Before the Pulse caused the Earth and Mars to be at odds with one another, there was a visionary named Marion Perriello. An engineer and space enthusiast, Marion dreamed of doing what had never been done before: colonize the red planet. Mars had been visited before, but never with any intent to live there. Earth’s leaders had deemed it impossible; a venture incapable of being fully realized within their lifetimes. Perhaps the next generation might be capable? Mars was without a proper environment. Nothing could ever sustain itself. And any effort to begin operations there had ended in failure. Others in tragedy.
But, Marion believed it could be done. And so, he began his quest to bring humanity to a new home.
In this prelude for the full-length novel, The Road to Mars, Marion Perriello’s motivations for colonizing Mars are brought out in just under 6,000 words. The Road to Mars: Prelude further explores Mars’ eventual road to sovereignty – and the leader who brought them to it. Since this is a short story, The Road to Mars: Prelude is available only in ebook format but may be purchased in small print via Josh’s Amazon page. You may get there by clicking here.
J.C.L. Faltot 