[ 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 .

`` They have absolutely no regard for civilization! They are degenerates and criminals who think they have some ridiculous right to self-determination! This rebellion will accomplish *nothing* aside from destroying families and obliterating progress for the next decade!'' The Terran captain's rage continued to pour over the comms until the Martian commander suddenly shut it off. 
 
 `` Figures we were n't able to intercept any channel that's useful.'' Martian Commander Olsen stared through the glass that separated the bridge from the unforgiving void - her eyes already weary from the events leading up to this moment. 
 
 Olsen glanced over to her executive officer, who made no attempt to hide the disquietude exuding from his expression, `` Relax a little, we're making the right decision.'' 
 
 `` I - I know, but our lovely friend over there has a point. Our choices are going to huge impact, and not all of it will be pleasant,'' his voice grave mixed with a hint of sarcasm. 
 
 `` You're right - we are destroying an interplanetary empire,'' she returned the humor. `` But they are exploiting us,'' her tone switched swiftly. `` We are living miserably so they can live comfortably. Any chance at a peaceful resolution is slim, and that's something we have known since the beginning. We exhausted many peaceful options, but we need to strike before they can prepare for a revolution'' 
 
 Her somber eyes began scanning the blackness in front of her, seemingly expecting to see something, `` The ambush is going to take place with at least a couple of kilometers of space in between us. We wo n't see anything'' 
 
 The Terran navy was not much of a navy, but more of a large task-force designed to combat ill-equipped pirates. The majority of their ships were fast, well-rounded, and incredibly effective. They were a dangerous foe the infant Martian navy needed to carefully counter. 
 
 The revolutionaries spent years setting up a honeypot - a large, decoy pirate organization, and now an ambush that spent years in the making was about to come to fruition. 
 
 The Martian fleet was barely inside of the Terran fleet's sensor range - their ships tightly packed around the trap carefully set by the Martians. 
 
 `` Three minutes until we are within range,'' the XO stated calmly over the intercom, his fear and doubt hidden well from the crew. 
 
 The haunting sounds of the ship's artillery moving into place reverberated throughout the quiet bridge. 
 
 `` I'm impressed the Terran captain picked up on the situation so quickly.'' Olsen said, as if distancing herself from his imminent fate. 
 
 The commander took control of the comms and broke the radio silence among their fleet, `` All ships prepare to fire.'' The fifty Martian ships, jury-rigged with long-range cannons, were all within range and had their weapons prepped per the battle plan. 
 
 The next few seconds crept by, every Martian aware of what was about to happen to hundreds of good people. 
 
 `` Fire.''
