[ WP ] It 's been 300 years since Mars was colonized . Now , there is a revolution and the colonies are fighting for their independance . The first space battle in human history is about to begin .

`` Silence on the Stage! Cue lights! Roll cameras! and we are live in 3,2,1...'' 
 
 `` Welcome and thank you for joining us! I'm Kate!'' 
 
 `` I'm Habib! Today's date stamp is May 26 2336'' 
 
 `` And this is the Reality Check!'' 
 
 `` And this is the Reality Check!'' 
 
 `` If you're just leaving virtual immersion folks here is the IRL so far.'' 
 
 `` We all know that the outer colonies have lived with us in peace and prosperity since the results of the Pacific Blast last century.'' 
 
 `` Lately however some of these folks have gotten pretty grumpy Habib.'' 
 
 `` You bet Kate, tensions among the Ares Council, the OutSpace Coalition and our very own UNISPAN have reached the tidal point.'' 
 
 `` Is it really true that Chairman Hartzkroitz is mobilizing the military?'' 
 
 `` Sadly yes. As we all know the Eden Restoration project takes a lot, but many of the remote colonies no longer want to help restore our home to its rightful state.'' 
 
 `` Mmm. That sounds scary Habib, why would n't everyone want to contribute to saving our birthplace and legacy?'' 
 
 `` Beats me Kate, but recent tragic events would seem to say they do n't want to give their fair share. Last cycle we brought you the unsettling footage of the ICS-ME-5539 exploding in a clear terrorist attack. Ares spokespeople were quick to decry the attack that damaged Mar's largest spaceport, yet they were also quick to re-purpose the shipment for local use.'' 
 
 `` Maybe a bit too quick. In response Chairman Hartzkroitz accused the Ares council of tolerating even orchestrating this latest in a string of isolationist extremist events.'' 
 
 `` Now for the latest development, ICS-ME-5540 flight has been interdicted by Ares authorities on arrival. While publicly stating they have interned the crew for alleged arms smuggling, the calls to free the brave sailors has not gone unheard.'' 
 
 `` Once scrambled the Personnel Carriers of UNISPAN PeaceKeepers should arrive at Mars on the next orbital to negotiate the safe return of UNISPAN property personal and the resumption of normal traffic and relations.'' 
 
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 The crowd roared when he took the stage. The red green Ares banners flapped idly in the light salty breeze on the Olympus Mons Plateau wafting off the Northern Sea. 
 
 `` Hello Martians!'' HE waited for the noise to settle before continuing. 
 
 `` You all know who I am. I am You. You all know what I want. I want what is ours!'' 
 
 The slogan had its usual effect. 
 
 `` We stood up! We rose like the phoenix from the ashes. Fleeing the tyranny of a ruined Eden. The lie of fate and the call of Destiny revealed the truth to us! We brought life and progress to a wasteland and made our own paradise. All these long years we have built with our own hands and our own effort a place to claim as our own. A new destiny no longer fraught with the wars of our ancestors and dangerous claims of progeny.'' 
 
 Standard fare but he had them hooked for something new. 
 
 `` Now we no longer want to tithe a taskmaster who gives us nothing! We have never been children who need to be pampered and fed. We grow our own food. We build our own machines. We Raised our own cities. All that you see we brought forth with the sweat off our brows. We have made a new home for mankind and we do n't need Daddy to spank us anymore!'' 
 
 The noise level was at a continuous high now but he did n't relent. 
 
 `` We're not going to support a corrupt and false utopia anymore! Let them all wake up to the reality for a final time! Let them dig into the old dirt and rebuild their own house for once! For today; MARS STANDS ALONE! TODAY MARS KEEPS WHAT MARS MAKES! TODAY WE DRIVE BACK THE THIEVES!'' 
 
 ARES! ARES! ARES! ARES! ARES! 
 
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 `` What does it mean Papa? Will the sponges really invade the reds?'' 
 
 `` What have I told you about using those names?'' 
 
 `` Sorry Papa... I'm scarred though'' 
 
 `` Me too buddy. OutSpace wo n't sit idle on this. We ca n't afford to. Looks like the Belt is gon na tighten for a while.'' 
 
 `` What about the Kuipers?'' 
 
 `` Those cats can stay out there until it blows over. The Belt can weather this too but I hope against hope they do n't come knocking when it goes sideways downstairs.'' 
 
 `` Donny said we have more in common with Mars than Earth.'' 
 
 `` He ai n't wrong but we ca n't afford to take sides. Our digging goes to both sides but we need their food and finished goods. Catch is Earth has a few billion more people. This ai n't going to be pretty, but keep your eyes peeled son. You're going to remember this the rest of your life.'' 
 
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 `` Final decelaration burn complete.'' 
 
 `` Orbital insertion confirmed, Negative on the guidance buoys'' 
 
 `` Open signal on comms get me Martian Traffic control.'' 
 
 `` All dark sir, only locals talking'' 
 
 `` Fine, take us in -- -- 
 
 * # * # * `` Ares tower to IMS-ME convoy, hold your position in geo-synch and stand-down.'' * # * # * 
 
 `` Negative Ares, we do not recognize your call. Clear UNISPAN tower frequency at once.'' 
 
 * # * # * `` IMS-ME convoy, UNISPAN tower has been relieved. You are to hold position. Any deviations from your current course will not be tolerated.'' * # * # * 
 
 `` Negative Ares, we are running heavy, bingo fuel status, we MUST land'' 
 
 `` Sir? we still have -- -'' 
 
 `` Shut it lieutenant.'' 
 
 * # * # * `` IMS-ME convoy you should have topped off at Luna. Hold position for tanker rendezvous and prepare for immediate departure.'' * # * # * 
 
 `` Negative tower we did n't come all this way to turn around. Request immediate landing vector clearance, or we're coming in hot'' 
 
 *DEEDEEDEEDEEEDEEEDEEEDEEDEEE* 
 
 `` SIR HOT LAUNCHES FROM THE SURFACE'' 
 
 `` BATTLE STATIONS! prepare for evasive action! Ares Tower, Ares Tower, rescind interceptors immediately. You are engaging in an act of war!'' 
 
 `` CAPTAIN! LINE HAS GONE COLD! INTERCEPT IN 5!'' 
 
 `` DAMNIT!!! Take us down, we'll have to try and loose them in atmo.'' 
 
 `` This is it is n't it Cap?'' 
 
 `` Yeah, it is''
