The Mars Chronicles
- Thread starter SouthernKing
- Start date
SouthernKing
crickety cricket
Earth, 2000-2140
With the dawn of a new millennium, humanity wanted a millennium of peace and hope, much unlike the one that had just passed into the annals of history.
It was not to be.
Terrorism, warfare, corruption, and political ineptitude all exploded during the early years of the 21st century. Paranoia and extremism began to slowly take over the world. Even in the richest of countries, hunger and poverty were crippling problems.
In 2008, the world stock markets plunged around the world. Little did the world know that a new era was upon them. By 2020, although the markets had recovered, the major problems had not been fixed. Much like the 1950s, a thin veil of prosperity and happiness covered up the major problems. The 2020s and 2030s sprung by. In 2037, a joint American-Russian crew, led by NASA pilot Wilson Kime, landed on Mars. The Japanese set up the first permanent manned lunar outpost in 2041. There were plans to build grand cities on the Moon and Mars by 2060. A whole two thousand people were living in nine separate lunar outposts in 2055. It was a time of peace and enjoyment for all. Africa, once the poorest continent on earth, had rebounded to become Earth's continent of hope. In 2057, a corporate-funded mission sent an international crew to Jupiter.
Then it all came crashing down. Somewhere amidst a web of megacorporations, word came out that the world was well past peak oil. Fusion and alternate sources existed, but they were either too expensive or too sparse for useful use.
Panic struck. The world markets dropped a whole 50% in the winter of 2060-2061. The great megacorporations tried to keep things under their control, but like a house of cards, the whole system came imploding. Oil prices skyrocketed. A January 2061 tsunami in the Persian Gulf as well as killing 400,000 crippled the stagnating energy sector.
By mid 2061, the situation had reached its zenith. Governments refused to bail out the megacorporations like they had in 2008. What resulted was nothing short of complete disaster.
The global economy plunged off of a cliff. It was far worse that the Great Depression 130 years earlier. A third of the world's money simply vanished overnight. The richest of the world's population simply paid for one-way tickets to the Moon and left Earth behind. But for the rest, the 2060s were a decade unlike any other.
In parts of Asia, what was left of the megacorporations build walled enclaves and separated themselves from the outside world. Entire countries went bankrupt or simply vanished overnight. There was a mass migration of Africans to the south and east coasts of the continent. China and Russia fought a devastating war over the dwindling Siberian oil fields. North Africans and Arabs fled to the European Federation en masse, trying to find employment and food. In the Americas, Canada went bankrupt and its government shut down, forcing the United States to pour billions of dollars into its northern neighbor, preventing total societal collapse in the Great White North.
The crisis went on into 2064. Some were predicting total societal collapse by the 2070s. It seemed that civilization was nearing an end. But then an announcement by two scientists from the University of North Carolina changed all that. Their announcement of the discovery of cold fusion began to turn the situation around. The world started on the long road to recovery.
It was a treacherous road. Orbital strikes by Russia on China during the Siberian War had destroyed the megacorporate enclaves, meaning that the driving force of the world prior to 2060 was gone. The people were on their own.
But a new force emerged. The United Nations had survived the crisis, and in 2067 established a hegemony over the entire planet. A new era began.
Starting in the 2070s, Earth once again began to look at the skies. 2076 and 2087 both saw failed Mars colonization attempts by the United Nations Space Council (UNSC), although in 2089 a UNSC crew reached Saturn orbit, and in 2090 a UNSC crew landed on Europa, and when they sent a robotic drill under the ice they found an ocean of water - filled with life forms, compilable to Earth's plankton.
UNSC support skyrocketed. Manned missions were planned for Titan, Io, Venus, and even Uranus and Neptune. A new wave of space exploration ensued, with a small Los Angeles-based company, Astro Mining, building a mining colony on an asteroid in 2099.
As the 21st century turned into the 22nd, the UNSC was planning another international Mars colony effort. That attempt occurred in 2108, and was, yet again, a failure.
By 2120, however, the UN hegemony over Earth was beginning to crack. In 2124, Quebecois anarchists detonated multiple bombs inside the United Nations building in New York. The building collapsed, and with it virtually the entire organization. UNSC's headquarters in London was safe, but by 2127 it had virtually ceased to operate. The UNSC splintered as existing nations began reforming their own space agencies.
By 2135, the old nations were back with a fury. Humanity was beginning to lose trust in continuing to maintain its power base on Earth, and thus plans began to form, not just by government agencies but also by private companies, to colonize Mars, this time for good,
The year is Anno Domini 2140, and space is the future. As the first human colonists of this wave land on the Red Planet, a new dawn beckons. A new rise for mankind is just over the horizon.
Mars is the future.
With the dawn of a new millennium, humanity wanted a millennium of peace and hope, much unlike the one that had just passed into the annals of history.
It was not to be.
Terrorism, warfare, corruption, and political ineptitude all exploded during the early years of the 21st century. Paranoia and extremism began to slowly take over the world. Even in the richest of countries, hunger and poverty were crippling problems.
In 2008, the world stock markets plunged around the world. Little did the world know that a new era was upon them. By 2020, although the markets had recovered, the major problems had not been fixed. Much like the 1950s, a thin veil of prosperity and happiness covered up the major problems. The 2020s and 2030s sprung by. In 2037, a joint American-Russian crew, led by NASA pilot Wilson Kime, landed on Mars. The Japanese set up the first permanent manned lunar outpost in 2041. There were plans to build grand cities on the Moon and Mars by 2060. A whole two thousand people were living in nine separate lunar outposts in 2055. It was a time of peace and enjoyment for all. Africa, once the poorest continent on earth, had rebounded to become Earth's continent of hope. In 2057, a corporate-funded mission sent an international crew to Jupiter.
Then it all came crashing down. Somewhere amidst a web of megacorporations, word came out that the world was well past peak oil. Fusion and alternate sources existed, but they were either too expensive or too sparse for useful use.
Panic struck. The world markets dropped a whole 50% in the winter of 2060-2061. The great megacorporations tried to keep things under their control, but like a house of cards, the whole system came imploding. Oil prices skyrocketed. A January 2061 tsunami in the Persian Gulf as well as killing 400,000 crippled the stagnating energy sector.
By mid 2061, the situation had reached its zenith. Governments refused to bail out the megacorporations like they had in 2008. What resulted was nothing short of complete disaster.
The global economy plunged off of a cliff. It was far worse that the Great Depression 130 years earlier. A third of the world's money simply vanished overnight. The richest of the world's population simply paid for one-way tickets to the Moon and left Earth behind. But for the rest, the 2060s were a decade unlike any other.
In parts of Asia, what was left of the megacorporations build walled enclaves and separated themselves from the outside world. Entire countries went bankrupt or simply vanished overnight. There was a mass migration of Africans to the south and east coasts of the continent. China and Russia fought a devastating war over the dwindling Siberian oil fields. North Africans and Arabs fled to the European Federation en masse, trying to find employment and food. In the Americas, Canada went bankrupt and its government shut down, forcing the United States to pour billions of dollars into its northern neighbor, preventing total societal collapse in the Great White North.
The crisis went on into 2064. Some were predicting total societal collapse by the 2070s. It seemed that civilization was nearing an end. But then an announcement by two scientists from the University of North Carolina changed all that. Their announcement of the discovery of cold fusion began to turn the situation around. The world started on the long road to recovery.
It was a treacherous road. Orbital strikes by Russia on China during the Siberian War had destroyed the megacorporate enclaves, meaning that the driving force of the world prior to 2060 was gone. The people were on their own.
But a new force emerged. The United Nations had survived the crisis, and in 2067 established a hegemony over the entire planet. A new era began.
Starting in the 2070s, Earth once again began to look at the skies. 2076 and 2087 both saw failed Mars colonization attempts by the United Nations Space Council (UNSC), although in 2089 a UNSC crew reached Saturn orbit, and in 2090 a UNSC crew landed on Europa, and when they sent a robotic drill under the ice they found an ocean of water - filled with life forms, compilable to Earth's plankton.
UNSC support skyrocketed. Manned missions were planned for Titan, Io, Venus, and even Uranus and Neptune. A new wave of space exploration ensued, with a small Los Angeles-based company, Astro Mining, building a mining colony on an asteroid in 2099.
As the 21st century turned into the 22nd, the UNSC was planning another international Mars colony effort. That attempt occurred in 2108, and was, yet again, a failure.
By 2120, however, the UN hegemony over Earth was beginning to crack. In 2124, Quebecois anarchists detonated multiple bombs inside the United Nations building in New York. The building collapsed, and with it virtually the entire organization. UNSC's headquarters in London was safe, but by 2127 it had virtually ceased to operate. The UNSC splintered as existing nations began reforming their own space agencies.
By 2135, the old nations were back with a fury. Humanity was beginning to lose trust in continuing to maintain its power base on Earth, and thus plans began to form, not just by government agencies but also by private companies, to colonize Mars, this time for good,
The year is Anno Domini 2140, and space is the future. As the first human colonists of this wave land on the Red Planet, a new dawn beckons. A new rise for mankind is just over the horizon.
Mars is the future.
hoplitejoe
Top fun-poster
- Joined
- Mar 22, 2010
- Messages
- 5,470
Watch out for these guys!
Tambien
Theseus, Duke of Athens
Great writing! Will be watching this.
One question, could you continue to give updates on what is happening outside of Mars?
One question, could you continue to give updates on what is happening outside of Mars?
SouthernKing
crickety cricket
Dont worry, that will be happening.
Tambien
Theseus, Duke of Athens
Yay! Cant wait!
EDIT: Can I make a map with the nations of the world on it? Dont worry, I would make sure it was Kosher.
EDIT: Can I make a map with the nations of the world on it? Dont worry, I would make sure it was Kosher.
MoreEpicThanYou
The most Epic.
I'm assuming this is a Mars Now story?
SouthernKing
crickety cricket
Tambien, go ahead. If any of y'all want to add story elements. Go right ahead. Just follow the storyline so far. I want to make this project as collective as possible.
And yes its Mars Now although likely there will not be any game updates for a while. Half the story wont even take place on Mars.
And please keep it NES level realistic. No magic, no Force. Please try to maintain scientfi plausibility.
From your suggestions I will write the story.
And yes its Mars Now although likely there will not be any game updates for a while. Half the story wont even take place on Mars.
And please keep it NES level realistic. No magic, no Force. Please try to maintain scientfi plausibility.
From your suggestions I will write the story.
SouthernKing
crickety cricket
And sorry double post but also make sure that all the Mars Now factions could actually exist. Ie the US and Canada maintain actual borders from present day, but places like Africa, Mideast WILL be different.
- Joined
- Mar 14, 2011
- Messages
- 4,131
This story looks awesome. Subbed.
I'm not making any promises, but I can make world-progression gifs on a globe map indicating border changes, collapses, war, and population shifts. This story looks really interesting, and I'm willing to do that much for it.
I'm not making any promises, but I can make world-progression gifs on a globe map indicating border changes, collapses, war, and population shifts. This story looks really interesting, and I'm willing to do that much for it.
Optical
The Fall of the Eleventh
This looks awesome 
Tambien
Theseus, Duke of Athens
Here is the officialized map and stuff approved by SK:
United Federation of the Western Hemisphere
Capital: Washington, D.C.(District of Columbia)
Description:
The UFotWH or UFWH is formed from many member states. They go from the Independent Republic of Greenland to the Argentine Federation. Originally the North American Union, which was formed by the United States, Canada, and the Royal Mexican Union, it expanded to encompass the entire Western Hemisphere. Each member nation sends a Delegate to the Western Conference. The people of each nation elect this Delegate, and the people of the Federation elect a President. UFWH is committed to preserving, and spreading democracy.
Imperial Russian Federation
Capital: Moscow, I.D.(Imperial District)
Description:
The IRP is a revitalized Russia. They are highly nationalist and imperialist. The Imperial Czar heads the nation. He is elected by the National Czars. The NCs are elected by the people of each nation, however they can only choose from the family of the late NC.
European Union
Capital: Rotating
Description:
The EU is the same as its predecessor, save that each former member nation is only a state, and the membership regulations are less stringent.
New Arab Empire
Capital: Mecca
Description:
Formed when Saudi Arabia went imperialist, the NAE strives to unify the world under its sheik, and Islam. The Sheik has absolute power. The Islamic Priests are the second most power in Mecca.
New African Union
Capital: Tripoli, D.A.P.(District of the African People)
Description:
The NAU is a force that strives to unify Africa under one, socialist, flag. They have made socialism work well, in a properly authoritarian way, of course.
South African Empire
Capital: Pretoria
Description:
The SAE also strives to unite Africa. However, they seek to do so under an Imperialist Flag. They have been at war with the NAU for years, and with no end in sight some think the war will soon go nuclear.
Free Japanese Imperium
Capital: Tokyo
Description:
Japan expanded to protect its neighbors when China began to conquer the areas around it. They have no qualms about going to war, and are still the leaders in technology. The UFWH is a close second.
Asian Collective
Capital: Hangzhou
Description:
China spread the Great Teachings of Mao to the surrounding area through war. When it was all over, most of Asia was in Chinese hands. However, the armies of China were swamped when Revolution shook all of the Empire. The rebels formed the Asian Collective, a very liberal democracy. They combine a Repulic-type government with a large amount of socialist programs.
Pacifican Union
Capital: Brisbane
Description:
The Pacifican Union formed in direct response to the Chinese expansions. They are essentially the same as the UFWH, albeit with a more militarist attitude.
Spoiler :
United Federation of the Western Hemisphere
Capital: Washington, D.C.(District of Columbia)
Description:
The UFotWH or UFWH is formed from many member states. They go from the Independent Republic of Greenland to the Argentine Federation. Originally the North American Union, which was formed by the United States, Canada, and the Royal Mexican Union, it expanded to encompass the entire Western Hemisphere. Each member nation sends a Delegate to the Western Conference. The people of each nation elect this Delegate, and the people of the Federation elect a President. UFWH is committed to preserving, and spreading democracy.
Imperial Russian Federation
Capital: Moscow, I.D.(Imperial District)
Description:
The IRP is a revitalized Russia. They are highly nationalist and imperialist. The Imperial Czar heads the nation. He is elected by the National Czars. The NCs are elected by the people of each nation, however they can only choose from the family of the late NC.
European Union
Capital: Rotating
Description:
The EU is the same as its predecessor, save that each former member nation is only a state, and the membership regulations are less stringent.
New Arab Empire
Capital: Mecca
Description:
Formed when Saudi Arabia went imperialist, the NAE strives to unify the world under its sheik, and Islam. The Sheik has absolute power. The Islamic Priests are the second most power in Mecca.
New African Union
Capital: Tripoli, D.A.P.(District of the African People)
Description:
The NAU is a force that strives to unify Africa under one, socialist, flag. They have made socialism work well, in a properly authoritarian way, of course.
South African Empire
Capital: Pretoria
Description:
The SAE also strives to unite Africa. However, they seek to do so under an Imperialist Flag. They have been at war with the NAU for years, and with no end in sight some think the war will soon go nuclear.
Free Japanese Imperium
Capital: Tokyo
Description:
Japan expanded to protect its neighbors when China began to conquer the areas around it. They have no qualms about going to war, and are still the leaders in technology. The UFWH is a close second.
Asian Collective
Capital: Hangzhou
Description:
China spread the Great Teachings of Mao to the surrounding area through war. When it was all over, most of Asia was in Chinese hands. However, the armies of China were swamped when Revolution shook all of the Empire. The rebels formed the Asian Collective, a very liberal democracy. They combine a Repulic-type government with a large amount of socialist programs.
Pacifican Union
Capital: Brisbane
Description:
The Pacifican Union formed in direct response to the Chinese expansions. They are essentially the same as the UFWH, albeit with a more militarist attitude.
mayor
Heart & Mind
subbed
no promises for help however, if I have time and inspiration I'll notify
no promises for help however, if I have time and inspiration I'll notify
SouthernKing
crickety cricket
Expect an update of some sort tomorrow.
Tambien
Theseus, Duke of Athens
They are so common because they are the most likely outcomes.
THEY ARE NOT SIMPLY SPACE-FILLERS.
THEY ARE NOT SIMPLY SPACE-FILLERS.
Yoshiegg737
Jungo Jungo
Subbed
Mosher
Mushroom dad
Imperial Russia!?!? 
I demand commies! 
I demand commies! Similar threads
