The market of death part II

Dukovak observes Manfred's expression and senses that something is not right, so he decides to talk to him.

Dukovak: Manfred, what happened?

Manfred: ... I killed...

Dukovak: We both know this was going to be difficult. Let's have a drink to help you forget what happened.

Manfred: ...children...

Manfred starts sobbing.

Dukovak, incredulous, asks him.

Dukovak: How do you know? With the Human Debris Treaty, that would be impossible.

Manfred: Ask that kid over there.

Manfred, tearfully, says to him:

Manfred: It could have been us, Dukovak. YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND!

Dukovak: Yes, I understand.

Dukovak looks at the new prisoner, who is a child, and realizes the seriousness of Manfred's problem. Yamazin approaches and asks:

Yamazin: Is Manfred okay?

Dukovak: What do you think? He just killed children.

Yamazin: How do you know?

Dukovak: Look at that prisoner over there.

Yamazin: Damn it.

Dukovak approaches the young prisoner and asks:

Dukovak: What's your name?

Orphan: I'm Simon.

Dukovak: How old are you?

Simon: Thirteen, and why does it matter to you?

Dukovak: It matters to me because you're still a kid. Tell me, do you have siblings?

Simon: Why does that matter to you? Anyway, I already have a new owner.

Dukovak: No, no, no, Simon, you've just been freed. If you have siblings, we can help them too. That's why we want to know if there are more kids on the ship.

Dukovak: Simon, are there more kids on the ship?

Simon: Why do you want to know that if your pilot is going to kill them anyway?

Dukovak: I'm asking because I want to make sure our pilot releases them and takes them to a safe place.

Simon: Well, it seems like your pilot is broken.

Dukovak: What do you mean?

Simon: Just look at him, crying for killing a bunch of brats.

Dukovak: He feels that way for killing children like you. So tell me, Simon, do you have siblings on that ship? I have an older brother, his name is Manfred, sometimes he's a jerk, but we still help each other when we need to.

Simon: I have a sister named Illmari, she's my older sister, she's 21. The captain of the pirate ship bought us. She pilots a white MS.

Dukovak: Do only you guys pilot the MS, or do adults also?

Simon: Adults usually don't pilot MS, except for the captain who pilots a black MS.

Dukovak: Say no more, we're going to help your sister and friends.

Dukovak goes to look for Miguel and talks to him.

Miguel: My duko, what can I do for you, kid?

Dukovak: Did you see what happened with the prisoner?

Miguel: I saw that he's just a kid, which is tough considering that Gallahorn shouldn't abide by the laws and agreements it signs.

Dukovak: I'm not asking you whether it's right or wrong for Gallahorn to fulfill its agreements, but I'm asking for your help to free the remaining kids.

Miguel: I understand, my duko, but those kids could consume our resources.

Dukovak: I thought this was a charity mission.

Miguel: You caught me off guard, my esteemed Duko, but those kids will cost us resources for training.

Dukovak: We both know you don't want to train or use them. I know Bernstein has an orphanage for these kids. I just ask that you help me free them.

Miguel: How do you plan to do that?

Dukovak: By only shooting at the command tower, that way we avoid most casualties. My pilot will take care of the rest.

Miguel: Well, you have my support, but without an MS, there's not much we can do, considering your brother's condition.

Dukovak: I'll take care of motivating him.

Dukovak goes to Manfred's cockpit.

Dukovak: Manfred, I know you're in there. I know you can't bring those kids back to life.

Manfred: Don't mess with me.

Dukovak: But at least you can make sure more kids don't suffer the same fate.

Dukovak: You saw that Gjallarhorn's laws don't even apply to themselves, so at least we should try to prevent other children from suffering.

Manfred: What do you plan to do?

Dukovak: Miguel will provide support by attacking the pirate ship's tower. You just have to disable the MS.

Manfred: That won't bring back the kids I killed.

Dukovak: Yes, but it may help atone for our actions and prevent these kids from suffering a similar fate.

Manfred opens the door and asks:

Manfred: Are there Mobile Suits supporting us?

Dukovak: No, but Yamazin and I will support you with whatever is necessary, Miguel will also help us.

Miguel appears in the hallway and says:

Miguel: How are you, my Manfred? I left you a gift at the MS port, it might help you.

Manfred: What did you give me?

Miguel: It is a surprise. But I know it'll be useful for you. It's said that only Teiwaz knows the alloy. I hope it serves you well, my friend.

Manfred just says: Thank you very much, Miguel.

Miguel tells him:

Miguel: Don't call me "don," just call me Miguel.

Manfred: Well, thank you, Miguel.

Miguel: Whenever you want, kid.

Manfred goes to the port and sees a sword with the inscription "Zweihander."

Manfred decides to board his MS, and Miguel speaks to him.

Miguel: Did you see your gift, my Manfred? It's made of a special alloy. They say only Teiwaz knows which one it is. I hope it serves you well, my friend.

Manfred just says: Thank you very much, Don Miguel.

Miguel tells him:

Miguel: Don't call me "Don," just call me Miguel.

Manfred: Well, thank you, Miguel.

The Salomon Gundam exits the ship and heads toward the pirate ship, where it is intercepted by several bulky MS.

Manfred: Let's go, Solomon, to free those children.

Manfred heads towards the pirate ship and sees several Mobile Suits, which he starts dismembering with his new sword until he sees a white MS.

Simon: Illmari!

Dukovak: The MS is also piloted by a girl, Manfred, be careful.

Manfred: I'll free her.

Manfred and the white MS approach. The white MS starts shooting at him, so Manfred grabs a severed limb as a shield to get closer to the white MS. The white MS then draws its axe, and Manfred reacts by stabbing the MS's shoulder.

Illmari: My brother's death will be avenged, white beast.

Illmari approaches Salomon again with her axe, but Manfred stops the attack with the armor on his forearm, punches the white MS, and then Manfred cuts off one of its legs with his zweihander.

Illmari: Shit, I can't give up now, Simon.

Illmari approaches again, damaging Salomon's shoulder and incapacitating his left arm.

Manfred: Damn it, you can't give up!

Manfred steps back, draws his knife, and quickly attacks the white MS, stabbing and dismembering its missing arm. Illmari decides to make a final charge using her MS's horn.

Manfred: He's a good fighter, I have to admit.

Manfred unsheathes the zweihander and mutilates the missing leg of the MS before heading towards the enemy ship, which is under fire from Miguel. Manfred approaches the ship at great speed, causing another, slimmer cyclops-type MS with two scimitars to emerge from it. The black MS charges at Manfred with all its force.

Mahmud: You won't last long with me, rookie.

Manfred manages to block the attack and retreats to attack Mahmud with his zweihander. Mahmud blocks the attack with his two scimitars, then attacks Manfred with one of them. Manfred blocks it, kicks Mahmud, and decides to move away. Mahmud pursues him until he finds him, then begins to execute successive attacks against Manfred. Manfred blocks the attacks with the armor on his forearm until it begins to come loose. Seeing this, Manfred kicks Mahmud in the waist and then cuts off one of his legs.

Mahmud: You bastard, you'll regret facing me.

Manfred: I must find a way to stun him, even if only for a few seconds. Manfred sees the sun and smiles. He heads towards Miguel's ship, which is blocking part of the sun, and sees Mahmud approaching. So he decides to communicate with Miguel.

Manfred: Miguel, I'm at the base of your ship, turn it around, make it stop blocking the sun.

Miguel: Where are you that we can't see you?

Manfred: At the keel.

Mahmud: They decided to flee, cowards, what can you expect from traffickers?

The sunlight begins to shine into Mahmud's ocular systems as Manfred decides to attack from the front, impaling Mahmud and piercing his MS. After this, Manfred approaches the pirate ship to display what remains of Mahmud's MS impaled on his zweihander.

Seeing this, the officers surrender and Miguel's crew boards the pirate ship. After inspecting it, Miguel finds unused MS.

Miguel: Mother of... 4 new MS.

Yamazin: It would be better to dismantle them to continue our agreement.

Miguel: You're crazy, the deal was that you would get the destroyed MS. Considering the deal, you get 25% of the value of these MS.

Yamazin: ...

Miguel: What happened, my queen? I follow my contracts to the letter.

Manfred takes care of transporting the dismembered MS to free the pilots from their duty. As he liberates the children from their yoke, they celebrate as the remains of the MS arrive at Miguel's ship's port. The celebration grows until Manfred approaches Illmari's MS.

Illmari: It seems I have new owners, but why do I see my companions celebrating? Have they lost their minds?

Illmari, upon leaving the remains of her MS, sees a multitude of children and ports celebrating. When her brother charges at her and embraces her, saying:

Simo: Illu, we're free now.

Illmari: I don't understand what you mean.

Simo: We're free, sister, why do you think everyone's celebrating? We're going to have a new home on Mars, in one of Bernstein's orphanages.

Illmari starts to tear up and says,

Illmari: I understand now.

Miguel and Yamazin watch from the bridge of the ship as the children celebrate, and Yamazin says,

Yamazin: Wouldn't you like to do charity work like this more often?

Miguel: These kinds of deeds usually cost a lot.

Yamazin: But if you like being generous with your countrymen.

Miguel: That's different, it's because it benefits me in the long run.

Yamazin: That's a lie, you do it because you want to see a change in the places that matter to you. Whether for better or for worse. Duko, at least, is more sincere and direct with his intentions. He can be unorthodox, but that's what I like about him. He's honest with himself and those around him.

Miguel: I looked directly into the eyes of your boys and they're straightforward, but there's something odd about them. A feeling that they want revenge, it's evident deep within them. They're smart, but that could lead them to ruin.

Yamazin: Revenge? Against whom?

Miguel: I couldn't tell you, my queen. Only they can answer that. Hopefully, they'll know to let go of that feeling for both our sakes.

Yamazin: Changing the subject, are you not going to tell me what you're carrying in your cargo?

Miguel: I already told you, when the time comes, you'll know. For now, just know that it's aid for my countrymen back on Earth.

Manfred is heading somewhere when Illmari stops him and shakes his hand.

Illmari: Thank you.

Manfred: For what?

Illmari: For freeing my brother.

Manfred: You don't have to thank me, it was coincidence.

Illmari: But you freed me and all the kids.

Manfred: It was the least I could do to atone for my actions.

Illmari: Could you at least shake my hand?

Manfred: I can't, it's dirty with my blo...

Illmari shakes Manfred's hand.

Manfred: ...

Illmari: I hope to work with you in the future.

Manfred: I don't understand, you're free, you don't have to get into the MS anymore.

Illmari: You don't understand. I'm already of legal age, I can't go to any orphanage on Mars anymore. So I decided to work with you, and the only thing I know how to do is handle an MS.

Manfred: Have you consulted Dukovak and Yamazin?

Illmari: Yes, that's exactly why I'm here. They told me that you're the one who decides whether I enter the company or not.

Manfred: Well, if that's what you wanted, then you're in.

Illmari: Thank you very much, Manfred, I won't disappoint you.

The ship approaches Earth quickly and lands in the new city of Mexico.

Upon disembarking, Miguel instructs his men to take care of the children.

Miguel: We're going to make the delivery in Chihuahua. Some of you will take care of the kids, we don't want any pig asking for bribes.

Miguel: You three still need to fulfill your contract.

Dukovak: We know.

Miguel: Don't worry, my Duko, in two days you'll learn how to close deals.

Dukovak: Illmari, come, you're going to learn to maintain the Gundam.

Illmari: I'm coming.

The company members and Miguel's men board the train once it's loaded, heading towards Chihuahua.

The train was at full speed when a Gallahorn patrol stopped them, carrying two Graze-type MS. Miguel gets off with Dukovak to negotiate with the officers. Dukovak instructs Manfred to get into the Gundam.

Miguel: What's up, my boys, how are we doing?

Officer: Very well, sir, may I see your documentation?

Miguel: Of course, here it is.

Miguel hands over false documentation to the officer.

Officer: Mr. Félix Gallardo, I need to inspect the train cars.

Miguel: Oh, officer, it seems that the doors are damaged and won't open, you know how it is.

Miguel proceeds to open a briefcase with money and says to them,

Miguel: Here it is officer, for the inconvenience we may have caused you.

Officer: Very well, Mr. Félix, you are under arrest for bribing a Gallahorn officer.

Miguel: Oh, officer, it seems you've decided your payment will be in lead currency.

After hearing these words, Miguel's men come out of the cars shooting at the patrols, the Salomón Gundam comes out of the car to attack the two Graze MS, Manfred stabs the first MS, leaving it out of combat, grabs its axe, and starts attacking the remaining MS frenetically until breaking the cockpit. Once the door is open, Manfred pulls out the MS pilot and crushes them like trash. After this, he tears off the cockpit of the first MS to ensure its pilot was dead, squeezing the body as a measure. After that, Miguel and the others flee the scene.

Yamazin: That's a more violent side of Manfred.

Miguel: Maybe he acted like that because his brother was in danger, maybe not. Only God knows.

A day passes and the train is already on the outskirts of Chihuahua. There, Miguel closes the deal with several of his men behind him carrying long weapons. He doesn't leave until he receives the briefcase. Suddenly, when opening the containers of the train, three Mobile Suits, several Mobile Workers, and one of the men open a box from which he takes AK and M16 rifles.

Yamazin: So that was the supposed help you were going to give to your countrymen.

Miguel: You don't understand, this is bigger than you or me, this is for my Neo Mexico and for a better future in my lands.

Yamazin: You're only providing instruments of violence.

Miguel: That's where you're wrong, my dear. I'm providing instruments to fight against the oppression of Gallahorn. And I hope that once we're no longer under their control, my people can live better.

Yamazin: Do you really think more changes will be achieved with violence?

Miguel: My dear, there's a saying "by reason or by force." Mexicans already tried the first path and look at what happened in Monterrey months ago, let's not be foolish. In fact, your boys seem to be from there by the way they speak. Ask them what happened.

Yamazin: ... Do you really think you'll accomplish anything?

Miguel: ... Well, who knows, my dear, maybe we can have a better world without the pigs from Gallahorn.

Yamazin: Well, who knows, maybe you'll unleash a beast once Gallahorn is gone.

Miguel: Well, it's time to return to Mars, your contract isn't over yet.

The train returns to the new city of Mexico, and once there, the ship sets sail for Mars where they arrive without incidents. Upon arrival, Miguel says to them,

Miguel: It was a pleasure doing business with you ladies and gentlemen, here's the bank transaction receipt.

Yamazin checks the payment receipt.

Yamazin: Miguel, I don't understand why you're paying us more.

Miguel: That money is for the Mobile Suits we delivered, check the hold of my ship.

Yamazin, Dukovak, Illmari, and Manfred follow Miguel.

Miguel: Consider this a gift from me.

Miguel opens the ship's hatches revealing an MS recovered from the battle against the space pirates.

Miguel: My team decided to make some modifications to it and equipped it with a more powerful rifle.

Yamazin: You know you're missing the opportunity to protect your fleet.

Miguel: Oh, dear, sometimes one must grow slowly without anyone knowing. Besides, you need that MS more than I do.

Yamazin: I don't know what to say. Thank you, Miguel.

Dukovak: Thank you very much, Miguel, I hope we can do business again soon.

Miguel: I say the same, my Duko. Anyway, I have to take these kids to the orphanage. Duko, Manfred, get in the truck.

Manfred: I'm going.

Upon arrival, Miguel hands over a suitcase of money and takes down the children.

The caretakers ask under whose name the donation was made, to which Miguel replies,

Miguel: Joshua Graham.

And he drives away with Manfred, Dukovak, and Illmari.