p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"strongspan style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Chapter 1 Who's ready for tomorrow./span/strong/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"It's a summer morning in Monterrey, it's 40°C, Manfred and Dukovak are asleep in a room with the window open until they hear some knocks on the door and their mother's voice is heard:/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Mother: Manfred, wake up, you're going to be late for work. Dukovak, you're going to be late for your classes, and let's see if you don't fail./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: It's 6./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Mother: And your work is at 8, don't be lazy./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred sits up and rubs his eyes, then takes a shower. Meanwhile, Dukovak remains asleep./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: Dukovak, wake up or you'll miss your classes./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Dukovak: I'm coming./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Once everyone is seated at the table, they start chatting./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Mother: Manfred, what time do you finish work today?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: 6, maybe 7. Why?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Father: To know what time we'll have dinner. And what time do you finish, Dukovak?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Dukovak, getting up, says:/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Dukovak: At 8./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: Hey dad, when do you have to go back to Mars and did you find anything interesting in the mine?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Father: Next week, and maybe yes, maybe no./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Dukovak: Mom, what time do you finish teaching?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Mother: Around 4, but why does it matter to you?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Dukovak: Just curious./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: Hey mom, be careful, there are protests from the Neomexican union./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Mother: Nothing's going to happen anyway./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: Why?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Mother: Because we're Mexicans, idiot./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: We're part of the alliance./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Father: Don't argue with your mom and go to work./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: Okay, see you later, dad, see you, mom./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred goes downstairs using the elevator, goes out into the street, and walks through the city. After a few minutes, he reaches the metro station, goes up the stairs, and takes the metro. There, he puts on his headphones and looks out the window to see a massive rally of various Neomexican nationalist political groups. The marches are peaceful, and Gjallahorn officers are seen on the sides of the streets blocking the roads leading to the macro plaza. Throughout the journey, he sees how all the protesters are walking towards the city center. The train reaches San Nicolás station, where Manfred gets off. He realizes he can't take the bus, so he's forced to walk to work. The rally is so big that Manfred walks against a stream of people. A protester asks Manfred:/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Protester: Don't you want to join the march?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: Why are you marching?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Protester: We want more autonomy in decision-making within the SAU./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: I'm not interested./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Protester: It's a shame, buddy. See you./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: Good luck./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred continues walking to work and arrives. Upon entering, he clocks in using a device with his fingerprint. Then he enters the office and is greeted by his boss./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Boss: What's up, Manfred, how are you doing?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: Fine, my dad is in the city, so everything's okay./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Boss: That's good. Hey, could you bring up the screen control for me?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: Sure./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"The boss turns on the TV and switches to the news channel./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Presenter: As you can see, a terrorist contingent is at the doors of City Hall. The SAU government has requested Gjallahorn's intervention to restore peace to the streets of Monterrey./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Boss: Mexicans have had enough of this alliance; it's time to stand up for ourselves./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: Those aren't terrorists. I didn't see any armed people coming here./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Boss: Do you really believe what the media tells you?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"TV: Gjallahorn contingents have been deployed to the New Autonomous University of Nuevo León. According to Gjallahorn forces, the leaders of the armed movement reside there./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred's phone starts ringing./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: Hello, mom, is everything okay?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Mother: Manfred, I don't have much time. The soldiers are killing everyone. Tell Dukovak not to go to classes./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: Mom, try to get out of there./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Gjallahorn soldiers go from classroom to classroom, shooting everyone inside./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Mother: Manfred, I can't. It's too late for me. I love you very much. God bless you./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Gunshots are heard./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"A pool of blood is seen where the mother's phone is, and Manfred's voice is heard through the speaker./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: Mom, are you still there? Mom?!/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Boss: Manfred, I think it's best if you take the day off and attend to your matters. I'm not going to surrender to these pigs so easily./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: What are you talking about, boss?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Boss: Listen up, everyone, take the day off, take care of your families, and I hope to see you on Monday./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred decides to take the metro back and watches the news from his phone./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Reporter: According to authorities, terrorist activity has been detected in areas surrounding the Obrera neighborhood./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: Damn it, I need to make sure my brother and dad get out of there./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred arrives at the building where he lives, takes the elevator, and hears gunshots in the distance. He finds his dad with three prepared backpacks./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: Mom is.../span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Father: We already know, Manfred. It's not safe here anymore. We were waiting for you. Take your things and let's get out of here./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Dukovak hands a knife to Manfred./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Dukovak: Dad and I have one too./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Gunshots are heard inside the building. Manfred, Dukovak, and their father decide to take the stairs. When they reach the ground floor, the father tells them:/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Father: Wait for me here while I start the car./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"The father goes to the parking lot and is shot by a Gjallahorn soldier. Gunshots are heard, and the soldier approaches the fire escape stairs./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Dukovak: Shit.../span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred grabs Dukovak's arm and whispers:/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: It's not time to cry yet./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred draws his blade and ambushes the soldier, slicing his throat./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred goes out and finds his father bleeding with little energy. He says to Manfred in a hoarse voice:/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Father: Manfred, I found something on Mars. Take care of your brother, make sure he finishes his degree too./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"The father hands Manfred a keychain with the name "Salomon" written on it./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: Dad, hold on./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Father: No, son, I have to see your mother./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"The father smiles, closes his eyes, and says, "Oh, my children."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred signals Dukovak to come out of his hiding spot. They decide to pick up the rifle from the dead soldier, get into the car, and speed out, knocking down the garage gates. To make their escape, they decide to take less-traveled streets while Manfred drives, Dukovak says:/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Dukovak: The areas near the technology park and San Pedro have no military presence./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: What about Apodaca?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Dukovak: Gjallahorn controls that area./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: And Ciudad Satélite?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Dukovak: Apparently, there are no disturbances there, but there's a small detail; there are soldiers conducting checks on the bridge./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: Hide the knives and ditch the rifle./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Dukovak: Okay./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"The car drives along the main avenue, which is littered with corpses. When they reach the checkpoint, Manfred sees Gjallahorn soldiers checking cars. A soldier knocks on the window and tells them to get out of the car. Manfred tells Dukovak it's pointless to stay in the car. Gjallahorn personnel ask to search the car when suddenly the steps of unfamiliar Mobile Suits approaching are heard. Manfred and Dukovak decide to seize the opportunity and run to the other side of the bridge as Gjallahorn Mobile Suits arrive at the scene, sparking a shootout and MS battle. The Gjallahorn MS brandishes its axe and neutralizes the unionist MS. Manfred and Dukovak cross the bridge and run towards the Monterrey Institute of Technology, where they discuss what to do next. Manfred shows the key left by his father to Dukovak./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: I think this key is for a warehouse on Mars./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Dukovak: Let me check. Yes, it is. What's the plan?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: You stay here, finish your degree, and I'll go to Mars./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Dukovak: We can't let mom and dad's death be in vain. I want revenge./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: I want that too, but who do you want to revenge against? Gjallahorn? Do me a favor, unless we have a Mobile Suit and a lot of money, that's impossible. I'm going to Mars; they say there's a lot of work for engineers and it pays well. I'll check what's in the warehouse and we'll see what we'll do./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Dukovak: Do you even have money for the trip?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: I've been saving for months; that should cover three months of your tuition and a one-way ticket to Mars./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Dukovak: Just promise me you'll let me know what's in the warehouse./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanConsider it Done./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Days pass until spaceports open in Monterrey and Manfred buys a one-way ticket to Mars to the city of Chryse, where the warehouse supposedly is. Before his journey begins, Manfred hugs Dukovak, bidding farewell to his brother. At the Chryse port, an immigration officer interrogates Manfred./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Officer: Full name and occupation?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: Manfred Horikoshi, robotics engineer./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Officer: Purpose of the trip?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: Work./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Officer: Are you looking for a job?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: Yes, I heard the Martian Union government is looking for skilled personnel./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Officer: Are you traveling alone?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: Yes./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Officer: Do you have family?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: Yes, a brother, a student./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Officer: Go ahead./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: Thank you./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"The first thing Manfred does when he leaves Chryse is to look for a job poster and decides to start searching for the warehouse his father left behind. Eventually, after asking for street names, Manfred arrives at the warehouse complex, where he uses his father's key and, to his surprise, finds a Mobile Suit in the warehouse. Seeing this, he settles in the warehouse and decides to call Dukovak./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: I found something in the warehouse; I can't tell you what it is, but you have to see it with your own eyes./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Dukovak: Money?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: Something better, maybe we can fulfill our wish. I'm looking for a job, and tomorrow I have an interview at a Mobile Workers factory. If all goes well, you'll come to Mars in two months./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"It's a summer morning in Monterrey, it's 40°C, Manfred and Dukovak are asleep in a room with the window open until they hear some knocks on the door and their mother's voice is heard:/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Mother: Manfred, wake up, you're going to be late for work. Dukovak, you're going to be late for your classes, and let's see if you don't fail./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: It's 6./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Mother: And your work is at 8, don't be lazy./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred sits up and rubs his eyes, then takes a shower. Meanwhile, Dukovak remains asleep./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: Dukovak, wake up or you'll miss your classes./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Dukovak: I'm coming./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Once everyone is seated at the table, they start chatting./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Mother: Manfred, what time do you finish work today?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: 6, maybe 7. Why?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Father: To know what time we'll have dinner. And what time do you finish, Dukovak?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Dukovak, getting up, says:/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Dukovak: At 8./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: Hey dad, when do you have to go back to Mars and did you find anything interesting in the mine?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Father: Next week, and maybe yes, maybe no./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Dukovak: Mom, what time do you finish teaching?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Mother: Around 4, but why does it matter to you?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Dukovak: Just curious./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: Hey mom, be careful, there are protests from the Neomexican union./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Mother: Nothing's going to happen anyway./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: Why?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Mother: Because we're Mexicans, idiot./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: We're part of the alliance./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Father: Don't argue with your mom and go to work./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: Okay, see you later, dad, see you, mom./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred goes downstairs using the elevator, goes out into the street, and walks through the city. After a few minutes, he reaches the metro station, goes up the stairs, and takes the metro. There, he puts on his headphones and looks out the window to see a massive rally of various Neomexican nationalist political groups. The marches are peaceful, and Gjallahorn officers are seen on the sides of the streets blocking the roads leading to the macro plaza. Throughout the journey, he sees how all the protesters are walking towards the city center. The train reaches San Nicolás station, where Manfred gets off. He realizes he can't take the bus, so he's forced to walk to work. The rally is so big that Manfred walks against a stream of people. A protester asks Manfred:/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Protester: Don't you want to join the march?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: Why are you marching?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Protester: We want more autonomy in decision-making within the SAU./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: I'm not interested./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Protester: It's a shame, buddy. See you./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: Good luck./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred continues walking to work and arrives. Upon entering, he clocks in using a device with his fingerprint. Then he enters the office and is greeted by his boss./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Boss: What's up, Manfred, how are you doing?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: Fine, my dad is in the city, so everything's okay./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Boss: That's good. Hey, could you bring up the screen control for me?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: Sure./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"The boss turns on the TV and switches to the news channel./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Presenter: As you can see, a terrorist contingent is at the doors of City Hall. The SAU government has requested Gjallahorn's intervention to restore peace to the streets of Monterrey./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Boss: Mexicans have had enough of this alliance; it's time to stand up for ourselves./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: Those aren't terrorists. I didn't see any armed people coming here./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Boss: Do you really believe what the media tells you?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"TV: Gjallahorn contingents have been deployed to the New Autonomous University of Nuevo León. According to Gjallahorn forces, the leaders of the armed movement reside there./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred's phone starts ringing./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: Hello, mom, is everything okay?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Mother: Manfred, I don't have much time. The soldiers are killing everyone. Tell Dukovak not to go to classes./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: Mom, try to get out of there./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Gjallahorn soldiers go from classroom to classroom, shooting everyone inside./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Mother: Manfred, I can't. It's too late for me. I love you very much. God bless you./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Gunshots are heard./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"A pool of blood is seen where the mother's phone is, and Manfred's voice is heard through the speaker./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: Mom, are you still there? Mom?!/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Boss: Manfred, I think it's best if you take the day off and attend to your matters. I'm not going to surrender to these pigs so easily./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: What are you talking about, boss?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Boss: Listen up, everyone, take the day off, take care of your families, and I hope to see you on Monday./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred decides to take the metro back and watches the news from his phone./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Reporter: According to authorities, terrorist activity has been detected in areas surrounding the Obrera neighborhood./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: Damn it, I need to make sure my brother and dad get out of there./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred arrives at the building where he lives, takes the elevator, and hears gunshots in the distance. He finds his dad with three prepared backpacks./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: Mom is.../span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Father: We already know, Manfred. It's not safe here anymore. We were waiting for you. Take your things and let's get out of here./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Dukovak hands a knife to Manfred./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Dukovak: Dad and I have one too./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Gunshots are heard inside the building. Manfred, Dukovak, and their father decide to take the stairs. When they reach the ground floor, the father tells them:/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Father: Wait for me here while I start the car./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"The father goes to the parking lot and is shot by a Gjallahorn soldier. Gunshots are heard, and the soldier approaches the fire escape stairs./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Dukovak: Shit.../span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred grabs Dukovak's arm and whispers:/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: It's not time to cry yet./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred draws his blade and ambushes the soldier, slicing his throat./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred goes out and finds his father bleeding with little energy. He says to Manfred in a hoarse voice:/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Father: Manfred, I found something on Mars. Take care of your brother, make sure he finishes his degree too./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"The father hands Manfred a keychain with the name "Salomon" written on it./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: Dad, hold on./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Father: No, son, I have to see your mother./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"The father smiles, closes his eyes, and says, "Oh, my children."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred signals Dukovak to come out of his hiding spot. They decide to pick up the rifle from the dead soldier, get into the car, and speed out, knocking down the garage gates. To make their escape, they decide to take less-traveled streets while Manfred drives, Dukovak says:/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Dukovak: The areas near the technology park and San Pedro have no military presence./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: What about Apodaca?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Dukovak: Gjallahorn controls that area./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: And Ciudad Satélite?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Dukovak: Apparently, there are no disturbances there, but there's a small detail; there are soldiers conducting checks on the bridge./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: Hide the knives and ditch the rifle./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Dukovak: Okay./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"The car drives along the main avenue, which is littered with corpses. When they reach the checkpoint, Manfred sees Gjallahorn soldiers checking cars. A soldier knocks on the window and tells them to get out of the car. Manfred tells Dukovak it's pointless to stay in the car. Gjallahorn personnel ask to search the car when suddenly the steps of unfamiliar Mobile Suits approaching are heard. Manfred and Dukovak decide to seize the opportunity and run to the other side of the bridge as Gjallahorn Mobile Suits arrive at the scene, sparking a shootout and MS battle. The Gjallahorn MS brandishes its axe and neutralizes the unionist MS. Manfred and Dukovak cross the bridge and run towards the Monterrey Institute of Technology, where they discuss what to do next. Manfred shows the key left by his father to Dukovak./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: I think this key is for a warehouse on Mars./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Dukovak: Let me check. Yes, it is. What's the plan?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: You stay here, finish your degree, and I'll go to Mars./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Dukovak: We can't let mom and dad's death be in vain. I want revenge./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: I want that too, but who do you want to revenge against? Gjallahorn? Do me a favor, unless we have a Mobile Suit and a lot of money, that's impossible. I'm going to Mars; they say there's a lot of work for engineers and it pays well. I'll check what's in the warehouse and we'll see what we'll do./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Dukovak: Do you even have money for the trip?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: I've been saving for months; that should cover three months of your tuition and a one-way ticket to Mars./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Dukovak: Just promise me you'll let me know what's in the warehouse./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanConsider it Done./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Days pass until spaceports open in Monterrey and Manfred buys a one-way ticket to Mars to the city of Chryse, where the warehouse supposedly is. Before his journey begins, Manfred hugs Dukovak, bidding farewell to his brother. At the Chryse port, an immigration officer interrogates Manfred./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Officer: Full name and occupation?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: Manfred Horikoshi, robotics engineer./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Officer: Purpose of the trip?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: Work./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Officer: Are you looking for a job?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: Yes, I heard the Martian Union government is looking for skilled personnel./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Officer: Are you traveling alone?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: Yes./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Officer: Do you have family?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: Yes, a brother, a student./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Officer: Go ahead./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: Thank you./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"The first thing Manfred does when he leaves Chryse is to look for a job poster and decides to start searching for the warehouse his father left behind. Eventually, after asking for street names, Manfred arrives at the warehouse complex, where he uses his father's key and, to his surprise, finds a Mobile Suit in the warehouse. Seeing this, he settles in the warehouse and decides to call Dukovak./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: I found something in the warehouse; I can't tell you what it is, but you have to see it with your own eyes./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Dukovak: Money?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"Manfred: Something better, maybe we can fulfill our wish. I'm looking for a job, and tomorrow I have an interview at a Mobile Workers factory. If all goes well, you'll come to Mars in two months./span/p