Chapter 263: Conspiracy & Uprising 1
The members of Tekkadan who had stayed behind on Mars had already re-established contact with Orga and the others.
They reported their recent situation, and Gjallarhorn hadn't interfered with their work on Mars. Overall, everything was going smoothly.
Tolle nodded in satisfaction. It seemed Crank was keeping his word.
To support Tekkadan's business, McMurdo had Teiwaz deliberately assign them a delivery job along the Firefly's route—transporting a batch of goods to Dort Colony Group's No. 2 colony.
And on the way back, they didn't encounter a single problem. After all, those pirate groups had already been brought under Tolle's control, and the first group he subdued was Brewers.
Along the way, Lynn Minmay, Ange, and the others frequently came out to stretch their legs, but every time left Tolle utterly exhausted.
After another long four months, the Isaribi finally travelled from Jupiter to the near-Earth Dort Colony Group.
Because of the extra round trip to Jupiter, Tolle's remaining time in this Iron-Blooded Orphans world wasn't long—only a few days left.
On Dort Colony No. 2, Tekkadan received an enthusiastic welcome from the workers.
Their exploits over the past few months had spread wildly throughout the major economic blocs, turning them into icons.
While the unloading proceeded, Kudelia took a group to Dort Colony No. 3, beginning a large-scale purchase of living supplies.
However, while shopping, Kudelia looked at Biscuit and Mikazuki with a disgusted expression. "Forgive me for asking, but when was the last time you two took a bath?"
Mikazuki stared blankly at Biscuit. "When was the last time?"
Biscuit tilted his head, thinking. "I think about four—no, maybe five days ago."
Atra, who'd had enough, yelled at Biscuit, "Why haven't you bathed for so many days? Bathe every day! You smell awful!"
Kudelia added helplessly, "I've been bothered by it for a while. There's always this strange smell inside the Isaribi. Now that I think about it, it's really awful.
When everyone gathers together, sometimes the stench makes me want to gag."
Biscuit sniffed at his clothes and, finding them acceptable, replied, "Is it that bad? I don't really notice anything."
Tolle gave an exasperated smile. "That's because you've gotten used to your own smell. That's why you don't notice."
Internally, Tolle muttered, I've been having the nanomachines filter the air around my nose. And when that's not enough, I just open a small vent to the battleship core space to breathe.
Kudelia added another blow. "Exactly. You really do stink. Especially someone like Yukinojo—being near him makes my eyes sting.
Environmental and personal hygiene are both important. I'll buy everyone clean clothes and make all of you bathe and change.
And also cleaning supplies and tools. I want to use this chance to clean the entire ship."
Kudelia, Fumitan, and Atra immediately got busy, buying huge quantities of daily goods.
Tolle, Biscuit, and Mikazuki all became dedicated bag carriers, but the sheer volume was so large that they eventually had the mall arrange delivery.
Meanwhile, during the post-delivery inspection, Orga and the others finally learned that the so-called industrial goods they had transported were actually MS units, mobile workers, and various weapons.
And the sponsor of these weapons claimed to be Kudelia's agent.
It turned out everything was a trap set by Nobliss.
The entire scheme was engineered to provoke an uprising among the industrial workers, and amid the chaos, have Kudelia die under Gjallarhorn's guns—triggering an even larger revolt.
Fumitan, who had long received this assassination order, immediately told Tolle everything without hesitation.
To be safe, Tolle sent the neo DG cells he had planted on Mars into Nobliss' home, directly taking control of him and brainwashing him.
He made Nobliss slowly transfer all his assets, bit by bit, into Kudelia's name—then let him die painfully.
Fortunately, Kudelia and Fumitan both wore compressed-space bracelets; the nano-armor built into them was more than enough to deal with assassins.
With Ahab-enhanced composite nano-armor, energy shields, and PS armor layered on, whether hit by bullets or beam weapons, it was little more than a massage. There was no longer any real concern for their safety.
Before long, the industrial district was reported, and Gjallarhorn troops quickly arrived to investigate. The workers there were forced to take up arms, sparking a full-scale uprising.
At the same time, Biscuit was betrayed by his brother on Dort 3, who reported Tekkadan's arrival to Gjallarhorn and had both Biscuit and Atra seized.
Atra was even mistaken for Kudelia and used by Gjallarhorn for large-scale propaganda.
After settling Kudelia and Fumitan, Tolle and Mikazuki began their mission to rescue Biscuit and Atra.
And Tolle knew that by now, McGillis was likely disguised as the masked man, approaching Kudelia to reveal the truth behind the uprising.
And speak of the devil—right as Tolle was thinking this, McGillis arrived at Kudelia's hotel.
Facing her, he said, "I've wanted to meet you for a long time, Miss Kudelia Aina Bernstein."
Seeing the masked McGillis, Fumitan immediately shielded Kudelia behind her and asked warily, "Who are you? What business do you have with us?"
"Oh, who I am doesn't matter. But you're not someone who should die here. You'd best leave now.
This hotel's location will soon be devastated by the armed uprising spreading through the workers."