Manfred is in the warehouse, which is beginning to resemble more of a hangar for Salomon. When Dukovak says to him:
Dukovak: Who are you going to call?
Manfred: You know who we're going to call.
Dukovak: Mick? Did you even keep in touch after that day?
Manfred: No, but I think it's going to be a good surprise that we survived.
Dukovak: Well, if you say so.
Manfred goes to the office and decides to call Mick.
Mick: Hello?
Manfred: Hey Mick, guess what.
Mick: Manfred?! I thought you were dead, what's up, man?
Manfred: Are you still in Monterrey?
Mick: Yeah, but first, you have to tell me what happened to you.
Manfred: Didn't you see me on the international news?
Mick: Yeah, I did, but I need you to tell me everything that happened to you.
Manfred: Look, it's a long story. Remember the chaos that happened a year ago?
Mick: The massacre, yeah.
Manfred: Well, that's where my bosses got taken down.
Mick: Damn, man, sorry to hear that. My condolences.
Manfred: Thanks, bro.
Mick: And Dukovak, is he still alive?
Manfred: Yeah.
Mick: That's good, it's good to know that at least you guys are still alive. Why are you calling me now?
Manfred: Two reasons. The first one is because it's safe to call you now, and the second one is because I have a surprise for you.
Mick: What surprise?
Manfred: You wouldn't believe it if I told you.
Mick: Where are you?
Manfred: Chryse, Mars. Can you come over for a few weeks?
Mick: Yeah.
Manfred: I knew you'd come. Dukovak is going to have a barbecue.
Mick: I'll bring the beers.
Manfred: Yeah, some Indio beer wouldn't be bad.
Mick: Alright then. Chryse Mars, see you in four weeks.
The call ends, and Dukovak approaches him.
Dukovak: Did you manage to get him to come?
Manfred: Yeah. Who are you going to talk to?
Dukovak: Jean Paul.
Manfred: Who's that?
Dukovak: A pilot from Gjallarhorn. We became friends because we used to go out drinking and cover for each other. He was forced by his family to enlist in Gjallarhorn, so I don't think he'll hesitate to leave at the first chance he gets. In fact, he helped me steal the Alaya-Vijnana implants.
Manfred: Oh, I see. Go ahead and call him.
Dukovak: That's what I'm doing.
Jean Paul: Hello?
Dukovak: Hey Jean, how are you?
Jean Paul: Duko? How are you bro, what's up?
Dukovak: All good, hey, do you want to get out of Gjallarhorn once and for all?
Jean Paul: Yeah, what's your plan?
Dukovak: Do you remember my brother?
Jean Paul: Yeah, why?
Dukovak: Well, we founded a defense company, we have a lot of Mobile Suits that you would be interested in piloting.
Jean Paul: Where are they located?
Dukovak: Chryse, Mars.
Jean Paul: I'm heading there.
Dukovak: Alright then.
Dukovak hangs up the phone.
Manfred: That was easy.
Dukovak: I knew he would come with us.
Manfred: Why would that guy do something like that?
Dukovak: Because of what happened in Monterrey.
Manfred: I see.
A month passes, and Mick and Jean Paul arrive in Chryse.
Manfred: MICK!
Mick: Manfred, how's it going, bro?
Manfred: Good, how about you?
Mick: Good.
Manfred: Are you ready for the surprise?
Mick: Yeah.
Manfred: Let's go.
Manfred and Mick take a taxi to the warehouse where Salomon is located.
Manfred: Are you ready?
Mick: Yeah.
Manfred opens the warehouse door, revealing the Mobile Suit.
Mick: So, you have a Mobile Suit.
Manfred: Yeah, but it's not just any MS. It's a Gundam frame.
Mick: And how do you pilot it? You know those things need a dangerous implant, right?
Manfred: I already got it implanted.
Mick: Wait a minute, do you know the risks involved in the operation?
Manfred: Yes, but I couldn't let Dukovak get the implant.
Mick: I see.
Manfred: Remember how we used to talk a lot about Mobile suits in college, and you liked to talk about how you would like to work with one up close.
Mick: Yeah, but I have no experience working with a Gundam frame.
Manfred: Look, Mick, how about you join our company and we pay you double? Don't worry about the experience, Yamazin will teach you.
Dukovak comes out with Yamazin and Jean Paul from a room.
Mick: What's up, Duko, how are things?
Dukovak: All good, did you see the Gundam?
Mick: Manfred showed it to me.
Dukovak: I see, and what did you think?
Mick: It's pretty awesome, huh Duko? You're going to have a barbecue.
Dukovak: Yeah.
Mick: Manfred, who are these girls?
Yamazin: Mr. Avalon, I'm Yamazin Toka, it's a pleasure to meet you. Manfred told me about your passion for MS, I hope to work directly with you someday.
Manfred: The blonde is Illmari, she pilots an MS, the brunette is Sephora, she heads our security department, but she wants to get into the maintenance area.
Mick: I see, and you, what's your name?
Jean Paul: I'm Jean Paul Madon, I also know Duko, and I'm the new pilot.
Manfred: What do you say, Mick, are you in?
Mick: Manfred, why out of all the people who could work as engineers and technicians for your Mobile suit, do you ask me?
Manfred: Simple, because you're one of the few people I can trust.
Mick: I see.
Manfred: You don't have to give me your answer now, and don't feel pressured to join. Whatever happens, nothing will change between us.
Mick: Alright, who wants a beer?
Mick takes out an Indio beer, gives it to Dukovak, and Dukovak starts the barbecue.
Everyone is sitting down enjoying the moment until night falls, and Mick talks to Manfred.
Manfred hugs Mick.
Manfred: Thanks, Mick.
Mick: And what's the plan?
Manfred: We're going to work for the Martian Union on a campaign to eliminate human debris trafficking.
Mick: I suppose you won't be doing this campaign alone.
Manfred: It's a joint campaign with Gjallarhorn. They're trying to clean up their image after what happened in Persia.
Mick: I see. I guess you'll need more people for the MS preparation.
Manfred: Yes, do you have any idea where to start?
Mick: There are many people in Monterrey and Chryse looking for work. I suppose they can be trained in about 2 months.
Manfred: It's better to do it in one month.
Mick: I'll make some calls and see what I can do for you.
Manfred and Dukovak bid farewell to Mick. After three weeks, there is a line of workers entering the warehouse. Mick and Yamazin stand on a platform welcoming them.
Illmari: Do you think it's a good idea to hire all these people?
Sephora: If Martian intelligence didn't find anything suspicious about each of the workers, then we're safe.
Illmari: Let's hope so.
Sephora: By the way, where's Manfred? He promised to go out to eat with us today.
Illmari: I'll go find him.
Yamazin: Welcome to Horikoshi Corporation. You are here because you have been selected to provide maintenance and preparation for our MS.
Mick: The fact that you're here means you are the best of the best when it comes to Mobile suits, and you have successfully completed the training. We will soon give you your uniforms.
Mick, Dukovak, Manfred, and Yamazin hand out uniforms to the workers. After a while, Illmari goes to Manfred and pulls him away from his post.
Manfred: What's up?
Illmari: You forgot something.
Manfred: Mmm, I don't think so.
Illmari: We have to go out to eat, you promised us that we would go out to eat today.
Manfred: Yes, but I have to finish handing out the uniforms.
Yamazin: Don't worry, Manfred. We're almost done.
Illmari: Let's go, Manfred.
Illmari grabs Manfred's hand and pulls him out of the warehouse with Sephora.
Mick: HAHAHA, damn Manfred.
Manfred leaves with Illmari and Sephora, they are sitting at an outdoor café when Richtoffen appears.
Richtoffen: Mr. Horikoshi, what are you doing here?
Manfred: Nothing, I'm eating.
Richtoffen: I see. Can I sit with you?
Manfred: As you wish.
Richtoffen sits down.
Richtoffen: I've been informed that you are going to participate in the human debris eradication campaign. I knew we would pilot together someday.
Illmari: What makes you think you're going to pilot with Manfred?
Richtoffen: Rustal assigned me to the same ship you'll be on, so we're practically crewmates.
Illmari: Look, Richtoffen, just because we're on the same ship doesn't guarantee you'll be piloting with Manfred or me.
Richtoffen: That remains to be seen, beautiful. Manfred, I hope to be able to pilot side by side with you. See you in a week, handsome.
Manfred: See you, Richtoffen.
Richtoffen gets up from the table and leaves.
Sephora: Now that I remember, how many new pilots do we have?
Manfred: Not counting Jean Paul, I think 10, why?
Illmari: How did you get so many pilots?
Manfred: Miguel sent them to us.
Sephora: I don't want that Richtoffen to pilot alongside you, I don't think he's trustworthy.
Manfred: Just for that?
Sephora blushes.
Sephora: Yes, just for that.
Manfred smiles.
Manfred: Hahaha.
Sephora: It's the first time in a while I've seen you laugh. You should do it more often.
Manfred blushes.
Manfred: Well, let's go.
The trio gets up from the table and returns to the warehouse.
A week passes, and the Horikoshi Corporation is boarding the spaceship. It takes off, and once in space, the ship spends a week orbiting Mars.
Manfred: I'm tired of seeing Mars every day. Can't we move?
Dukovak: We're going to Jupiter, the ship leaves in 1 hour.
Manfred: Why Jupiter?
Richtoffen passes by and joins the conversation.
Richtoffen: Because Teiwaz reported pirate activity in the area, particularly many of their fleets are being ambushed by them.
Dukovak: Who is this guy?
Manfred: He's Richtoffen. The pilot of the red MS.
Dukovak: I see. I'm Dukovak Horikoshi. Nice to meet you.
Richtoffen: The pleasure is mine. I came because Julieta Juris sent me to find you. She desires mutual cooperation between both parties and wants to talk to you.
Manfred: Tell her that if she wants to talk to us, she should come herself.
Richtoffen: You can't refuse an invitation from Juris just like that.
Dukovak: Richtoffen, can you give us a moment?
Richtoffen: Of course.
Dukovak goes with Manfred to a hallway and shakes him by his clothes.
Dukovak: What the hell is wrong with you, man? At any moment, they could kick us off the ship. Don't you realize how far we've come?
Manfred: Don't you realize that these bastards killed our parents?
Dukovak: Yeah, I know, but you have to understand that we have a job. One step closer to fulfilling our plan.
Manfred: Do you know who that Julieta Juris is? She's Rustal Elion's right-hand woman. That bitch might have ordered the massacre.
Dukovak: You think I'm an idiot? I know who she is and what she's capable of. But remember the plan, Manfred.
Dukovak hugs Manfred.
Dukovak: When the time comes, I'll tell you. Let's go meet with this bitch.
Dukovak and Manfred return to Richtoffen.
Dukovak: We've sorted it out. We're going to meet with Julieta.
Richtoffen: I expected nothing less from you. Gentlemen, follow me.
Dukovak and Manfred follow Richtoffen and arrive at the control room.
Julieta: Mr. Horikoshi, it's a pleasure to meet again. Please have a seat. Make yourselves comfortable.
Dukovak and Manfred sit down.
Dukovak: We appreciate your invitation. What topic do you want to discuss with us?
Julieta: No particular topic. I know our organizations had some friction in the past. Particularly in Persia.
Dukovak: We had a contract to fulfill, it was just a coincidence that Gjallarhorn got involved.
Julieta: I understand. Anyway, the reason I invited you to the command center is because I want to leave behind the conflicts our organizations had in the past. I hope we share the same mindset.
Manfred: It's a very nice way of saying let's put our differences aside even though you allowed the use of child soldiers.
Julieta: Look, boys, as a gesture of our newfound friendship, I have a present for you.
Julieta takes out two bottles of Johnnie Walker Blue Label. She adds:
Julieta: I believe it's a drink that Manfred appreciates a lot, as you told Rustal, the Johnnie Walker Blue Label, it's an elixir.
Manfred: Do you really think we're worth a couple of bottles of expensive whiskey?
Julieta: Manfred, if it were up to me, we wouldn't be on the same ship. But I'm doing this for Rustal, so I beg you to make an effort to have a relationship of mutual respect.
Manfred: Respect? For an organization that traffics in human debris. Do me a damn favor.
Julieta: Manfred, you killed many of my comrades.
Manfred: Because they deserved it.
Dukovak: Manfred, could you shut up for a moment? Ms. Juris, I know our organization had altercations with yours. But I hope we can cooperate in this campaign.
Julieta: The feeling is mutual.
Dukovak and Manfred get up and leave the command room.
Dukovak: What the hell was that, man?
Manfred: Honesty.
Dukovak: I told you to hold yourself back.
Manfred: Do you really think we're worth a bottle of expensive whiskey?
Dukovak: If you don't like the bottle, don't drink the whiskey. Let's return the bottles.
Manfred: Are you going to drink your bottle?
Dukovak: You know I'm not a fan of whiskey.
Manfred: Can I have your bottle?
Dukovak: Take it, you damn alcoholic.
The two brothers go to their quarters. During the two weeks that pass, Manfred spends his time training with Illmari. Dukovak, Yamazin, and Mick maintain Solomon, and Sephora learns technical maintenance duties for Mobile suits. Until the first battle call comes.
Manfred: What's happening?
Richtoffen approaches him and says,
Richtoffen: What you hear is a battle alarm. Julieta explicitly wants it to be a collaborative mission. So put on a spacesuit.
Manfred: Uh, thanks for the heads up.
Manfred puts on his spacesuit.
Illmari: Richtoffen, you can go now.
Richtoffen: Sorry, I didn't realize.
Illmari: Goodbye.
Manfred has just put on his spacesuit when Illmari tells him,
Illmari: This Richtoffen keeps being annoying.
Manfred: At least he's not an asshole like the rest of the crew. Remember, he's the only crew member who talks to us.
Manfred and Illmari arrive at the hangar when Sephora says to them,
Sephora: Ready?
Manfred: Yes.
Illmari: Yes.
The two pilots get into their MS and leave the ship.
Manfred watches as Gjallarhorn squadrons mercilessly attack the pirate MS defending their captain.
Illmari: These bastards don't know they're killing children.
Manfred: They may not know what they're doing, or they may. All we can do is save as many children as possible.
Manfred and Illmari join the battle, attacking the enemy MS's limbs. Manfred approaches a Rodi-type MS; Solomon takes out the knives to fight hand-to-hand and dismembers the MS to move on to the next. Illmari, on the other hand, fights nothing but his axe, dismembering the Mobile suits that he can. Richtoffen observes Manfred's fighting style and realizes that he's avoiding killing the pilots. Richtoffen decides to talk to Manfred and says,
Richtoffen: Everything alright over there?
Manfred: I guess so.
Richtoffen: Then why are you fighting like that? You're avoiding killing the pilots; I didn't know you were a charity brother.
Manfred: We're probably fighting against children, human debris in short.
Richtoffen: Shit, I see now.
Manfred: You know, now there's more than one pilot trying to make a difference. It's up to you if you want to do something about it.
Richtoffen: I'll tell the other pilots not to kill enemy pilots. Is there anything else I can do?
Manfred: Yes, have the remains of the Mobile suits brought to the deck.
Richtoffen: Understood.
After Richtoffen received Manfred's instructions, several Reginlaze carried the MS torsos to the deck of the ship.
Julieta, on the other hand, observes as some MS return to the main deck.
Julieta: What's going on?
Manfred and Illmari eventually return to the main deck to refuel. Julieta goes down to the hangar where the Mobile suits are refueling and observes as they remove wounded or dead children from the cockpits.
Julieta is surprised to see the scene and asks in a puzzled manner,
Julieta: What's going on?
Yamazin: Didn't you realize, your men until recently were killing children.
Julieta: Yamazin, how do you know that?
Yamazin: They're pirates; they use human debris to fight their battles. Why do you think Manfred was fighting carefully? You should know better than anyone that pirates use human debris.
Julieta: I see now. Manfred, how did you know the pirates use human debris?
Manfred: I saw it with my own eyes. I'm surprised you don't know that pirates use human debris. Do you even have any idea what these children go through?
Mick approaches Manfred and says,
Mick: Manfred, can we talk for a moment?
Manfred: What happened?
Mick: Manfred, why didn't you tell me you were going to, kill people.
Manfred: I didn't kill anyone, or at least I tried not to. Because they're children.
Mick: How do you know the pilots are children?
Manfred: I learned it firsthand in my first job.
Mick: I see. Did you kill any children?
Manfred: Yes, I did.
Mick: And how do you feel about it?
Manfred: To be honest with you, there's not a day that goes by that I don't think about it and regret doing it.
Mick: Did you do it knowing?
Manfred: No.
Mick: I see, how can I help?
Manfred: The only thing we can do is to take the enemy pilots out of the MS cockpits that we bring.
Mick: I see, well, I'm going to go help with that, it's the least I can do.
Richtoffen's MS soon arrives at the hangar. Richtoffen, upon disembarking, is intercepted by Julieta.
Julieta: Richtoffen, why are all the Mobile suits bringing enemy remains to the ship? Who gave the order to do that?
Richtoffen: I did. Do you have a problem with me?
Julieta: Yes, you bypassed the chain of command. Why did you make that decision without consulting me?
Richtoffen: Because there are children involved, and I saw an opportunity to do something about it.
Julieta: You're impulsive.
Richtoffen: I'm not. What would you have done in my place? Asked Rustal for permission?
Julieta: Don't disrespect me, Richtoffen. At any moment, I can end your life's project.
Richtoffen: telling the truth is not disrespect.