rode his motorcycle back to the farm, where Biscuit, Orga, Mikazuki, and Akihiro had just arrived.
Lynn Minmay and Cookie had gotten there earlier and were already helping out in the vegetable fields.
Tolle parked his motorcycle beside the large transport truck and called out deliberately, "Masahiro! I'm back—help me put the motorcycle away!"
The moment Akihiro heard that name, he froze and looked up sharply toward the transport truck.
When he saw Masahiro, he instantly recognized him—this was his younger brother.
"Masahiro?! Masahiro Altland?!" Akihiro shouted as he ran forward, grabbing Masahiro by the shoulders. "Masahiro! It's me! I'm your brother, Akihiro Altland!"
Masahiro stood stunned, his mind racing as childhood memories flooded back. Then tears welled up in his eyes, and he broke down crying.
"Brother Akihiro… is it really you?"
"Yes, it's me, Masahiro!"
The two brothers fell into each other's arms, both sobbing uncontrollably—reunited at last after so many years apart.
Tolle didn't interrupt them. Instead, he stepped aside and said to Orga with a smile, "I didn't expect the world to be so small. Who would've thought Akihiro and Masahiro would reunite like this?"
Orga nodded in agreement. "Yeah. I've never seen Akihiro cry like that before. He's always been the strong, silent type around us."
Tolle and Orga exchanged a glance, and Tolle extended his hand. "Nice to meet you. I'm Tolle Koenig, chairman of the Spark Group."
Orga gestured awkwardly at the dirt on his hands. "Ah, sorry—my hands are filthy. I'm Orga Itsuka, a Buy-Jue from CGS's Third Squad."
He then pointed to the side. "This is Mikazuki Augus, also a Buy-Jue from the Third Squad."
Tolle chuckled. "You boys really have it rough. Masahiro was the same before I rescued him from those space pirates—nothing but skin and bones back then. Hardly looked human at all. But now? He's turned into quite the muscle-bound man."