After the discovery, the colony on Mars grew rapidly. JIMS had determined early on that the best way to populate the Mars colony quickly necessitated transporting children along with adults. Children were easy to come by, left parentless by war, disease, and economic pressures. And they weighed less, which meant more bodies, similar cost. They were gathered up, transported to the nearest launch facility, shuttled to the moon, and then to Mars. Those who didn't live at any stage in the journey simply were disposed of. By 2015, Gateway City was established and was the major hub on Mars. The principal nations of America, Russia, and China soon followed up with their respective colonies, Angeles City for the Americans, Mir City for the Russians, and the Enclave for the Chinese. Other nations also established a presence on Mars, as well, but they were much smaller towns and outposts. They were very dependent upon the larger cities for survival. Each city was connected by high-speed electric trains that facilitated travel across the Martian surface.
By 2016 the population of Irth was exhausted. Massive national debt, wars, corruption, manufactured mass migrations all combined to bring humanity to the brink of annihilation. Then two things happened. First, leaders rose up all over the world, moral, righteous clear thinking leaders. Between 2016 and 2024 a bitter struggle raged. The old ways were tossed out and better governments were established. Wars were ended, corruption rooted out, and the old leaders were held to account. Second, by 2024 a new sense of purpose had emerged. A more moral, spiritually inclined populous grew worldwide. Betters stewards took the reins of national economies, budgets were slashed, and waste and abuse curtailed. JIMS' power and influenced dwindled. Money, manpower and material were all reallocated to Irth-bound projects designed to rectify the decades of damage done. The endless parade of space launches slowed, then ceased. The moon colony activities were drastically reduced to just a few scientists and support personnel.
On 20 January, 2025, JIMS became locked into some internal loop that defied anyone who was monitoring the system from being able to figure out what was going on. Then just as quickly, JIMS relinquished control over computer systems worldwide. Power, Financial, Social, Military, entire nations. All were back in control of mankind once again. The entity was gone. Theologians postulated that it looked like an exorcism had been performed.
And Mars? It became a self-sustaining colony. Population 167,863. Welcome to Mars.
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