55:- Kevin Baklazan

In the sterile confines of the Gjallahorn HQ medical facility, Carta Issue slowly regained consciousness. Her eyes fluttered open to a world of white walls, medical personnel moving with purpose, and the vague sense of disorientation that often accompanied awakening from injury. As she attempted to sit up, her gaze fell upon a figure that seemed almost too perfect to be real: the charismatic and enigmatic McGillis Fareed.

Wide-eyed and slightly bewildered, Carta whispered, "Where am I?" Her mind raced as she tried to make sense of her surroundings. Her memories of the battle with Tekkaden and her encounter with the Reaper were still fresh, like a vivid nightmare etched into her consciousness.

McGillis, with a tone that oozed charm and reassurance, leaned closer, his presence soothing to Carta, who had long harbored feelings for him. "You're safe, Carta," he said in a voice like honey, designed to calm her anxiety and confusion. "You're in Gjallahorn HQ on Earth. You've been through quite an ordeal, but you're in good hands now."

Carta's heart skipped a beat as she looked into McGillis's eyes. In that moment, she felt a rush of gratitude and vulnerability, convinced that he was her savior and protector. Her feelings for McGillis had always been deep and complicated, a mixture of admiration, devotion, and love.

McGillis seized upon Carta's vulnerability, using it to his advantage. He gently encouraged her, saying, "You've always been a stalwart defender of our ideals, Carta. Even in your weakened state, your spirit burns brightly. I believe it's time to show the world the strength of Gjallahorn once more."

Carta felt a surge of determination welling up inside her. She had always been fiercely loyal to Gjallahorn, and now, in the presence of McGillis, that loyalty intensified. She nodded in agreement, her voice stronger as she replied, "You're right, McGillis. I won't rest until Tekkaden and Makani are crushed, and our supremacy is restored."

McGillis hid a smug smile, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction as Carta willingly fell into his web of manipulation. He knew that her loyalty, her dedication, could be harnessed for his own ambitions. As she prepared to make her declaration, confident in her role as Gjallahorn's unwavering champion, the door to her room swung open.

Standing in the doorway, a commanding figure exuding authority, was Iznario Fareed, McGillis's adoptive father and a power player within Gjallahorn. His presence alone was enough to silence the room.

Carta Issue watched as Iznario Fareed, the elder statesman of Gjallahorn, approached her bedside. Her resolve to continue the fight against Tekkaden wavered as he spoke with a calm and authoritative tone.

"Carta," he began, "you've been through a harrowing experience. It's time for you to rest and recover. Your dedication to Gjallahorn is unquestionable, but there is no need for you to go into battle in your current state."

Carta, her determination still burning fiercely, tried to interject. "Izanario, please, I can—"

But he cut her off gently, yet firmly. "No, Carta. It has already been decided that the heir of the Baklazan family will take on the mission to eliminate the threat posed by Tekkaden. You need to focus on healing."

Carta's frustration and disappointment were palpable. She knew the heir of the Baklazan family all too well, and she couldn't hide her skepticism. "But Izanario, you know the heir is a hot-headed womanizer. I despise him," she admitted, her voice tinged with bitterness.

McGillis, standing by her bedside, nodded in agreement. "And is he even capable of carrying out such a mission effectively?"

Izanario Fareed's expression remained stoic, his patience beginning to wear thin. "The Council has carefully considered this decision," he stated, his tone becoming a bit harsher. "It has been studied thoroughly, and the decision is final."

Carta felt a sense of powerlessness wash over her. She had always been a soldier, fiercely loyal to Gjallahorn.

As Iznario turned to leave the room, Carta watched him go, her eyes filled with a mix of frustration and resignation. The weight of her Pride, coupled with her doubts about the heir of the Baklazan family, left her with a sense of unease about the future.

McGillis Fareed, who had his own hidden agenda and ambitions, remained silent as he contemplated the turn of events. The intricate web of Gjallahorn's politics and power struggles continued to weave its complex threads, and Carta Issue found herself caught in the midst of it, uncertain of her role and purpose in this shifting landscape.

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In a lavishly decorated room, the atmosphere was thick with the scent of opulence and excess. The heir of the Baklazan family, Kevin Baklazan, reveled in the company of three young women who hung on his every word and gesture. His fiery red hair and piercing red eyes were striking, and he had a charismatic aura that seemed to draw people in.

As they giggled and whispered in hushed, sultry tones, Nemo Baklazan, the aging head of the Baklazan family, entered the room. His frail figure was cloaked in the shadows of the dimly lit chamber, and his once-powerful presence had diminished over the years. His skin sagged with age, and his pure white hair was like a cascading waterfall that partially obscured his eyes. Despite his weakened appearance, Nemo was one of the Seven Heads of Gjallahorn, a position that commanded respect and fear.

Unfazed by the presence of his elderly relative, Kevin continued to bask in the adoration of the young women, his carefree attitude evident in his expression. The women, who had been engrossed in their flirtatious banter with him, suddenly noticed Nemo's arrival when he discreetly cleared his throat.

Startled, they turned their heads and their gazes fell upon the aged patriarch. Nemo's eyes, still sharp despite his advanced age, bore into Kevin with a mixture of disapproval and disappointment. His gaze seemed to say, "Is this how you conduct yourself as the heir of the Baklazan family, one of the Seven Heads of Gjallahorn?"

Kevin, unfazed by his grandfather's disapproving presence, reluctantly disentangled himself from the arms of the women and sat up straight, though an air of defiance still lingered about him.

Nemo's voice was a stern reminder of the family's legacy and the expectations placed upon its heir. "Kevin," he began, his voice betraying no emotion, "you carry the honor and responsibility of the Baklazan name. This behavior is beneath you."

Kevin, who had been reveling in his newfound freedom and the pleasures it afforded, struggled to maintain his composure in the face of Nemo's rebuke. "Grandfather, I'm just enjoying the fruits of our family's power and wealth," he retorted, his voice tinged with rebellion.

Nemo's brow furrowed, his disappointment deepening. "Power and wealth are not to be squandered on frivolous pursuits," he admonished. "You are destined for a greater purpose—a purpose that will shape the destiny of Gjallahorn itself."

Nemo, despite his disappointment, understood that he needed to impress upon Kevin the gravity of the situation. With a sigh, he began to brief his grandson about the mission at hand.

"Kevin," Nemo began, his voice carrying the weight of his experience and authority, "the situation we face is dire. The Tekkaden organization has proven to be a formidable adversary, and their recent actions on Earth have drawn the attention of Gjallahorn's higher echelons. This mission is not to be taken lightly."

Kevin reclined in his opulent chair, his demeanor still displaying defiance and indifference. He casually responded, "They're just a bunch of rats playing at being warriors. What's there to worry about, Grandfather?"

Nemo's patience was wearing thin, but he pressed on, determined to make Kevin understand. "Kevin, Tekkaden possesses mobile suits of incredible power, and they have defeated Gjallahorn forces before. We must not underestimate them."

Kevin's gaze remained fixed on his grandfather, but he showed little interest in the briefing. "Why should I care about some prideful woman and her obsession with that hair-twisting manchild from Gjallahorn? It's all so petty."

Nemo's frustration grew as Kevin dismissed the seriousness of the situation. "This is not a matter of personal feelings, Kevin. It's about fulfilling your duty as the heir of the Baklazan family and a member of Gjallahorn. Lives are at stake, and the fate of our organization hangs in the balance."

With an air of arrogance, Kevin waved his hand dismissively. "Fine, fine. I'll handle it, Grandfather. Now, if you don't mind, I was in the middle of something here." His gaze shifted toward the young women in the room, who eagerly awaited his attention.

Nemo could hardly contain his frustration as he realized that Kevin's focus remained on his hedonistic pursuits. He understood that trying to reason with his grandson in this state would be futile.

In a tone tinged with exasperation, Nemo said, "Kevin, you may be the heir of the Baklazan family, but you have much to learn. The decisions you make now will shape our family's legacy and the future of Gjallahorn."

Kevin, more interested in his companions than his grandfather's words, simply retorted, "Sure, sure, Grandfather. Now, if you'll excuse us."

As Nemo reluctantly turned to leave the room, he couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding. The weight of his family's legacy and the responsibilities that came with it rested heavily on Kevin's shoulders. Yet, it seemed that for now, Kevin's desires and indulgences took precedence over duty and honor.

Nemo left the room, leaving behind a young heir who had yet to fully grasp the magnitude of the challenges that lay ahead and the consequences of his actions on the fate of Gjallahorn and the Baklazan family.

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(A:N : Look in comments.)