Chapter 2: Contract of Devils
It took Mcgillis some time but he managed to track Mikazuki. It's not hard if he knew what to look. If his life had roughly stayed the same, then Mikazuki's might also be roughly similar. He's not really wrong although Mikazuki has clearer background this time around.
Being reborn as Orimura Ichika changed Mikazuki very little. Or perhaps he refused to change, whichever it is. At the age of five his parents sold him to become a child soldier. Though things didn't really went as expected for them or those they sold the boy to. In a very Mikazuki fashion, he killed his superiors two years later and then went on to become a mercenary and make a name for himself.
Nothing entirely new. He just went from battlefield to battlefield doing what he usually done. He's not even operating alone. He operated with a mercenary group and is one of their best operative. Clearly his skill had only increased if the kills attributed to him were of any indication.
Sadly, the group disbanded when IS cemented its reputation as the greatest military weapon in the world, though maybe it's not really sad when seen from a different perspective. Still, it all seems like a bad joke for Mcgillis. It's like relieving their childhood once again. A reminder of who they once were. The difference this time is that neither he nor Mikazuki have their trusted friend by their side. No Orga Itsuka or Gaelio Bauduin.
Orimura Ichika, who went by the codename Mikazuki in the underworld, went under the radar for a while. It became hard to track him but Mcgillis did know that Mikazuki survive by doing minor freelance job. His accumulated money in his time as mercenary is enough to support his frugal lifestyle for several years.
His life took a turn into something more interesting when he decided to try going to school (Mikazuki's own admittance) and got lost along the way during the examination. Mcgillis actually wonder how he would pass the test to get into high-school when he cannot even read. It turns out that he can this time around. He's been learning.
That matter became a moot point because he found an IS and somehow it reacted to him. Though to his admittance the IS is nowhere near as comfortable as being in the cockpit of Gundam Barbatos. Mikazuki had connected to Barbatos to a level beyond what was normal. Barbatos is his one and only partner in battle and it will never change. The Devil wants his partner back… and Mcgillis would oblige. To be honest, despite only piloting Bael for just a little time, Mcgillis had become quite fond of the Gundam. He could understand Mikazuki's feeling. They had connected with their respective devil in body and mind. That feeling cannot be easily forgotten.
And his pet project might just allow him to do so.
"So, what do you want? I believe it is not just to trade life stories."
Mikazuki asked. If there is one difference he had to note in Mikazuki is that the boy had learned to look after himself. There is no Orga to think for him and lead him. This forced Mikazuki to think for himself although he is mostly docile and go along with the flow for the most part, he can now think for himself and take things into consideration.
Mcgillis was never his friend and he owes him nothing. Mikazuki is not mad at him for dragging Tekkadan into his mess, not anymore at least, but he also won't go out of his way to call them friends. That is fine. Besides he called him here mostly due to sentimental reason.
"I want to recruit you."
Mcgillis simply said. Mikazuki look at him with suspicion but said nothing.
"Recruit me, for what?"
"Mikazuki, don't you think that this world is distorted? The IS was not used as it intended to be and the world squabbles in a childish pissing contest using a technology that can be used for more important things. Furthermore, the technology itself promotes inequality. The notion that because of the IS the women became the dominant gender is wrong. Superiority is not determined by such shallow thing but the blood and sweat put in to effort to reach where they are now. Their strength is just an illusion cast by a mad woman in her distorted vision of grandeur. In this kind of society, there is no future. In this world that is merely a playground for a rabid dog which happen to possess a mind."
"Shinonono Tabane?"
Mcgillis nodded.
"Shinonono Tabane. IS was initially not meant to be exclusively for women. But that is not what matters now. While the world fell into the state that we currently know, Shinonono Tabane disappeared from the face of the world, refusing to take responsibility for what she had unleashed. She watches as the world squabbles in amusement and continue to sow the seed of chaos while remaining hidden."
"And what does it have to do with me?"
"I want you to join me in changing this world. To find Shinonono Tabane and crush her and bring about a new age."
Mikazuki silently regarded him for a minute. No doubt he is thinking about what he will decide. Mcgillis hoped that he will accept. But the odd is not really with him. Mikazuki held no fondness towards him or any obligation. There is exactly no reason for him to join with Mcgillis, especially after his last experience.
"There is no reason for me to join you."
"I know. But I believe that this will be difficult without your cooperation."
"What if I refuse?"
"I will still go through with this. I said it will be difficult not impossible."
No manipulation, no play on words, no mind games. Mcgillis is being honest with Mikazuki. To be honest, something he had not done for a very long time. So long that he had actually forgotten when did he last face someone honestly. No, he did remember. The last time he had ever shown his true face was before his death with Gaelio. In this life, he had been plotting ever since the day he could think for himself. Not even with his mother in this lifetime had he been honest. He knew her fate but he put on a mask of assurance. Until her death he had never shown her his true face.
"No. I will not work under you. You are not Orga. I will not follow you."
He had expected that answer to be honest. It's the natural answer for Mikazuki. Nothing binds the Devil of Tekkadan to him. They were at most acquaintances and fellow Gundam pilots on the same side in their previous lifetime. They are not even that much in this.
"I see. But… what if I hire you for some jobs?"
Mikazuki considered it for a moment and nodded. For Mcgillis, that is enough for now. It seems that business is business as usual. Mikazuki was about to leave when the door suddenly opened and young teen came in.
"Mister Fareed, here's the documents you asked for."
Mikazuki's eyes suddenly widen in surprise. The person who entered the office is someone he knew. For that moment, Mikazuki shows genuine surprise in his life. That energetic voice, that unmistakable green hair, Mikazuki cannot believe who he saw. It is like a ghost from the past had returned and unlike with Mcgillis, one that he welcome.
"Ahh Atra. Thank you for your hard work. Just leave it here and go back to your study."
The girl nodded and left the stack of documents consisting of things Mcgillis must sign. The girl left after her job was done all the while humming happily as she exits the office. Mcgillis noticed that Mikazuki is staring.
"Is the Devil of Tekkadan falling in love at first sight? That's Atra Mixta. I picked her up from the streets after she tried to steal from me. Like I said, the notion of women being superior is just an illusion. There are still people like her around the world and it is sad really."
"I will join you."
"Huh?"
Mcgillis would've broken his pen due to surprise if he had started working on the documents. Mikazuki's sudden change of heart is unexpected. He only meant it as a joke but did he really fell in love at first sight with his adopted sister? Mcgillis always thought that Mikazuki was involved with Kudelia.
"…I was joking when I said that but did you really…"
"I will join you."
If Gaelio were to see him right now, he would laugh so hard at his expression. Mcgillis Fareed was so surprised by the Devil of Tekkadan that he's actually gaping like a fish. Mcgillis took a deep breath and regain his composure. No matter the reason, he now has the devil working with him. If Mikazuki want Atra then so be it. It might even be a good idea for both of them.
"Very well. Now, shall we sign a contract between devils?"
After Mikazuki left, Mcgillis return to his work. His hands move with trained speed and precision as he went over the documents that needed to be signed. Nothing really important, just corporate matters that needs either his approval or denial. He worked through them quickly so he can get back to the more important matter.
With the Devil of Tekkadan now on his side, Mcgillis feels surprisingly more confident than ever. Although whether Mikazuki really fell for Atra at first sight or not is something he is curious about. Perhaps she looks like someone from Tekkadan? Mcgillis cannot say that he knew every single member of Tekkadan. He only knew the notable members that will be useful for him and if Atra is anything to go by, her counterpart in their previous life is definitely not a fighter.
Either way, everything turns out for the best.
For now Mikazuki will be staying in the IS Academy… though it's probably only a matter of time before he kill someone. There's bound to be someone there that would piss him off. Mikazuki might be docile most of the time but if you mess with him his general response is to maim or kill like what he almost did to Gaelio when they first met.
Still, to think that the Devil of Tekkadan can actually fell in love. He's still a young boy despite everything… a young boy who mentioned he had a child in his previous lifetime. Well that's actually awkward to think about. And then there is him, Mcgillis Fareed, a handsome man who is a successful businessman and a member of Gjalarhorn's Seven Stars in his previous life and never once had he gotten himself laid. Something is truly wrong with his life.
Mcgillis sigh. Even if he were to look for a suitor in his current life, no women he is acquainted with can become a decent wife. At best they're just a trophy wife. At worst they are those who think themselves superior and try to mess with his life. If his choice consists only of those women, he would take back Almiria regardless of the consequences to his reputation.
Ahh, truly he is hopeless in the romantic department if he finds an eleven years old girl from his previous life more appealing than mature women. Then again, anything is preferable than those vulture-like women. Plus Almiria has a good head on her shoulder and rather mature for someone her age.
Well he can worry about that later when he manage to change the world. Mcgillis took out a tablet to check on his pet project, the most important one. He was not a technician but Mcgillis made sure that he knows things and one thing he happened to sufficiently know is a key to break the illusion of women superiority. In theory it should work with some modification. In practice though, that will be more complicated. But the end result would be worth it.
Mcgillis entered the elevator and swiped his ID card. A scanner appeared and after his biometrics was scanned, the elevator moved. As the elevator descends deep into the underground laboratory he built, Mcgillis took the time to make adjustments to his project.
"Alaya Vijnana System, to think that it will once again be the key to change the world."
On the screen of his tablet is the progress on the creation of Alaya Vijnana system for IS. This system will allow males to pilot an IS. But he has no intention to spread this technology even if he succeeds, at least not yet. The panel switched after Mcgillis had finished with checking the Alaya Vijnana system's progress. This time the screen showed his more sentimental project.
"Soon enough, the devils will rise again.
On the screen are two IS that will be incorporated with the Alaya Vijnana system. One is for his personal use and the other was meant for Mikazuki. Now that Mikazuki had agreed to join him, the construction of the second unit can begin. Mcgillis is feeling very pleased at the moment. He had always imagined it ever since his reincarnation, that magnificent sight.
Soon the time will come when Bael and Barbatos will fly together and strike fear to the heart of their enemies.
-?-
The girl sat on the windowsill of her dark room, memories of a lifetime ago playing through her mind like a movie. On her hand is a book, a history book that talks about the various revolutions that happen through the course of human history. She is not really interested in history in general but she can't help but want to learn about these people who lead a revolution.
How can she not when she bore the sin of someone who dreamt of a revolution? She might not have fought back then but she had resolved to bear his sins together with him, her husband who never came back.
Now she seeks to understand him, to learn why he did what he did, to learn why he would betray his best friend. What is it that he saw? What is it that went through his mind?
But there is one thing she came to understand. Her husband from a lifetime ago was right about one thing. Strength is what decides one's life in the world. The evil is right if they have strength. The good is right if they have strength. In the end, it all comes down to who has the power to enforce their view.
That is why she had sought power, not so much as to drown in lust for power but enough to make sure nobody can force their view onto her. And she will still grow stronger and maybe eventually atone for her past sins, the one she share with him, and create a world where people like him won't appear.
"I am Mcgillis Fareed's wife. His sins are my sins to bear. And now I shall atone for it all, to realize a world where people like my husband will not appear, a world where he can just be my Macky."
The girl closed her book and went to sleep, dreaming of innocent times that has long passed.
And here is the second episode, uhh, chapter. Now, I get this feeling from the review that everyone thinks that this story focuses on Mikazuki as the protagonist. Well if you have that impression then sorry, the main protagonist is Mcgillis Fareed. Though Mikazuki is still a very important character. A deuteragonist if you may. Here Mikazuki joins Mcgillis, mostly due to coincidence. Mikazuki mostly doesn't care much about things around him unless it involves him directly but Atra is a good enough reason and Mikazuki sticks close to those he care, not that Mcgillis knew about Atra, I think. That is why he didn't expect Mikazuki's reaction at all. All he knew is that Mikazuki is close to Kudelia, not in a polygamy relation with both Atra and Kudelia. As far as he's concerned, Atra is just a kid he happen to come across and help out of what little goodwill he has. Plus he's weak with kids.
And the Alaya Vijnana system has appeared once again and the awaited resurrection of Bael and Barbatos, although IS-sized but still. Next chapter will finally see Mikazuki/Ichika in IS academy. For now Mikazuki has to be content with Byakushiki but when Barbatos is complete, the Devil of
Tekkadan will finally be truly resurrected.
And also a brief appearance of this story's main heroine though she will not appear again until a while.
Now for the revs.
edboy4926: Not all 72 Gundams but he will have IS made based on Gundams and mostly piloted by IBO characters who found their way to IS world. For now I have confirmed Bael and Barbatos. I don't know who else will appear since I haven't planned that far ahead but IBO characters will pilot units based on Gundam frames... or close enough in design.
AGundamFan: That's exactly why Ichika is Mikazuki and not Mikazuki is Ichika's brother or something. This story has no place for a person like Ichika. And you will see the different dynamics between the characters next chapter.
CasualFictionWriter23: Mcgillis is not as calculating as Char and the main difference is certainly the drive. Mcgillis let his passion controls him and that was his mistake. He's much more emotional than he shows which is most likely why he failed to kill Gaelio.