Chapter 252: Fishing Fire Sets Sail 3
After breakfast, inside the shuttle at the Tekkadan base, Fumitan turned to the slightly nervous Kudelia and said, "We're finally heading to Earth, milady."
"Yes… Fumitan." Then she whispered softly to herself, "I'm finally setting out for Earth… Mother, Father."
Tolle gently held Kudelia's delicate hand and reassured her, "It's okay, Kudelia. Everything will go smoothly. We'll definitely achieve your dream."
Kudelia leaned against Tolle's shoulder and murmured, "Thank you, Tolle. I'm really glad you're with me."
Once they reached the outer orbit of Mars, Kudelia stared curiously at the space scenery outside the window.
But she also knew Tolle would be leaving soon, and with reluctance in her voice, she asked, "So… now we just need to wait for the guiding ship to arrive and lead us to the low-orbit station, right?"
Tolle gently stroked her hair and comforted her. "Yeah. Once Orcrus's low-orbit transport ship picks us up, everything will be fine. Then I'll…"
Before he finished speaking, Takaki—still staring out the window—pointed forward and said in confusion, "Hey… isn't that the Orcrus ship? Look there—there!"
Orga also looked puzzled. "Huh? Why is it earlier than scheduled?"
Then several light trails shot out from the armored assault warship.
Tolle took a closer look, and his expression suddenly turned tense. "Those look like MS thruster trails. That means it's a Gjallarhorn warship and MS units. Looks like we've been ambushed."
"Gjallarhorn ships and MS?!" Biscuit leaned forward and checked the other side of the window, spotting more approaching thruster lights slowly surrounding them.
His face turned pale. "Hey—there's more coming from behind!"
Norba stared for a moment and confirmed, "Those are Gjallarhorn ships too."
Orga's expression twisted in panic. "What?! Gjallarhorn actually sent this many troops… this is bad."
Tension instantly filled the shuttle, and Kudelia curled up tightly in Tolle's arms.
"Don't worry. Just wait here. Everything will be fine soon." Tolle reassured her, then gently moved her to Fumitan's side. "Please look after her."
Then he turned to Mikazuki. "Let's go, Mikazuki. We need to launch the Gundams."
Mikazuki nodded, then followed Tolle toward the cargo bay to board their machines.
Meanwhile, Todo loudly pretended to panic. "W-What the hell is happening?! Why is this happening?!"
Eugene, already suspicious of Todo's exaggerated performance, narrowed his eyes and questioned him. "Todo… you'd better explain. Why is this happening?"
Todo never expected to be exposed this quickly. Avoiding Eugene's stare, he stammered in panic, "H-How would I know?! I didn't know Gjallarhorn would show up!"
He then rushed into the cockpit and grabbed the communicator, attempting to contact Orcrus to protest that this wasn't what they had agreed on.
But the only reply he received was: "Thank you for your cooperation."
That made everyone furious.
Especially Norba — he grabbed Todo by the collar, eyes blazing with anger. "Cooperation, huh? So YOU sold us out, you bastard!"
Then he started beating him mercilessly.
Orga rushed into the cockpit and ordered the pilots, "Forget docking — full acceleration! Shake them off!"
But the shuttle engine had activated too late. Before long, three space-type Graze units caught up.
They fired grappling anchors onto the shuttle hull. Feeling the impact, Biscuit looked outside both windows and said helplessly, "We've been caught — and surrounded."
The pilot then reported, "Commander Orga, we've received wired communication from the MS. The message is: 'Surrender Kudelia Aina Bernstein.'"
Hearing it was once again trouble caused because of her, Kudelia bowed her head in shame.
Todo — bruised and beaten — still yelled through swollen lips, "G-Give her up! If we hand her over, at least they won't kill us! If we don't— we're all dead!"
Eugene snapped. "You still have the nerve to talk? Shut up!"
"Then tell me — do YOU have any better way to survive?!"
"Well— I mean—"
Eugene turned toward Orga. "Orga… what now?"
Orga stayed silent for a moment.
Then Kudelia spoke with determination. "Please hand me over. That way, everyone else will be safe."
Orga immediately shook his head. "Impossible."
"But—"
"That goes against Tekkadan's principles. We NEVER betray our employer."
Todo glared at Orga with a furious expression and shouted, "Idiot! Look at where we are! If you don't think about our situation, you'll get all of Tekkadan—"
Before he could finish, Norba resumed beating him senseless while Todo screamed.
Orga then turned to Biscuit. "Biscuit — are Mikazuki and the Chairman ready yet?"
"Got it." Biscuit activated the cargo bay intercom and called out: "Mikazuki, Chairman — launch when ready."