Death in Astro

Prologue

Seven centuries ago, humanity had united under one banner, the Coalescent of Earth, a singular force brought together by a shared need to survive. The population had grown restless under fractured governments, and it was the emergence of the United Council—71 leaders from every corner of the globe—that brought a semblance of balance to the world. This council governed with unprecedented authority, holding sway over legislative, judicial, and executive powers in an effort to mold Earth's future.

But that future was precarious.

Two hundred years after the formation of the Coalescent, Earth's once-bountiful resources had thinned, stretched too far by an ever-growing population. The planet's population swelled like an unchecked tide, pushing the boundaries of what Earth could sustain. Food was scarce, fresh water even scarcer. Vast seas of waste stretched across entire continents, and the air, once crisp and full of life, had turned stale, suffocated by the poisons of industry and humanity's excess. The chemicals in the atmosphere had begun to slowly poison the very soil that had once fed the world. It was only a matter of time before the Earth itself would no longer be capable of supporting life as they knew it.

The realization of their peril dawned on humanity like a slow, inevitable sunset. Desperation clawed at the minds of the Council, as they wrestled with the threat of extinction. The answer, they concluded, was not on Earth but far beyond it—Mars, the red planet. A barren wasteland of dust and rock, Mars had long been a point of fascination for humanity. It was distant, unreachable, hostile. And yet, it held promise. If Earth could no longer bear the weight of civilization, then Mars would have to become the new home. It was the only chance.

With a collective focus that had never been seen before, the Coalescent of Earth turned all its resources toward a singular goal: terraform Mars. It was a monumental task, one that required breakthroughs in science and technology beyond the wildest dreams of the 23rd century. For sixty-four years, the brightest minds of Earth poured their lives into research. Laboratories buzzed with activity, simulations ran day and night, and the faint glow of hope grew brighter with each passing year. The planet's best physicists, biologists, and engineers worked in unison, driven by the desperation to ensure the survival of humanity.

After decades of relentless pursuit, the breakthrough finally came. The creation of the terraform cell—a microscopic wonder that would alter the very fabric of Mars—became their salvation. These cells, once embedded in the Martian soil, would trigger a cascade of changes, transforming the planet's barren surface into fertile land, capable of sustaining life. The cells also held the key to altering the thin Martian atmosphere, making it breathable, slowly converting carbon dioxide into oxygen. It was a miracle born of necessity, a testament to what humanity could accomplish when pushed to the brink.

Once the terraform cells were perfected, the real work began. Five years were dedicated to rigorous testing. Each prototype was scrutinized, each experiment meticulously logged. There was no room for error. Failure was not an option when the survival of billions hung in the balance. The Coalescent watched with bated breath as the scientists performed the final tests. At last, the cells were deemed stable enough for deployment. The grand experiment could begin.

However, sending humans to Mars was not feasible at first. The atmosphere was still too volatile, the conditions too hazardous. Instead, the first voyage to the red planet was completed by a fleet of androids. These artificial beings, with no need for air or sustenance, were dispatched to Mars with a singular purpose: to embed the terraform cells deep into the planet's surface. They worked tirelessly, following precise instructions to deploy the cells across vast swaths of Martian land. Alongside this, they initiated the complex process of water production, pulling moisture from the thin atmosphere and creating reservoirs from nothing.