Chapter 244: Tekkadan 2
"We're all just bought men. Whether I stay here or not isn't my choice. Whoever's in charge, we follow orders — doesn't matter if it's those guys… or you."
After quietly expressing his stance, Akihiro turned and walked away, cold and solitary as always.
Hearing no objection from Akihiro, Orga's lips curved into a confident, almost wicked smile. "Since that's settled, let's hold a strategy meeting right away."
Seeing that not everyone was present, Eugene frowned. "Wait, we're missing someone. Shouldn't we call Mikazuki over too?"
Orga scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Ah— right. You didn't remind me, and I almost forgot about him."
Biscuit shot him a weary look. "How could you possibly forget him…?"
"If Mikazuki's against this," Orga continued, "then I'm sorry to you guys, but we'll cancel the operation."
As everyone exchanged uneasy glances, Orga's expression grew confident again. "But that won't happen. If I'm serious about this, then Mikazuki will definitely agree — he always does."
Once the discussion ended, Orga went to find Mikazuki, who was near Barbatos, preparing to recover the mobile suit.
"Mikazuki."
"Hey, Orga." Mikazuki looked at him — calm, steady, and teasing. "You've turned into quite the handsome guy lately."
"Not really." Orga chuckled, then added more softly, "Aren't you going to say goodbye to the ones who died?"
"Nah, no need. Orga, didn't you once say it yourself? That when we die, we can meet all the ones who've gone before us anytime.
So right now, we should be putting everything we have into making sure the ones who are still alive… don't die too."
Orga blinked — he didn't even remember saying that. "So I said something like that, huh?" He smiled awkwardly, then continued, "Anyway, Mikazuki, I need you to do something for me."
He handed Mikazuki a handgun. "Something only you can do…"
Without hesitation, Mikazuki took the gun.
"I haven't even told you what it is yet," Orga sighed, exasperated.
"I'll still listen," Mikazuki said simply, then added with a faint grin, "But it won't change anything. If you've decided to do something, Orga, then I'll do it too."
Orga murmured under his breath, "You're always like this…"
"What?"
"Nothing. Thanks."
Together, they transported Barbatos back to the CGS base, where Nadi began the refueling and maintenance work.
That evening, in the cafeteria, Biscuit handed a large pot of freshly cooked dinner to Kudelia and the twin girls, Cookie and Cracker. Still worried, he reminded them, "Alright, take this to everyone — and be careful, okay?"
"Got it! We'll be fine!" the twins chimed in unison, then pouted. "You worry too much, big brother. Nothing's going to happen."
Biscuit smiled faintly and turned to Atra, who had just sat down to rest. "Thanks, Atra. Everyone's really happy. A warm meal beats cold rations any day."
He glanced over at Kudelia, who was helping serve food, surprised. "Still… I didn't expect Kudelia to be helping you guys."
Atra nodded. "Yeah, Miss Kudelia insisted on helping as soon as she heard we were cooking."
As she recalled the twins showing Kudelia how to chop vegetables, a small, warm smile appeared on Atra's face.
Not long after, Eugene and Norba came into the cafeteria, exchanged a quick glance with Biscuit, and the three of them carried the dinners — laced with sleeping drugs — to the First Unit's quarters.
Once the First Unit members were completely unconscious, they tied them up.
When they began to wake, Orga stood before them. "How was the food? Tasted alright, didn't it?"
"Huh? Drugged?!" Haeda shouted furiously. "You little brats — what the hell are you pulling?!"
"Oh, nothing big," Orga said coolly. "We just want to figure out one thing — who's really the boss here."
Lying on the ground, tied up, Haeda glared at him in disbelief. "Ha! Do you even know who you're dealing with, you damn kids?!"
"Of course," Orga replied calmly, leaning closer. "You're the incompetent fool whose reckless orders got our people killed."
"Don't mess with me!" Haeda spat, literally — but Orga dodged easily and kicked him hard in return.
Writhing on the floor, Haeda finally tried to switch tactics. "Alright, alright — stop. I get it, I get it. Just untie me, and I'll let you live."
Orga stared at him, dumbfounded. "Hah? You seriously don't get what's happening, do you?
Because of you, people who didn't have to die are dead. You'll take responsibility for that — properly."
The moment he finished, Mikazuki stepped forward, raised the gun, and without hesitation, pulled the trigger twice — two shots to the head.
Blood spread across the floor, and the rest of the First Unit froze in terror.
Orga raised his voice over their trembling. "From now on, this private security company — CGS — belongs to us.
So, what's it gonna be? You can stay and work under us 'space rats'… or you can leave."
Shinoi, one of Haeda's lackeys — who'd often bullied the unregistered child soldiers — realized that either choice meant trouble for him. In his panic, he charged forward.
Mikazuki didn't flinch. Two more shots. Shinoi dropped dead.
Seizing the moment, Orga spoke sharply, "If you can't decide, then you'll end up just like them — right here, right now."
One of the First Unit members, Dexter Culastor, stammered nervously, "Uh… then, I'll choose to leave."