Falcon of Tekkadan

Chapter 38: Hunter of Angels

Barbatos is standing in front of the Mobile Armor while Orga and Kenji were watching above from the nearby cliff.

"Come on big brother, you're Tekkadan's best pilot. If you can't take that thing down, then we're all done for." Kenji thought.

They then noticed Barbatos' eyes go from green to red and charged at the Mobile Armor. The Mobile Armor fired its beam weapon at Barbatos, who blocked the attack. The deflected beams caused damage to the sides of the canyon near Orga and Kenji.

"Whoa! No wonder it was able to destroy the agricultural plant that easily." Kenji thought.

Barbatos managed to get out of the beam and continued to charge forward toward the Mobile Armor, blocking a strike from its tail while slipping right past it. A few walkers tried to attack but Barbatos managed to take them down easy.

Barbatos then jumped up.

"You're taking it on alone?" Orga said.

"Are you crazy?" Kenji added.

Barbatos landed onto the Mobile Armor and blocked a few tail strikes before being pushed to the canyon wall. The monster tried to strike with its tail again but Barbatos caught it.

"Mika!" Orga cried out.

"Still alive big brother?" Kenji asked.

"I'm fine." Mikazuki said.

Barbatos then circled around the Mobile Armor onto the canyon side and threw the longsword at the monster's head. The Mobile Armor fired its beam weapon again but Barbatos managed to dodge it. Barbatos then charged underneath the Mobile Armor and ripped off a piece of its leg, jumping up and using that piece as a one-time shield to block a tail strike. Barbatos then took out Phoenix's katana and proceeded to dodge and block multiple tail strikes faster than the eye can see.

"Oh my god, I can't keep up with their movements..." Kenji commented.

Barbatos tried to cut the metal part of the tail but the katana ended up breaking.

"I'm definitely going to need a new giant katana." Kenji said.

Barbatos then used its fists to attack, once it jumped on the Mobile Armor again it caught the tail and drove its right arm into one of the Mobile Armor's wings before getting thrown off again. The Mobile Armor jumped onto Barbatos, pinning its right arm.

"That was close, you jerk!" Mikazuki yelled.

Barbatos got out by allowing its right arm to be ripped off, got a few hits in, then flew over to Isurugi to get his sword.

"I'm borrowing this." Mikazuki said.

Barbatos then charged at the Mobile Armor and was able to fight with just one arm. It even made a successful swing on the head.

"Perfect. This is just right." Mikazuki said.

Barbatos then prepared for one last attack.

"I can finish it off with this." Mikazuki said.

Barbatos managed to plunge the sword into the Mobile Armor's head, finally defeating it. Everyone just stood there, speechless.

"Big brother... you truly deserve this Order of the Seven Stars that Iok mentioned." Kenji said.

Later at Tekkadan Headquarters, everyone was checking on the wounded and doing damage control. Orga, Pops, Kenji, and Yamagi were in the engine room with Barbatos. Mikazuki was still in the cockpit, connected to Barbatos.

"Why aren't you pulling Mika out?" Orga asked.

"We can't disconnect him from the system while he's unconscious. We don't know what'll happen if we force it off." Pops explained.

"Dang it." Orga said.

"So we just need to wake him up?" Kenji turned to Mikazuki. "Hey, big brother, wake up! Atra and Kudelia are both crying again!"

Orga gave Kenji a look. "Seriously Kenji?"

"Do you have any better ideas Orga?" Kenji asked.

Mikazuki slowly wakes up.

"Look at that, it worked!" Kenji said.

"Mika!" Orga said.

"You're back." Pops said.

"Are you okay?" Orga asked.

Mikazuki nods to confirm that he's okay.

"That was one crazy fight!" Kenji said.

Orga turns to Pops. "Do it."

"Right. Yamagi, disconnect him." Pops instructed.

"Yes." Yamagi types on his tablet. "Disconnecting the Alaya-Vijnana."

Mikazuki becomes disconnected and leans forward, Orga catches him.

"Mika! What's wrong? Does something hurt?" Orga asked.

"No... It's just... my legs won't move." Mikazuki said.

Everyone was shocked at this news.

"Mika..." Orga said.

"Oh no... someone get him to the medical room! Now!" Kenji cried out.

One month later at Saisei...

Orga and Kenji were called to a face-to-face meeting with McMurdo Barriston.

"Sorry about this. Calling you two over when you're busy cleaning up the aftermath. But, dealing with monsters from the Calamity War, huh? Seems like a position that comes with some pretty tough odd jobs. This "king of Mars" thing." McMurdo said.

"We wouldn't have needed to fight the Mobile Armor if Lord Dunce hadn't arrived and woke that thing up." Kenji said.

McMurdo laughs at the nickname. "Yes, I watched your news interview where you blamed Lord Kujan as the cause for all that destruction and gave him that nickname."

"He clearly doesn't have a brain..." Kenji muttered.

"So tell me. About what happened. The grand adventures of the king of Mars and his cohorts." McMurdo said.

Orga proceeded to tell McMurdo about how Mikazuki managed to defeat the Mobile Armor...

Once Orga finished his story, McMurdo took a smoke of his cigar. "So?"

Orga tried to explain. "After what happened, Gjallarhorn is now searching Mars for other Calamity War remnants..."

McMurdo interrupted Orga. "I don't care about that."

"I believe we demonstrated our strength. But I do realize that we weren't able to deal with it on our own. But as long as Lord Fareed has a high opinion of Tekkadan, we will continue to help him win. I believe that will benefit Teiwaz in the long term." Orga takes out an object wrapped in a white paper. "I brought this."

"What's that?" McMurdo asked.

Kenji eyes widened. "Is that what I think it is?"

"We, Tekkadan, will go on to fight a battle with unpredictable outcomes. If our existence shall ever become a burden to you, please break this and disown me from the family." Orga requested as he held out the object with both hands.

"It is your Sakazuki cup..." Kenji said.

McMurdo laughs. "I see you've become a perfectly well-groomed dog for Gjallarhorn, Orga."

Orga was somewhat offended. "I..."

"Grandpa McMurdo... is that a compliment or an insult?" Kenji asked.

"Think of it however you like Kenji. As for you Orga, I have no intention of reproving you. Teiwaz can't risk throwing away the earnings Mars brings in. But from here on out, it becomes a different story." McMurdo takes the cup from Orga. "I'll keep this for now. I've taken good care of you up till now. If you ever do anything to double-cross Teiwaz..." He takes the cup out of the wrapping. "This cup isn't the only thing that will be crushed. You understand?"

Orga bows. "Yes, sir."

McMurdo puts the cup away then places his hand on Kenji's shoulder. "Kenji, please understand something, even if Tekkadan double-crosses Teiwaz, Teiwaz will never abandon you. The Hayabusa clan has always been loyal to Teiwaz and we have not forgotten everything they had done for us. Turning our backs on the last living Hayabusa would mean not honoring the clan's work. So, if you find yourself in trouble, I will help you, but you may have to distance yourself from Tekkadan first."

Kenji was silent then bowed. "I understand, thank you, Grandpa McMurdo."

Later, on the Hammerhead, Orga and Kenji were both speaking to Naze.

"I heard you handed your Sakazuki cup over to Old Man. I bet he was pretty scary." Naze said.

"He warned me about what would happen if I betrayed him. Fortunately, Kenji will still be okay either way since he's the last Hayabusa." Orga said.

"Sorry for pulling the privileged family card, I did not mean to do that." Kenji said.

Orga chuckled. "It's fine."

"I'll be promoted to underboss at headquarters if all goes well." Naze said.

Orga was surprised. "Underboss?"

"Really Uncle Naze? What's the catch?" Kenji asked.

"He must be anticipating what's to come after you win. He wants to give me a high rank so I can keep a tight rein on you guys. Old Man only makes judgements based on results. Once you get started, you won't be allowed to quit." Naze explained.

"Grandpa McMurdo has always been like that." Kenji said.

"Yes, I'm prepared." Orga said.

"Okay. Glad to hear that. So when are you bringing Barbatos to Saisei? It's pretty beat up now, isn't it?" Naze asked.

"Yes." Orga said.

"The Gundam Frame is the least of our concerns right now..." Kenji added.

"How's Mikazuki?" Naze asked.

"Mika is..." Orga proceeds to tell Naze about what happened when they got Mikazuki out of Barbatos.

"So it's his legs this time, huh?" Naze asked.

"Actually, it was his whole right side." Orga corrected.

"The Alaya-Vijnana is really doing a number on him." Kenji said.

"Hey, can I ask you something? Is the king of Mars really a goal you're pursuing for your family?" Naze asked.

"That's what I believe. If that comes true, I can give them an easy living. They can have proper standings." Orga answered.

"I see." Naze said.

"Why do you ask?" Orga asked.

"Yeah Uncle Naze, what are you implying?" Kenji asked.

"It just seems like you're in too much of a hurry. There could be other ways for your family..." Naze said.

"Perhaps there are. But... We can't run away from fighting. The blood we've shed and will shed..." Orga said.

"Why are you so excited? It's just like you said, Orga. This might be the only way to do it. But you know what? The way I see you now... It's like you don't care where you're headed. You just want to arrive at your goal sooner and take it easy after that." Naze said.

"Bro..." Orga said.

"We have to make a name for ourselves, don't we?" Kenji said.

"I know that Kenji, I'm just worried if that name will be a good one..." Naze said.

Later, back at Tekkadan Headquarters, Shino was giving Ride his Ryusei-Go III since he will now be piloting Gundam Flauros and Ride proved himself from piloting it. Kenji took a look at the old Ryusei-Go III and was relieved that it was now yellow-gold instead of pink, but now he had to deal with looking at a pink Gundam Frame.

"The Ryusei-Go III is now officially yours. Work hard and make it look good." Shino said.

"Yes, sir!" Ride said.

"But geez, you painted it with such a drab color." Shino complained, looking at the now yellow-gold Mobile Suit.

"You think so? I think it looks a lot tougher than it did before." Ride said.

"I agree, Ride, it now looks less like a Mobile Suit for wusses and more like a Mobile Suit for badasses. You know, since yellow is way tougher than pink. Speaking of which Shino, you did Gundam Flaruos a huge disservice by making it pink." Kenji said.

"Screw you Kenji! It's magenta and it's a color for badasses!" Shino yelled.

"And could you stop calling it "Ryusei-Go III"? From now on, this guy is "Riden-Go"!" Ride declared.

"Riden?" Shino asked.

"Why not? Doesn't make much of a difference." Eugene added.

"Hey, come on. I heard that." Shino said.

"Yeah, and?" Eugene asked.

"Ryusei-Go is a lot cooler..." Shino defended.

"Welcome back Orga, Kenji." Mikazuki's voice called out.

They turned to see Mikazuki being carried around on Hush Middy's back.

"Hey Mika. How do you feel?" Orga asked.

"Like usual." Mikazuki said.

"Good." Orga said.

"I still don't understand why we can't give big brother a freaking motorized wheelchair controlled by his left hand. It will save Hush the trouble." Kenji complained.

"I'm glad you care about him Kenji, but how can anyone take him seriously as the Devil of Tekkadan if they see him moving around in a stupid wheelchair?" Orga pointed out.

"And having him being carried around by his subordinate is better?" Kenji asked.

"Put me down." Mikazuki ordered Hush.

"Yes." Hush said.

"Hey, Orga. When's Barbatos going to be fixed?" Mikazuki asked.

"I told you already. I'll take it to Saisei in three days. You're going too." Orga said.

"Was I?" Mikazuki asked.

"Mikazuki, I told you that just yesterday." Eugene said.

"Come on big brother, did the parts of your brain that retains memory get messed up by the Alaya-Vijnana system too?" Kenji asked.

"I hope not. Sorry about that, little brother." Mikazuki said.

Afterwards, in Kenji's room, he was in the middle of a call with Almiria, Cookie, Cracker, and Fuka. He had already brought them up to date on current events.

"Mikazuki still wants to pilot Barbatos after everything that has happened?" Cookie asked.

"If he keeps this up then he might become completely paralyzed." Cracker said.

"It's the only thing he can do to help Tekkadan now." Kenji said.

"Do you think Orga will forbid him from piloting Barbatos now, you know, for his sake?" Fuka asked.

"No, I don't think Orga has it in him to say that to big brother. He already made it clear that he will help Orga get all of us to the place we belong, no matter what it takes." Kenji said.

"I see..." Almiria said.

"So, how's everything at Gjallarhorn HQ, Almiria?" Kenji asked. "Did Mac give you the jacket like I asked?"

"Yes!" Almiria said happily. "Even though it's big for me now, I still love it. Thank you. As for what is going on here, everyone saw your news interview, especially how you blamed Lord Kujan for the destruction caused by the Mobile Armor. I even heard a few officers calling him "Lord Dunce" and it's really making Lord Kujan... upset."

"I even sent Lord Dunce a present." Kenji said. "Did he get it yet?"

"You mean the dunce cap? That was you?" Almiria paused. "Yes, he did, and he threw a very nasty tantrum that went on for about an hour…"

The other girls were trying their best not to laugh.

"Fuka, how's everything with you and your brother Takaki?" Almiria asked.

"Oh, right, Takaki had gotten a job as Mr. Makanai's assistant." Fuka said.

"Really?" Cookie asked.

"He's working for the Prime Minister of Arbrau?" Cracker asked.

Kenji laughed. "He already showed that he has leadership, maybe Makanai can teach him a few things."

Fuka said nothing as she just smiled.

"So where will Tekkadan go from here?" Almiria asked.

"Almiria, you know I can't discuss Tekkadan's plans with anyone on the outside. Just know that it may lead to something big for everyone." Kenji said.

"Does that mean... you and I might be able to stand together side by side at the very end…?" Almiria asked.

"I hope so…" Kenji said.

Cookie, Cracker, and Fuka then spoke at the same time. "Smooch smooch!" The three girls were laughing as both Kenji and Almiria blushed in embarrassment.