“The dream of Mars”.
It is the guiding principle of the four billion inhabitants of Mars and an ideal that is fervently
woven throughout their society to unite them in a common goal to strive for.
Hi, Ric here with another index video and this time we are looking at the Martian Congressional
Republic of the Expanse.
Like with the Belters and the United Nations of Earth, the MCR is an extension of our own
cultures, languages and histories adapted into the 24th century show and because of
this, there are a multitude of different individuals that make up the society.
This video simply talks about the science fiction setting and the relevant lore of Mars,
there will also be spoilers ahead concerning the sweeping changes to the Sol system that
take place throughout the show where necessary.
With that out of the way, let’s get started.
The colonisation of Mars took place in the century following the first landings in 2035
and by the mid-22nd century, Mars was inhabited by over 100 million people.
The settlements were of two major varieties, one being the underground shelters built deep
into the red planet’s crust that shielded the inhabitants from the unfiltered radiation
and dust storms.
The other settlements were the domed cities that were constructed on the surface.
These cities were connected both by an underground tunnel train network and the over ground cable-cars.
The ultimate goal for Mars however, was complete terraforming, so that the planet would eventually
be as habitable as Earth, albeit with lower gravity.
At this time, the settlements were effectively an extension of Earth and developed as such
but the newer generations of humans born there began to see themselves as Martian, not Earthers.
As Mars developed its own maintained agriculture and the promise of terraforming began to attainable
(even if a faraway goal), the colony world became less dependent on resources from Earth
and soon its inhabitants felt disconnected from the United Nations of Earth and calls
for independence began.
These calls were not headed and either placated with diplomatic pressure or occasionally a
show of force from the UN until the invention of the Epstein Drive in 129 BXT.
The native Martian effectively created a way to speed up interplanetary travel and although
he perished in the test flight, his designs were passed on the government of Mars which
then bartered this for its independence.
The UN accepted the deal and Mars reformed its government, into the Mars Congressional
Republic.
At the head of Mars is the Prime Minister and they founded their own currency, the MCR
dollar, or Martian Dollar.
This also meant that the terraforming of Mars was no longer overseen by Earth too and it
was down to the Red Planet’s settlers to continue the project, which they took to with
a determination that would shape their culture.
The harsh way of living was coupled with the ideal of working together on the largest engineering
project that Sol had ever seen, and the terraforming of Mars became the driving force behind the
planet.
However, there were other areas that required funding.
Alongside this massive undertaking, the MCR founded its own military, in opposition to
the UN’s massive force and while smaller, the MCRN, their navy is often far more technologically
capable and disciplined.
The capital city of Mars is Londres Nova while their primary military base is the Hecate
Base on Olympus Mons.
Alongside its numerous ground settlements, Mars also maintains its own habitations beyond
its atmosphere, with installations in the Asteroid Belt, and on several Jovian Moons,
like the Callisto Shipyard, which sits right next door to the UN civilian shipyard.
Most of the settlements beyond Mars are not for civilian use, with the majority of its
economy focused on the terraforming project.
This leaves its outside presence as mostly the MCRN’s affair, but alongside this is
Mars’ scouring of the Belt for resources.
Those that settled the belt from Mars and Earth too eventually developed their own culture,
known as Belters, the subject of another Index video.
Resources from the Belt, such as all of Ceres’ local water, was diverted towards Mars to
aid in its terraforming project, something that over time, repeated the cycle of subjugation,
but this time with Mars being the oppressive force alongside Earth and the Belters being
the oppressed.
It is impossible to talk about Mars and not mention their military prowess, with that
not only being a focus of the show and books, but also a focus of Mars itself.
Their strong unity, ruthlessness and dedication to the “Dream of Mars” is perfect for
cultivating a militant mind-set.
In addition to this, their focal goal is one of the largest scientific and engineering
problems that will take centuries to complete.
This in turn means that innovation is aplenty on Mars and they most definitely have the
edge when it comes to tech across numerous fields.
MCRN ships are the most advanced in the system, with a wide array of classes, each generation
of ships incorporating newer and more capable changes, iterating on their success.
The most famous classes of Martian vessel are the almost 500 metre long Donnager class
Battleship and the Corvette Class Light Frigate, although the latter’s renown is more likely
due to the achievements of the independent Rocinante.
Their ships are crewed by the MMC, the Martian Marine Corps, which itself is broken down
into further divisions.
However, even the standard MMC body armour is more advanced than the UN’s equivalent,
with the on-board computer regulating vitals and performing a myriad of duties.
Standard armour can perform DNA-scans through sensors in the fingertips and has holographic
computers with displays.
They possess emergency thrusters for micro-gravity manoeuvres and blood filters built in that
can allow for a wear to push themselves further by reducing toxin build-ups.
Alongside their infantry there is the Marine Armour, which operated combat mechs, automated
battle units seen in the books, and the infamous Force Recon Marines.
These specialists operate in the Goliath Power Armour, a full suit of motorised armour that
provides the wearer with enhanced strength and capabilities, requiring specialised training
to operate.
This armour is downright impenetrable to most small arms fire, as firearms in the expanse
are generally limited to not be able to pierce a ship’s hull, to avoid accidental decompression
in a firefight.
The Goliath power armour looks at that self-imposed limitation and says, “Really?
Well then…”
Alongside this, the Martians have numerous other developments with their computing systems
being some of the best, a wide array of medical advancements both in the civilian sector and
military use, such as the Focus Drugs being used by the latter to temporarily increase
the attention, memory and observational skills of those who ingest it.
They are also known for producing some of the best Stealth Technology in a myriad of
forms from ships utilising cooling systems to hide their emissions, to sheets of black
composite and a quick apply spray that scatters radar.
All of these developments are highly coveted by anyone who can get their hands on them
but fortunately (or unfortunately depending on where you stand), such technology is kept
in check by the dedication to place Mars first, above all other concerns.
The idea of selling out Mars for a Martian is pretty much unheard off thanks to the deep-rooted
patriotism and inbred pride at having achieved so much.
Mars has gone from being a colony to Earth, to being a technically smaller but comparative
power to the thousands of years of human history found on Earth through their diligence, perseverance
and efficiency.
But all that is threatened.
Those born in the domed cities or underground on Mars are less driven to terraform the planet,
because they are used to the life they have now and have never even seen Earth, an ocean
or a breathable sky.
The dream of Mars to many, is no longer a second independent Earth.
While the UN and Mars have been engaged in a cold war for years, the biggest threat to
mars was not the rival superpower, but the loss of its unifying ideal.
This was exacerbated when the ring worlds were colonised, due to the ease of settling
these other habitable worlds.
Why terraform Mars any more when there are a myriad of other planets, already with breathable
atmospheres where the expertise of the Martian people would allow them, to thrive.
This has led to the defection of a third of the MCRN under the command of Admiral Winston
Duarte, and may spell the end for the dream.
That about covers the Mars Congressional Republic.
Their way of life is tougher than that of those on Earth, but they have all the resources
they require to survive and when compared to life on the Belt, they have downright luxury.
So thanks for watching this video on them and I’ll probably cover the Geonosians next
up because there was also a lot of interest in expressed there too.
So thanks again for watching, I’ve been Ric, goodbye!