Chapter 267: Journey to Earth
Just as the Gjallarhorn fleet was about to sink the Isaribi, they suddenly received an urgent order from the Regulatory Bureau.
Because of the overwhelming influence of public opinion across the major economic blocs—and because they did not wish to lose credibility with the international community—Gjallarhorn's upper command was forced to order a halt to the attack.
The Isaribi was allowed to sail straight through Gjallarhorn's fleet formation without obstruction.
Meanwhile, the Spark No. 1 and the Warhammer also circled around to rendezvous with the Isaribi, and together they continued on the final leg of their journey toward Earth.
However, after Tekkadan left the Dort Colonies and was finally preparing to descend to Earth—
Because of Gjallarhorn's interference, all the usual spaceports had been forced into lockdown, making landfall impossible.
But McGillis—the masked man—appeared again, claiming that they could reach Earth through his Montag Company.
Unfortunately, Carta Issue, the commander of Gjallarhorn's Earth Orbital Defense Joint Fleet, had already stationed a massive number of battleships along the outer perimeter of Earth's orbit.
She was lying in wait, ready to cut off Tekkadan's route forward.
While everyone was still discussing solutions, Tolle reluctantly revealed the original storyline's strategy.
Tolle instructed the crew of the Spark No. 1 to board the Isaribi, handing the battleship over to Tekkadan so they could use both ships as decoys.
The Spark No. 1 would tow the Isaribi in a charge toward Earth's orbital zone, and once they broke through the defensive line, the shuttles inside the Isaribi would ferry Kudelia and Tekkadan's members down to Earth.
Once the operation began, Eugene used the Alaya-Vijnana System to link simultaneously with both the Spark No. 1 and the Isaribi—two heavily armored assault ships.
He was prepared to control both vessels at the most critical moment, sending them at full speed toward the weakest point of the Earth Orbital Defense Joint Fleet and punching straight through.
Using the Spark No. 1 as a shield for the Isaribi, he blocked every attack fired by the Joint Fleet.
They pushed forward desperately, ramming through the battleship group without hesitation, and suddenly burst through to the outer edge of Earth's orbital region.
Facing the fierce barrage, Chad stood on the Isaribi's bridge, panic spreading across his face as he shouted to Eugene, "Eugene! At this rate the Spark No. 1 won't hold much longer—then it'll be our turn to get hit!"
Dante, also terrified, said, "Maybe we should start now."
But Eugene laughed as he shot back, "Not yet. We're still not deep enough in—we're too far from Earth's orbit.
"If we drop them now, we'll never complete the mission. This is the mission that guy entrusted to us—we have to give it everything we've got."
Dante answered helplessly, "It's already come to this, and you're still trying to be cool?"
"Stop whining. Chad, it's about time. Give me control of the Spark No. 1, too."
Chad sneered. "Eugene, don't be stupid. Even with the Alaya-Vijnana System—are you really planning to control two battleships alone? You trying to die?"
"Heh. Isn't this exactly when a man should act cool?"
"Fine, but if anything happens, I'm not taking responsibility."
Chad transferred the Spark No. 1's control authority over to Eugene.
Eugene's entire body convulsed instantly. After a moment, blood streamed from his nose, and only after a long struggle did he manage to stabilize.
He spoke with difficulty: "You… you all… watch closely! You're about to witness my master-level skills!"
The Spark No. 1's flight path immediately became erratic, and it dodged all the heavy missiles coming its way.
Carta instantly ordered the fleet to intensify their attack—they had to keep Tekkadan from reaching Earth.
Under the fierce bombardment, the Spark No. 1 never retreated. It pressed forward with relentless courage.
As it reached the front of the Earth Orbital Defense Joint Fleet, the Spark No. 1 spun its stern around, severing the link between the two ships and flinging the Isaribi at high speed toward Earth's orbital region.
Then, using the massive shockwave from the Spark No. 1's self-detonation, it blasted the Joint Fleet's formation apart.
The smoke and debris from the explosion concealed the shuttle carrying Kudelia as it departed from the Isaribi, heading toward Earth for landing.
The Isaribi, still serving as a decoy, circled Earth once and then returned toward the Joint Fleet's position.
It rammed into their spaceport satellite, shoving it toward Earth's atmosphere.
Then, after the collision, it withdrew again, returning to Earth's orbit.
The Joint Fleet was forced to cease fire and begin rescuing their compromised spaceport satellite.
But Carta quickly dispatched her MS units to intercept Tekkadan's landing operation.
Seeing the plan succeed, Chad and Dante cheered excitedly to Eugene: "Oh yeah! Eugene, you pulled it off!"
Eugene kept his head lowered, wiped the blood from his nose, and then asked them, "Just answer me this—was I… cool or not?"
But before either Chad or Dante could reply, blood gushed from both of Eugene's nostrils and he collapsed unconscious.
Meanwhile, elsewhere along Earth's orbital zone, two Tekkadan shuttles were quietly parked behind the Earth Orbital Defense Joint Fleet's formation.
The Barbatos Lupus and the Gusion had already entered the two shuttles. Everything was ready. Just as the Bael Demon was about to enter its shuttle's cargo bay—
Gaelio, piloting the Kimaris Vidar, charged toward them and opened fire with his cannon from afar.
Tolle immediately raised the Bael Demon's shield to block the attack.
With little time remaining, Tolle said helplessly to Orga, "Orga, go ahead and land first. My MS can survive atmospheric reentry. Once I deal with him, I'll catch up."
"All right, Chairman. Be careful."
Having learned a few days ago that Tolle was scheduled to return today, Kudelia said anxiously, "Tolle, hurry and come pick up me and Fumitan—we'll be waiting for you."
Tolle smiled and nodded. "Don't worry, Kudelia. I'll come for both of you as soon as I can."