Falcon of Tekkadan

Chapter 47: Scapegoat

Tekkadan had finally returned to Mars, but things weren't looking so good. McGillis was stripped of his position in Gjallarhorn and his past as an orphan with no relation to Iznario Fareed had been revealed, meaning his position on Earth is as good as gone. So, everyone had to shuttle down to Mars secretly, luckily the Mars branch of Gjallarhorn was willing to turn a blind eye, so it won't be much of a problem.

Kenji was with Orga and McGillis on the bridge of the Isaribi, discussing their next move.

"We certainly can't be optimistic about all this. But to you, Mars is your home ground." McGillis said.

"How could we listen to your orders now?" Orga asked.

"Orders? I thought we teamed up as equals." McGillis said.

"In that case, we aren't equal anymore. With your money and resources, we had a chance of winning. That's why we risked our lives. But if you're counting on just us now, I'll have you obey us." Orga said.

"That won't be a problem now, right?" Kenji asked.

"Yes, that's fine. I like the way you do things, too. You believe in nothing but your strength and fight the enemy recklessly." McGillis said.

"We never had any enemies to begin with." Orga said.

"Do you not hate those who killed your friends?" McGillis asked.

"Of course I do. I want to kill each one in the worst way possible. But they became our enemies because of the circumstances." Orga said.

"Whether you sought them out or not, enemies will be enemies. We have nowhere to run to now. Only by fighting can we make our way into the future." McGillis said.

"I'm starting to wonder who our real enemy is." Orga said.

"God, I hate you so much Mac, if Almiria hadn't asked me to bring you back to her alive, I'd use my katana to cut off all your limbs before setting you on fire." Kenji said.

Orga put his hand on Kenji's shoulder. "Kenji, cool it."

McGillis simply laughed. "You have a very creative imagination…"

Once everyone managed to get back to Tekkadan HQ they started to figure out where Tekkadan stands. Kenji was practicing his sword-fighting skills, easily cutting down all the training dummies before him. Lafter was approaching him.

"Hey Kenji, have you seen where Akihiro went?" Lafter asked.

"He had to go to a meeting with Orga and Eugene to discuss our next move, Mac is really putting everyone at wit's end." Kenji said.

"Yeah, I heard McGillis had to go somewhere..." Lafter said.

"Seriously? Well, he'll come back, it's not like he's just going to abandon Bael." Kenji said.

"You must really hate him right now, huh?" Lafter asked.

"Of course. But I promised Almiria to bring him back to her alive. He's lucky my love for her is stronger than my hatred of him, otherwise, I wouldn't hesitate in killing him." Kenji said.

"Love makes you do crazy things." Lafter said. "Believe me, I know."

Kenji then heard his tablet ring with a notification, they both look and see a message from Almiria. It read: "Watch the news. Right now!"

Kenji and Lafter immediately switched the tablet over to the news, neither of them was prepared for what they saw. The CBC news channel was saying that Tekkadan were actually villains being led by McGillis Fareed instead of being revolutionary heroes.

"What the heck? Tekkadan being bad guys? That's impossible! There is no way we're the bad guys. I fought alongside Tekkadan even before I officially joined, so I know better!" Lafter said.

Kenji realized what was going on. "Rustal Elion. He's setting us up to take the fall for everything. Oh no, Cookie and Cracker, once the other kids at their school hear this and start to believe it..."

Meanwhile at Chryse Autonomous Region Municipal Boarding School...

The other kids have heard the fake news, and they started to believe it. As a result, they are keeping their distance from Cookie and Cracker. What's even worse, those kids are starting to say horrible things about Biscuit...

"Did you hear?"

"About that Tekkadan family, right?"

"It's so scary."

"They're complete villains."

"Their brother was called a hero, but it was all wrong."

"They're coming to school with money made by killing people."

This really triggered Cracker. "How dare you!" She tried to go over to the student insulting Biscuit but was stopped by Cookie.

"Let's not, Cracker." Cookie said.

Cracker tried to object. "But...!"

"Let's not. If we fight back, they'll say worse things about Biscuit." Cookie said.

Cracker realized Cookie was right, then she remembered something. "Kenji was right, those kids weren't our 'friends', they were just fans of Tekkadan, and now they've become bullies..."

"Kenji tried to warn us, and we didn't listen..." Cookie said.

A teacher comes up to them. "Excuse me, Cookie and Cracker Griffon?"

Cookie and Cracker looked up at the teacher. "Yes?"

"You two have a call from Earth, it's Lady Almiria Bauduin." The teacher said.

The twin girls made their way to the school office where a small room was set up for them to have their call in private. Once they sat down, they saw Almiria's face on the screen.

"There we go, hi Cookie, hi Cracker, I have Fuka on the line, let me allow her into the call..." Almiria said as she presses a few buttons.

Fuka's face also appears on the screen. "Girls! Did you see the news over there on Mars, it's all over the news here on Earth as well. They're saying Tekkadan are actually bad guys, but that's not true! Cookie. Cracker. You two know this as well, don't you?"

The twins looked down sadly.

"Yeah… but tell that to the other kids here at this school." Cookie said.

"They're even saying bad things about Biscuit that aren't even true." Cracker said.

"We're pretty much alone now..." Cookie said.

"Almiria? Fuka? You two are still our friends... right?" Cracker asked.

"Of course, girls! I would never betray our friendship over something that's obviously not true." Fuka said.

"Cookie. Cracker. You girls helped me deal with my brother's... "death" while I helped you girls deal with the deaths of both of your brothers. Through that, we developed a genuine bond, a bond that I refuse to break, one that I will cherish forever in my heart. So yes, I'm still your friend." Almiria said.

Cookie and Cracker started crying. "Thank you so much."

"What are you going to do?" Fuka asked.

"We don't know." Cookie said.

"We might have to stay with Grandma until this whole mess is over." Cracker said.

"I just hope Kenji and Macky are both okay." Almiria said.

Back at Tekkadan HQ...

The media really did a number on Tekkadan's funding, all of their usual clients are now refusing to lend any money to them since they are now known criminals. Even the Admoss Company has stopped receiving funds from Nobliss Gordon, and it will stay that way until Kudelia cuts ties with Tekkadan. Kudelia herself came to Tekkadan HQ to tell Orga this. Now Orga has called a gathering of all of Tekkadan's members.

"Thanks for gathering here. What I have to say is simple. If any of you want to quit Tekkadan, I want you to tell me now." Orga announced.

Everyone was surprised.

"So, it's come down to this, huh?" Kenji asked.

"Orga?" Eugene asked.

"What the heck, Orga?" Dante asked.

"There would be dangers, but I promised to pay well for it. And some day, I'd give you jobs where you wouldn't risk your lives. That was what Tekkadan was supposed to be. But now... I'm sorry, but Tekkadan is far from that now." Orga said.

"Orga." Akihiro said.

"I can't give you much severance pay, but..." Orga started but Eugene interrupted him.

"What the heck are you talking about? We made it here together!" Eugene said.

"Yeah, are you going to give up now?" Ride asked.

"Tekkadan has always been in horrible situations before! And we always made it through despite the odds! We'll get through this as a family!" Kenji said.

Everyone agreed.

"Boss, we aren't stopping now!"

"I don't want to give up."

Orga was surprised. "You guys..."

"I'm quitting." Zack suddenly said.

Everyone stopped and looked at Zack.

"Zack." Orga said.

Zack tried to explain his reasoning. "You've all got brains. Use it! "Don't want to give up"? The results are already out. What do you mean, till the end? The end is already here. A bad end where we all just die..."

Hush then grabbed Zack by the collar. "Shut up."

"Stop it, Hush. Let him go." Mikazuki ordered.

Hush does so.

"You all did well for Tekkadan. I won't stop those who want to leave. I want you all to think about it." Orga said.

Zack starts walking away. "Forget all this." A few others start following him as well.

"Hey, Zack!" Hush called out.

"Let him." Orga said.

"Boss..." Hush said.

Kenji yells out to Zack. "Do you really think quitting Tekkadan is enough to convince Gjallarhorn to let you guys walk away alive?"

Zack and the other members who are quitting stopped.

"Food for thought." Kenji said.

They just continued walking away.

Later that night...

Kenji was meditating against the outer wall, he really needed some peace of mind. He then heard footsteps approach him.

"Kenji." A voice said.

Kenji opened his eyes and saw the last person he wanted to see. "So, you're back, what do you want Mac?"

"Would you like to go on patrol with me for some time?" McGillis said.

Kenji glared at McGillis. "Fine..."

The two of them started patrolling the outer perimeter.

"So, where the heck did you disappear off to Mac?" Kenji asked.

"I just needed to meet with my associate, Todo Mirconen, I believe you know him." McGillis said.

Kenji groaned. "I wish I didn't."

"Rustal Elion will come for me eventually, I need to be ready to face him." McGillis said.

"You know Gaelio is going to be there too, and he will try to kill you." Kenji pointed out.

"He won't be a problem. I will kill him the next time I see him. I would appreciate it if you didn't interfere in any way. I know you cannot bring yourself to harm Gaelio, that makes you a liability." McGillis said.

"Almiria told me to bring you back to her alive, you'll make it difficult for me if Gaelio kills you first." Kenji said.

McGillis smiled. "You really do love Almiria, as she loves you. That's why you're going through the trouble of protecting me, despite your clear hatred of me."

Kenji glared at McGillis. "You don't deserve her love."

"Well, she is a troublesome girl. The hand injury I ended up receiving because of her suicide attempt is what resulted in Isurugi's death back at Earth's orbit." McGillis said.

"Hey, it was your fault that..." Kenji stops and looks in the distance. He saw that there was something moving towards headquarters. "What's that over there?"

McGillis looks through his binoculars. "Gjallarhorn forces, they are surrounding the base..."

Kenji's eyes widened. "Already? This is not good."