01x01 - Episode 1

[bunniefuu]

The object?

It's gone.

It was right here.

Don't be absurd. It's there.

It's just invisible.

It still exists.

Shiraishi...

Shiraishi.

Mr. Kawanabe. Good morning.

Your temperature is 36.2 Celsius.

BP is 139-99 mmHG.

Pulse is at 80.

Your schedule for today
is to seek the object.

It's your 3,391st attempt.

Heading out on surface B route
in 15 minutes.

Select your desired disk.

"Shibahama" by Danshi Tatekawa. 1981.

Selected 22 times this month.

I...

I like booze.
It's not that I have high tolerance.

I just like to drink.

I want to quit, but...

Remaining usable water this month

is 48.2 liters.

...workmen, tradesmen...

I'm sure they existed.

Give me a break.

I'm sure they could drink everyday,

but I can't stand it.

In the year 2085,

having run out of minerals on Earth,
humanity turned to Mars.

Temperatures of minus 140 Celsius.

No oxygen. A land of death
bombarded by radiation.

{\an8}Colonizers avoided the deadly surface

{\an8}and chose to live underground.

Companies across Earth
pushed for colonization.

By mining minerals
and selling them on Earth...

they slowly developed Mars.

By the time
the population reached 100,000,

{\an8}ISDA, the Interplanetary
Space Development Agency,

{\an8}was tasked with managing Mars.

ISDA controlled all water,
food, and energy,

and distributed them equally,

by requiring all colonists to be tagged.

However, only 40 years after colonization,
in the year 2125,

ISDA suddenly announced
its withdrawal from Mars.

Mr. Kawanabe, good morning.

Good morning, AJ.

Good morning.

Hi there. Have you had the chance
to experience the new MOBY?

Say goodbye to annoying ear devices.

MOBY, let's embark on a journey
to a new world.

Apparently, they implant the new MOBY
right here.

Just like a tag.

Everybody's implanting everything.

Discover freedom. Reimagine a new world.

They're selling like crazy.

Thanks to that,
useless people like me have a job.

I should be thankful.

Still listening to comedy?

Tomorrow's the first rocket launch
back to Earth.

Withdrawing just because
they found minerals on an asteroid...

There's still plenty of minerals on Mars.

I wonder if Whale Co. will stay on Mars.

Hot!

A little too hot.

Hopefully we can get some results
and head back to Earth soon.

Nothing again.

The auto drillers here always tell you
when they find red iron ore.

But it's not a report target,
so they say it's "nothing."

It's kind of philosophical.

Your job is to stop the drillers
from philosophizing.

Digging dirt on Mars...

will make anyone philosophical.

Ten years chasing a ghost...

Or a real thing.

What do we call an unknown element
that we can't perceive?

I don't know.

"Nothing."

Magnetite...

Magnetite...

Huh? You're going out?

Thank you for coming, members of
the first return shuttle back to Earth.

I'm sure for many of you,
this will be your first time to Earth.

ISDA promises continued support for you
after your return.

We await you on Earth.

Deputy Chief Gale, it's time.

Lili, you'll be living in Japan,
so use Japanese.

Consider these calls as practice.

Ah, Aoto.

Has Lili contacted you?

Yes. She was happy
that she passed her training.

She messaged me in Japanese.

So she uses Japanese
when she messages you?

Her father never pushed her
to use Japanese.

Ah, well MOBY translates everything.

The landing is in five months,
but look after her then.

Yes, ma'am.

Who's Lili?

Uh, well...

She's the chief's daughter.

"Looking after her," how?

Are you two dating?

Isn't her daughter on Mars?
How did you meet her?

The ISDA Mars training.

I'm sure you know,
but the chief's pretty strict.

Good luck.

Sorry!

I'm so sorry!

Are you hurt?

Yes, I'm fine.

Yes. Man...

It's hard to walk in 1/3 Earth gravity.

The Disc Minors!

I love that group.

Really?!

Lili-E1102.

What's so funny?
The party's starting. Let's enjoy it.

Mike. No thank you.

Let's sing a Disc Minors song together.

Didn't you say you like singing
during introductions?

Go on, sing!

That's rude, you dummy!

Excuse me.

Joining the ISDA Earth-Mars meeting.

Good morning. Let's begin.

{\an8}The first shuttle back to Earth
will launch tomorrow.

Thank you to Chief Takima Suzuki
of Japan Branch who headed this project.

In order for speedy execution
of this project

we are modifying 100 large FTL shuttles
used for regular shipments

to house a crew of 200 members each.

Thanks to Director Huang's efforts,

we can build 200 more FTL ships.

By increasing 50 ships every two years,

in ten years we will be able to ship
all 100,000 colonists back to Earth.

Therefore we are switching
all mining on Mars to automated units.

Hey. You okay?

Take a breather.

No. I'm fine.

Many miners who worked
before ISDA's management...

refused tag implants.

This was synonymous with
abdicating citizenship.

Such colonists were branded as "Tagless,"

and driven to the near-surface areas
of Colony 0.

{\an8}There they built their own community.

Gimme an aquavit.

Here.

Your tag.

Sale of liquor and food
requires registration and a license.

Okay, okay. Hold on.

Stay back!

Stay back!

I said stay back!

I'll sh**t!

Maru, watch out!

I'll sh**t!

Are you okay?!

It wasn't loaded.
It's a modified nail g*n.

I'm okay.

They're tagless.

There's no end to them.

If they'd just get tags
they could get water and food.

But they'd have to follow ISDA's rule.

No choice in occupation.

Marriage and children
require authorization.

They used to be able
to make their own choices.

Now they're sl*ves to people from Earth.

A tag is nothing more than a leash.

But you've got a tag and work for ISDA.

It's the only way to have a decent life.

Vice-director Joren,
withdrawal has already been decided.

Returning 100,000 colonists to Earth
will require long-term patience.

Members of Mars Branch,
please handle things until then.

Their "requests" are always one-sided.

There's a time lag
in the signal with Earth.

Oh come on! That's an excuse.

We always get the short straw.

I just want to go back to Earth.

You're were born here, weren't you?

Yes. I've never been to Earth.

You're Mars-born.

I'm impressed that ISDA employed you.
You must be quite exceptional.

Shall we?

Chief?

There's a message from Director Huang.
Extra conditions.

Director Huang says
this is for our eyes only.

Even if there are colonists
who refuse to return to Earth...

and choose to remain on Mars...

Colony 0's functions
will eventually be shut down.

If the colony is shut down,
the colonists won't survive.

If word of this gets out...

It might...

lead to another space port incident.

This has to stay between us.

More pure magnetite?

Yes.

But the external composition
was high-magnetic magnetite.

You mean the object that disappeared


Mr. Kawanabe...

did that object really exist?

A dream? It really was a dream.

Oh no! What should I do?!

Honey, what a crazy dream!
What should I do?

I wasted so much money we don't have!
What should I do?! Honey?

Should I die? I should die.

We can die together.

Let's die!

No way! I don't want to!

We've determined a super actinoid element.

The 188th super-heavy element
beyond uranium.

From its shape,
it's clearly not naturally formed.

And something terrible lies inside.

We should gather all the data we have

and make an announcement.

This... could be extraordinary.

Aren't you scared?

When this was discovered,
a strange cloud appeared.

An identical phenomenon occurred.

Right when you found this object.

On Mars.

Meaning?

I believe another such object
exists on Mars.

Minerals?

Gimme a drink.

Okay. How was work?

The worst.

I see.

Here you go.

Thank you.

Enjoy yourself.

We don't get many tagged people here.

So we allow for mineral payments.

Going to arrest me?

Hey! Knock it off!

Potato!

Potato!

The withdrawal starts tomorrow, right?

Like it matters to us.

What'll happen after ISDA's gone?

The emigration generation say
things were better before ISDA.

I'm back.

I'm back.

Hey Chip. What's going on?

I've got work.

Lili, you'll be living in Japan,
so use Japanese.

Consider these calls as practice.

The weight restrictions are strict,
so don't let your guard down.

Your calorie intake
exceeded parameters yesterday.

Be sure to get vitamins. The room...

From the oldest studio on Horcos street,

bringing life on Mars,
it's Alto Colony Radio.

I'm your host, Midori.

And I'm Dale.
Let's bring you your first song today.

Thanks for everything.

It's the Disc Minors covering,
"You Are My Sunshine."

It's now the Blue Window Season, when
travel between Mars and Earth is fastest.

Blue Window Season!

For everyone leaving tomorrow
and everyone else,

here's to the sun
that shines on both planets.

You know your stuff. Very nice!

Of course.

Asteroid Charis Theia
contains more iridium than predicted.

Mining there will be more efficient
than on mars.

Uh, this is Aoto.

You're finally leaving Mars tomorrow.

Earth is totally amazing up close,
you have to see it.

Have a good trip.

Oh no!

What's up?

She's blind and I said,
"you have to see it."

Way to screw up.

But one of her good qualities is that's
she's able to look past such things.

Mr. Kawanabe. Good morning.

Your schedule for today
is to seek the object.

It's your 3,392nd attempt.

There is an emergency summons
from Mr. Madison of Whale Co.

Lili-E1102?

Uh, yes.

Chief Patel has instructed me
to guide you to the boarding gate.

Oh. Thank you for the consideration.

Your luggage.

Thank you.

It's so lively.

Which way?

To your left.

Lili!

E1102! Good morning.

Mike. Good morning.

Going to the VIP lounge?

Check-in is complete,
so I'll take you to the gate.

Whoa. A room all to herself?

Your tag.

Okay.

Step back, please.

Did something break?

No, it just bumped. Step forward.

I'll hold your guitar.

What?

They can locate her. Remove her tag.

Clean up the camera fragments and nail.

Gale!

Chief Takima's daughter isn't on board?

I'm checking her tag data right now.

Contact Chief Takima.

Her response will take 20 minutes.

Can we delay the launch
until we reach her?

Lili?

Lili, where are you?

Did something happen?
Get on Nemesis 5 already.

I hear ISDA's pulling out.

And today?

Sugar?

Chief Takima.

Director Huang. My daughter...

Someone calling themselves "Sugar"
has kidnapped her.

Sugar...

demands that we call off
the repatriation plan.

Focus on your daughter's safety.
Let us know if anything changes.

We'll do what we can.

Thank you very much.

We'll speak again.

{\an8}Sugar...

Didn't Sugar die 22 years ago...

during the space port incident?

So he's still alive?

Come on!

Why does this happen when I'm chief?!

You awake?

Understand Japanese?

Yes. I understand, but...

I'm not good at speaking.

Have we arrived on Earth?

Huh?

It's easier to move than I thought.

Is Earth gravity this weak?

You're not on Earth.

Then where am I?

Who are you people?

Who are you people?!

Be quiet.

Your life... depends on your mother

Watch her. And the entrance.

Hot! Ow!

Are you okay?

A marsquake?

A marsquake?

No. It's not shaking.

It's not shaking, right?

Shall we go back?

The epicenter is Colony 0.

What is that?

A sandstorm?

Is it... a t*rror1st attack?

A sandstorm?

No.

The movement and shape are wrong.

Found it.

Found it.

It's just invisible.

It's just invisible.

It still exists.

It still exists.

Communication control has nothing.

What's going on?

We don't know.

Chief, the launch is running late.

{\an8}I know. Come with me.

Chief, is there a problem?

It's nothing.

But something's...

It's nothing.

On main screen!

Yes, sir!

What is that?

An expl*si*n?

Nemesis 5's launch has been postponed!

Launch postponed! Postponed!

Launch postponed?

Is that related?

We don't know yet.

It could be a t*rror1st attack.

Call Lili.

This is Aoto.

I heard the launch was postponed.

Are you okay?

Who said you could move?!

Come on. Just sit down.

What's... that noise?

Noise?

I don't hear anything.

Where... is this?

Uh. This is...

She doesn't need to know.

Directly under that phenomenon...

is the former Cocoon HQ of Colony 0.

Then the object is there?

Let's check it out.

Chief.

Is Lili okay?

I sent her a message,
but she hasn't responded.

I think you should know.

It seems...

Lili was kidnapped.

What?!

Th-That's...

The kidnapper wants
the repatriation plan cancelled.

The police are investigating.

Only Director Huang, the Mars chief,

and a handful of investigators know.

Lili's... okay, right?

They have demands.

They won't hurt her right away.

Yes, but...

I'll let you know if anything changes.

I understand.

Maru, the space port was a bust.

Entry is restricted due to the expl*si*n.

Nobody saw anything.

I see.

Her tag location?

It shows her going to the space port
from her home.

But she didn't go to the boarding gate.

It cut off on a freight elevator
six floors under.

Do you think...

They're kidnappers.

They won't k*ll her
until they get what they want.

So they removed her tag?

Barbarians.

Let's go.

I told you.

We're surveying rare Mars minerals.

You felt that marsquake.

The epicenter is beyond here.
The object...

Like we care.

Whale Co. will gladly pay you afterwards.

Save it. Go home.

Excuse me. At this rate,
the object could explode.

If that isn't an issue for you,
then that's fine.

We can't guarantee your safety, though.

What?

My cane.

Your cane?

Are you okay?

What do you think?

My life depends on my mother?

What does that mean?

Who are you people? Is this a kidnapping?

That's too many questions.

Audio information is all I have.

I'm... just following orders.

Then at least tell me where I am.

Hey.

This is... Colony 0. Near Horcos Street.

Horcos?

That's where Earth criminals
and the unemployed gather.

My mother said to never go there.

Is that what ISDA says about us?

This texture...

This echo...

What is this place?

It... just a cave.

A cave?

Oh, but there's a factory up ahead.

Turn right, and through the door
in the back there's shops.

I didn't know this path existed.
Where does it lead to in Colony 0?

The Cocoon member's factory.

Cocoon?

Send workers to this location.

Evacuate until the survey's complete!

Hurry!

She wants water.

We've got none to spare.

Message from Sugar.
ISDA investigators are coming.

Bring the girl.

She's gone!

Hurry up!

Huh? The phenomenon vanished.

What?

What's all this?

Look at this place.

It's not on the Colony 0 map.

Yeah.

The epicenter?

Uh, well...

I think it's around here.

Okay. Let's begin.

Right.

It stinks.

It's like a criminal hideout.

Oh, look.

It's moonshine.

In the 20th century
director Hitchcock's "Notorious"...

they find a shady organizations secret
in a brewery.

Young lady! I have just the gem for you!

For that pretty face I'll knock the price
down to 70,000 Percies.

I'm sorry. Are you blind?

Magnificent! Like an oasis on Mars!

Excuse me?

She's my girlfriend! Sorry! Thanks!

Young people these days.

Kidnappers?

Shut up and walk.

I'm thirsty.

That's because you ran.

And I need to use the bathroom.

What?

We're with Whale Co.

Doing what?

Surveying.

Surveying what?

For an object that might be down here.

But... it could explode.

Explode?

So we had everyone evacuate.

Excuse me.
Did you see this girl around here?

She's blind with a white cane.

No, I haven't.

I see. Thank you very much.

Maru.

Let's move.

Mr. Kawanabe.

Found it.

Found it.

This is it.

Found it!

It really exists.

Aren't you done yet? Come on out.

That depends on you.

What?

I'm the daughter of
the ISDA Japan branch chief.

I know.

If you take me to ISDA base...

I won't press charges.

You want money, right?

No.

I'm just following orders.

I'm sorry.

I'll take you to ISDA base.

Thank you.

I knew it. You're not a bad person.

What's your name?

Corn.

Corn?

Yeah.

Lili.

Lili.

Welcome.

Corn.

And who's she?

I'm Potato!

What the heck?!

It's okay. Trust me.

What are you doing?!

Corn!

Corn!

Maru?

A blind girl just came into the shop.

Potato tried to take her away.
She ran with Corn.

It all seemed fishy.

They headed for Atropos Street.

We're almost at the metro station!

Corn? Corn?!

That's enough games.
If you want to live, come.

Lili!

Come on!

MOBY, any messages from Lili?

You have no new messages from Lili.

Incoming call.

Hello?

This is ISDA Director Yu-Tong Huang.

What?!

You are Aoto Shiraishi, yes?

Uh, yes.

Your father is Keito Shiraishi?

That's correct.

Your father worked with Dr. Kawanabe

on researching an object
discovered on Earth 22 years ago?

I have a request for you.

Find the object
that disappeared 22 years ago.

Message for all ISDA!

Whale Co. is airing a press conference
from their main office on Mars!

It's already started on Mars.

It's Madison.

Who's that with him?

Riki Kawanabe? Riki Kawanabe...

Mister Breakthrough.

I remember him in the news.

What is that?

We're not sure yet.

We've only just started.

Uranium's atomic number is 92.

This one's number is 188.

It's in a stable state
between proton and neutron,

making it workable.

How did you feel upon its discovery?

I was quite troubled.

We're not ready to show it off.

But now that I've found it...

I honestly don't know what to say.

Dr. Kawanabe.

22 years ago,
you discovered a similar object.

That was back on Earth, correct?

At the time, you didn't have it,
and people said you faked it all.

I'm canceling today's press conference.
I'm very sorry.

Where's the object?!

Doctor, what's going on?

We hear Dr. Shiraishi
and the object are missing.

Explain yourself!

Tell us what's going on!

Say something!

Aoto?!

What do you mean, "troubled"?

Incoming call.

Dr. Kawanabe. Thank you for coming.

I will get straight to the point.

ISDA would like to recruit you.

We'd like you
to study that object at ISDA.

We offer you whatever equipment you need
along with prime benefits.

We await your answer in ten minutes.

I'm going to my lab
to conduct research immediately.

Tell the director for me.

I'm sorry, but my answer is no.

Why use stairs?

Unfortunately, I don't have a tag.

You can't do anything without one.
Why not get one?

We don't like the people who control them.

You mean ISDA?

They came barging in...

and forced Earth's rules on us.

They ignored the voices
of those already here.

The people who first came here

lived in harmony
without nationality or race.

We're all inhabitants
of a harsh planet called Mars.

We have to work together to survive.
There's fewer people here.

Each role and life has more weight.

And yet, once ISDA came here,

names became numbers...

as well as lives.

Even so...

this is the planet
where I was born and raised.

And yet, your mother...

wants to force us to go to Earth.

If you prefer Mars, then just stay here.

If we don't return...

they'll shut down the colony.

What?

No oxygen or water for those remaining.

That's a death sentence.

Your mother...

k*lled one of us 22 years ago.

Here's your MOBY. Call your mother.

Tell her to reconsider
the repatriation plan, or you'll die.

Is that why you kidnapped me?

Just do it.

Word from Sugar!
Investigators are coming!

One ISDA investigator.

Maru-B2358.

Former Cocoon member.

Take her away.

Aren't you coming?

I'll hold off the investigator.

Come on.

Where is she?

Chip.

Where's who?

You were seen with a blind girl.

Is that all?

That's enough to arrest me?

She's... Takima's daughter.

If so, then every tagless is a suspect.

They all hate her.

Who's behind this?

They used Sugar's name in their message.

The dead don't make threats.

Like I care?

Chip.

I said I don't know.

Chip!

What would Ema say?

You were...

a cute girl who liked Ema's singing.

So were you.

You were cuter
before you became ISDA's lapdog.

Not gonna arrest me?

It doesn't matter when.

Call me if you hear anything.

Lili...

This is Lili.

I'm sorry about all this.

I'm safe for now.

Please cancel the plan to abandon
the colonist who'll remain on Mars.

You have 24 hours to respond.

If you won't... listen to their request...

they might k*ll me.

Thank you for coming, Dr. Jissouji.

Does the object really have enough energy
to destroy an entire planet?

If you share what your research finds,
you will be well rewarded.

Make any requests your like.
We await your answer in ten minutes.

Well then...

Mars is a harsh place.

But we grew up here.

They might k*ll me.

This kidnapping could be my fault.

I believe they know our hand.

A fog around the black dot.

Colony 0's life support systems
will be shut down.

Just go!

Where are you?! Tell me!

- What are you doing?!
- The same phenomenon was seen above.

Go ahead.

Make sure you grow strong, too.