Mobile Suite Gundam Iron Blooded orphans: Solomon's Return

Chapter 18: Bonito

Manfred, Julieta, Richtoffen and Sephora are playing Dimension Showdown. Julieta is puzzled by the passion with which Manfred and Richtoffen play. She asks Sephora if they always get like this when they play.

Julieta: Sephora, I have a question about Manfred and Richtoffen.

Sephora: What is it?

Julieta: Why do they get like this when they play?

Sephora: Competitive?

Julieta: Yes.

Sephora: I don't know, but the game is fun, don't you think?
Julieta: Yes it is. Why does Illmari only watch?

Sephora: Illmari just likes to observe, she's not drawn to video games.
Julieta: I see.

Richtoffen beats Manfred at the game.

Manfred, laughing, says to him:

Manfred: Damn Richtoffen, how are you so good at the game?

Richtoffen: Because I observe your strategies and practice when you lend me the console.

Sephora: Julieta I think it's your turn.

Julieta: I know, Manfred give me your controller.

Manfred gives her his controller.

Manfred: Here.

Manfred goes to Illmari who is watching the game. She is smiling.

Manfred: What's up Illmari, why are you happy?

Illmari: I'm happy because you're listening to me. You stopped being so hard on Julieta. You learned to separate the organization from its soldiers.

Manfred: I'm really only being a little friendlier to Julieta because she's becoming more sincere.

Illmari: What do you mean?

Manfred: That she really wants to establish a genuine friendship with me. Although I still don't understand why she wants to do it.

Illmari: I see. Just let things flow, making a friend wouldn't hurt you.

Sephora approaches Manfred and says:

Sephora: Manfred it's your turn, Richtoffen got bored and Julieta wants to keep playing.

Manfred: What about you?

Sephora: I'm already hungry.

Manfred: And you Illmari, are you hungry?

Illmari: I haven't eaten since noon.

Manfred: Well, after this round let's go eat something. I'm going to ask Cecil about some good places to eat.

Illmari and Sephora give a smug smile and Sephora says:

Sephora: Sounds like a date.

Manfred blushes and says:

Manfred: Interpret it however you want.

Julieta sitting on the bench says to Manfred:

Julieta: Manfred you're taking a long time.

Manfred: I'm coming.

Manfred returns to the bench and plays one last round with Julieta. Julieta is focused on the video game. Manfred, on his part, plays in a calm, indifferent way. After a long game, Manfred beats Julieta.

Julieta: Almost!!! Can we play one more round?

Manfred: I can't, Illmari and Sephora are hungry.

Julieta: At least can we play when we get back?

Manfred: Take the console so you can practice your combos.

Manfred gets up from the bench and goes to Cecil's office. Manfred knocks on the door and Cecil says:

Cecil: Come in.

Manfred: Good afternoon commander.

Cecil: Manfred, how are you? How can I help you?

Manfred: Cecil, do you know any good places to eat?

Cecil: Are you taking your lady friends out to eat? There are good stalls around the base.

Manfred: Is there a particular stall you can recommend?

Cecil: There's a stall of a migrant from Abrau. When you get to the market ask for Alfred Mendel. He learned all the culinary secrets of Johannesburg.

Manfred: So I should look for Alfred Mendel.

Cecil: That's right.

Manfred: Thank you very much, Cecil.

Cecil: You're welcome Manfred, have fun.

Illmari and Sephora wait for Manfred outside Cecil's office.

Illmari: Well? Did he give you a good place to eat?

Manfred: Yes, it's the stall of a foreigner named Alfred Mendel.

Sephora: Why would we go to a foreigner's stall?

Manfred: According to Cecil, he learned all the culinary secrets of Johannesburg.

Illmari: I hope Cecil's recommendation is not in vain.

The trio leaves the base, takes a jeep and arrives at the Johannesburg market. Upon arrival, a man with an assault rifle stops them.
Man: Are you looking for someone specific?

Manfred: We came to eat, we are looking for Alfred Mendel's stall.

Man: Who sent you?

Manfred: Cecil Botta recommended the place to us.

Man: I see, you can pass. The stall number is 073.

The man points in one direction.

Man: Follow that path until you see stall 70, then turn right.

Manfred: Thank you very much.

Man: You're welcome.

Manfred, Sephora and Illmari enter the market and follow the instructions. The market is a place where they sell everything from Mobile suit parts,
vegetables, fruits, meat, prostitutes offering their services and restaurants cannot be missing. The trio arrives at Alfred's stall.

Alfred: Good afternoon, how are you, what would you like to eat?

Sephora: What could you recommend?

Alfred: My specialty is Boerevors. And bitlong.

Sephora: What is boerevors?

Alfred: It is a sausage that is cooked using the braii, or grill.

Illmari: Manfred, what do you think?

Manfred: I say it's fine.

Illmari: And you Sephora?

Sephora: I say yes.

Illmari: We'll have three boerevors please.

Alfred: Right away, by the way, who recommended my place to you?

Manfred: Cecil Botta.

Alfred: I see, I'm going to prepare your food.

Illmari: Thank you very much.

Sephora: So Manfred, why did you decide to not be so hard on Julieta?

Manfred: Because she started to be more sincere with her intentions. At first I thought she only saw me as a tool.

Sephora: Still, I see that you maintain some caution with her. Why do you do it?

Manfred: The only problem I have with Julieta is her fervent loyalty to Gjallarhorn.

Illmari: It's understandable, but maybe over time you can understand why she thinks that way.

Manfred: Let's hope so, by the way, what do you think of Richtoffen?

Sephora: He has become more tolerable, maybe over time we'll like him.

Illmari: I think the same.

Manfred: Why don't you like Richtoffen?

Illmari: Because he has hidden intentions. Sometimes Sephora and I think he's trying to gain your favor.

Manfred: What do you mean?

Sephora: That maybe he sees you as his tool.

Manfred: I don't think that's the case. What makes you think that?

Illmari: Do you know that the Gundams are named after demons?

Manfred: What?

Illmari: Yes, all the Gundams except yours have the names of demons.

Manfred: Explain it to me.

Illmari: Have you heard the legend of King Solomon?

Manfred: Yes, the son of King David. The wise king. The one who built the temple in Jerusalem

Illmari: Do you know how he built the temple?

Manfred: With masons.

Illmari: I'm talking about the myths Manfred. What I mean is that Solomon controlled 72 demons to build the temple.

Manfred: And what does that have to do with Richtoffen?

Illmari: One, Richtoffen seems to be someone ambitious. Someone who wants power. And two, there are very superstitious people in the ranks of Gjallarhorn. Three, a boy appears with a Gundam whose frame name is Solomon, the king who controlled the 72 demons of Ars Goetia.

Manfred: In short, do you think Richtoffen is capable of using me to stage a coup?

Sephora: We didn't mention a coup. But that's roughly the idea.

Manfred: Don't you think Julieta wants to use me for the same reasons?

Illmari: It may be, but I don't think she has hidden motives.

Manfred: Could you find out why she wants a friendship with me?

Illmari and Sephora smile.

Sephora: We thought you would never ask us that favor. Why are you asking us to do that now?

Manfred: Because I don't want to be anyone's tool.

Illmari: Sounds reasonable. What do you say Sephora?

Sephora: I think the same, we cannot be someone's tool. Unless they pay us.

Manfred: Thank you very much girls.

Illmari hugs Manfred and says:

Illmari: It's the least we can do, after all we have each other.

Sephora hugs Manfred.

Sephora: That's right.

Alfred finishes cooking the food and serves their plates.

Alfred: Bon appetit.

Manfred: Thank you.

The trio begins to eat. Manfred and Sephora devour their plates voraciously. Illmari eats slowly. Alfred, seeing that Illmari has finished eating, says to
them:

Alfred: Here is the bill.

On the dish there is a receipt and a memory card.

Manfred: I think you forgot your memory card.

Alfred: The card is for Cecil, it's a little gift from me. Tell him I send my regards and I hope he finds what he was looking for.

Manfred: We will do it.

Manfred pays the bill and leaves with the girls. The trio gets into the jeep and returns to the base.

Manfred goes to Cecil's office. Cecil says to him:

Cecil: Isn't Alfred a good cook?

Manfred: Actually yes, too bad he has his stall in a black market.

Cecil: Why do you say that?

Manfred: There were whores outside the stalls, Mobile suit parts, Mobile workers and weapons in many of the stalls. Why didn't you go get Alfred's gift
yourself?

Cecil: A Gjallarhorn officer cannot be seen in those places. Thanks for the favor Manfred, I won't forget it.

Manfred: Let's hope so. Hey, just out of curiosity. What information does this memory card hold?

Cecil: It holds the whereabouts of a very important person.

Manfred: I see. I hope you can find her.

Cecil: We will soon, Manfred.

Manfred leaves the memory card on Cecil's desk.

Manfred leaves Cecil's office.

Cecil stays looking thoughtful at his desk. He stares at the photo of his wife and daughter.

Cecil is sitting with his wife and daughter on a park bench.

Cecil's Daughter: So Dad, can I go to Usul's party?

Cecil: Are they going to drink?

Cecil's Daughter: Yes.

Cecil: No way, you can't drink, you're too young.

Cecil's Daughter: Dad I'm 16 years old.

Cecil's daughter gets up from the park bench.

Cecil: Bandile where are you going?

Bandile: I'm going for water.

Cecil: What do you think Imka, do you think I was too hard on her?

Imka: No, not really. Remember that we must help her get into the best university in the union so she can fulfill her dream. Her teachers say she has potential.

Bandile is going back to the bench when an explosion occurs and kills his daughter.

Imka: Bandile!!!

Cecil and Imka go to help Bandile, but the shots of automatic weapons are heard. Imka, Cecil's wife, suddenly falls to the ground.

Cecil: Imka!!!

Cecil approaches Imka's body, sees that she has a bullet hole in her skull.

Cecil: Shit!!!

Cecil draws his gun and shoots two terrorists who shout Allah Akbar.

Cecil: Imka I promise I will take care of Bandile.

Cecil keeps approaching Bandile and sees the remains of his daughter. He only finds the upper half of his daughter. Cecil runs towards Bandile, when he arrives he lies on the ground, and says to her:

Cecil: I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Everything is going to be okay little one, everything is going to be okay.

Cecil has a blank stare in his office and pulls out a photo from his wallet with one of him and a black-haired girl.

Cecil: Don't worry Haruna, I'll get you out of this trouble.
Three weeks pass since Manfred's conversation with Cecil. Manfred and Julieta are waiting outside Cecil's office.

Manfred: Are we going to leave Johannesburg already?

Julieta: Why are you asking that? Are you tired of Johannesburg?

Manfred: It's not that, I'm just worried that the pirates may have left Harare.

Julieta: I don't think the Gjallarhorn checkpoints would have stopped them.

Manfred: Don't you think the pirates could have used the jungles, forests or mountains to escape?
Julieta looks at Manfred with an angry expression.

Manfred: Are you mad because I told you the obvious? You know, sometimes I think you overestimate Gjallarhorn's power.

Julieta: Why do you always think of the worst case scenarios?

Manfred: Because it's good to prepare for the worst case scenarios

Julieta: You sound like a pessimist.

Cecil comes out of his office and says:

Cecil: He sounds more like a realist.

Julieta: Commander Botta, why do you say that?

Cecil: Because the remnants of the pirate clan have already had enough time to escape or make deals with local officials of the African Union and
Gjallarhorn.

Julieta: What makes you think that, Commander?

Cecil: A lot of time has passed since the capture of the Kalk clan members. Which is perfect, because the probability of ambushes along the highway
will be greatly reduced. It may only be a mission to collect information.

Julieta: I hope we can find the head of the Kalk clan.

Cecil: Let's hope so, we leave at dawn.

Julieta: Understood.

Manfred: Understood.

Cecil: That's all for today gentlemen, you can retire.

Julieta and Manfred leave Cecil's office.

Julieta: Why are you so pessimistic about Gjallarhorn's capabilities?

Manfred: We're just being realistic. There is no armed force that completely controls the African jungle.

Julieta with a smug face says:

Julieta: I think you forget the fact that Gjallarhorn has satellites capable of photographing the earth.

Manfred: Tell me what the satellites are going to photograph: trees, one or two Mobile Suits?

Julieta with a tired face says:

Julieta: Being optimistic wouldn't hurt you.

Manfred: Sometimes I think that, tell me, how are you doing in Dimension Showdown? Have you improved your technique?

Julieta: You could say say so

Manfred: Well, I'm going to look for Sephora and Richtoffen. We could have a few games before sleeping or going out.

Julieta: I'm going to prepare the console and the TV.

Manfred finds Sephora and says to her:

Manfred: Do you want to play some Dimension Showdown?

Sephora: As long as we don't stay up late. Illmari will tell us when it's time to sleep.

Manfred: Deal.

Sephora: What do we bet if I beat you?

Manfred: I don't know, you tell me.

Sephora: My prize will be a secret.

Manfred: Deal, do you know where Richtoffen is?

Sephora: He was in the dining room.

Manfred: Ok.

Manfred goes to the dining room, approaches Richtoffen and says:

Manfred: Hey, we're going to play Dimension Showdown in the usual place, will you join us?

Richtoffen: You know I can't say no to you, at what time do we meet?

Manfred: At 19:00.

Richtoffen: I'll be there, handsome.

Manfred: Stop joking around, dude

Manfred, Julieta, Sephora and Richtoffen get together to play. Illmari watches from a corner.

Manfred and Richtoffen play intensely. To everyone's surprise, Manfred wins the game. Then Julieta faces Manfred. Manfred has a close match with her, but in the end he wins. Julieta gets up and goes to the corner with Illmari and talks to her. Manfred starts a game with Sephora, meanwhile Illmari talks with Julieta.

Julieta: What is the secret to defeating Manfred?

Illmari: In the game or in real life?

Julieta smiles and says:

Julieta: In the game obviously.

Illmari: I don't know, you would have to ask Richtoffen. Why do you want to beat him?

Julieta: Is this a serious question?

Illmari: Only Richtoffen beat him in the game, let's get to the point. What do you want from Manfred?

Julieta: What do you mean?

Illmari: Don't try to fool me. Why do you want to be his friend? What do you want to use him for?

Julieta: I just want to understand him, I want to know why he fights so violently against Gjallarhorn. Didn't you notice? He is only cruel to Gjallarhorn pilots.

Illmari: Of course I noticed. But he has his reasons for fighting that way against your organization. Are you afraid of being next?

Julieta: I am not afraid for myself, I am afraid for what could happen to him.

Illmari: The urgency to try to stop him or use him turned into a genuine concern for his well-being.

Julieta is left speechless and puts on a serious face.

Julieta: ......

Illmari: It seems I'm right.

Sephora and Manfred play a close game. But in the end Sephora wins the game.

Manfred: All right Sephora, what's your prize?

Sephora: Close your eyes and follow me.

Manfred closes his eyes and follows Sephora. Sephora takes Manfred to a bathroom. Illmari follows them. Sephora kisses Manfred. Then Illmari kisses him.

Manfred: What was that?

Illmari: It was your first kiss, you idiot.

Sephora: That's my prize.

Illmari: Do you want to rest? It's a bit late, don't you think?

Manfred: I think so.

Manfred goes with Sephora, Illmari leaves the bathroom and says to Julieta:

Illmari: Good luck trying to understand him, he will give you a big surprise.

Illmari follows Sephora and Manfred.

Julieta stays looking at the TV, Richtoffen turns it off and asks her:

Richtoffen: Is everything okay or did Illmari ask you a question you don't know how to answer?
Julieta: It's nothing.

Richtoffen with a smug look says:

Richtoffen: Are you sure? Or did Illmari tell you something you knew, but didn't want to admit?

Julieta: Do you think I'm worrying about Manfred? If so, what would you do in my place?

Richtoffen: To be honest, it's normal to become fond of people with whom you spent some time. I really come to genuinely worry about Manfred. The question you should be asking yourself is if worrying about Manfred's well-being is part of getting to understand him.

Julieta: I want to understand him because I must understand the possible motivations of a potential enemy.

Richtoffen: If Manfred were a potential enemy, Rustal would have already sent him to be killed. Besides that, you have to ask yourself why you want to understand Manfred. Or maybe Rustal wants to teach you a lesson. Anyway, we should go to sleep, the convoy will leave at dawn so we must be alert
throughout the trip.

Julieta: I agree Richtoffen, rest.

Julieta and Richtoffen go to their respective cabins to sleep. A red sun rises in the east of Johannesburg, only a few clouds cover its silhouettes, an
alarm sounds and everyone knows that the convoy is going to leave for Harare. The Mobile Suits are loaded into train wagons. The expeditionary force is finally going to leave to put an end to the Kalk clan.