Let the Dollar Circulate Part I
Manfred, Illmari, Yamazin, and Dukovak arrive at the depot and leave their briefcases.
Dukovak: Welcome to Horikoshi Defense Corporation.
Illmari: Thank you.
Dukovak: You're welcome. I need you to train Manfred.
Illmari: Why?
Dukovak: You managed to damage Salomon.
Manfred: Hey, Dukovak, don't pressure her, man.
Dukovak: It's her job, man. I know we have another pilot, but get to training, man. Every damage Salomon takes costs us money.
Manfred: Alright.
Yamazin: I'll prepare the simulator. Illmari, feel at home.
Manfred: And what are you going to do, lazyass?
Dukovak: I'm going to check the accounts. Get to training.
Dukovak opens a laptop and checks his bank account.
Dukovak: What?
Yamazin: What happened?
Dukovak: An email from Gallahorn, and more money.
Yamazin: Shit, what do we do?
Dukovak: I'm calling Miguel.
Dukovak calls Miguel.
Dukovak: Why did you sell us out, you fucking asshole?
Miguel: I didn't sell you out, I gave you a recommendation. Check your bank statement properly, read the damn email, my buddy.
Dukovak: What are you talking about?
Miguel: Relax, primo. Read the email, call the number, and then we'll talk.
Miguel hangs up the phone.
Dukovak: Miguel, you know we have a Gundam, we can kick your ass, what the hell?
Yamazin: What did he say?
Dukovak: He gave us a recommendation under our company's name.
Yamazin: Didn't he say anything else?
Dukovak: No.
Yamazin: Shit, well, at least read the email.
Dukovak goes back to the computer and looks at the screen.
The email says:
"Dear Dukovak Horikoshi, Gallahorn is grateful for the release of individuals classified as human debris and the elimination of Mahmut Ali Yaprak, a human trafficker wanted by Gallahorn and the Martian Union. That's why we grant you the amount of 2 million credits. We look forward to your future cooperation."
Dukovak: So, future cooperation.
Yamazin: Looks like we have more jobs.
Dukovak: Let me call Miguel.
Dukovak goes to the main office and calls Miguel.
Dukovak: So, you gave us a recommendation under our company's name.
Miguel: What can I say, my cousin? I liked you guys.
Dukovak: Why did you help us?
Miguel: I saw some countrymen in trouble and decided to lend a hand.
Dukovak: Well, thanks for setting up the meeting with the pigs.
Miguel: Consider it a business meeting with a new partner. You relax, I'll be nervous.
Dukovak: Alright then.
Yamazin: What did he say?
Dukovak: I have a business meeting with Gallahorn. Are you coming with me?
Yamazin: How did he get the contact?
Dukovak: I don't know. Are you coming with me? The sooner we meet with the pigs, the better.
Yamazin: You leave me no choice, brat.
Dukovak: Let's go then. Manfred, Illmari, keep training.
Dukovak puts on his cowboy hat and leaves with Yamazin to the Gallahorn office in Chryse.
Dukovak: I'll drive, you get comfortable.
Yamazin: Works for me.
Dukovak: Where are we going?
Yamazin: Go to an office, don't you dare go to an embassy or important place.
Dukovak: Understood, I'll see what I say when I get there.
Dukovak drives to a Gallahorn office and gets out of the car with Yamazin.
Dukovak: I'll handle the talking.
Yamazin: Are you sure?
Dukovak: Yeah.
Dukovak enters the Gallahorn office and introduces himself at the counter.
Dukovak: Good afternoon, sir. I'm Dukovak Horikoshi, representative of Horikoshi Defense Corporation. I received an email saying you're expecting our future collaboration.
Clerk: I have no idea what you're talking about, sir. This isn't the department for livestock or agriculture.
Dukovak: What the hell are you talking about?
Clerk: We can't make any rash decisions until the commander arrives, and I don't think he'd want to talk to a lowlife like you.
Dukovak: Son of a bitch, don't you know who I am!
Dukovak walks towards the door, sees a fire extinguisher, and decides to hit the glass protecting the clerk. Consequently, the glass fractures, an alarm sounds, and several officers rush towards Dukovak, arresting him.
Clerk: You're under arrest for damaging public property.
Yamazin: Wait, let's not rush, officer. We came because we received an email saying you were seeking collaboration with us soon.
Clerk: So, you came with the gentleman. Boys handcuff her.
Yamazin and Dukovak find themselves handcuffed in Gjallarhorn's cells.
Yamazin: What do we do, Dukovak?
Dukovak: We wait until the commander arrives.
Dukovak and Yamazin wait until the afternoon when a protected fleet arrives. A man steps out of it and kisses a blonde woman.
Commander: See you later, dear.
The commander enters the station, leaving the car door open.
Corporal: We have two criminals who want to speak with you.
Commander: Why would two criminals want to speak with me?
Corporal: They claim to be representatives of a company called Horikoshi Defense Company.
Commander: Idiot, those are not criminals. Release them immediately. You've made a serious mistake, corporal.
Corporal: Sorry for my mistake. I will release them immediately.
Commander: Hurry up, corporal.
The corporal unlocks Yamazin and Dukovak's cells and leads them to the commander's office.
Corporal: Please forgive the mistake I have made. The commander is ready to speak with you.
The corporal removes Yamazin and Dukovak's handcuffs and directs them to the commander's office. Upon arrival, the commander receives them.
Commander: Please, take a seat.
Yamazin and Dukovak: Thank you.
Commander: So, you are the ones who took care of eliminating Mahmut, one of the main holders of human debris remaining.
Dukovak is ready to respond when Yamazin signals to him and she speaks.
Yamazin: Commander, we are representatives of Horikoshi Defense Corporation. Our corporation indeed took care of eliminating Mahmut, but the pilot who did it is currently in training.
Commander: It's a shame, I would have liked to meet him. Well, considering that you received an email from us, you'll know that we are seeking your future collaboration.
Dukovak: That's why we are here, we wanted to know if you have any job for our company.
Commander: Fortunately for you and unfortunately for us, we do have a job for you. The forces in the Persian region need reinforcements, as they are fighting against religious rebel forces in the region. The contract comes from the African Union. You will enter to provide support.
Dukovak: Is there any specific objective?
Commander: Now, no. You will receive more details upon arrival.
Dukovak: How much will the payment be?
Commander: Two million for the first month, one million each month after.
Dukovak: When do we leave?
Commander: Tomorrow.
Dukovak: Alright then, it's a deal.
Commander: I knew your company sent its best representatives. Would you like something to drink?
Yamazin: Yes, a whiskey on the rocks, and don't even think about it, Dukovak, since you're driving.
Yamazin drinks the whiskey and leaves with Dukovak from the station. Upon getting in the car, Yamazin speaks to Dukovak.
Yamazin: Dukovak, why didn't you talked with Manfred about this mission, considering they provided few details?
Dukovak: I know Manfred will accept it anyway.
Yamazin: What makes you think he will accept the mission?
Dukovak: Because we are brothers.
Yamazin: And if Manfred doesn't accept the mission, what will you do?
Dukovak: I'll talk to Illmari.
Yamazin: You know she won't go if Manfred says no. Have you ever wondered why Manfred does all this for you?
Dukovak: No.
Yamazin: He does it because he wants you to be happy, Dukovak. You should also wonder what your brother wants.
Dukovak: Hey, shall we go to the warehouse?
Yamazin: Let's go, I'm not your mother to be scolding you. I'm worried about your well-being.
Dukovak: But I already told you. You're like a mother to me.
Yamazin blushes.
Yamazin: Well... let's go, Duko.
Dukovak drives to the warehouse and upon arriving talks to Manfred.
Dukovak: We've got a job.
Manfred: Oh wow, where to?
Dukovak: Earth, in a region called New Persia.
Manfred: When do we leave?
Dukovak: Tomorrow.
Manfred: Damn it, you don't even let us rest for a while.
Dukovak: Are you coming or staying?
Manfred: I'm coming but let this be the last time you don't ask me, dude.
Dukovak: Thanks.
Dukovak hugs his brother. They all go to sleep and leave early the next day.
They all board Gjallarhorn's ship and upon takeoff, Dukovak asks:
Dukovak: Will my pilots have to help with ship guards?
Commander: No need to worry about that, Mr. Horikoshi. Our pilots will take care of it.
Dukovak: Alright then.
Manfred: Illmari, I still need more training.
Illmari: At least wait until we eat, Manfred. It seems like you never get tired.
Manfred: Fine, let's eat first and then train.
Illmari: Why are you in such a hurry to improve?
Manfred: I have my reasons, one of them being not to die.
Illmari: Don't be so pessimistic, Manfred.
Manfred: I'm just trying to be realistic.
During the trip, Manfred and Illmari train tirelessly, Yamazin monitors the Mobile suits, and Dukovak explores the ship making contacts.
Upon disembarking from the ship, the corporation is greeted by a man in military uniform.
Soldier: Who are the newcomers?
Commander: This is Horikoshi Defense Corporation, they have two Mobile suits at their disposal.
Soldier: Only two Mobile suits, two men, and two women? Is this a joke?
The commander takes the soldier to a corner.
Commander: Look, Darío, this is the best we can offer for now. See that boy with the Hawaiian shirt over there?
Darío: Yes, I see him, he has terrible taste.
Commander: He might, but he wiped out Mahmut Ali Yaprak's entire Mobile suit fleet.
Darío: Are you kidding me?
Commander: No, this is your chance to keep the Persian congress stable during the regional elections. Neither of us wants the jihadists to take control of the parliament. So put on your best face. By the way, one of the women is the Mobile suit technician and the other one is also a pilot.
Darío: This must be a tasteless joke.
Commander: It's what we have, the higher-ups don't want to send Mobile suits. They don't see the gravity of the problem in the region.
Darío returns and says:
Darío: Welcome to New Persia, I will show you to your quarters.
Darío takes them to an uninhabited hangar and tells them:
Darío: This is what we can offer for now. Tomorrow, we start a patrol that goes through Baghdad and ends in Iraq. This will last for a week, so make your preparations.
Yamazin: Let's adjust the suspension of the Mobile suits. Manfred, Dukovak, Illu, help me.
The corporation members adjust and calibrate the Mobile suits to function properly on Earth. Until nightfall.
Manfred: It's already night and I'm hungry.
Dukovak: Go ask the base if they have rations for us.
Manfred: I'm going.
Illmari: I'll go with you.
Manfred and Illmari go to ask for food.
Yamazin: So, New Persia, I really would like to visit one or two cities besides the Old Man of the Mountain's fortress.
Dukovak: We're not here for sightseeing, we're here to work.
Yamazin: Oh Dukovak, you never think about anything other than work.
Dukovak: I'll stop thinking about it when Manfred and I accomplish what we have planned.
Yamazin: And what is that?
Dukovak: You wouldn't understand.
Yamazin: Do creating an MS is part of what you have planned?
Dukovak: Yes.
Yamazin: When we do it, will you take me to the Persian cities?
Dukovak: Maybe.
Yamazin: Well, you said it.
Dukovak: I said maybe.
Yamazin: That's a yes for me.
Manfred and Illmari return with a pot.
Manfred: Can you believe they don't eat pork?
Dukovak: What did you expect, carnitas, chicharron?
Manfred: well yes.
Dukovak: Well, we'll have to settle for the lamb they gave us.
The night passes and morning comes. The members of the military corporation join the convoy.
Darío: One of your Mobile suits doesn't have long-range weapons.
Illmari: Don't worry about that, Manfred has his fighting style, I'll be enough to cover long-range.
Darío: Well, I don't have another option. Let's go.
Darío hands Dukovak and Yamazin some FAL-type rifles as they leave.
Darío: I hope you don't need them, but it's better to take precautions.
The convoy sets out with two Graze-type Mobile suits provided by Gallahorn and the two MS of Horikoshi.
After two weeks, the convoy passes through a mountainous area and is ambushed by insurgents, who use a grenade launcher against the front car. Yamazin and Dukovak get out of the humvee and start shooting at the mountains. The shootout intensifies when 2 Graze-type Mobile suits appear and provide support to the terrorists.
Illmari: Don't you dare.
Illmari's Mobile suit starts shooting at the Mobile suits, covering Manfred's advance. He manages to approach the Mobile suits and starts a close combat fight, where Manfred impales one Mobile suit and dismembers the last one. Before Manfred delivers the final blow to the cockpit, Darío stops him.
Darío: Manfred, don't kill the remaining pilot, I repeat, don't kill him.
Manfred: Why?
Darío: It's an order. If you don't follow it, the contract is broken.
Manfred: Well, there's the pilot you want so much.
Manfred's MS sheaths its sword.
Darío: Thank you, Manfred.
Darío's men open the cockpit of the MS and pull out the pilot.
Manfred: What do you want him for?
Darío: Information, you all know what to do.
Darío's men hood the pilot.
Soldier: It's up to you if you want to suffer or not, friend.
Pilot: Go to hell.
Soldier 2: Seems like we have a brave one.
Darío: You asked for it, dear friend.
Darío accompanies the two men to a cave where they sit the hooded pilot on a folding chair. Darío grabs a lever and hits the pilot's ribs.
The pilot lets out a dry moan.
Pilot: Ughhh.
Darío continues hitting the pilot.
Darío: I can go all day, even all night, it depends on you if I stop.
Pilot: Screw you, fucking goat fucker.
Darío: You're asking for it, my friend.
Darío continues with the torture and draws his pistol, shooting one of the pilot's knees.
Darío: This is the last time I'm asking, What's your name, who do you work for, and where are your comrades. If you want to walk again, answer us.
Pilot: I'm Abdala Adrisi, my commander's base is in the foothills of Mount Dena in a small village, Mustafa Amin is my boss's name, please let me go.
Darío: You did well, Abdala. We'll release you in a moment.
Darío takes out his pistol and shoots Abdala in the face. Abdala's blood splatters on Manfred's face.
Manfred: Fuck...shit.