The atmosphere of Mars Free Port suddenly became tense with the full-scale attack of the Suss Empire.
The early winter sun brightly bathed the streets, unable to ward off the biting cold wind. The city, which had been bustling with activity, suddenly felt like a halted theater production, turning from a lively performance to a frozen scene.
The streets instantly fell silent. Sparse shops on both sides weakly kept their doors open, waiting for the few pedestrians passing by. The once-busy construction sites no longer resounded with noise; workers and engineering Mecha that swarmed like ants were gone, leaving only a few guards basking idly in the sun, staring into the distance at the half-cleared, abandoned ruins.
The ordinary citizens' lives, just seeing a glimmer of hope, plunged back into hardship. The merchants traveling from north to south were not spared from worry and anxiety.
