GREEN MARS
I was an Entity, a massive alien colonial organism composed of millions of Shards, semi-autonomous fragments of myself, all working together to form one cohesive whole, nominally bound to search for the Answer to eternal life. I had always harbored a deep desire to transform Mars into a habitable planet from when I was still human and that didn't change with becoming an Entity. As my shardflesh transitioned onto Mars Bet on that fateful July 4th, 1814, I found myself with ample time to dedicate to this monumental task. Over the years and decades, I diligently worked to terraform Mars Bet, immersing myself fully in the process.
My Shards, though an extension of myself, remained varying degrees of impartial to the endeavor. Engaging in their individual projects, the various clusters occasionally collaborated to achieve common goals. Armament and Factory came together, constructing a comprehensive global defense network. They ingeniously designed the solar defense turrets to double as gatherers, efficiently optimizing passive energy intake when not in defensive mode. The Cloak cluster worked tirelessly to establish permanent cloaking measures, anticipating the imminent arrival of the Warrior and the Thinker Entities in less than two centuries.
The natural heat emitted by shardflesh alone raised the planet's temperature by a dozen degrees. With my Avatar cluster's diligent efforts to keep the northern polar cap melted and the Armaments cluster maintaining the southern polar cap, Mars became significantly wetter and hotter. The atmosphere became saturated with CO2, while the limited water on the planet began to form a rudimentary water cycle.
Drones were launched into orbit through railguns, dispatched by the Analysis cluster to intercept key asteroids containing the vital materials required for terraformation. Water ice, complex carbon molecules, trace elements, and other essential substances were targeted. Once intercepted, the drones transformed into propulsive engines, expertly guiding the asteroids into a trajectory that caused them to disintegrate within the thickening Martian atmosphere, spreading their bounty across the planet.
Factories, composed of shardflesh, diligently pumped pollutants into the air. This process condensed the atmosphere and provided the necessary materials for new buds, derived from the chemicals and ores found within the Martian regolith. The Shaper cluster embraced the art of terraformation with great enthusiasm. Collaborating with the Analysis cluster and the Panopticon cluster, they breathed life into Mars, creating a harmonious and ever-evolving ecosystem, changing as Mars grew wetter and hotter. As multicellular life became possible, certain species were granted the ability to bud with simple powers, allowing the Factory and Prototype clusters to conduct controlled, low-sentience experiments while they waited. This also provided an opportunity for the Manager cluster to showcase their abilities.
Throughout the process, communication and collaboration between clusters were crucial, facilitated by the Broadcast cluster. The Panopticon cluster monitored the planet's progress, constantly observing and analyzing the changes occurring on Mars Bet, which was then filtered into the Analysis cluster. They provided valuable feedback to the other clusters, enabling adjustments and refinements to be made as needed.
The Avatar cluster efficiently coordinated the entire terraformation project, overseeing the progress and ensuring that each cluster worked in harmony. They established protocols for resource allocation, scheduling, and communication, ensuring the smooth functioning of the operation.
As the years became decades, and the decades rolled into a century, the once barren and desolate Mars transformed into a thriving and vibrant world. Rivers flowed, forests flourished, and diverse lifeforms inhabited the planet. Mars Bet became a testament to Shard ingenuity and the power of collaboration. However, the work was far from over. Continuous monitoring and maintenance were required to sustain the newly established ecosystem. The Avatar cluster diligently monitored the planet's climate and made necessary adjustments to ensure the survival and growth of the various species.
The terraformation of Mars Bet was an ongoing project, with new challenges and discoveries awaiting at every turn. And as I looked upon the transformed Mars, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and fulfillment in my deep desire to make this once distant dream a reality. And I wanted to share it with someone.
On August 27th, 1917, a warm breeze swept through the vibrant rainforest that stretched along the lower slopes of Olympus Mons. The air was thick with the scent of moss and exotic flowers, mingling with the distant aroma of volcanic ash. It was here, amidst the lush greenery, that the first Eldar came into existence, his birth marked by the emergence of the psychic gene.
As the Eldar, a fully-grown male, rose from his birthing sack, the iridescent crystals of the upper reaches of Olympus Mons shimmered in the sunlight, casting a dazzling display of colors. Naked and unadorned, he marveled at the breathtaking beauty that surrounded him, his violet eyes wide with awe.
In this moment, I approached him, the Shard inside me screaming for control, urging me to leash him with a bud, to turn him into a chance at discovering the Answer. But I resisted the temptation, choosing instead to greet him with a psychic "Hello, Eldanesh."
In response, he sent a query—a quick learner—his voice resonating in my mind, "Is that my name?" His words carried a sense of wonder and curiosity, tinged with innocence.
With a soft chuckle, I replied, "Indeed, it is. You are the first of your kind, the Eldar, and the strongest. But know that you will not be the last. I have grand plans for you and your people."
His eyes widened further, a mix of surprise and anticipation. "Are you... a god? What is your name, Lord?" he asked, his voice filled with reverence.
I shook my head, a smile playing on my lips. "No, my dear Eldanesh. I am not a god, at most I am a being of physical divinity. There are entities greater than I, but to you, I am akin to a deity. I am your creator and I am the Empyreal."
Eldanesh bowed, a gesture of respect that I quickly dismissed. "No need for formalities," I said. "I am not a possessive or demanding being. My desire is for your people to flourish and thrive in this world that I have crafted, for I have grown lonely."
His gaze locked with mine, his eyes shimmering with a mix of gratitude and curiosity. "You created this world?" he asked, his voice tinged with awe.
I conjured images of a desolate and lifeless Mars, showcasing its barren landscapes. "This is what Mars looked like before my touch," I explained. And then, I shared my vision with him, speaking of the countless cousins for him I would grow, the magnificent cities we would build together, and the ultimate goal of guiding his people to become masters of interstellar travel, powerful and independent of my protection.
In that moment, amidst the vibrant rainforest and the iridescent crystals, our destinies intertwined, and the journey of the Eldar began.
The world that would be known as Earth Bet experienced its first divergence from Earth Aleph centuries earlier, when the so-called 'Greening' happened across the Martian surface, the masses of vegetation large and obvious enough by late 1840s that no one could deny what earlier astronomers claimed.
The Greening of Mars brought about a dramatic transformation to the barren and desolate landscape. As the vegetation spread across the Martian surface, it created lush forests, vibrant meadows, and sprawling fields of colorful flowers. The once arid and lifeless planet became a spectacle of biodiversity and natural beauty.
Scientists and astronomers from Earth marveled at the Greening, confirming the existence of life beyond our home planet. The discovery ignited a wave of excitement and curiosity, prompting numerous premature ideas for expeditions and missions to Mars to study and understand this newfound ecosystem, unable to be fulfilled by the technology of the time.
However, the surprises did not end with the Greening. In a stunning turn of events, the Red Planet experienced a phenomenon known as the 'Bluing.' Over the course of several decades, the northern hemisphere of Mars gradually transformed into a vast expanse of water, resembling an immense ocean.
The Bluing of Mars captivated the world, raising numerous questions about the origins and nature of this mysterious water body. Was it a result of natural processes or the intervention of an unknown extraterrestrial force? Scientists and explorers were once again drawn to Mars, eager to unravel the secrets behind this astonishing transformation.
The Greening and Bluing of Mars marked pivotal moments in human history of Earth Bet, forever changing our understanding of the universe. These events not only demonstrated the resilience and adaptability of life but also provided a glimmer of hope for the possibility of sustaining life on other celestial bodies. The Red Planet, once perceived as a barren desert wasteland, now held the promise of a future where humanity could thrive beyond the confines of Earth.
Earth was finally able to witness the true resemblance and abundance of our neighboring planet Mars when the Soviet Sputnik 24 successfully completed a flyby. It captured breathtaking photos of both the illuminated day side and the mysterious night side of Mars, revealing what seemed to be the shimmering lights of bustling cities. However, the mission took an unexpected turn as Sputnik 24 crash-landed in a serene meadow, transmitting a series of twelve captivating images, all depicting the same vast field. Amidst these photos, a peculiar moment froze in time - a tall, lanky figure, surprisingly resembling a human, approached the spacecraft. This enigmatic encounter marked the final snapshot taken by Sputnik 24.
The quest for extraterrestrial life on Mars continued with Mariner 4, which swiftly passed by the planet and captured astonishing images. These pictures revealed the presence of orbital stations constructed from glistening crystal structures, further intensifying the mounting evidence of alien life inhabiting Mars. Building upon this discovery, Mariner 9 gracefully entered the orbit of Mars, expanding our understanding of the planet's captivating landscape. Additionally, it skillfully captured photographs showcasing numerous seemingly abandoned orbital stations, floating like ethereal flowers in the vastness of space.
Mars 2, a Russian lander, slowly rolled its way along a beautiful river bank, coming across a lacey white bridge, before the same type of alien comes across the lander, and appears to sigh, before the feed cuts. Mars 3 doesn't suffer much better. It is quickly assumed the aliens are isolationists, with no desire of contact with humanity.
Despite the setbacks and lack of direct contact with the mysterious Martian beings, humanity's fascination with Mars only grew stronger. The tantalizing glimpses of a thriving ecosystem and the presence of advanced alien structures fueled the desire to uncover more about the enigmatic planet.
Numerous missions followed, each one pushing the boundaries of scientific exploration and each winding up lost. The Viking landers, equipped with advanced scientific instruments, touched down on the Martian surface in the late 1970s, attempting to land in one of the great cities that dotted the landscape of Mars. They too were destroyed after about a day of exploring the Martian outback.
As technology continued to advance, so did humanity's understanding of Mars. The Mars Pathfinder mission, with its iconic Sojourner rover, explored the rainforest of Olympus Mons and transmitted stunning images back to Earth. The rover's discoveries and images of alien life stunned and thrilled those back home. For three months the rover survived and explored, before it succumbed to the rot and the rain.
Before the next mission to Mars launched, however, Earth received its first alien visitors.
We stood on a narrow ledge with the wind whipping through our hair, overlooking Illynaleas. The bustling city, Eldanesh's current home, nestled itself within the towering canyon walls. The sound of rushing water echoed from below, carried by the Marineris Channel.
"I'm sorry to burden you with this request, but I must implore you to let your children journey to Earth Bet," I said, my voice filled with sorrow. Eldanesh's expression mirrored his heartbreak. "For so long, I allowed your isolationism, but now, when they beckon you to depart, I ask that you do so willingly."
Eldanesh nodded, his eyes reflecting a mix of resignation and dismay. "I knew this day would come, as foreseen in my dreams. But I had held onto a glimmer of hope..."
"I do not ask for much, but this, I demand," I continued, my words resonating through my Avatar. I had never altered my appearance. In human form, I stood tall and statuesque, nearly 8 feet in height, with a well-proportioned build. My long, obsidian hair was adorned with specks of prismatic stars, and my eyes shimmered with the light of miniature suns. Skin as vibrant as metallic blue glowed against the backdrop of the canyon, while I donned a silk black robe embellished with thread-of-platinum suns and thread-of-silver stars.
"I will release them when they plead, but not a second earlier, Empyreal," Eldanesh declared, his voice filled with authority.
I couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle, amused by his audacity.
"I am willing to be patient until they are fully prepared. It is likely to happen sooner rather than later," I replied, a knowing smile playing on my lips.