Mars- a.k.a the Red Planet
Surface: Terraformed Desert
Atmospheric conditions: Earth-like mix. Lighter oxygen in high altitude areas.
Gravity: Lesser than Earth
Population: Five hundred million (roughly)
Affiliation: Mars; Jovian system
Military presence: Ten million active and reserves, including Martian space forces
Main exports: Martanium, heavy metals, uranium, precious metals, etc.
Major landmark: Olympus Mons Municipium

First settled in the year 2051, Mars rivals Terra itself in the present day for power and influence in the Republic, and it is entirely through the hard work of its intensely loyal citizenry. While the first spaceport was fully up and running by 2070, it was only a decade later that the first mass migration from Terra arrived, fleeing the, to the fiercely independent migrants, draconian birth control and forced AI-implanting of those left on Terra and Luna. Mostly a mix of North American and Europeans, the first Martians spread across the planet, and their entire society focused on the terraforming of their cold, then-lifeless world.

By 2200, a vast saltwater sea stretches across the planet, thriving under its thin but breathable oxygen/nitrogen atmosphere, due in part to herculean efforts in the Jovian system, a Martian client state shared with the Belters, to mine out ice, water, and the needed gases. Because of their efforts, which left the Jovian system one of the most built up and colonized sectors in the Inner Belt, Mars’ now flourishes, and green belts can be seen running along the rivers, streams, and lakes of its surface. Its food, however, mostly are imported from various orbital farming stations, and the aquaculture colonies on Ganymede.

The Trade brought many changes to the culture of Mars, and much of their technology can now be found on Equus’ surface. Many of Mars’ younger generation subscribe to the Equestrian philosophies of Harmony and Eros, much to the chagrin of Mars’ more dominant and conservative upper class. Still having bitter memories of the Flight from Terra in their cultural memory, any change is looked on with suspicion.

Despite this, Equusians were allowed onto Mars’ surface, and granted many clearances- Diamond Dogs and Changelings, especially, took interest in Mars’ mineral wealth, and have set up exploratory mines and research facilities in the first few months of their stay in the system. In turn, Mars has begun the wholesay study of Equusian magic, and how it might be applied to wider technologies in the Republic.

In the present day, Mars can be looked to as supplying the vast majority of naval technology to the nascent Republic and its allies, and they are well aware of this. While there is no true breakaway faction in play, many conservative, and hyper-liberal, groups in Martian politics do not fully trust the Equusians. Whether or not they make those concerns more well known in the future depends entirely on how the war with the Seraph goes.

Author's Notes:

I might do one more Article before the next big chapter.