Who's ready for tomorrow

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:

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.

Manfred: It's 6.

Mother: And your work is at 8, don't be lazy.

Manfred sits up and rubs his eyes, then takes a shower. Meanwhile, Dukovak remains asleep.

Manfred: Dukovak, wake up or you'll miss your classes.

Dukovak: I'm coming.

Once everyone is seated at the table, they start chatting.

Mother: Manfred, what time do you finish work today?

Manfred: 6, maybe 7. Why?

Father: To know what time we'll have dinner. And what time do you finish, Dukovak?

Dukovak, getting up, says:

Dukovak: At 8.

Manfred: Hey dad, when do you have to go back to Mars and did you find anything interesting in the mine?

Father: Next week, and maybe yes, maybe no.

Dukovak: Mom, what time do you finish teaching?

Mother: Around 4, but why does it matter to you?

Dukovak: Just curious.

Manfred: Hey mom, be careful, there are protests from the Neomexican union.

Mother: Nothing's going to happen anyway.

Manfred: Why?

Mother: Because we're Mexicans, idiot.

Manfred: We're part of the alliance.

Father: Don't argue with your mom and go to work.

Manfred: Okay, see you later, dad, see you, mom.

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 Gallahorn 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:

Protester: Don't you want to join the march?

Manfred: Why are you marching?

Protester: We want more autonomy in decision-making within the SAU.

Manfred: I'm not interested.

Protester: It's a shame, buddy. See you.

Manfred: Good luck.

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.

Boss: What's up, Manfred, how are you doing?

Manfred: Fine, my dad is in the city, so everything's okay.

Boss: That's good. Hey, could you bring up the screen control for me?

Manfred: Sure.

The boss turns on the TV and switches to the news channel.

Presenter: As you can see, a terrorist contingent is at the doors of City Hall. The SAU government has requested Gallahorn's intervention to restore peace to the streets of Monterrey.

Boss: Mexicans have had enough of this alliance; it's time to stand up for ourselves.

Manfred: Those aren't terrorists. I didn't see any armed people coming here.

Boss: Do you really believe what the media tells you?

TV: Gallahorn contingents have been deployed to the New Autonomous University of Nuevo León. According to Gallahorn forces, the leaders of the armed movement reside there.

Manfred's phone starts ringing.

Manfred: Hello, mom, is everything okay?

Mother: Manfred, I don't have much time. The soldiers are killing everyone. Tell Dukovak not to go to classes.

Manfred: Mom, try to get out of there.

Gallahorn soldiers go from classroom to classroom, shooting everyone inside.

Mother: Manfred, I can't. It's too late for me. I love you very much. God bless you.

Gunshots are heard.

A pool of blood is seen where the mother's phone is, and Manfred's voice is heard through the speaker.

Manfred: Mom, are you still there? Mom?!

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.

Manfred: What are you talking about, boss?

Boss: Listen up, everyone, take the day off, take care of your families, and I hope to see you on Monday.

Manfred decides to take the metro back and watches the news from his phone.

Reporter: According to authorities, terrorist activity has been detected in areas surrounding the Obrera neighborhood.

Manfred: Damn it, I need to make sure my brother and dad get out of there.

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.

Manfred: Mom is...

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.

Dukovak hands a knife to Manfred.

Dukovak: Dad and I have one too.

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:

Father: Wait for me here while I start the car.

The father goes to the parking lot and is shot by a Gallahorn soldier. Gunshots are heard, and the soldier approaches the fire escape stairs.

Dukovak: Shit...

Manfred grabs Dukovak's arm and whispers:

Manfred: It's not time to cry yet.

Manfred draws his blade and ambushes the soldier, slicing his throat.

Manfred goes out and finds his father bleeding with little energy. He says to Manfred in a hoarse voice:

Father: Manfred, I found something on Mars. Take care of your brother, make sure he finishes his degree too.

The father hands Manfred a keychain with the name "Salomon" written on it.

Manfred: Dad, hold on.

Father: No, son, I have to see your mother.

The father smiles, closes his eyes, and says, "Oh, my children."

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:

Dukovak: The areas near the technology park and San Pedro have no military presence.

Manfred: What about Apodaca?

Dukovak: Gallahorn controls that area.

Manfred: And Ciudad Satélite?

Dukovak: Apparently, there are no disturbances there, but there's a small detail; there are soldiers conducting checks on the bridge.

Manfred: Hide the knives and ditch the rifle.

Dukovak: Okay.

The car drives along the main avenue, which is littered with corpses. When they reach the checkpoint, Manfred sees Gallahorn 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. Gallahorn 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 Gallahorn Mobile Suits arrive at the scene, sparking a shootout and MS battle. The Gallahorn 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.

Manfred: I think this key is for a warehouse on Mars.

Dukovak: Let me check. Yes, it is. What's the plan?

Manfred: You stay here, finish your degree, and I'll go to Mars.

Dukovak: We can't let mom and dad's death be in vain. I want revenge.

Manfred: I want that too, but who do you want to revenge against? Gallahorn? 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.

Dukovak: Do you even have money for the trip?

Manfred: I've been saving for months; that should cover three months of your tuition and a one-way ticket to Mars.

Dukovak: Just promise me you'll let me know what's in the warehouse.

Manfred: Consider it Done.

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.

Officer: Full name and occupation?

Manfred: Manfred Horikoshi, robotics engineer.

Officer: Purpose of the trip?

Manfred: Work.

Officer: Are you looking for a job?

Manfred: Yes, I heard the Martian Union government is looking for skilled personnel.

Officer: Are you traveling alone?

Manfred: Yes.

Officer: Do you have family?

Manfred: Yes, a brother, a student.

Officer: Go ahead.

Manfred: Thank you.

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.

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.

Dukovak: Money?

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.