Falcon of Tekkadan

Chapter 33: Sovereign of Mars

A month had passed since the end of the war on Earth. The SAU and the Arbrau Defense Force agreed to a peace settlement, but Tekkadan will have to withdraw from Earth. Thus, bringing an end to the Earth Branch, Orga himself came to Earth to finalize the paperwork. Mr. Makanai and Chad had both managed to wake up from their comas, while Mr. Makanai still needs to rest, Chad is already back at work helping close up the Earth Branch. Takaki was a bit out of it for a few days and who can blame him, the person he trusted lied to him and he was following the orders of a complete stranger who wanted to keep the war going.

Right now, Kenji and the gang had just listened to what Orga had to say. Apparently, McGillis had visited the headquarters a day ago, how this happened without Kenji knowing was beyond him, and McGillis told Orga that he will eventually face off against Rustal Elion and he wants to ensure that he receives Tekkadan's help. Once McGillis gains control of Gjallarhorn he will transfer all the powers of its Mars Branch to Tekkadan, making Tekkadan into the King of Mars. Everyone was taking in this news.

"The king of Mars? What do you mean?" Eugene asked.

"That means somebody important, right?" Chad asked.

"We would be the ones in charge, the ones running Mars." Kenji said.

"Transferring the powers of Gjallarhorn's Mars Branch..." Kudelia said.

"Hold on, my brain can't keep up." Eugene said.

"What do you want to do, Orga?" Mikazuki asked.

"I want to accept the offer." Orga said.

Kudelia was surprised. "Boss!"

"Considering what you said about Mars' independence, I say it's a great offer." Orga said.

Kudelia wanted to say something. "Yet..."

Merribit then spoke up. "Wait, then what will happen with us and Teiwaz?"

"Oh, right, Teiwaz..." Kenji said.

"Would there be a problem?" Orga asked.

"Yes, a big problem! If Tekkadan grows too big, it could become more influential externally." Merribit explained.

"She's right. An upstart company growing too big in a short time would make some of the bigwigs in Teiwaz nervous, perhaps even paranoid." Kenji said.

"Of course, I'll talk to Naze about it first. I'll think about what to do after. But for now, I only have one thing on my mind. We've been looked down on, kicked around, and taken advantage of. And we can become a king." Orga reaches his hand above him and closes his fist. "Both status and honor can be ours. Wouldn't that be the greatest finish to all of us?" He sits back down. "What do you guys think?"

"I'm fine if you are." Mikazuki said.

Kudelia didn't like that answer. "Mikazuki."

"I really don't get all this, but as Deputy Boss, I'll go with whatever the Boss says." Eugene said.

"Me too." Chad said.

Akihiro nodded.

"The challenge we will face is tough, but it's the only way we can earn this title. When we do earn it, everyone will remember the name of Tekkadan." Kenji said.

Merribit was concerned. "You guys..."

"I can't go with you." Takaki suddenly said.

This got everyone's attention.

"What do you mean?" Eugene asked.

"I'm... going to quit Tekkadan." Takaki announced.

"Oh no, is this about Aston...?" Kenji thought.

"Do you mean you're not into this offer?" Orga asked.

"I don't understand what it means to be the king of Mars. But that means more people are going to die, right?" Takaki asked.

Eugene tried to reason with Takaki. "Well yeah, but..."

"I understand that the Boss is doing all this for our future. But I don't want to make Fuka cry. If we become king of Mars, a huge happiness might await us. But that'll make us throw away the happiness we have before us. I can't do that." Takaki explained.

"Takaki..." Akihiro said.

"I understand." Orga said.

"But Boss..." Chad said.

Orga continued. "I have no right to stop you. Thanks for all you've done for Tekkadan. Takaki."

"Boss..." Takaki bowed. "Thank you for everything."

"You realize you're going to be the person to break the news to Fuka, right?" Kenji asked.

"Yes, don't worry, I'm sure she'll take the news well." Takaki said.

Kenji walked over to Takaki and held out his hand. "Good luck with wherever you end up, Takaki Uno."

Takaki nodded and shook Kenji's hand. "Thanks Kenji, I'm going to need it."

And so Takaki Uno quit Tekkadan to remain on Earth with his little sister Fuka. This left the role of youth leader empty, naturally, Kenji was asked to take it, but he refused, saying that Ride would be more eager for the role. Once Tekkadan finished packing up, the Earth Branch Headquarters location was sold off and Tekkadan started their journey back to Mars on the Hotarubi.

Later that night, Fuka, Almiria, Cookie, and Cracker were talking on their group QCCS call. Fuka just finished explaining the news her brother gave her.

"So, your brother quit Tekkadan?" Almiria asked.

"Yes, it seems Aston's death really hurt Brother." Fuka said.

"We're sorry to hear that Fuka." Cookie said.

"It's okay, in fact, I'm actually kind of glad he quit, I don't have to worry about him getting killed anymore." Fuka said.

"But what is he going to do for work, how's he going to provide for you now?" Cracker asked.

"I don't know, I think Takaki said something about Orga arranging for him to get a new job, but I don't know all the details. I just hope he gets a new job and soon." Fuka said.

"Now that the Earth Branch was shut down. Tekkadan is on their way back to Mars." Almiria said. "It'll be more difficult now for Kenji to come by and visit."

"Don't worry Almiria, I'm sure Kenji will figure something out." Fuka said.

"That's right!" Cookie and Cracker said.

"Thanks girls." Almiria said with a smile.

"You better practice giving lots of kisses for when you see him again, okay?" Cracker teased. The other two girls giggled.

Almiria sighed. "Cracker…" Her face became red with embarrassment.