Ad Astra - The Alagore War

AA V0 Prolog, Chapter 2

1/23/2048 (military calendar)

Fort Alpha, Space Force Base, Noctis Valles (Alpha Base)

Noctis Labyrinthus Region, Phoenicis Lacus, Mars

*****

The dreams of multiple generations stretching back to the founding civilizations finally became a reality. From the first flyby of Mariner 4 to the first robotic landing of Viking 1 - all those accomplishments have built up to this moment. That humanity had finally reached the Red Planet, Mars.

Throughout history, the Red World has gone by many names. The first was Nergal by the first civilization of Mankind, the Sumerians. While the Sumerians were the first, being a mighty warrior people of their time, they were not the last to name the planet after a god of war. The Romans, the most efficient war machine ever to walk the ancient world, gave this world its modern name.

Staring out at the reddish wasteland, Captain Taylor Miles of the United States Space Force stood on the observation level of Alpha Base. Every time he stood on this level, he found it strange how the most war-like civilizations always saw this place, being separated by thousands of years and distance, and came to the same conclusion. Now that Mankind had reached this world, he struggled to make the connection from the myth. For a warrior world, it felt..., quiet and peaceful.

From this vantage point, Miles had the perfect view of the city. From this view, he could see the many different modules that hosted the many residential communities to the research centers, from the many space agencies to the commercial side of the colony. One could see the extensive hydroponics facilities to the left, and to the right of the town center are the water and ore refineries that help provide this place with life. But most of all, what he enjoyed staring at the most was the launch pads over on the other side of the colony.

During Taylor Miles's free time, which the captain had much of while being posted at such a remote post, he would come up and stare at the city, watching the rockets take off and land. He sometimes wondered if this was like the old colony towns that once settled North America. While many in the online media on Earth call this place the next Jamestown, he sometimes wondered if this place could end up like Roanoke.

The colony-town below was a decent size for being around over a decade. Officially named Alpha Base by the US Space Department, the common name the people and media use are Noctis Valles City by those who live here and on Earth. The name was a hybrid between the region where the city was built and the most extensive canyon within the solar system, Valles Marineris. While the city was primarily a joint NASA-private partnership establishing this town, it multiplied ten-fold. Over fifteen thousand Americans, with hundreds of other personnel, are stationed here under the Artimus Accord members, permanently living here while thousands more rotate in and out after a tour.

The United States decided to follow a similar policy based on the US Antarctic Program, where McMurdo Station was the main base of operation with dozens of other outposts scattered. While it was an American colony, other nations have utilized it for their needs and as a staging ground to search for locations for their outposts.

Hearing the NASA Traffic Controller over the colony live stream, stating that the next launch was in its final preparation state, Miles looked up toward the three screens above the large window. The number showed T-3:44, showing the countdown.

"Captain, Traffic Control reports that Starship 1226 systems are all clear," Hata said over the intercom from Operations.

"Thank you, Hata," Miles said. "Another good day to fly."