Let the dollar circulate part IV
A week has passed since Dukovak and Yamazin returned to Mars, and Sephora, along with Illmari, approaches Manfred. He, as usual, is reading a book called "The Red Fighter Pilot" next to his Gundam.
Illmari: What are you doing?
Manfred: Learning, I mean reading.
Illmari: That's new.
Manfred: Miguel said this book could help me improve.
Illmari: Manfred, Sephora wants to talk to you.
Manfred: About what, or why?
Illmari: Just listen to her.
Sephora enters the hangar.
Sephora: Good day, Manfred. How are you?
Manfred, focused on his book, says:
Manfred: Fine, and you?
Sephora: Good, thank you. Manfred, I want to talk about something important.
Manfred: Go ahead.
Illmari: Manfred, could you close your book and listen to her?
Manfred closes his book, gets up, and says:
Manfred: Come here, let's talk.
Sephora: Okay.
Sephora climbs onto the scaffold where Manfred is.
Manfred: What do you want to talk about?
Sephora: I want to join your company.
Manfred: Why do you want to do that? You're not obligated to join.
Sephora: I know that, but I want to repay the favor you did for me.
Manfred: Favor? Look, taking you to your village was part of the deal; I don't owe you anything.
Sephora: ...
Manfred: What can you offer to the company?
Sephora: Security and information.
Manfred: Security? We have two MS.
Sephora: Yes, but who will protect them when they're outside the MS?
Manfred: Illmari can do that.
Sephora: Illmari is a pilot; she doesn't know much about close combat.
Manfred: Fair point, but why do you want to work with us?
Sephora: To be honest, I have nowhere else to work or live, and I think your company needs a bodyguard. Neither you nor Illmari can handle all aspects of security. Plus, you'll need someone to tell you how the jihadist group operates.
Manfred: You make a good point. I'll think about it, talk to Dukovak.
Illmari: I already talked to Dukovak; he said the decision is up to you.
Manfred: Sephora, you're hired.
Sephora: Thank you, Manfred.
Manfred: You're welcome.
The two girls leave the hangar, and Manfred continues reading his book. Illmari returns and says,
Illmari: Manfred, how long have you been reading that book?
Manfred: Since seven, why?
Illmari: Don't you want to have lunch with us?
Manfred: Let me finish this chapter.
Illmari: Did you even have breakfast?
Manfred: No.
Illmari: Come down right now, or Sephora will make you.
Manfred: Alright, but since when do you guys give me orders?
Illmari: It's not an order; I'm telling you what's going to happen.
Manfred: Well, you're not giving me much choice.
Manfred leaves the hangar with both girls.
Illmari: Alright, Manfred, let's go get some ice cream.
Manfred and the two girls leave the hangar, arrive at an ice cream shop, and order one cone each.
Illmari: I want vanilla ice cream.
Sephora: I'll have mint.
Manfred: Give me pistachio ice cream.
The three of them enjoy their ice creams. Dario calls Manfred.
Dario: Mr. Horikoshi, I need you and your team at the Tehran headquarters first thing Monday morning. We're going to discuss a new job.
Manfred: When does it start?
Dario: It starts Monday, same time. We'll depart from headquarters, my men will be waiting for you in Shiraz.
Manfred: Okay.
Illmari: Who was it?
Manfred: It was Dario; we must be in Tehran on Monday first thing.
Illmari: Why?
Manfred: He mentioned something about a new job.
Sephora: Do we have a choice?
Manfred: No, let's go to the hangar; Dario's men are waiting for us.
Illmari: Let's at least finish our ice creams.
Manfred: Fine.
The trio sits at a table to finish their ice creams, and after a while, they head to the hangar.
Soldier: Mr. Manfred, your journey begins tomorrow at dawn. General Dario is waiting for you.
Manfred: So, a general, who would've thought?
The soldiers load the MS onto a truck with a container. Manfred, Illmari, and Sephora get on the truck. The convoy sets off for Tehran and arrives in the capital city of New Persia after a few hours. Upon arrival, Dario greets Manfred.
Dario: How was the journey, Manfred?
Manfred: Good, thank you. Congratulations on your promotion.
Dario: It's just a temporary position; the capital purged a few fundamentalists.
Manfred: I see. What is the job you want to talk to us about?
Dario: Tomorrow morning, I'll give you the details of Operation Artaxerxes. As soon as I finish briefing you, you'll head to Alamut. The jihadists have an elite team; it's the only settlement with active MS.
Manfred: What's our role?
Dario: Your role is to get rid of the MS so the team can enter and capture Kiya Sabbah alive.
Manfred: Will your team help us with the child soldiers?
Dario: If possible, yes. The problem with Sabbah is that he indoctrinates his soldiers very well.
Manfred: Alright, when will we attack the base?
Dario: Once Operations Esmerdis and Gaumata are over.
Manfred: Understood. I hope this is our last mission with you.
Dario: I hope so too. Your transport is waiting.
Manfred: Understood, and good luck with the other two operations.
The night passes, and the alarm clock wakes up Manfred and his team.
Manfred: Illmari, Sephora, come with me.
Manfred goes to Dario's office, and Dario greets him.
Dario: Good day, Manfred. I hope you're ready for your new job.
Manfred: What is it about?
Dario: My friend, you will help me in Operation Cyrus. As soon as I finish giving you the details of the mission, you will head to Alamut. The jihadists have an elite team; it's the only settlement with active MS.
Manfred: What's our role?
Dario: Your role is to get rid of the MS so the team can enter and capture Kiya Sabbah alive.
Manfred: Will your team help us with the child soldiers?
Dario: If possible, yes. The problem with Sabbah is that he indoctrinates his soldiers very well.
Manfred: Alright, when will we attack the base?
Dario: Once Operations Esmerdis and Gaumata are over.
Manfred: Understood. I hope this is our last mission with you.
Dario: I hope so too. See you tomorrow morning.
The next day, Manfred's transport leaves at 7 in the morning and arrives around noon on the outskirts of Alamut. Manfred and Illmari wait in their MS while Sephora watches the surroundings with binoculars.
It's not until dusk that Manfred receives orders to attack the fortress. The attack begins with surgically calculated shots that eliminate the fortress's guards. When Manfred receives the signal to attack,
Radio: Solomon, it's time.
Manfred: Let's do this, Illmari. Let's go.
Illmari: Understood.
The two MS leave their hiding place, climbing the hill that protects the castle, suddenly two Graze-type MS and a red Reginlaze-type MS emerge from the fortress. Manfred draws the zweihander and cleaves one Graze in half. Illmari takes out her assault rifle, fires at the Graze MS, approaches it, takes out her axe, and tears off one arm. Illmari grabs the missing arm and shoots at the Graze's cockpit. The Reginlaze approaches the Gundam with its sword; Solomon blocks it and pushes the Reginlaze, the Reginlaze opens fire against Solomon. Manfred uses the zweihander as a shield to protect himself from the barrage while approaching and punching the red MS. Afterward, he attacks with the zweihander; the Reginlaze tries to block Manfred's attack, but its sword breaks; so it decides to retreat. Manfred accelerates towards it, forcing the Reginlaze to fire. Manfred delivers another blow that destroys the red Reginlaze's arm. Upon realizing the damage, the red Reginlaze's pilot says,
Mysterious Blonde Man: They're not my men, they're not my problem.
After this, the Reginlaze prepares to flee. Two Graze-type MS approach, so Manfred tells Illmari,
Manfred: Go after the red MS.
Illmari: What about you, Manfred?
Manfred: Don't worry; I'll take care of the two MS.
The two MS decide to fire at Manfred. Manfred uses the zweihander as a shield until he gets close and delivers a vertical blow, destroying the MS. The second MS approaches from Manfred's left and tries to attack Manfred with its axe. Manfred blocks the attack with the zweihander and kicks the Graze to make it back off. Manfred positions himself to attack and performs a horizontal cut, splitting the Graze MS in half.
Manfred: I took care of the MS; how are you doing with the red MS?
Illmari: I lost it. It was heading west, it's already in New Canaan; it's pointless to pursue.
Manfred: Damn it, oh well. Come back to my location.
After a few minutes, Illmari finds Manfred and asks him,
Illmari: What do we do now?
Manfred: Well, there are no more Mobile suits left, so the next part of the assault will begin.
A horde of Mobile workers moves towards the walls of Alamut. After this, the Mobile workers provide fire support for the Persian troops to enter the citadel. The Persian special forces, known as the Sion troops, enter and quickly secure the central tower. Upon doing so, they discover a passage leading to the bunker. The troops enter through the tunnel, clear the area, dynamite the bunker door. Upon opening it, they find a vast collection of books. And a bearded man greets them and says:
Bearded Man: I am the man you're looking for; I am Kiya Sabbah.
Soldier: Hands where I can see them.
Kiya: Very well.
Kiya raises his hands; the soldier hits him with the butt of his rifle and ties his hands with zip ties.
Soldier: Mr. Manfred, the operation was a success. We need to interrogate the suspect.
Manfred: Very well.
Manfred brings two photos and a computer with him. He arrives at the library where Kiya is.
Manfred: Good afternoon, Mr. Kiya.
Kiya: Who are you, and why are you dressed like a clown?
Manfred: Are you referring to my shirt?
Kiya: Yes, why are you wearing that shirt?
Manfred: It's better to die wearing your favorite clothes.
Kiya: A very wise way to enjoy your life.
Manfred pulls out a revolver.
Manfred: Look, Mr. Kiya, I don't want to kill you or hurt you. So tell me who provided you with child soldiers, pilots, and Mobile suits.
Dario arrives.
Dario: Manfred, don't steal my questions. Mr. Kiya, answer the questions if you don't want to suffer like your comrades.
Kiya: It seems I have no choice.
Dario: You know better than anyone that my interrogation methods are unorthodox, after all, you must remember that I developed and perfected those methods. Answer the boy's questions.
Kiya Sabbah: Gallahorn is the one who helped us with the pilots. Captain Richtoffen was sent after the incident in Denar. They also provided the intermediaries to recruit young souls into Allah's service.
Dario: Tell me clearly who these young souls are, are they human debris?
Kiya Sabbah: Yes, they are human debris.
Dario: Very well, Mr. Kiya, you will have to testify before the judicial power of New Persia and the international press. Take him away, boys.
Manfred: How did you get media coverage?
Dario: We simply kidnapped the relatives of each journalist or director of a major international media outlet.
Manfred: Is the job done?
Dario: The hard part is over; now comes the critical part.
Manfred: What do you mean?
Dario: After 12 hours, the ambassadors of Gallahorn will have to testify alongside the jihadist leaders.
Manfred: And what does that have to do with my company?
Dario: You and your little friend will protect the parliament of New Persia from several Gallahorn MS.
Manfred: What do I gain in exchange for all this?
Dario: A very juicy reward from me and friendship with the Persian people.
Manfred: Friendship is beautiful and all, but tell me what I gain.
Dario: Control of a quarter of the Mobile worker and armament factories throughout the New Persian Republic.
Manfred: Consider it a deal.
Dario: Very well, Operation Cyrus begins in twelve hours from now.
Dario's men waste no time and capture key personnel from the Gallahorn embassy. After 11 hours, Solomon is defending the New Persia parliament building. Just as the two MS are positioned in the parliament, the media broadcasts the testimony of the jihadist leaders. The parliament holds Gallahorn responsible for the armed conflict and takes a break. At that moment, several Graze-type MS appear. Solomon unsheathes his sword and heads towards a couple of Graze, easily slicing one in half, while the second almost blocks his attack, but at the same time, its sword breaks. Solomon accelerates and delivers the finishing blow.
Meanwhile, Illmari's MS is holding off three Gallahorn invaders, two blue MS, and one red.
Illmari: It seems the red Reginlaze is back.
Manfred: My side is clear; the Mobile workers will take care of the rest of the troops. I'll go for the red one.
Manfred speeds off when the red MS fires at his shoulder, destroying it into pieces.
Manfred: Damn it.
Manfred decides to dodge Reginlaze's shots until he gets close enough.
Illmari: Manfred, be careful.
Manfred: Don't worry. Take care of those bastards.
Illmari: Alright.
Manfred approaches the Reginlaze, using the zweihander as a shield again until the Reginlaze strikes Manfred's left arm.
Manfred: Son of a...
Manfred goes on the defensive as the Reginlaze attacks him multiple times until he stops for an attack, Manfred kicks him and delivers a vertical blow with the zweihander. The red MS's sword cracks.
Mysterious Blonde Man: You won't get away with this again.
The blonde backs off and shoots at Manfred. Manfred closes in again with the zweihander in a defensive position. He then goes on the offensive, and the red MS strikes him on the right side.
Manfred: Damn it.
Manfred sheaths the zweihander and pulls out two knives.
Mysterious Blonde Man: So, you're going to run away?
Manfred hides in a building, waits for the blonde to approach, and stabs the red Reginlaze's collarbone. After this, he uses the sunlight to cover his escape. The mysterious blonde from the red Gundam says,
Mysterious Blonde Man: Where did you go, you little coward?
Manfred's MS appears from behind, stabbing the red Reginlaze. After this, Solomon retreats and unsheathes the zweihander. He goes against the red MS, cutting its right arm vertically. Manfred grabs the remaining arm and starts to separate it from the red MS using his foot.
Mysterious Blonde Man: It can't be.
After this, the Gallahorn ambassador admits on the media that Gallahorn is indeed responsible for supplying human debris to the African Union jihadists. Manfred comes out of the gundam, takes a revolver and aims it at the destroyed cockpit. Before Manfred delivers the finishing blow, Dario stops him.
Dario: Manfred, stop. Gallahorn and the African Union have decided to negotiate. Don't kill that pilot. I repeat, don't kill him.
Manfred: Seems like it's your lucky day.
Kudelia watches from her office what happened on the television screen and says,
Kudelia: The treaty was truly useless.