Vol 5 Chapter 2 (2/2)

“I’ll call in those ladies in for a dinner party Do attend this party with Miss Audrey too”

“I don’t have any clothing that can be worn for a party”

“I will lend Miss Audrey so to wear As for you, that uniform is okay It will excite those free madams>”

Cynthia used her finger to poke at the mobile suit emblem on Riddhe’s chest, and turned to Dwiyon, “I’ll leave it to you then, Dwiyon” who responded with a sht, I will tell the cook to work harder than usual today” and lowered his slightly gri face

“If the lady was around, this fa table…”

Such saddening words caused Cynthia to reveal a bitter smile as well No matter how I try to resist, the e, right? Riddhe’s sights first turned to the here the sunlight shone in, and then listlessly looked over at the fa on the wall as a decoration After that, a voice rang a Riddhe to freeze up

“If she knows of the commotion here, the illness that could be healed will never heal”

Thatat the other people as he went right to the office table Riddhe felt his relaxed chest tighten at that lanced back and forth between the two of theot up from the sofa Ronan however looked over her shoulder and stared at his own secretary

“I’ll explain later…Patrick, I’ll leave it to you”

Patrick, as standing at the door, heard Ronan call for him as he answered “Yes” with a sullen expression It see on to his brother-in-law Patrick, who in turn turned his head over to Riddhe, raised his hand slightly, showed an aard smile which was the most he could do at this point, and then turned to Cynthia “Then” Cynthia seeely tense tone in her husband’s pro

The grimness within the room increased The sound of the telephone, the footsteps of the secretary, thecontinued to spread in waves that appeared vaguely It’s because I hate this feeling that I can’t stay in this house Riddhe realized this again, and accepted that he was the source of this tremor here as he continued to stare at his father silently “Let us be alone for a while Leave any urgent matters with Patrick” Ronan instructed Dwiyon and returned to the table “I understand, Dwiyon answered and retreated fro closed was left behind, and the two of the silence

“I never thought I would face you in such a situation”

Ronan broke this silence and sighed as he spoke Riddhe hid his shock that the initiative was taken, and answered, “I had been running away all this tiue secretly when he realized that he accidentally butted back at his father Calm down, he’s a Senate Council member who can deal with the army that will suck up to his and tell him Riddhe felt the pressure in his heart as he muttered, and he turned his back at theto face Ronan

“Since I entered the army with the family’s objection, I never intended to come back, but just once, I have to do this You’ve heard of the terrorist attack on “Industrial 7”, right? I was there too That incident was not like what the news reported –”

“This is not what I want to talk about”

Ronan forcefully interrupted and stared right at Riddhe His face showed neither anger nor disdain as he lowered his expression that would depress anyone at this point “That is not all I want to talk about…” At that moment, Riddhe felt that the floor around hi

“I was shocked when I received your ot involved with the “Box”…”

The terh Riddhe’s heart, and he felt that what he should be saying was dissolved Ronan leaned back on the leather chair as he looked up, seely at the sky, and closed his eyes

“Even though I tried to arrange for you to withdraw iuess this in fact is a curse, and that you are still a Marcenas”

Riddhe did not understand what his father was talking about, and he was not really certain of who exactly he was talking to “Dad…” Riddhe muttered with a hoarse voice, and Ronan took a deep breath, straightened his back fro,

“Riddhe, you need to know the truth”

He stared right at Riddhe’s eyes, and said with a voice that did not allow for any words His expression was covered by the shadows as his back faced the red sunset

“For generations, this truth is only passed on to a direct son of the Marcenas family Neither your uncles, aunts, Cynthia nor Patrick knew about this I thought that I wouldn’t have to tell you this if you took a different path…but since things ended up like this, there is no other way for you to survive”

Riddhe could not move his body He wanted to treat these words as a joke, but he, who somewhat expected it, did not allow himself to do so He realized that this was not just a political stench, and he definitely felt soht, that’s why I ran away froradually, and, inside this fa off an ominous vibe, there’s some sort of—

“Save us”

Ronanthe this to God, and after leading off with these words that were not a sentence, he started to tell the true That story depicted the confession of a ht fro—and the causality of how a family was destined to become God slayers

Part 4

“I HATE IT!”

As the yell echoed through the roo with each other echoed throughout the captain’s roo Otto, Co a request to you here”

“Our shi+p will reach the space coordinates indicated by the Laplace Prograht be a possibility that a new Progra with you, and I hope that you will pilot the “Unicorn” to the designated coordinates This is an order”

Daguza said without twitching his eyebrows, and beside hiave a stare that did not allow any arguher was taken away froher did not even have the luxury to taste the red tea the captain prided himself in before he made this request They indicated that they had to look for the “Box” on their trip back, and Banagher had to pilot the “Unicorn” to assist with the investigations Banagher looked over at the face of the captain as pouring the red tea, and then turned to the ECOAS co, “Why ?”

“Looking at the current situation, you’re the only one who can pilot the “Unicorn””

“If it’s just about bringing back so, can’t you just let another mobile suit do the job?”

“The systeenerator is not activated The pilot has to be in it”

After sealing off one arguuza asked back, “Any other questions?” as he gave a probing stare that seeher looked away as he answered, “You saw it too right? What that machine did on “Palau”…”

“Whenever I ride on it, I just feel weird I don’t believe that I can pilot it well, and I don’t want to ride on it”

“But you caed fro both the ains” “MILITARY GAINS!? YOU CALL THAT MILITARY GAINS!?” That silver needle of the syringe was glohen it poked into Marida’s numb skin Marida felt a pain frouza, as beside hi stare, asking properly, “What should I call it?”

“Asking h I’m not a soldier, so I don’t have a duty to listen to your orders!”

“It’s true that you do not have a duty, but you have a responsibility”

These unexpected words pierced through Banagher’s heart, causing his body to sway for a while After Banagher looked up, Otto and Conroy looked like they were blindsided as they stared at Daguza

“You’ve interfered with battle 3 times already, and you’re the pilot of what they call a powerful weapon, the “Unicorn” If some are to be saved by it, others will obviously perish You have already interfered with many people’s fates, so you have to bear this responsibility”

These ords Banagher had never thought of before “What htforward look as he answered, “See things till the end”

“And when is the end? Are you telling et me to play this unreasonable treasure hunt?”

“That’s soht now, you’re just thinking of running away from the trouble in front of you”

Banagher felt a sharp pain in his chest, perhaps because deep inside him, he too felt that the other person was spot on in so he could ad softly without heart, “Mr Daguza…have you never doubted?”

“You’re always calm, not shaken at all…I really can’t be like tyou”

Banagher did not intend to be sarcastic at the other person By relying on a knife-sharp e, he had to move even if he was forced to accept the coincidental outcoher wanted to become such a person, he felt that it would be easier for such a person to take action; that Daguza should simply be a pilot, and the “Unicorn Gundam” could display its capabilities to its uish between ally and eneht to wield a weapon He did not feel that he wanted to wield a weapon again—even if itCardeas, his father

Daguza raised his eyelids slightly as he showed signs of sords Banagher, who had expected a deterlanced at his face amidst this unnatural silence Conroy merely looked at his silent co, “On the battlefield, doubting will lead to death”

“That’s e can only think of executing our missions The leader has to carry out the responsibility he should bear This would be the responsibility I a to”

“But will people die because of it? What kind of responsibility is it that I have to start killing!? I can’t be like you in that I can sis so clearly…”

Mission, duty, responsibility, both Federation and Neo Zeon had theher had nobody to rely on emotionally, but he felt that he would probably collapse due to fear if he merely remained silent, and such emotions caused him to roar out what he wanted to say “Do you think it’s that siet up, his hulking figure nearly knocking into the table Before Otto could restrain hiuza held back Conroy “Everyone has their oay to take responsibility” and argued back with a calm voice

“Right now, your situation is easy to understand The things you should be responsible for are right in front of you I a about those classmates of yours”

That uza continued with a calher felt blindsided by the discussion of this weakness as he eked out a voice to confir about Takuya and Micott…?”

“Even if they return back to “Luna II” their predicaments are rather delicate How they will be dealt ill deter that will sway this will be your actions”

“You’re going to use hostages again…?”

“You can interpret it however you want You are in a position to change their fates, so it’s best that you understand this well and choose what to do next”

Daguza finished what he wanted to say and got up, while Conroy followed him from behind Their firm muscles could be seen fleshed out beneath their uniforms, and their back profiles turned to leave the Captain’s rooh and clasped his hands together “Well, don’t hate them there” Otto, who reached for the teacup, concluded

“They can only say that in their positions anyway Also, Couza isn’t an emotionless robot like what you think, you know?”

He brought the red tea to his htly to look at the other person’s face

“When ere cole shi+p…to be honest, all I saas darkness in front of hiuza did say that he viewed the operation as a hostage rescue”

He did not understand what the other her and said, “You’re the hostage”

“We owe you a favor…he said this before If not for Couza’s inspiration and idea, ouldn’t knoould have happened I won’t tell you to thank you, but at least recognize him for what he did, will you? People have responsibilities they have to bear, and Co this seriously all the time”

Otto see this to hiher could not think of anything to answer at that ain

“How can I not doubt? It’s not like I made this detour because I like it, and I don’t feel that the headquarters’ orders are correct But if I luether, this so-called responsibility will be another thing altogether…”

Part 5

”I got a funny telegram from headquarters Shall I read it to you?”

Lieutenant Garrett said as he lifted his ace from the monitor, but as he met the people who arrived in the eyes, he iuza seemed to have revealed his expression on his face, and to hide the aardness of having his subordinate read his thoughts, “Please” he sih the surveillance rooether with Conroy

“…Yes Sender, space Marine Special Operations Headquarters Receiver, coae 1430 The chances of the eneh, ample alertness is recommended That’s all”

Conroy inadvertently grinned, and Daguza could not help but curl his lips up as well “Such a scary and useful advice” he remarked wryly, and Garrett finally showed a relieved expression

“To think that they would re we already knehat’s their intention?”

“So out our investigations Soama” back and let the key to the “Box” fall under the arement But if we look at the Senate Council’s side, there’s no way they can conore the Vist Foundation’s order”

“So they sent thisand tell us to decide based on the situation?”

“It’s just a failsafe Also, it’s an indication that they tried to stop us”

Daguza did feel that it was too ed his shoulders, did not seeuza’s expression and interjected, “A telegrauys from 729 as well!”

“As we planned, the operation will begin at 2300 Can both “Lotos” launch?”

“Yeah We and the pilots from 729 have started to hear out the instructions for this operation The Nahel Argama squad will launch 2 ReZELs The machines are equipped with atmospheric-entry equipment just in case”

“Alright, we don’t haveout operations in low orbit Go listen to the strategy for this operation too so that the squads can coordinate well, Lieutenant”

Eh? Daguza was surprised for a moment as he turned to look at Conroy, but Garrett had already answered “roger!” as he got up froave this expression as Garrett slipped by him and walked out of the room that functioned as ECOAS’ couza felt somewhat aard and yet thankful for the concern of his old friend as he sighed out a long breath he accumulated since the moment he was in the captain’s room What kind of responsibility is it that I have to start killing!?—he recalled the expression and voice that pierced through his chest as he sat on the chair in front of the console

“The govern it out for the “Box”…so definitely stinks here”

Conroy pretended not to notice Daguza’s sigh as he poured the coffee and sighed Daguza himself heard the voice from behind

“I can understand how Cardeas Vist felt when he wanted to hand the Box to Neo Zeon Seeing the politicians who only cared about their oell-being and luxury, surrounded by Foundationfor their own benefits, he probably thought about giving everything away The reason why he chose the “Sleeves” was simply because he wanted to obtain the results fro to create havoc, only Neo Zeon has the discipline of an aranizational ability—

“Conroy, do you still remember the operation at “Sater”?”

Daguza interrupted the other person’s words and raised another topic Conroy’s hand that was pouring coffee into theshuddered, and he re out a deep voice, “How can I possibly forget?”

“I’ve been having night of the corpses of the kids floating out of the hole in the colony…even though the colony never had a hole blown in it”

Conroy went silent and continuedhis hand that froze He tried to shake off the memories that ie of anxiety, trying to look to the future couza, who saw the back of that nor that operation froe overlapped on the other ments of memories budded in his mind

To counter the nu the war and after, the Federation set up “Sater” in L2 space It was a refugee colony hastily for an open-type space colony and a closed-type space colony, both of different in structure and dia standards, and it could be said to be a slu for this place to beco “Char’s Counterattack” “Sater” beca base for Neo Zeon After the conflict ended, the defeated troops forround for terrorist planning, and it was a natural thing for such pus to be tucked away in “Sater”

The Side Nationalism (Controllism) erupted due to “Char’s Counterattack”, and the Federation naturally hoped that sweeping Neo Zeon would have i for Eleence Branch to be unnaturally enthusiastic as they investigated this terrorist activity and sent out ECOAS, which was foro as a response There was an e factory in a certain sector of “Sater”, and the plotters of the terrorist organization were gathered there ECOAS launched a raid and destroyed thehts and laws, so their crimes that went beyond the law should be punished by e froovernment forces, they chose to use an extreether with the terrorists, so Daguza and the ECOAS 920 ot onto the outer wall of the colony

They used beam burners to burn apart the outside wall and invaded the underground service roads in the ground block They installed boether with the building, and planned to use the stearound, causing the building to collapse as well The building in question was a desolate place that was planned to be taken down, located alone behind the newly built cleaning factory, so there was no need to worry about whether anyone would approach there in the day There were Intelligence Branch agents waiting at the space colony, ready to report everything that happened from their surveillance, ready to carry out any backup just in case They just needed to wait for the ather at the scene and let so the “Hunters” set up was perfect, and the target terrorists started to gather at the building one after another, causing the ECOAS ot was correct—except for one exception A school bus was parked right in front of the abandoned building, and there werein front of the entrance

Once they checked that the last target entered the building, the events happened after the surveillance tea lot was full that day was a coincidence, the fact that the bus was directed to the targeted building was also a coincidence If there was a need to press on for as responsible, it would be the Intelligence Branch’s fault for failing to report to the army that there would be a factory visit that day, but in the end, Daguza and his round would have no reason to know these The explosion caused the targeted facility, the building to collapse immediately, and they were then sed under the collapsed land The target was crushed by several tons of concrete, and the school bus was buried under it as well

Ast the 37 children present, 30 of them died at that moment, and another 3 died after they were sent to hospital The re 4 who survived e that could not be erased in their lifetiained consciousness at this point even after 3 years, and even though that child was braindead, the parents could not give up on their flesh and bone that was still growing It was said that they would visit the hospital to take care of their child every single day

The investigation committee concluded that it was an unfortunate accident caused by a aerolite, and the edy that befell on the young children In the end, only the ement of the colony communal was to bear responsibility, and there were no reports about theBut on the other hand, related rumors spread around the special forces of the Federation, and ECOAS was dubbed the “Manhunters” after this incident The Federation sent a strong ave theined

They were a hunting force that specialized in killing; they were an organization that did all sorts of dirty work, fro children—after that, the members of ECOAS saw many missions that should not be spoken of, and were despised by the other soldiers in the army None of their members could live their lives peacefully ever since then, “It was a tragedy” Conroy uza inadvertently looked at his back

“It was a ence Branch’s part We couldn’t even do anything”

“Yeah”

“We were facing a group of people ould throw either colonies or ht be o”

“Yeah…we have to allow for a little sacrifice for the sake of many”

Daguza forcefully clasped his hands together, and felt like he was biting onto sand as he said, “We’re cogs in this large installation called the Federation Cogs don’t wish for anything They just follow the decision of what the installation wants and carry out the order, until the day they break down due to a fault…”

Daguza suddenly recalled Nasri’s face, the commander of ECOAS 729 who led the raid on “Palau” and died with his squad For the sake of that uza and his men ha