Chapter 243: Tekkadan 1
Kudelia sat quietly in the CGS base's rest lounge, gazing out the window at the orphaned child soldiers clearing the battlefield and gathering the bodies of their fallen comrades. Her heart was filled with torment and guilt.
She murmured to herself, "Because of one simple decision I made… so many of them lost their lives."
At that moment, Fumitan approached her and asked softly, "Milady, are you all right?"
"Fumitan! Where did you go? I was so worried about you…" Kudelia rushed over to her, seeking comfort—but when she noticed the bandages on Fumitan's arm, she immediately grew anxious. "You're hurt! Does it still hurt? Come, sit down and rest for a bit."
Fumitan shook her head. "I'm fine, milady—it's only a scratch. Please don't worry.
But… I must apologize. I was given strict orders: in an emergency, I'm to report directly to Lord Norman."
The mention of her father's name made Kudelia's expression fall. "What did Father say?" she asked quietly.
"The lord is extremely concerned for your safety," Fumitan replied. "He wants us to return home at once."
The word home made Kudelia's heart tighten. She recalled the Gjallarhorn attack on the base—she might have been naïve, but she wasn't stupid. Turning her head away, she replied uneasily,
"No… not yet. My trip to Earth this time was supposed to be conducted in total secrecy.
But Gjallarhorn attacked the CGS base—there's no doubt they were targeting me.
And Father, who's always opposed my involvement with the Mars Independence Movement… how could it just so happen that this time…
I don't want to believe it, but…"
Fumitan frowned slightly, concern flickering in her eyes. "Milady, please don't overthink it. It can't be like that. The lord—"
Kudelia cut her off. "I know what you want to say. But unless I uncover the truth behind this, I can't face my father again."
Fumitan closed her eyes briefly, resigning herself to Kudelia's resolve. "Understood. If that's how you feel, then we won't go back. But, milady… there's no reason for you to stay here either, is there?"
"That's because—"
Before Kudelia could finish, Mikazuki entered the lounge, picking up a supply crate as he said flatly, "You're still here?"
"Mikazuki… um…" Kudelia hesitated, then bowed slightly. "Thank you for protecting me earlier."
"No need," he replied curtly, lifting the crate and turning to leave.
"But… so many people died because of me…"
"Don't flatter yourself," Mikazuki interrupted coldly. "Do you really think all those people died for you? Don't look down on my comrades."
His words struck her like a slap. Kudelia fell silent, her heart sinking into confusion and self-doubt. She wandered aimlessly through the CGS base, replaying his words in her mind, feeling as if everything she'd done had been ridiculed and rejected.
Then, from somewhere nearby, she heard children's laughter.
She followed the sound and found Cookie and Cracker. Cracker was holding a tomato and giggling uncontrollably. "Hahaha! Look at this—this tomato looks just like a butt!"
Cookie scolded her seriously, "Honestly, that's food! What's so funny about it?"
Atra, tidying supplies nearby, said gently, "Hey, don't play with food."
"Sorry, we—"
Before she could finish, Cracker suddenly exclaimed in surprise, "Ah! Who's that?"
Cookie turned to Atra and asked, puzzled, "Atra, is she your friend?"
"No," Atra shook her head, equally unsure. Then she addressed the newcomer politely, "Um… may I ask who you are?"
"Oh, I'm sorry," Kudelia said quickly, bowing. "Hello. My name is Kudelia Aina Bernstein. I heard voices and… just wandered over."
"Kudelia…" Atra suddenly realized who she was. Her eyes widened. "Wait—you're that Kudelia? The one who's always on TV?"
Cracker gasped excitedly. "Whoa, you're famous! Can I get your autograph?"
Cookie immediately joined in. "Me too! Me too!"
Seeing the adorable twin girls' antics, Kudelia couldn't help but smile for the first time in a long while.
Meanwhile, in another part of the base, Orga and his group were being harshly scolded by the First Unit, led by Akihiro's older comrades.
After all, Orga had set them up to take the blame, so they retaliated by beating him badly.
But with the situation deteriorating fast, the First Unit didn't linger—they were more focused on gathering whatever valuables they could before fleeing the base.
Once they left, Biscuit and the others rushed to Orga's side to check on his injuries.
Norba fumed, "Damn it, I won't forgive those bastards."
Spitting blood, Orga replied calmly, "Yeah… I won't forgive them either. Maybe now's the perfect time."
After catching his breath, Orga stood, walked toward a safe corner of the base, and turned back to the others. "Let's take over this company."
Eugene's eyes widened. "Take over CGS? What about the Chryse Group?"
"Eugene, you were the one who said we should seize control, remember?
Besides, I've already spoken to their chairman. As long as we keep their shares intact, they won't interfere—same deal as CGS used to be."
"I see… I did say that," Eugene admitted reluctantly. "But are we really doing this, now of all times? We've lost so many from the Third Unit…"
"Maruba was scum, sure—but those First Unit guys were even worse.
They used our lives as bait, as a distraction so they could escape.
And with their brains, even if they stayed, they'd never land stable jobs again.
That means any work we'd get under them would just get more and more dangerous—until we're all dead."
Biscuit nodded grimly. "At this point, even if we leave CGS, we won't find work elsewhere."
Eugene sighed, closing his eyes. "So you're saying… we've got no choice."
Orga turned toward Akihiro and asked, "What about you, Akihiro? What do you think?"