Chapter 23: Reach Out

Manfred is in the hospital room recovering from his gunshot wound, staring expressionlessly at the ceiling. He receives an unexpected visit from Julieta. She arrives with a bag, from which she takes out a game console and some food. She then connects the console to the TV in his room. He watches as Julieta sets up the console.
Julieta and Manfred's gazes meet, but the moment is brief as he turns his face away from her. Julieta places the food on the table by his bed. Manfred looks at the food but decides to ignore it. He then lies back down on the bed. Julieta decides to break the ice and says to him:
Julieta: Manfred, how are you?

Manfred: Not good.

Julieta: The doctors told me that your recovery is going quite well.

Manfred: ... Why did you come now? Did you just remember me?

Julieta: What do you mean?

Manfred: Richtoffen and the girls came a few days ago. It's been 5 days since I've been here.

Julieta: I came as soon as I could. I had many meetings with the high command of Gjallarhorn. And I just got free today.

Manfred: It makes sense. After all, they are more important.

Julieta frowns and says:

Julieta: That's not it. It was part of the job.

Manfred: I see. Work is more important after all.

Julieta: Didn't you see the food I brought you? The doctors told me you haven't eaten anything all day.

Manfred: I'm not hungry.

Julieta: Manfred, you have to eat something so you can get out of the hospital quickly. Gjallarhorn and the Martian Union are going to hold a ceremony of honor since the mission was a success.

Manfred: So?

Julieta: They're going to give you medals.

Manfred: I don't deserve them.

Manfred turns on the TV and watches the news. The news shows the destroyed Mobile Suits of Till Makarov and Haruna, and then shows the wounded being taken away on stretchers from the incident at the Millennium Tower. The presenter says that the Kalk clan was successfully dismantled without any civilian casualties.

Manfred: I guess Gjallarhorn's information control is still strong.

Julieta: We can't risk tarnishing the image of Gjallarhorn and the Martian Union.

Manfred: In other words, it suits them to hide the truth so as not to lose power.

Julieta: To not lose legitimacy. It's now when we need it the most.

Julieta opens the food container and offers the food to Manfred. He rejects it and tries to get up.

Julieta: Where are you going?

Manfred: I'm going to take a piss.

Julieta: You can't walk in that condition.

Manfred: Of course I can.

Manfred feels pain in his abdomen and lies back down on the bed. Julieta, on the other hand, grabs the TV remote and changes the TV signal to play with the console. She hands a controller to Manfred. He doesn't take it and looks at her with indifference. Julieta gets fed up with Manfred's attitude and says:

Julieta: Manfred, why are you angry?

Manfred: You only care about your job. That's why you talk to me and try to cheer me up. Most likely you're going to need me to pilot the Gundam again.

Julieta: That's not true. I'm concerned about your well-being.

Manfred: Are you going to need the corporation to keep cooperating with Gjallarhorn?

Julieta: Probably, yes.

Manfred: You just proved my point.

Julieta gets angry and leaves the room. Before Julieta crosses the door, Manfred asks her:

Manfred: Tell me, was it part of your job to be my friend?

Julieta: No.

Julieta leaves the hospital room and Manfred is left with the food. Manfred stares at the TV for a while and then starts eating the food Julieta left him. Julieta gets into an escorted SUV and goes to the base in Harare. There she meets Richtoffen smoking in the hangar of his Reginlaze. He is leaning against a wall. Upon noticing Julieta's presence, he taps his cigarette pack and offers her a cigarette.

Richtoffen: Want one?

Julieta: You know I don't smoke.

Richtoffen: You look tense. A cigarette wouldn't hurt.

Julieta: Just give me one.

Richtoffen takes a cigarette out of his pack, gives it to Julieta. She puts the cigarette in her mouth, he lights it for her and says:

Richtoffen: Do you know how to smoke?

Julieta: No.

Richtoffen: Inhale and hold your breath for a few seconds. Exhale and repeat.
Julieta inhales the cigarette and coughs.

Richtoffen: And how did it go with Manfred?

Julieta: Not well. He was very curt with me. Can you think of any reason why he's acting like this?

Richtoffen: Be more specific. Tell me all the details.

Julieta: I entered his room with food that I prepared with the help of Illmari and Sephora. I also brought the console to play with him. But he ignored me.

Richtoffen: How long has it been since he was senmt to the hospital?

Julieta: 5 days. Why do you ask?

Richtoffen: Because it was a long time for him. We went as soon as they allowed us to visit him.

Julieta: But I had to give news to Rustal and the war council about the completion of the operation.

Richtoffen: So Gjallarhorn matters more to you than your friends.

Julieta: You could say that.

Richtoffen finishes smoking his cigarette, throws the butt away. He walks towards his Reginlaze and says:

Richtoffen: Manfred feels that you only used him. If you genuinely care about him, go visit him more often.

Julieta puts out the cigarette and steps on it. She goes to her office. On the way, Julieta meets Sephora and Illmari. Sephora asks her:

Sephora: How did it go with Manfred?

Julieta: Not well. He ignored me most of the time.

Sephora: That was to be expected.

Julieta: What do you mean?

Illmari: It took you too long to visit him.

Julieta: Could you accompany me next time?

Illmari: That would make Manfred even angrier with you.

Julieta: I see.

Dukovak is in an improvised office. He has a computer, many papers, and there is a tablet in the corner of the desk. He is talking with Yamazin, who takes out a bottle of whiskey and two flat glasses. She puts some ice in them. Before she opens the bottle, Dukovak stops her.

Yamazin: It's no longer daytime. We could drink a little to relax a bit.

Dukovak: I never liked whiskey. I only drink it when Manfred is around.

Dukovak gets up from his desk, goes to a drawer, and takes out a bottle of singani, some lemons, and a bottle of lime-lemon soda. He cuts the lemons, opens the bottles. He pours the singani into the two glasses until they are a quarter full, then fills the glasses with soda. Dukovak gives a glass to

Yamazin. She drinks and says:

Yamazin: What did you serve me?

Dukovak drinks from his glass and says:

Dukovak: It's singani. Some people used to call it white brandy.

Yamazin: It's delicious. How do you know about this drink, and how did you get it?

Dukovak: My parents really liked this drink. I asked Miguel to bring me a few bottles.

Yamazin: Miguel never disappoints me. You know, Dukovak, we need to talk.

Dukovak, worried, asks:

Dukovak: About what?

Yamazin: About the company. I think we should change the name.

Dukovak calms down.

Yamazin: Hahaha, you thought we were going to have another chat. Remember, I'll always be by your side.

Dukovak: I see. You had me worried for a moment. What name do you suggest we give it?

Yamazin: I was thinking about Yggdrasil.

Dukovak: What does that name mean?

Yamazin: It's a tree in Norse mythology. It's supposed to connect the nine worlds in Norse mythology.

Dukovak: Tell me, what values would Yggdrasil represent?

Yamazin: The word you're looking for is virtue. Yggdrasil is associated with wisdom, knowledge, strength, and resilience. Virtues that you, Manfred, and
the entire team demonstrated throughout the life of the corporation.

Dukovak: I like the name. We also have to create an emblem for the corporation.

Yamazin: I'll take care of that.

Dukovak turns on the TV and watches the news. There he sees the presenter reporting that the search and hunt operation for the pirate clans has been a complete success. Meanwhile, Yamazin grabs a pen and starts drawing an emblem. After a moment, the presenter mentions that there was only one wounded person, a mercenary working for the Martian Union. Manfred's face appears on the television. The presenter mentions that Manfred is in a Gjallarhorn military hospital. Dukovak looks worried. Yamazin observes Dukovak's face and remembers how she met him.
Yamazin is in a Gjallarhorn hangar inspecting different Mobile Suits when Dukovak approaches her. He introduces himself to her. She looks at him from head to toe and returns the greeting. They shake hands.

Yamazin: So you're my new assistant. The administration chose you because you had the best scores on the aptitude tests.

Dukovak: I didn't know that.

Yamazin: Well, now you know. I hope you don't disappoint me, Horikoshi.

Dukovak: I won't.

Yamazin: That's what they all say. Follow me. From now on, you're going to help me in the development of Mobile Suits.

Yamazin starts walking on the catwalk, showing Dukovak his workstation. She notices how Dukovak observes the Mobile Suits. Yamazin says to him:

Yamazin: These models are the Reginlaze. We started using them shortly before the McGillis Fareed incident. Did you see these models in battle?

Dukovak: I saw them in the Monterrey insurrection.

Yamazin: They're amazing, don't you think?

Dukovak: I suppose so. What tasks should I help you with?

Yamazin: You're going to help me in the development of modifications for this model.

Dukovak: Could you be more specific?

Yamazin: You get straight to the point. I like people with that attitude. We need to develop new human-machine interfaces and armament for this
model.

Dukovak: When do we start?

Yamazin: We can start right now. We have to improve the response times of the actuators.

Dukovak: At your command.

Yamazin hands Dukovak a tablet showing him the stabilization times of the actuators. Dukovak looks at them and goes to a desk where he starts
working. Yamazin laughs and leaves Dukovak to work. A pilot approaches her and asks:

Pilot: Who is that boy?

Yamazin: That's Dukovak, my new assistant. As soon as I told him what he had to do, he got to work.

Pilot: Another new assistant?

Yamazin: That's right. I decided to ask for a replacement. My previous assistant was another rich kid who thought I owed him something. He couldn't handle my work pace.

Pilot: Don't you think you have a work addiction?

Yamazin: Jean Paul, my work is important. Your life and the lives of the other pilots depend on my work.

Jean Paul: I hope the rookie can keep up with your work pace.

Yamazin: I hope so too.

Dukovak is incredulously watching the news while drinking his singani. Yamazin notices his concern and decides to turn off the TV. Dukovak gets up from his desk and grabs a phone to call Manfred. Only the outgoing call tone sounds for a few minutes until Dukovak gives up and hangs up. Yamazin approaches him and says:

Yamazin: It's no use calling him. Manfred probably doesn't have his phone with him.

Dukovak: Manfred is an idiot. I shouldn't have allowed him to pilot the Gundam from the start. I knew this shit was going to happen eventually.

Yamazin: Don't fool yourself. Manfred knew the risks. It's not your fault that he's hurt.

Dukovak: You're right about that, but I should have called him so he wouldn't do something stupid.

Yamazin: Look, I'm going to try to talk to one of my contacts to try to see how Manfred is doing. If he's in a hospital, he probably survived.

Dukovak: Let's hope so.

Yamazin: I think it's best if we go to sleep.

Dukovak: It's the only thing I can do.

Dukovak and Yamazin leave the office and go to a room. They both lie down on a bed. Yamazin scratches Dukovak's hair to calm him down until he falls asleep.

Rustal is in his office on Earth reviewing minutes and reports while drinking a cup of tea when he receives a call from an unknown number. Rustal ignores the call and decides to get up to look at the ocean. Yamazin is in the office and says:

Yamazin: Shit.

Yamazin turns on the TV to watch the news. She watches as Gjallarhorn soldiers place the bodies of supposed pirates covered by white blankets. After that, the host says that the president of the Martian Union made a statement regarding the dismantling of the Kalk clan. Kudelia is at a podium where she says:

Kudelia: This operation was a success, and it demonstrates that the cooperation between Gjallarhorn and the Martian Union has no limits. It also demonstrates Gjallarhorn's interest in ending the trafficking of human debris throughout the solar system.
Yamazin at the desk immediately decides to call Kudelia. Eugene answers the call:

Eugene: Mr. Horikoshi, the Martian Union is grateful for your cooperation in the operation.

Yamazin: Mr. Sevenstark, I'm Yamazin Toka from the Horikoshi Defense Corporation. Could you put me in touch with President Aina Bernstein?

Eugene: President Bernstein is not available at this time. We will return your call as soon as possible to discuss your payment and future contracts with the Martian Union.

Eugene hangs up, and Kudelia is watching the news and says:

Kudelia: Those weren't pirates. They might have just been civilians.

Eugene: Why didn't you mention those deaths in your statement?

Kudelia: Doing so would have undermined the credibility of Gjallarhorn and the Martian Union. If we both lose credibility, new wars would break out in the future.

Eugene: So the lives of civilians don't matter.

Kudelia: They do matter, but we would avoid unnecessary deaths. Who called?

Eugene: It was Yamazin Toka from the Horikoshi Defense Corporation. Surely she called to discuss their payment.

Kudelia: She wouldn't call at this late hour if that were the case. There must be another reason. Call her back.

Eugene: Are you sure, ma'am?

Kudelia: Yes.

The corporation's office receives Kudelia's call. Yamazin, who is closely watching the news in hopes of updates on Manfred's health condition, quickly answers the call.

Kudelia: Good evening, Ms. Toka. I hope you are well. What was the reason for your call?

Yamazin: Good evening, President Bernstein. I called to find out if you had any news about Manfred Horikoshi's health condition.

Kudelia: We don't receive many updates on Mr. Horikoshi's health condition. However, there must be some way I can help you.

Yamazin: There is. I would be very grateful if you could arrange a call with Rustal Ellion, He could provide us with more details.

Kudelia: I will do everything possible to help you. I suggest you stay alert for any calls coming into your office.

Yamazin: Thank you very much, President Bernstein.

Kudelia: It's the least I can do after everything you've done for me.

Kudelia ends the call and turns off the TV. After that, she gets up from her desk, and Eugene asks her the reason why Yamazin called. She replies:

Kudelia: They wanted to know about Manfred's condition.

Eugene: I see.

Eugene: I see. It seems you were right.

It's daytime on Earth, and Manfred is in the hospital room looking at the landscape through the window. Julieta enters his room. Manfred ignores Julieta's presence. Julieta is carrying a bag with food. She places it on the table by Manfred's bed. She breaks the ice by saying:

Julieta: The nurses told me that you ate the food I brought you. How was it?

Manfred: It was a little burnt. Sephora and Illmari helped you cook, didn't they?

Julieta: How did you know?

Manfred: It's food I used to eat where I lived. Food that my mom and Dukovak used to cook.

Julieta: Did you consider the possibility that I searched for the recipes?

Manfred: What did you bring today?

Julieta: Soup.

Manfred opens the container and tastes Julieta's soup. The container has frijoles charros. Manfred devours the dish. Julieta is surprised and smiles when she sees the enthusiasm with which he eats the soup. He finishes eating and says:

Manfred: Now it's even more evident that Illmari and Sephora helped you.

Julieta: Why do you say that?

Manfred: Frijoles charros. There are few people who know that's my favorite dish. And I never told you that it's my favorite dish.

Julieta: I admit it. Illmari and Sephora helped me.

Manfred: I'm going to get straight to the point. What do you want from me?

Julieta: For you to recover. That's what a friend would want from you.

Manfred: The reason you want me to be at my 100% is so I can pilot the Gundam.

Julieta: No, that's not it. You haven't been the same since you saw the bodies in that apartment.

Manfred doesn't respond and decides to look at the landscape again. The silence in the room is tense. A few minutes pass. The medical staff tries to enter, but Julieta orders them to leave. That's when she says:

Julieta: I came to visit you not because I want you to keep piloting, but because I'm worried that you're not mentally well.

Manfred: It really took you this long to realize that something wasn't right inside me.

Julieta: No.

Manfred: Then why do you decide to act now?

Julieta: Because in the situation we were in, there was no time to regret what you did.

Manfred says melancholically, hiding his gaze:

Manfred: They were innocent people, Julieta. They shouldn't have died. I didn't have to kill them, and yet I did. Have you ever killed someone who didn't deserve it?

Julieta: Yes, many people. Human debris, children looking for their place in the world. Do you remember the boy from the white Gundam I told you about?

Manfred: Yes.

Julieta: He was one of my victims. At that time, I thought they were beasts, demons that had to die. But over time, I understood that I made a mistake, one that causes me remorse that still accompanies me.

Manfred: How do you learn to live with that?

Julieta smiles melancholically and says the following words:

"You never get used to it. You can only avoid making the same mistake again and try to make amends."