Game Story

Background and Setting

The year 2024 was Earth's last peaceful year. Short-sighted governments had been overspending for years, borrowing from future generations. After a series of local conflicts, recessions, and natural disasters, the planet plunged into a severe economic and ecological crisis, threatening humanity's survival.

Amid this collapse, visionary leaders, activists, and thinkers recognized that Earth's mounting contradictions were unresolved. They foresaw a prolonged and challenging crisis for the economy, culture, technology, and humanity itself. The decision was made to use advanced space exploration technologies to build and launch massive ships for Mars colonization and terraforming. This new project, "Juna," became humanity's hope for preserving its achievements and starting a new civilization.

The Journey Begins

A colossal spaceship was constructed to transport the first few tens of thousands of settlers to Mars. Additional ships were planned for launch months and years later. The life-support systems on the ship were designed to sustain humans for nine months, the time needed to reach Mars via the most efficient trajectory, plus several additional months while waiting for the ideal launch window.

Future Martians understood they would start from scratch in the new world. Personal belongings and valuables were left behind to make room for additional people and the machinery necessary for settlement and terraforming. The pioneers drafted a memorandum and unanimously agreed that on the new planet, their survival would depend on their skills, knowledge, and diligence. They aimed to build a fair society that retained healthy competition among individuals and ideas.

The settlers decided their society would be democratic, balanced, equal, and market-oriented. They took the best elements of old Earth's governance systems and worked to create a fair authority structure encouraging innovation, collaboration, and integrity. The new colony would be governed wisely, with major decisions subjected to multi-stage collective voting. The governing council members would rotate periodically, including recognized experts, active citizens, and even a random selection of individuals to represent all viewpoints and prevent bias or power concentration.

The Crisis

The ship launched as scheduled. However, after reaching low orbit at 600 km, it collided with space debris—remnants of a disguised military satellite. The collision damaged one of the ship's engines, making it clear the ship could not reach its destination. Fragments from the damaged engine fell off, harming internal and external systems such as fuel tanks, antennas, solar panels, and landing systems. Fortunately, no lives were lost, but the ship sustained serious damage.

The ship was stabilized at an altitude of 700 km, but continuing on the original trajectory was impossible. Returning to Earth was also not an option, as the ship was not designed for that. Repairs and additional resources were needed, but obtaining sufficient supplies from Earth was impossible in the short term.

The Solution

The crew included capable and intelligent professionals from various fields. They quickly devised numerous survival solutions: hydroponic farms, oxygen-producing bacterial columns, filtration systems for water and air, and waste recycling. Drones and space sail traps were used to collect dust and small debris to source metals, silicon, and rare elements for repairs. The collected materials were sorted by mineral composition, valuable components were extracted, and the ship's automated factories and industrial 3D printers—initially intended for the Mars settlement—produced parts, electronics, and equipment. Silicate minerals from the collected dust were ideal for creating ceramic composite panels for the ship's hull and structures.

The New Economy

The crew adopted a temporary onboard currency system called Mars Credits (MC). For every unit of metal collected or food produced and delivered to the ship's storage, crew members earned MC. This universal currency facilitated trade among the crew and became a measure of each person's contribution. Upon reaching Mars, earned MC could be exchanged for resources, equipment, and materials for establishing the new settlement. Thus, each crew member's efforts during the voyage determined their starting capital on Mars.

The currency system, designed by experienced economists, financiers, lawyers, and entrepreneurs, served as a test version of the future settlement's financial system, ensuring reliable transactions. Crew members also performed community tasks to maintain and repair the ship. The greater their contribution to resource collection, repairs, and mission execution, the more MC credits they earned.

The Journey Continues

Gradually, the crew repaired the ship: first the hull, then solar panels, fuel tanks, pipes, engines, and electronic systems. Everyone worked together. Some maintained life-support systems, others mined minerals, manufactured parts, or conducted repairs, while others provided help and support. Piece by piece, system by system, the ship came back to life, responding to commands and maneuvering according to the new flight plan.

The ship transitioned to its new trajectory while the future Martians adapted to their new conditions. Reaching the destination would take many months and several maneuvers around planets and moons. The ship would perform a final gravitational assist around Venus, using its gravity to adjust the course toward Mars, allowing the ship to descend into Mars' gravitational well, slow down gradually in a spiral trajectory, and prepare for landing.