Mobile Suite Gundam Iron Blooded orphans: Solomon's Return

Chapter 14: Hey you

Three weeks had passed since the skipjack departed from Jupiter, and Julieta finds herself giving a report.

Julieta is on the bridge of the skipjack giving her daily report to Rustal.

Rustal: So Dukovak and Yamazin stayed at the Teiwaz station on Jupiter.

Julieta: Correct, they said they needed to attend to administrative issues on Mars.

Rustal: What about the pilot Manfred Horikoshi?

Julieta: He continues to be part of the crew.

Rustal: Keep him under strict surveillance. I don't want to hear about another prisoner being tortured on the ship.

Julieta: I will. What will be our next move, sir?

Rustal: Head to the asteroid belt. According to the Ceres base, the remnants of the Rott Engel clan are hiding there.

Julieta: Understood. What do we do if we encounter human debris piloting?

Rustal: Richtoffen's and Manfred's decision helped clean Gallahorn's image, so I would recommend leaving it to each pilot's discretion. But keep in mind that each additional individual consumes crew resources.

Julieta: Understood.

Rustal ends the call.

Manfred is in the hangar talking with Sephora, and Julieta observes them from a distance.

Sephora: I hope you haven't been drinking whiskey.

Manfred: I didn't, I promised you.

Sephora: You better not have.

Manfred: Hey, did you learn how to maintain Salomon with Yamazin?

Sephora: Yes, why do you ask?

Manfred: Because from now on, you're the lead technician for Salomon.

Sephora: Why are you giving me that position?

Manfred: You're one of the few people I can trust right now.

Sephora: I see. Let's go grab something to eat.

Manfred: I'll join you when I'm hungry.

Sephora: Just hope you don't sneak into the cockpit to train.

Manfred: I won't.

Manfred pulls out a portable console.

Sephora: What's that thing, and who gave it to you?

Manfred: It's a portable console, and Mick gave it to me.

Sephora: I've never seen one before.

Manfred: They're rare, pre-calamity era technology. Mick likes to repair and modify consoles.

Sephora: What do you do with it?

Manfred: Play games.

Sephora: can I see that thing?

Manfred: Of course.

Manfred and Sephora go to the Salomon docks, and Manfred selects a game called "Blasphemy."

While Manfred plays and Sephora watches, Julieta sees them from afar and asks Richtoffen.

Julieta: What are those two doing?

Richtoffen: If I knew, I would tell you. Do you want me to go see what they're up to?

Julieta: Yes.

Richtoffen approaches Manfred and sees him playing on the console. Sephora leans against him, watching him play. Richtoffen rests his chin on Manfred's shoulder and says:

Richtoffen: What are you doing?

Sephora startles, and Manfred tells him:

Manfred: Playing on a console.

Richtoffen: What is that?

Manfred: A gaming console. They were very popular in the pre-calamity era.

Sephora: What do you want, Richtoffen?

Richtoffen: Just wanted to see how you're doing.

Manfred: Didn't Julieta send you?

Richtoffen: That doesn't matter; I would have come to see you anyway. Well, see you later.

Richtoffen leaves the hangar and goes to Julieta's office.

Julieta: So, what were they doing?

Richtoffen: Manfred was playing on a portable gaming console.

Julieta: A what?

Richtoffen: It's pre-calamity era technology.

Richtoffen leaves the office.

Julieta goes to the command room and says:

Julieta: Let's head to Ceres.

Crew member: Yes, ma'am.

Meanwhile, at the Jupiter station, an official Martian Union ship arrives at the port. Dukovak observes the ship's disembarkation and goes to the bar where Eugene enters.

Eugene: Dukovak, we meet again. What are you drinking at this hour?

Dukovak: I'm just waiting for Kudelia.

Eugene: You know, this bar brings back good memories from the past. Tell me, Dukovak, are you drinking to celebrate?

Dukovak: If it's with my brother, yes. What memories does this bar bring back for you?

Eugene: It's something very personal.

Dukovak: I see.

Eugene: Mrs. Bernstein will come to see you in a moment.

Dukovak: Very well, tell her I'm here waiting.

Eugene: I will.

Yamazin: What does he mean by memories from the past?

Dukovak: I don't know; ask him.

Yamazin: Do you want a drink?

Dukovak: You know it's too early to drink.

Yamazin: What about you, Mick?

Mick: I'm fine, thank you.

Mick pulls out a portable console and starts playing.

Yamazin: Is that a Takemura P3SA? How did you get that gem from the pre-calamity era?

Mick: You'd be surprised by what you can find in Monterrey. There's a market for technology from that era.

Yamazin: I see. What modifications did you make to it?

Mick: To this console, I only changed the screen.

Yamazin: I see.

Kudelia enters the bar.

Kudelia: Mr. Horikoshi, it's a pleasure to meet again.

Dukovak: The pleasure is mine as well.

Kudelia: How was your time on the skipjack?

Dukovak: It was concerning, to be honest, or at least it was during the last few days.

Kudelia: I see. Mr. Horikoshi, let's get straight to the point. What do you know about the pirate captain?

Dukovak: Well, her name was Teresa Conhran; she trafficked with children.

Kudelia: Do you know how she got the Dainsleif?

Dukovak: Here's where it gets interesting.

Kudelia: What do you mean?

Dukovak: Teresa had connections with Gjallarhorn. In fact, they provided her and her crew with Dainsleif in exchange for providing human debris to the African Union.

Kudelia: Why are you speaking of her in the past tense?

Dukovak: Because she's dead.

Kudelia: You killed her.

Dukovak: No, it was crew officers who executed her.

Kudelia: So Rustal is trying to erase his trail; it doesn't surprise me. Tell me, Dukovak, do you have evidence of what you're saying?

Dukovak: Yes, but what I don't understand is why Gjallarhorn would help the African Union by providing them with human debris.

Dukovak gives her an envelope with a copy of the video. Kudelia opens the envelope and takes out the memory card inside.

Kudelia: The African Union has population problems and so many internal conflicts that they were forced to use human debris. What is this?

Dukovak: An interview we did with Teresa, where she admits her connections with Gjallarhorn. But what does Gjallarhorn gain from all this?

Kudelia: Gjallarhorn gains influence over the African Union and avoids the risk of new players entering the board. Now they may have to deal with a new European state if the Union continues to weaken.

Kudelia: Eugene, bring me a computer, please.

Eugene: Of course, ma'am.

Eugene brings a laptop, inserts the memory, and opens the video.

Kudelia: This captain shows signs of torture.

Dukovak: But she's telling the truth.

Kudelia: Your brother is crazy.

Dukovak: I wouldn't describe him like that. I think he's saner, and it's a normal reaction for someone who cares about the world.

Kudelia: Why was he so violent with her?

Dukovak: Because she used children as cannon fodder.

Kudelia: I can't approve of his methods... but I'm not going to reject them either.

Dukovak: You're going to use this recording against Rustal.

Kudelia: Not only that, but this also serves me to start a thorough investigation. Tell me, does your brother remain on board the ship?

Dukovak: Yes.

Kudelia: Very well, because I'm going to need someone to inform me about everything that happens and what they plan to do.

Dukovak: We can do that.

Kudelia: Tell me, Mr. Horikoshi, what do you and your team plan to do now?

Dukovak: We plan to go to Mars and develop our own Mobile Suit.

Kudelia: Tell me, Mr. Horikoshi, do you need financing?

Dukovak: To have plants that build them, yes, we need financing.

Kudelia: Consider it a courtesy from me.

Dukovak: We can go with you to Mars to start the development of the Mobile Suit.

Kudelia: It will be a pleasure to have you on board.

Dukovak, Kudelia, Eugene, Mick, and Yamazin board the Martian ship and set sail for Mars. During the journey, Yamazin is seen gazing into the vacuum of space.

Yamazin: I never thought Rustal would stoop so low as to provide Dainsleif to pirates just to preserve Gjallarhorn's hegemony. Using human debris for his personal agenda. That's very low.

Dukovak: Do you know Rustal?

Yamazin: I was part of the Arianrhod crew, the ones who stopped Tekkadan and McGillis from taking over Gallahorn.

Dukovak: was as they told? that Tekkadan was a terrorist organization.

Yamazin: All I know is they were just kids running a private army who chose the wrong side. But at this point, I don't know what's true anymore.

Dukovak: Why were you working with Rustal?

Yamazin: Honestly because they had the best MS in all Gjallarhorn. And I could develop modifications.

Dukovak: I see.

On the skipjack-class ship, Manfred is gazing into space when Julieta approaches him with a bottle of whiskey in one hand and a bucket of ice in the other.

Manfred: Don't think I'm going to talk to you just because you're giving me a bottle of whiskey.

Julieta sits on the other side and slides him a glass of whiskey with ice.

Manfred: So now I'm only worth a damn glass of whiskey, huh?

Manfred gets up.

Julieta: Don't think I'm trying to buy your loyalty, I just want to talk, it's an order.

Julieta pours herself a glass of whiskey, takes a sip, and coughs.

Manfred: HAHAHAHA it seems like you've never drank whiskey in your life.

Julieta: I don't usually drink much.

Manfred: Why? You have a ton of money.

Julieta: Because I hold a high position in Gjallahorn, I have many responsibilities. You, on the other hand, shouldn't be drinking, but here you are.

Manfred: I'm not on duty, and you offered me whiskey knowing I can't drink.

Julieta: Let's ignore the fact that you're drinking; tell me, Manfred, how is Illmari?

Manfred: Fine, but why do you care about that?

Julieta: I'm concerned about the health of all the crew members on my ship.

Manfred: Be honest, why are you asking me that?

Julieta: I'm being honest.

Manfred: Get to the point, what do you want?

Julieta: I already told you, I want to talk.

Manfred: If that's what you want, then that's what I'll do.

Julieta: Alright, let's continue.

Manfred: Why do you rely on Rustal to make decisions?

Julieta: It's not that I depend on him, I fight for him, and I must be careful with the actions I take.

Manfred: So you're just a tool.

Julieta: No, I do it out of loyalty and my own choice. Tell me, Manfred, why do you fight?

Manfred: I don't know, I do it so my brother doesn't have to.

Julieta: That's not it, there must be another reason. I noticed you don't kill every pirate pilot. Why do you show mercy to the pirate MS?

Manfred: That's just it. I'm careful with pirate and mercenary MS because there might be kids inside.

Julieta: You see, we have something in common. We both fight for someone we care about and have a good cause.

Manfred: That doesn't make us the same. I don't kill kids.

Julieta: Why don't you, Manfred?

Manfred: Because I could have been one of those kids, I was just lucky to have a family.

Julieta: I see.

Manfred gets up and goes to the hangar; Sephora and Illmari see him arrive.

Sephora: Manfred, show Illmari your console.

Illmari: Manfred, what's a console?

Manfred: Now you'll see.

Manfred goes to the cockpit and takes out the console that Mick gave him.

Manfred hands the console to Illmari and says,

Manfred: Mick gave me this console; it's pre-calamity technology.

Illmari: And what do you do with it?

Manfred: You play, lend it to me.

Manfred grabs the console and turns it on. Then he gives it to Illmari.

Illmari: It says Blasphemy.

Manfred: It's a game, press the button that says start.

Illmari starts playing on the console.

Sephora: Use the joysticks to move. It's fun.

Illmari: I don't really see the fun in it, I'd rather watch you play.

Manfred grabs the console, sits in the cockpit with Illmari and Sephora, and starts playing.

Three weeks pass, and the ship arrives at Mars. Dukovak gets off and bids farewell to Kudelia.

Kudelia: If you need resources for the development of your Mobile Suit, don't hesitate to contact me.

Dukovak: Don't worry, Mrs. Bernstein, we will.

Kudelia: I wish you the best of luck and keep me informed about your brother's situation.

Dukovak: Don't worry, we will.

Kudelia: By the way, go to this address; I have a present for you.

Dukovak: Thank you very much, Mrs. Bernstein.

Dukovak, Yamazin, and Mick get into a taxi and go to the indicated address, which is a hangar.

Upon arriving and entering, they see many parts of Mobile Suits of different types, Ahab reactors, and a note that says:

"Don't disappoint me, boys."

Meanwhile, on the ship, Manfred calls Dukovak:

Manfred: Hey Dukovak, how are you?

Dukovak: I'm fine, and you, where are you?

Manfred: we are a few hours away from docking at the base of a pirate clan called ROTT ENGELS

Dukovak: But where in the system are you?

Manfred: I'm near Ceres.

Dukovak: Is Illmari recovered?

Manfred: She's fine now, we'vwe oppened a bottle of blue label to celebrate.

An alarm suddenly sounds.

Manfred: A scouting group spotted pirates; I must go.

Manfred goes to his Gundam and gets into the cockpit. Illmari does the same. Manfred looks at her and says,

Manfred: Be more careful this time.

Illmari: Don't worry, I will.

Gundam exits the hangar along with the Mobile Suits of his squadron to fight against the pirates. Solomon fights carefully, and Julieta orders from the bridge not to kill enemy pilots until further notice.

Julieta: Gentlemen, you must prioritize disabling enemy Mobile Suits until further notice.

Manfred in his Mobile Suit says,

Manfred: And why is that?

Julieta: I'm going to help you so that no more children die.

Manfred: .........

A Rodi-type MS approaches Manfred at full speed. Solomon dodges the tackle, draws the Zweihander, and cuts off an arm, then cuts off the legs. He then pushes what's left of the MS, and two Reginlaze-type Mobile Suits take away the remains of the Mobile Suit. The Gjallahorn Reginlaze do their best to disable other Mobile Suits. The transport of pirate remains is possible because Julieta assembled a squadron dedicated to taking the remains of pirate MS to the hangar. Once in the hangar, Julieta realizes that the pilots of the Mobile Suits are adults and speaks with Manfred:

Julieta: Manfred, all the pilots who are arriving are adults.

Manfred: Interrogate them.

Julieta: That's what I'm going to do.

Julieta leaves the bridge and goes to the hangar where the captive pilots are.

Julieta: I only have one question, and if you answer it, you may not receive a court-martial.

Pirate: What can a court-martial do to us, take us to jail? We've seen worse things, sweetheart.

Julieta: A court-martial usually ends with the death penalty. So you decide.

Pirate 2: What's your question?

Julieta: Where do you have your human debris, and how do you use it?

Pirate 2: We have them in the hangar and in the barracks of the ship.

Julieta: Does your captain pilot?

Pirate 2: Yes, a Reginlaze.

Suddenly, a loud noise is heard on the hull of the ship.

Crew member: Dainsleif!!

Julieta goes to the skipjack bridge.

Julieta: Manfred, the enemy has Dainsleif.

Manfred: Understood.

Julieta: Manfred, one more thing, there are no children piloting.

Manfred: Understood.

Manfred begins to fight more aggressively, attacking the cockpit of the pilots. Destroying Rodis one after another, the fight becomes fiercer as Manfred approaches the ship. At first, he receives support from the Gjallahorn Reginlaze and the Rodis of his company. But the support evaporates as he advances until the captain of the pirate crew comes out in a Reginlaze, and he has a one-on-one confrontation with Manfred. The Reginlaze fires a Dainsleif projectile, Manfred dodges it, and it hits an inactive Rodi. Seeing that Manfred dodged the projectile, the Reginlaze goes after Manfred with his sword. Manfred draws Zweihander and blocks the attack. Then he grabs a knife to stab it in the visor. Once the Reginlaze is blinded, Manfred stabs a knife into the palm of the Reginlaze, puts his foot on the Reginlaze's torso, and rips off its arm. Then he uses the Zweihander to cut off the missing arm and leg.

Julieta: Bring me the pirate captain, Manfred, good job.

Julieta gets up from her seat.

Julieta: Alright, gentlemen, let's board the enemy ship since there is human debris waiting to be liberated.

The skipjack ship approaches the pirate ship, and probes are sent to board it.

Upon entering, the intruders are met with gunfire, and the Gjallahorn troops have no choice but to shoot back. You can see how child soldiers decide to surrender or fight to be shot down by Gallahorn soldiers. Gjallahorn troops eventually take control of the ship. Julieta and Manfred board the ship, and Manfred sees corpses floating in the hallways.

Manfred: They were just kids.

Julieta: But they fired first, Manfred. There was no way to respond to their attacks.

Manfred: I repeat, they were just kids.

Julieta: Yes, but I can't risk the lives of my crew to save every child.

Manfred: I see, not all lives are worth the same.

Julieta: It's not that, Manfred.

Manfred separates from Julieta and arrives at the ship's warehouse, where he sees several pirates and children kneeling with their hands tied and Gallahorn soldiers aiming at their necks.

Manfred: Julieta, how do the pirates have several Dainsleif in their inventory?

Julieta: They probably stole them or bought them on the black market.

Manfred: I see.

Julieta approaches the children and says to them:

Julieta: Now you are free, you can come with us, and we will ensure you have a safe home.

Julieta stands up and tells a soldier

Julieta: Commander, release the children. We have transportation ready for them.

Commander: Understood. What should we do with the pirates?

Do what you consider pertinent.

Julieta and Manfred leave the warehouse and go to a little spaceship.

Manfred: What are we going to do with the children? Are we going to take them to the Bernstein Foundation?

Julieta: Yes, but I would prefer that when they grow up, they join Gjallahorn.

Manfred: Why do you want that?

Julieta: Because Gjallahorn can give them a purpose.

Manfred: Purpose, give me a break.

Julieta: Tell me, Manfred, do you have a purpose?

Manfred: Yes, but I'm not going to tell you.

Julieta: Why not?

Manfred: It's something very personal.

Julieta: I understand.

The probe continues its journey and arrives at the skipjack, where the pirate captain is.

Julieta goes to the hangar where the captain is.

Julieta: What is your name?

Captain: Your boss already knows my name, but I'll repeat it for you, so don't forget it. I am Godwin Voss.

Julieta: I know the Rott Engels are allied with the Kalk clan, so tell me, where is the other clan?

Godwin: What do I gain from this?

Julieta: You may not have such a severe sentence in your court-martial.

Godwin: The Kalk clan fled to the African Union.

Julieta: Who gave you the Dainsleif?

Godwin: You already know your boss gave them to me, what I don't understand is why they're attacking us. We had a deal.

Julieta: We never had a deal.

Manfred: Heh.

Godwin: Hey kid, be careful with the rats from Gallahorn, they never keep their word, and they'll get rid of you as soon as possible. Learn from my mistakes.