Let the Dollar Circulate Part II
Abdala's head is thrown back, Manfred has a lost look on his face.
Darío: Untie this man and get rid of him.
Soldier 1: You heard the commander, go get the shovels.
Soldier 2: Affirmative.
Soldier 2 exits the cave.
Illmari: Manfred, are you okay? Can you hear me?
Manfred: Yeah.
Illmari: Everything is going to be okay.
Manfred closes his eyes, opens them, and shouts at the commander.
Manfred: What the hell is wrong with you, bastard? Do you know the trouble we'd be in if Gjallahorn found out?
Darío: I have three things to tell you, Mr. Horikoshi: Number one, Gjallahorn is not with us at the moment; number two, they don't follow the laws they sign, and number three, we both know we can't trust those rats. If you have a problem with what I just said, tell me now.
Manfred: No, I don't have any problem.
Darío: It's good that we're on the same page. You're not leaving here until my men finish burying the corpse.
By then, Abdala's body has already been untied from the chair. Darío approaches and empties the entire magazine.
Manfred: At least give a warning, damn it.
Darío: I had to make sure Mr. Abdala was dead.
The soldier arrives with two shovels. The soldiers put the shovels on their backs and lift Abdala's corpse, exiting the cave and stopping a few meters away. They drop the corpse and begin to dig. After a while, they have a grave. The soldiers step out of it and toss the corpse into the excavation. After this, they begin to fill the hole with dirt. After a while, the hole was filled.
Soldier 1: Let's go.
Soldier 2: I say the same, are you coming with us?
Manfred is sitting on a rock with a lost look.
Illmari: We'll catch up in a few minutes.
Illmari puts her hand on Manfred's shoulder and asks him.
Illmari: Manfred, are you really, okay?
Manfred: I already told you I am.
Illmari: Your face tells me otherwise. Manfred, you can trust me.
Manfred: Well, it's the first time I've seen someone get shot in the face.
Illmari: Is it the first time you've seen someone die?
Manfred: No.
Illmari: When was the first time?
Manfred: When I saw my father die, he was in a pool of blood, I told him everything would be okay. That we were going to get out of this.
Illmari: What happened next?
Manfred: He passed away, luckily Duko didn't see him die.
Illmari grabs his hand and says.
Illmari: Let's go, they're waiting for us.
Manfred: What about you? What was your first time?
Illmari: Space pirates executed my parents in front of my eyes, luckily I covered Simon's eyes.
Manfred: ... I'm sorry to hear all that.
Illmari: Don't worry, let's go, they're waiting for us.
Manfred grabs her forearm and says:
Manfred: Alright then, let's go.
Manfred and Illmari return to the camp.
Manfred: I'm going to talk to Darío.
Illmari: I'll go with you.
Dukovak: I'm coming too.
Manfred: You stay with Yamazin, I need them to make some adjustments to the actuators of the left arm. It felt very strange today.
Dukovak: What are you going to talk to him about?
Manfred: About the intelligence we gathered and how we're going to proceed.
Dukovak: Alright then.
Manfred goes with Illmari to Darío's tent, and Illmari asks him:
Illmari: Are we really going to discuss what we're going to do in the coming days?
Manfred: You could say that you'll find out soon enough.
Illmari: Alright.
Manfred enters the tent and tells the soldiers:
Manfred: We've come to speak with the commander.
Soldier: He's already sleeping, he doesn't like to be woken up.
Darío exits the tent and says to him:
Darío: Don't worry, Corporal, I was expecting thwm.
Manfred enters the tent and Darío says to him:
Darío: How are you, Mr. Horikoshi? I saw that Abdala's death affected you. Is it the first time you've seen someone die?
Manfred: No, I came to talk about how we're going to attack Mount Dena base.
Darío: Why worry about the future when you can enjoy the present?
Manfred: I'm concerned about logistics before the operation. If we're going to make a stop in a city before carrying out the operation.
Darío: Why do you want to know that?
Manfred: It's that or the Horikoshi Defense Corporation leaves you.
Darío: What do you want, Manfred?
Manfred: I want to know if we're going to pass through any city to provide maintenance for our MS.
Darío: We have to pass through Shiraz if we want to have supplies to assault Mount Dena.
Manfred: Don't you think it would be a good idea for my technicians to station themselves in that city before the assault? I can't afford to lose my technicians; they're difficult to replace.
Darío: Is this because of your brother? I have a question. Did your brother ever see combat?
Manfred: No, he never did. He never killed anyone. That's the problem.
Darío: I understand now. You want to protect your brother. You know what? We also value our personnel greatly. So, it's a rational decision.
Manfred: Thank you very much, Commander. I appreciate that you listened to our suggestion.
Darío: Wait, Manfred, I'm not done yet. I have a condition. If for any reason you decide to abandon my operation, your technicians die. See you tomorrow, Manfred.
Upon leaving the tent, Illmari speaks to Manfred:
Illmari: So, you did this to protect your brother.
Manfred:yea.
Illmari: I didn't know that negotiating side of yours.
Manfred: It was either that or risk it.
The next day, early in the morning, Darío gathers all his personnel and says:
Darío: As you know, yesterday we obtained information about a rebel base located at the foot of Mount Dena, so we're going to make a stop where the logistics equipment will be installed, including the Horikoshi Defense Corporation team.
Dukovak: So, we're staying in Shiraz.
Yamazin: That's good, I can visit archaeological sites.
The convoy sets off, and after a couple of weeks, they arrive in Shiraz. Darío approaches the team and speaks to Manfred:
Darío: Manfred, do you have a moment? Let's discuss the details of the operation.
Manfred: Sure, Illmari, come with me.
Illmari: Okay.
Darío: The journey will last a total of 14 days. We don't have support from more MS than the ones you have and the two pilots provided by Gjallahorn.
Manfred: What do you want us to do?
Darío: I need you to eliminate the MS inside the base. Illmari will enter the complex once the assault team has entered the command building.
Illmari: How did you get all this information?
Darío: Infiltrated agents.
Manfred: Do you have information about the pilots?
Darío: Yes, they're all from the African Union. Why do you want to know that?
Manfred: I want to know if there are children fighting.
Darío: The pilots are all adults, so you don't have to worry. But there might be child soldiers inside the main building.
Manfred: Sons of bitches.
Darío: Don't worry, I'll see what we can do.
Illmari: What about Mustafá?
Darío: I need him alive. We leave at dawn.
The convoy sets off in the early hours of the morning. Along the way, they can appreciate the Persian mountains until they approach Mount Dena.
Darío: Gentlemen, we've reached our destination. Get comfortable, rest well because the operation Xerxes begins at nightfall.
Manfred and Illmari sit by the campfire.
Manfred: Are you worried? Is it about the child soldiers?
Illmari: Yes, it's likely that someone sold them, and they had the misfortune of being forced to fight.
Manfred: Do you think most of the children are in the main building?
Illmari: I don't know, anyway, we don't have a choice.
Manfred: I'll see what can be done.
Illmari gets up, puts her hand on Miguel's shoulder.
Illmari: I'm going to sleep. Are you coming with me? I don't want to be looking after you during the assault.
Manfred: I need to think a bit. I'll join you later.
Manfred stays watching the campfire and approaches the fire; the smoke reaches his face, he coughs, and closes his eyes. Manfred gets up, laughs.
Manfred: Hell yeah.
The soldiers stare at him, Manfred goes to the commander's tent and talks to him.
Manfred: How are we going to deal with the main building if the soldiers are children?
Darío: If they resist, we neutralize them.
Manfred: What if we prevent them from resisting?
Darío: What are you talking about, Manfred? Do you want us to bombard the base with leaflets before attacking? The children will be forced to fight anyway.
Manfred: Do you have gas masks for all your infantry?
Darío: Yes, but why are you asking that?
Manfred: Do you have tear gas?
Darío: Yes, I think I understand what you want to do.
Manfred: What if we surround the main building, fill it with tear gas, and safely remove all the minors from there?
Darío: It's complicated, Manfred. It requires coordination, firepower in case things go wrong.
Manfred: But it can be done, right?
Darío: Yes, it can be done, but I'm telling you it's complicated, and we risk reinforcements arriving.
Manfred: The Gjallahorn forces are prepared to support us, aren't they?
Darío: They are, but if we're going to wait for reinforcements, we won't have to do what you suggest.
Manfred: I understand that, but I'd like to avoid killing children.
Darío: I'll consider it, Manfred. Go to sleep, we have 4 hours left before the operation begins.
Manfred: Thank you, Commander.
Manfred goes to his tent and lies down on the bed, closing his eyes. After a while, Illmari wakes him up.
Illmari: Manfred, wake up, Darío is calling you.
Manfred: Has it been 4 hours already?
Illmari: Yes, Darío wants us to go over the plan.
Manfred: Alright then.
Manfred and Illmari go to Darío's tent, enter, and Darío begins to speak.
Darío: Manfred, Illmari, I was expecting you. Very well, let's begin. Manfred and Illmari will attack the base from the north, while Gjallahorn's MS units will engage in their first combat and attack from the south and west. A squad of Mobile Workers will enter the base as soon as enemy MS movement is detected. It's expected that all infantry fighters will barricade themselves in the building. Teams A, B, C, and D will descend from 4 helicopters onto the rooftop and position themselves at the windows of each floor on all four sides of the building. Upon hearing the signal, they will throw tear gas grenades and attempt to enter the building. At the same time, a larger team will enter through the main entrance, also throwing tear gas grenades. It's suggested to incapacitate fighters who appear to be underage. The objective of this mission is to capture high-ranking officers, but above all, Mustafá alive. Is that understood?
Everyone: Yes, sir.
Night falls, and everyone is in position.
Illmari: So, you talked with Darío.
Manfred: It was the only thing I could do.
Illmari: I think Darío has some humanity.
Manfred: yea, I think so.
The radio sounds, "Everyone get ready, the operation begins in 4 minutes."
Manfred: Nervous?
Illmari: No, are you ready?
Manfred: Yeah.
Both pilots enter their MS and prepare for the start.
Operator: Wait for the signal.
Static noise from the radio is heard.
Operator: The operation has begun.
Both MS start up.
Illmari: I've detected 4 reactors approaching. I'll open fire as soon as I have visual contact.
Manfred: Understood.
Illmari starts firing, while Manfred sees an MS approaching him. He doesn't waste any time, drawing his combat knife. He notices a hatchet coming towards him from his right side and tries to stab the pilot's cockpit. The MS uses its free hand to block the knife, which pierces through it. But the enemy MS moves the knife away from the cockpit. The Gundam puts its foot on the MS's torso and starts tearing off its arm. Once the arm is torn off, Manfred lets go of the knife, draws the zwei hander, and delivers the finishing blow. He kicks the MS and backs away. Then the remains explode. Illmari receives fire from three MSs that are approaching her. Manfred flanks one of them and stabs it with the zweihander. One of the remaining MSs goes straight for Illmari. She decides to take out her axe and strikes its hip. After this, she sees the last MS trying to ambush Manfred.
Illmari: Behind you!
Manfred realizes what's about to happen, picks up the MS's rifle, and stops the hatchet with one hand, then fires at the MS. Once the bullets run out, Manfred drops the weapon, draws a knife, and sees that the pilot's cockpit is exposed. Manfred stabs the MS, but it stops the knife. Manfred lets go, steps back, and picks up the axe. He returns to the MS, punches it, cuts off an arm, then grabs the remaining arm and finishes off the MS with the axe.
Manfred: Any more readings?
Illmari: None.
Manfred: Let's continue.
The two MSs head to the enemy field. Mobile workers enter without any problems. Enemy soldiers begin to flee, shooting as they do, heading towards the main building. In a short time, the building is surrounded by Persian troops and Mobile workers.
Helicopters are approaching, and each one dispatches a squad of soldiers onto the roof of the building. The soldiers secure the ropes and position themselves on the walls. When the squad leader says,
Leader: We're ready, in a position to attack.
Darío: Begin Phase Two.
Leader: Understood, everyone prepare, entering in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, now!
The soldiers break the windows, throw tear gas grenades, and enter. The main squad breaks the main door and also throws tear gas. Gunshots are heard, as some child soldiers start shooting, but they are subdued with rifle butts.
Soldier: Clear, moving to the next room.
This soldier is ambushed by a child who shoots at him. The soldier shoots back and kills the child. After a few moments of no gunfire, the soldiers enter the main door, tying up all the combatants.
After a brief shootout, many soldiers, mostly children, come out tied up with zip ties. Illmari and Manfred are at the building's doors when Darío arrives.
Manfred: Looks like the operation is going smoothly. No casualties yet.
Darío: This isn't over until we find Mustafá.
A soldier comes out and says,
Soldier: Sir, we found a secret door.
Darío: Have you opened it?
Soldier: Not yet, sir. We're waiting for your orders.
Darío: Manfred, Illmari, put these on. You're coming with me.
Manfred and Illmari put on gas masks, and the commander gives them a pair of pistols.
Darío: You're coming with me.
Darío, Manfred, and Illmari enter the building and reach the secret passageway. Upon opening the door, they are met with a hail of bullets. Manfred, Illmari, and Darío take cover, and Manfred takes a look.
Darío: What do you see, Manfred?
Manfred: A girl, can't be more than 16 years old. Let me handle this.
Darío: What are you going to do?
Manfred: Just trust me.
The gunfire stops, and three clicks are heard. Manfred appears in the doorframe with his hands up.
Manfred: Don't shoot, don't.
Manfred puts his pistol on the floor and slowly approaches with his hands in front of him. The girl doesn't falter and aims her rifle.
Girl: What do you want?
Manfred: I just want to talk to you.
Manfred continues to approach slowly.
Girl: What do you want to talk about?
Manfred: Whatever you want.
Manfred keeps getting closer until the girl says,
Girl: I don't want to talk.
The girl hits him with the rifle butt and runs towards the gun, but Illmari hits her with a rifle butt. Darío ties up the girl.
Darío: Now you'll be able to talk to her as much as you want.
Darío inspects the room and sees that it's just a library.
Darío: Damn it.
The group leaves with the girl tied up, taking her to a group where the adult prisoners are.
Manfred: She's just a kid, Darío.
Darío: She must know something. We'll interrogate her unless she talks to you and tells you where Mustafá is. If you don't want to interrogate her, we'll take care of it.
Darío leaves, and Manfred and Illmari go to a place away from the camp and make a fire.
Manfred: Do you want me to cook today?
Illmari: Manfred, we need to talk. I know she was just a kid, but you have to understand that you're not your brother. You can't convince everyone.
Manfred: Hey, I know. But we both know how that girl's situation would end.
Illmari: Yes, but sometimes you must put your life above others'. I know it impacted you when you killed those kids that day, but that's reality. Whether you do something or not, many kids will keep fighting and dying.
Manfred: I know, but I must do what I can to prevent more kids from dying.
Illmari: Oh, Manfred.
Manfred: Today we're going to eat beef stew. I'll go get the ingredients.
Illmari: Don't take too long.
Manfred goes to get supplies and meets Darío.
Darío: Manfred, we're about to start the interrogations, so you decide if you get the information from Mustafá or if I do it.
Manfred: Alright then, I'll take that girl with me.
Darío: Okay, now you'll be able to talk to her as much as you want.
Manfred goes to the area with adult prisoners and takes the girl with him.
Manfred: You're coming with me.
The girl gives him a terrified look, Manfred lifts her up and takes her to the campfire.
Manfred: Did you already put water to boil?
Illmari: Yes.
Manfred: Alright then.
Manfred grabs a kitchen knife.
Girl: If you're going to kill me, please don't torture me f-
Manfred starts chopping potatoes and vegetables. He puts the potatoes to boil and talks to the girl.
Manfred: What's your name?
Girl: Why do you want to know that? If you're going to kill me anyway.
Manfred: No, just to know who I'm talking to.
Girl: Fiora.
Manfred: Tell me, Fiora, do you have siblings in the base?
Fiora: I had an older brother, they killed him in the assault. We tried to take refuge in the underground bunker; he died while shooting at you.
Manfred: I'm so sorry to hear that. Fiora, what's a girl your age doing fighting for a jihad?
Fiora: That's none of your business. The conversation's over.
Manfred: Where is the bunker?
Fiora: I already told you, the conversation's over.
Manfred: Well, I'm going to take out the pot of potatoes and put another pot of water to boil.
After a while, he puts all the ingredients in the pot, and Illmari tells him,
Illmari: If she doesn't want to talk, she won't. If she feels the need, eventually she will.
Manfred: Okay.
Manfred continues stirring the soup until it's fully cooked.
Manfred: Dinner's ready.
Manfred takes out three plates, fills them, gives one to Illmari, and approaches Fiora. He takes out his knife and cuts the zip tie. He hands her the soup and says,
Manfred: If you try to escape, we'll put a bullet in your head. Do you understand?
Fiora: Yes.
Manfred: Enjoy your meal.
The three-start eating when a gunshot is heard.
Manfred: It seems like the interrogations have begun.
Manfred and Illmari continue eating, while Fiora looks pensive and doesn't eat. Manfred looks at her and says,
Manfred: Didn't you like the soup?
Fiora: ...
Manfred: If you don't want to eat, we can eat it ourselves.
Fiora: I think I want to talk.
Manfred: Alright, Fiora, I just have two questions. Where is Mustafa? And what were you doing in that library?
Fiora: The library is the entrance to the bunker. There's a door behind the bookcase. They left me behind, so I barricaded myself.
Manfred: I see. But why did you barricade yourself?
Fiora: I'd rather die than be tortured and then killed.
Manfred: ... Why are you fighting for these jihadists?
Fiora: I was forced to fight for them. My brother and I were kidnapped 5 years ago.
Manfred: Is your brother still alive?
Fiora: I have already told you. he died fighting for Mustafa. He truly believed in Mustafá's words.
Illmari: He was indoctrinated.
Fiora: Yes.
Illmari: We're very sorry to hear that.
Fiora: Thank you.
Fiora starts eating quickly.
Illmari: It's obvious you haven't eaten in a long time.
Fiora: They gave me small rations.
Manfred: Why?
Fiora: Because I didn't follow Mustafá's orders and because I'm a woman.
Illmari: Well, you won't go hungry anymore.
Fiora: What do you mean?
Manfred: You're free.
Fiora: What good is that if I can't go back home?
Manfred: If you show us where the door is, maybe we'll take you back home.
Fiora: Seems like I don't have a choice.
Manfred: Let's keep eating. Once we finish, we'll talk to Darío. How does that sound?
Fiora: Sounds good.
Manfred, Fiora, and Illmari finish eating and go to Darío.
Darío: How's it going, Mr. Horikoshi? Did you get any information?
Manfred: Yes, she has some.
Darío: I have everything except Mobile suits.
Manfred: Let's go to the library, Fiora will lead us to the bunker door.
Darío: I'll gather my team. See you in 30 minutes at the building's entrance.
Manfred, Fiora, and Illmari meet at the building's entrance, where Darío arrives with a complete team.
Darío: This will be a simple operation. We'll cut the door with termites; we need to capture as many prisoners as possible. We need Mustafa alive. Understood?
Soldiers: Yes, sir!
The team goes to the library, and Fiora points out the bookcase hiding behind the door. The soldiers move it, place the termite charges, and ignite them. The termite cuts through the door. They push the door, and a soldier throws a tear gas grenade. A jihadist shouts "Allahu Akbar" and starts shooting. The soldiers kill the jihadist.
Soldier 1: Clear, moving in.
Soldier 2: Entering.
A soldier enters with a shotgun, firing at the door hinges and the lock. Then he kicks the door, they throw a grenade, and enter a room with people on computers.
Darío: Where is Mustafá?
Jihadist: I don't know.
Darío shoots him in the face.
Darío: Does anyone know where Mustafá is?
A jihadist points at the door.
Darío: Put termites on it.
The soldiers place the charges, ignite them. They push the door, and find a group of jihadists with their hands up. And Mustafá, a man with a long beard, is playing chess.
Mustafá: Darío, would you at least let me make one more move?
Darío: Take them away.
The soldiers tie up all the jihadists and take them out of the bunker.
Darío: We can do this the easy way without pain or go the hard route. In which you will suffer a lot.
Mustafá: Do you mind if we play a game of chess while I tell you everything you want to hear?
Darío: I can grant you that wish.
Mustafa: Thank you, Darío.
The two men set up the board, Darío on the black side, Mustafa on the white side.
Mustafa has his hands tied and says pawn c2 to c4, Darío moves a piece.
Manfred moves Mustafa's pieces.
Mustafa: Did you know that without Islam, chess wouldn't exist?
Darío: That's a lie, chess existed long before your cult. Chess is a Persian game.
Manfred: I think chess is Indian, but Darío has a point.
Mustafa: Yes, sure, as if those polytheists invented anything. Many of the foundations of the modern world were invented by followers of the Prophet Muhammad.
Darío: What's your point?
Mustafa: The denial of Allah is destroying the world, making man weak, hedonistic, incapable. You know I'm part of the high command of the African Union, but do you know why my colleagues support the Islamization of the Union? So that humanity can continue to advance.
Darío: Yes, of course, advance. Religion does serve, but it must be separate from the state. So that new ideas can flourish.
Mustafa: Without religion, there is no government with ethics, values for a society to maintain itself.
Darío: Tell me, why are you supporting a jihad in the Persian region?
Mustafa: The regional government of Persia is moving away from Allah. The African Union must help them return to the right path.
Darío: You believe that the right path is to murder those who do not share the ideas of the central government?
Mustafa: There is no price too high to return to the glory of Allah.
Darío: Who provided you with the military material, the child soldiers?
Mustafa: Gjallahorn gave us the MS. They also provided us with transportation and contacts with suppliers to give us new and fresh fighters.
Darío: Slaves soldiers, human debris in a nutshell.
Mustafa: The price for the glory of Allah will never be too high.
Illmari sees Gjallahorn pilots entering the room with pistols, cocking them. Illmari and a soldier enter the room when the soldiers had pistols to Manfred and Darío's heads.
Pilot: I think he asked too many questions, commander.
Illmari and two soldiers enter the room and gun down the pilots.
Darío: Damn rats.
Darío kicks a corpse, spits on it, and goes for a map.
Darío: Mark all the bases for me, and maybe I'll let you live. I want you to mark the number of soldiers and equipment you have at each base, and maybe I'll spare you.
Mustafa: Very well.
Mustafa marks the map, and Darío points his gun.
Mustafa: I thought we had a deal.
Darío: I said maybe.
Darío shoots him and shouts,
Darío: Long live new Persia!
Soldiers: Long live!