Red Planet Forums ™

[Coin]

Posted by: SovreignSupreme
Subject: Re: G&G Official Hype Thread

I know. I mean, come on, G&G is gonna have the same dev time as Half Life 3 at this rate. And we're still waiting on that game to come out too.

Posted by: RedPorridge
Subject: Re: G&G Official Hype Thread

Maybe CurrencyEach will finally get off their arses and do that Tamriel game too eh... stranger things have happened. That's if the company doesn't get folded by London after New Glasgow.

[Coin]

Suggested content

Glaschu Ùr - A Land of Pioneers



So I'm Jonathan McLoud, and this is my all time favourite picture of me since I came to Mars. I kinda wish we'd taken a holoimage instead so I could show the kids what a dusty mess their mum looked taking this, but honestly on that day I was more focused on drilling deep enough I could start to get my outbunker all set up. Anyway, the assembly has asked some of us new settlers in New Glasgow to share our experiences of life as a pioneer for you folks yet to set out, and well, the first thing I gotta say is - you ain't got no view out your window like a Mars window.

Fair enough you need to clean the manual ones often enough after a dust storm blows in from the west, but honestly, I have never felt more at home than since moving here. After the revolution and the ejection of the British forces, I was stuck on the Moon, in a deadbeat job on a hydrofarm unit, getting paid jack shit by some Yankee-Euro conglomerate. I hail from Texas on the Blue Planet, by the way, but I've seen my share of the Solar System - attempted colonies in eastern sectors of Mars that got shut down or let down by those who didn't want to see us succeed, a shift asteroid mining the Jupiter belts. Been there, done that. But ever since coming to New Glasgow, things have been different.



Like, who would have thought that a shitty job noone cares about on the Moon like clearing water filtration systems - which I'm pretty good at - would be bang on the money in a sophisticated colony infrastructure like New Glasgow? Sure I amn't getting paid big bucks compared to a high-flying exec... but truth is, I've got more. My own land, a few drilling leases ready to sell to the Assembly, managing the hydrofilters for the entire Dun Dè sector - and an equal vote in the assembly, too. I won't pretend its easy - but you feel like you're really part of something here. A new society, a new Republic, a citizen. Saoranach. See, I'm even picking up the Gaelic in those online classes. Other Young Scots moved here who were getting nothing for their expertise elsewhere.

So if you or your forefathers hailed from Old Caledon, look to the new. If you think working for a company so you can get a paltry pension and die in a shitty fortieth floor bedsit is a good life, or like to let other people think for you, or don't want to create history, don't bother. If you want to make a difference, to raise your family in a free, just and secure society and are willing to become the pioneers the Red Planet needs... well, in that case my friends, New Glasgow is working for me on that count. We're working on making these glens a little less empty, and a little more green. If you get on that shuttle and become a citizen, maybe I'll share a pint with you in Freedom Square. Or if you can get out to west Dun Dè, come visit.

[Serenissima]

Posted by: sarah_hourani_89
Subject: Re: Martian Mujahidin (who cares about sp, the jihadist fuckers)

Whew! We just had the ban on communications from Defence Force personnel lifted, and I can now say, without reservation: we kicked some major Jihadi tuckus! Gotta say it was a big change going after these bastards ourselves rather than just cleaning up and stopping them from killing whatever civilians they want after they already did something. Beheading those six little boys from the Jadeidi-Makr settlement was the last straw. Taken away while they were at a wedding, of all things! Well, the Jihadis wanted a response from us... and they got it.

Knew something was up that night when it wasn't just a a platoon or two suiting up and getting into the carriers, but the whole company. Not unusual in the NG/AJ-DF to be woken up early, but when it's everyone at once, it really makes you think. When we disembarked and got to the fighting, it was a sight to see. Squads as far as the eye could see to either side of us, spread out in a cordon, and ahead of my unit, a big chain of those Martian mudbrick bunkers the Jihadis use that we call doghouses. I think I uploaded some pictures before.

We were all just raring to go hand out some justice, and bitching at the lieutenant for not letting us advance already, when, well, I managed to pull a picture of it from my retinal implant:

First it was the sonic boom, and you could even hear the air tearing around it, and then it was the crump and the shockwave. The railgun artillery definitely earned their pay. And you know the best part? Later on, once we were settling down in our perimeter positions, a colonel showed up and told us that we'd been the company that prevented the retreat of the Jihadi local leadership from their positions, and that we'd probably got Abdulrashid the Butcher himself with that fireworks show. Maybe now that wald-il-dhuroot can burn in Jahannam, too, where he belongs.

Oops. Looks like my datalink time is up, and the guys and girls from Third Platoon have got themselves a vegetarian barbecue going anyway. I'll catch you guys on the forums next time I can. Love you all!

Cpl. Sarah <3

[Smyg]

To: anyaloveskitties@mail.ru
From: 300likeromans@mars.com
Subject: reporting in for duty

TRANSLATED BY BING

Mother, I apologize that it has been so long since I wrote last. We have much chores to do, Zakharov keeps us busy. Little time to write coherently. Bad wifi out in field, too.

How is Sasha? I hope she doesn't suffer anymore, that money I send was enough to pay medical costs. Please let me know, I worry.

Here, everything is rough. The sand is so coarse, and it gets in everywhere. We have a great goal though. Out in Martian desert, I am born again. The completion of our national rejuvination comes closer. I believe in Colonel General, he is a great man? Just cause, ours is.

Did you read about Clearwater? I was there. Cannot talk, or the censors will change words. Good pay though. Will send more this month, for my Sasha. Buy her something pretty for her birthday, please. It will be a time until I can write again, new deployment coming soon. Give her my heart.

Your faithful son, Sergei.

[OYID]

Posted by: VivaChavez
Subject: Maroon Music Fan Thread

This is probably my favorite song they've put out so far, note how the Stristu strings cry out just at the right time (did you know they're made out of old combat drones and mining cables?) and the way they wail beautifully at the end...it really makes one's hairs stand on end, on attention at what these beautiful young people have to say.

Spoiler

Show

Te recuerdo, Amanda, / I remember you, Amanda,
la calle mojada, / the wet street,
corriendo a la fábrica / running to the factory
donde trabajaba Manuel. / where Manuel worked.
La sonrisa ancha, la lluvia en el pelo, / The wide smile, the rain on your hair,
no importaba nada, ibas a encontrarte con él, / nothing mattered, you went to meet with him,
con él, con él, con él, con él. / with him, with him, with him.

Son cinco minutos. / It's five minutes.
La vida es eterna en cinco minutos. / Life is eternal in five minutes.
Suena la sirena, de vuelta al trabajo, / The siren cries out, back to work,
y tú caminando, lo iluminas todo. / and you walking, you brighten everything.
Los cinco minutos te hacen florecer. / The five minutes make you bloom.

Te recuerdo, Amanda, / I remember you, Amanda,
la calle mojada, / the wet street,
corriendo a la fábrica / running to the factory
donde trabajaba Manuel. / where Manuel worked.
La sonrisa ancha, la lluvia en el pelo, / The wide smile, the rain on your hair,
no importaba nada, ibas a encontrarte con él, / nothing mattered, you went to meet with him,
con él, con él, con él, con él. / with him, with him, with him.

Que partió a la sierra. / That went to the sierra.
Que nunca hizo daño. Que partió a la sierra, / That never did harm. That went to the sierra,
y en cinco minutos quedó destrozado. / and in five minutes was torn apart.
Suena la sirena, de vuelta al trabajo. / The siren cries out, back to work.
Muchos no volvieron, tampoco Manuel. / Many didn't return, neither did Manuel.

Te recuerdo, Amanda, / I remember you, Amanda,
la calle mojada, / the wet street,
corriendo a la fábrica / running to the factory
donde trabajaba Manuel. / where Manuel worked.

[Gesar]

Posted by: AlisWali
Subject: Re: Unity City Open Discussion

Hey, Unity City peeps, has anybody seen Shakti online? She used to live a few rooms down from me on the Square, and we've known each other for awhile. Her parents were from India, mine from Old Tehran...just one of those things, you know? Anyways, I haven't seen her in a week. I know, that's weird to say on the forums, but I'm getting nervous.

What really worries me about this is how weird she'd been before all this. That Nazi attack...I think it really shook her. I know she lost a brother to the Reds, and she'd been getting really worked up about the Black March (I mean, you guys know her- always the rabblerouser). I think she had a friend from near Clearwater, actually. She really admired them, talked a lot during the March. And when the attack came...I remember what she'd told me, how we couldn't stand for this. How we needed to stand up in solidarity...oh. Oh shit. I didn't even think about it.

Now it just sounds like I'm rambling. Guys, if any of you are in Unity City, well, stay safe. I doubt any of you will know her, and she did what I think she did, it doesn't seem safe to be posting her picture. Insha'allah, she'll find her way home.

[Snacks]

Trending Content

Associated Press: Mars

Controversy over Fielding of American weapons by Nationalist Faction in Unity City

With reports of increasing violence and now open warfare in Unity City between far-left and far-right militias, outside observers have been especially alarmed by corroborated reports that one side of this war, the National Front for a United Mars & Earth, have been fielding modern, well-maintained weapons of NAU origin. Apparently in response to increasingly agitated and alarming speculation from various parties about this origin of these weapons, including the suspicion that the NAU, or connected entities may be secretly aiding one side of this 'civil war', the Interstational Aeronautic Response and Aid Service has issued a public statement by their leader, former Colonel Roger Chavez of the United Nations Peacekeeping Corps:

"Citizens and leaders of the NAU,

We in the Rangers believe that most of you are as much shocked at the revelation that resources from your nation and stations have been used to aid the NFUME, a known criminal syndicate and hate group, as the rest of Mars. I'm sure you also share our concern at how this could have happened and who could be to blame for this. Many have taken this alarm to the extreme and made claims that have yet to be confirmed, some of these have advocated action based on those claims. The Rangers desire justice, as we believe you do, and to clear the names of the innocent from association with those at fault for this crime.

That is why we call on the NAU colonial administration to cooperate with the Rangers in an investigation into how these weapons found their way into the hands of the NFUME, who provided them, and hopefully also why and to what extent. The NAU has nothing to lose from uncovering this conspiracy, and we hope that the administration will see that they and their people have everything to gain through this endeavor."

-Roger Chavez, I.A.R.A.S. Rangers

[BgKnight]

Posted by: UnityMod
Subject: Unity Survival Guide

Stickied Post

Post any warnings for districts in Unity City that are dangerous or engulfed in the fighting, or if you are in one of those districts, post things that will allow people to be safe. Ill start:


If you notice the Red Pentagrams of the RES sprayed on walls, and you don't happen to be their supporter, get your ass out of that neighborhood. This is how the RES notes neighborhoods that are unfriendly to them, if the pentagram is a full on red-star, it means they will move in, but you are safe, as they consider that neighborhood safe.

In a similar vain, if you see an eagle or an X on your house, and you happen to live in a NFUME run neighborhood, get out of that building, the "X" is used for "Racial Enemies", meaning you are on their hit list. The eagle means "up for reeducation", as in, you are the right race, not the right belief system, they will take you away to Tarsus and fuck with your mind.

To anyone living in the Mining District, stay away from the dam, I can't stress this enough, they are fighting over control of the dam, just last night they killed 10 civilians with sniper rifles, they are holding up on all the hills surrounding the dam and are hunting each-other. Its all-out sniper combat on that place, with the occasional assault.

If you find yourself in the water, stay away from RES controlled areas, they are shooting at everyone in the water out of fear of them being NFUME boat-bound crews, there have been several attempts at landing on RES positions by NFUME boat-bound crews. Any airports, stadiums or important installations are targets for both sides, wherever you are in the city, it will be safer if you stay as far away from those places as possible.

Most importantly, keep yourself out of fire and away from any of the two factions, if you see them moving into your neighborhood, its safer to move out rather then having to either pick a side or worse. Both factions are going to be ruthless now, and while half of the people in both factions don't give a shit about their ideologies, this is a full on gang war.

For a list of safe-houses, contact one of the mods, only after conformation that you are not an agent of one of the two factions can we give you that information, thank you.

Stay safe.

Posted by: AlisWali
Subject: Re: Unity City Open Discussion

Hey, Unity City peeps, has anybody seen Shakti online? She used to live a few rooms down from me on the Square, and we've known each other for awhile. Her parents were from India, mine from Old Tehran...just one of those things, you know? Anyways, I haven't seen her in a week. I know, that's weird to say on the forums, but I'm getting nervous.

What really worries me about this is how weird she'd been before all this. That Nazi attack...I think it really shook her. I know she lost a brother to the Reds, and she'd been getting really worked up about the Black March (I mean, you guys know her- always the rabblerouser). I think she had a friend from near Clearwater, actually. She really admired him, talked about him a lot during the March. And when the attack came...I remember what she'd told me, how we couldn't stand for this. How we needed to stand up in solidarity...oh. Oh shit. I didn't even think about it.

Now it just sounds like I'm rambling. Guys, if any of you are in Unity City, well, stay safe. I doubt any of you will know her, and she did what I think she did, it doesn't seem safe to be posting her picture. Insha'allah, she'll find her way home

Posted by: UnityMod
Subject: Re: Unity City Open Discussion

Last she logged in, according to the Mod Panel, is a few days ago, during the heaviest of fighting, she seems to have logged in form a different IP though, so she is most likely not in her place. That is all I know from here, I have been able to get the general vicinity of the router that she used, but I doubt its for real, cause its showing me she was in the Red Tarsus pocket, but AFAIK she lived in the northern districts that have been free of fighting?

Hope you find her.

Posted by: VivaChavez
Subject: Maroon Music Fan Thread

snip

Posted by: KMun
Subject: Maroon Music Fan Thread

Thanks VivaChavez! I may not agree with their message, but god is their music lovely.
A lot of people listen to it down here in Korea, it is catchy I have to admit.

(that, plus I never liked K-pop)

Posted by: sarah_hourani_89
Subject: Re: Martian Mujahidin (who cares about sp, the jihadist fuckers)

snip

Posted by: M_alQur3
Subject: Re: Martian Mujahidin (who cares about sp, the jihadist fuckers)

Thanks Sarah! Keep up the good work!

On that topic, I am happy to see the Defense Forces get of their asses. Just a few months ago I remember wondering if our Kibbutz will survive the winter.

[Flamelord]

To: Chinese Martian District
From: Kenneth Brant, European Colonial Administration, Office of Foreign Affairs

While we thank the Martian District for their support in this investigation into the orbital shuttle crash, the European Colonial Administration has to express concern at the apparent mobilization of the Hong Bao in the area. The European Colonial Administration would like to reminder the Martian District that he vessel in question is a shuttle of European origin, and that the Ares Battle Group can provide security for the crash site as needed.

As such, the European Colonial Administration would like to formally request that the Chinese Martian District cease their mobilization of troops in the area, so as to prevent unnecessary interference with an ongoing investigation. We doubt there is anything so valuable aboard the shuttle that the Martian District would like to keep away from outside eyes, right? If the European Colonial Administration believes that the presence of the Hong Bao is needed to ensure the safety of the shuttle crash site for the duration of the investigation, then we will let you know, but until that time, we believe that Chinese involvement in this matter is unnecessary at best, and actively harmful at worst.

[Smyg]

Put Russian Heritage in Space Now!

by Tetyana Marchenko

___

Home - Updates (22) - Backers (509420) - Comments (821)

LUHANSK, RU - #OTHER
___

509,420 backers

$11,913,244 pledged of $4,000,000 goal

14 days to go

___

Back This Project
$5 minimum pledge
___

A project to build the first museum on Russian history in extraterrestrial space, which will work to spread knowledge of the all-Russian nation.

There are millions of humans on the Red Planet, Mars. Hundreds of thousands of them hail from Russia. Year by year, surveys done by the Russian State Statistics Service have shown that shown that knowledge of what this heritage means, both in regards to Terrestrial and Slavic origin, is rapidly decreasing. The youths born on Mars, and those who arrived at an early age, have all seen the holoimages from back home, but they have no way to connect this abstract notion of "Mother Earth" and "Mother Russia" to their actual material situation. The same thing applies to those who emigrated as adults or teenagers - the human mind forgets quickly.

The Martian Directorate has a rapidly expanding cultural and educational department, but it is chronically underfunded. Budget cuts due to economic issues have resulted in a need for additional funding, especially after part of the budget was redirected towards solving the ongoing environmental crisis. Chip in, and save

If 100% of our goal is pledged, we will be able to construct a museum in central Gorchakov Camp, which will become not only an interesting tourist sight but also a vital educational resource for the children of Mars. The basic, multi-interactive design has been made by the best graphic workers and cultural heritage officials the all-Russian nation has to offer, and the permanent exhibits include:

• Eurasian Prehistory and Antiquity
• Among Norsemen and Mongols
• A Splintered Nation
• Tsars Of All Rus'
• Era of the Revolutions
• The Soviet Union Revisited
• Russia Reborn (housed in the specifically built Putin Wing)
• Martian Directorate - The Story

If 150% of our goal is reached, an additional exhibit will be added: To Luna and Beyond, chronicling the Soviet and Russian space programmes, from the very first attempts at rocketry and into the modern space age. At 200%, the exhibit Orthodoxy - The Church from Past to Present will also be featured. In addition to the permanent exhibits, there will be regularly changing temporary exhibits, and a number of other educational projects of archaeological, anthropological and ethnological nature.

Remember: Being Russian isn't just about blood, place of birth, religion, language. It is also a mentality. Help us make Mars a better place, put Russian heritage in space now!

[Snacks]

Posted by: MartianPrideMarswide
Subject: RE Glasgow Soldiers Looting?

It seems like the Rangers have been breaking their characteristic press silence more and more lately, seems like they're pretty steamed about all the chaos in the agricultural settlements, especially that soldiers from New Glasgow haven't exactly been helping matters. Anyway, seems like Rangers have been rolling back into the area in force, and some holojournalist from the Clearwater Tribune actually got an interview with one of them.



The video begins with the introduction on the Tribune's regular news-stream before the holofeed is cut in. A woman in typical Ranger gear gives orders to a group of helmeted comrades before turning back to the recorder, looking more annoyed with the distraction of the interview than anything.

Reporter: "So- Ranger Charlyne, right?"

Charlyne: "Right."

R: "-So what is the Rangers' response to allegations of Scottish looting during the 'Mallet Exfiltration'?"

C: "It happened. We've talked to those making accusations, gotten corroboration of their stories: witnesses and video. There was looting by a number of soldiers from New Glasgow. The Rangers are disappointed to say it lightly. We believe most of New Glasgow has their hearts in the right place, but it's obvious that those responsible need to be made to answer for their crimes- with due process, of course -and New Glasgow needs to take steps to make amends for what their soldiers did, take responsibility and make it right. No one wants to see an encore of New Albion, and the Caledonians can show people they won't."

R: "So what are the Rangers planning to do? There's a lot more of you than usual, right?"

C: [a nod] "The Rangers are setting up a taskforce to stabilize the situation here in the agricultural settlements. People are desperate, fighting one another when they should be coming together because they don't see a better choice. We're here to help give them that choice. The settlements are going to get the help they need to get their farms going again and secure the supplies they need until everything is back on track. Damages will be repaired. Those who have turned to banditry will be stopped- one way or another. We invite New Glasgow to support us in this and make their amends: we know they want to make this right as much as we do."

R: "You say you'll stop the bandit group one way or another. What do you mean, exactly?"

C: "Like I said, people are desperate. Fear can make a good man do bad things, but people can come back from that. Most of these men have looted, and that's bad, but supplies can be secured, and things can be replaced. Most of these men can go on to live honest lives if they're willing to pay their debt to society. Those that won't... well, the Rangers won't tolerate continued looting. We try to bring people in peacefully, but sometimes it's all you can do to keep a person from hurting someone else or yourself."

At this point the Ranger is distracted by some commotion out of the holorecorder's range and the feed soon cuts back to commentary by the stream-anchors.

[BgKnight]

To: Chinese Martian District
From: Kenneth Brant, European Colonial Administration, Office of Foreign Affairs

While we thank the Martian District for their support in this investigation into the orbital shuttle crash, the European Colonial Administration has to express concern at the apparent mobilization of the Hong Bao in the area. The European Colonial Administration would like to reminder the Martian District that he vessel in question is a shuttle of European origin, and that the Ares Battle Group can provide security for the crash site as needed.

As such, the European Colonial Administration would like to formally request that the Chinese Martian District cease their mobilization of troops in the area, so as to prevent unnecessary interference with an ongoing investigation. We doubt there is anything so valuable aboard the shuttle that the Martian District would like to keep away from outside eyes, right? If the European Colonial Administration believes that the presence of the Hong Bao is needed to ensure the safety of the shuttle crash site for the duration of the investigation, then we will let you know, but until that time, we believe that Chinese involvement in this matter is unnecessary at best, and actively harmful at worst.

To: Kenneth Brant, European Colonial Administration, Office of Foreign Affairs
From: Dong Tai Xu, Martian District, Federation of China, Bureau of Foreign Relations

We thank you for reaching out to us, Mr. Brant, sadly, we are unable to sease the mobilization of troops. These soldiers will be sent there to protect the shuttle against foreign terrorists, as we saw there were several attacks involving terrorists in the last cycle and it is only escalating. What could happen if they get their hands on European military technology?

We will occupy the area and extract the shuttle, if the European Union is interested in getting it back, it will have to go back through the proper diplomatic channels, including waiting for the 人民武装警察 (Peoples' Armed Police) to investigate the case. The weapons and presses of course will be confiscated, but they will be returned to the European Union in due process. If the Europeans seek to contest by deploying their forces to the shuttle, the Federation will see this as an outright assault on its territory. We would like to remind the Eurocrats, that the shuttle fell on Chinese soil, so it is now our sovereign duty to protect it and its content.

[Andromeda]

www.Indeed.co.mars, your one stop place for jobs on Mars

Job Ref: SOLCP094/MRS/2341R
Job Title: Factory Operator
Wage: £8-12 per Hour
Hours: 20 to 35

SolCorp is in need of both skilled and unskilled factory workers at it's soon to open Mars One facility
to apply, please use the apply button below with your CV/Resume attached to your Indeed Account.
Alternatively, please email your CV or Resume followed with a cover letter to Mark Stone at jobs&recruitment_HR@solcorp.co.mars.
You will receive training on this job.



Job Ref: SOLCP094/MRS/2342R
Job Title: Mining Operative
Wage: £9-15 per Hour
Hours: 30 to 40

SolCorp is in need of skilled mining operatives at it's soon to open Mars One facility
to apply, please use the apply button below with your CV/Resume attached to your Indeed Account.
Alternatively, please email your CV or Resume followed with a cover letter to Mark Stone at jobs&recruitment_HR@solcorp.co.mars.

You must have up to date qualifications in:-
*Explosives Handling and Safety
*Mining Equipment Handling Level 2
*Emergency First Aid Level 3

If you do not have these or they are not up to date, we can arrange training or re-qualification.

[Serenissima]

Posted by: peace-patriot
Subject: Re: Defence Forces Appreciation Thread

Come on, Sarah, you know we love you, show us a little something back! Sure a lot of guys - and some of the girls - on here would appreciate a little peek of you. I love a girl in uniform ;p


Posted by: sarah_hourani_89
Subject: Re: Defence Forces Appreciation Thread

Fiiiine... if it will make you guys stop pestering me, I'll get someone in my squad to take a picture BRB... I gotta get changed!


Posted by: peace-patriot
Subject: Re: Defence Forces Appreciation Thread

IT'S HAPPENING, GUYS! LINK EVERYONE YOU KNOW


Posted by: sarah_hourani_89
Subject: Re: Defence Forces Appreciation Thread

So I got another one of the girls out here in the firebase to take a picture of me... and I warn you I didn't exactly wear every part of my uniform... you guys still want to see it?


Posted by: ch@nat10nal1st
Subject: Re: Defence Forces Appreciation Thread

...fuck yes.


Posted by: peace-patriot
Subject: Re: Defence Forces Appreciation Thread

OMG PLEASE


Posted by: sarah_hourani_89
Subject: Re: Defence Forces Appreciation Thread

Okay... since you're all ready and waiting... here it is...

No going back, once you see this you can't unsee it, and you won't be able to use your imagination about this girl in uniform anymore...

Ready..?

Okay... here.



I didn't wear the anti-MPG chest armour when I put it all on just inside the walls. That stuff is super heavy!

Cpl. Sarah <3


Posted by: peace-patriot
Subject: Re: Defence Forces Appreciation Thread

...oh, Fuck. My. Life. I knew it was too good to be true.


Posted by: khitewight
Subject: Re: Defence Forces Appreciation Thread

You guys are such losers.

[Gesar]

Ode to a Nightingale or a New Reign of Terror?
By César Ortiz, VICE Mars

"Thou wast not born for death, immortal Bird!
No hungry generations tread thee down;
The voice I hear this passing night was heard
In ancient days by emperor and clown"
-John Keats, Ode to a Nightingale

"One photo only." This is the third time my guide, a slight man by the alias of Mukhtar who serves as the unofficial coordinator of several Nightingale cells, reminds me as I link up with their cell outside of a small settlement in the northwest. There's no time to waste, he explains, not with his organization having recently been branded a terrorist group by most of the governments of Mars. "I didn't ask to be a leader," he explains as we approach the small convoy that will take me to a supposed Nightingale safehouse out in the middle of nowhere. "I wanted to be a chemist back home. But it turns out the Compact needed researchers less than Mars needed volunteer. And the Director says Catiline talks too much." He lets out a throaty chuckle, and we soon reach the caravan of Jeeps and trucks complete with makeshift camouflage. I take my picture, a grainy, if romantic, shot of one of the Nightingales by the convoy, and Mukhtar suddenly turns to me. He's wearing a bandana, but I'm pretty sure he's smiling as he hands me a blindfold and says "We can't take any chances." I put the blindfold on, and moments later, felt a needle pierce my skin. The sedative takes only a few brief moments to kick in, and then I'm out like the Brits in Clearwater.


A Nightingale operative in full armor, who later identified himself only as "Paris"

...it's six hours later when I come to, feeling like I've got the worst hangover of my life. We're still driving, and though the intermittently-scheduled Vox Populi hasn't come on yet, a few of the operatives keep their spirits up by singing an old Middle Eastern song I wouldn't be able to recognize sober. It's not quite a ballad, but the way they sing it reminds me of the music of the Maroons. For a few seconds, I'm almost taken away by the passion these men and women clearly possess. Then I remember exactly who I'm dealing with. I'm surrounded by people more than ready to kill and die for their cause, anarchists and extremists who, no matter how pure their intentions are, still didn't trust me enough not to drug me as they take me to one of their bases. I'm surrounded by the most dangerous kind of person: a true believer.

It's an impulse that's reverberated through history, the desire to speak truth to power and take the fight to "the Man" without concern for the consequences. The strange, bloody song of the Nightingales isn't at all dissimilar to the ones sung while they brought out the guillotines in Paris, or when John Brown made Kansas bleed. It's the same tune they sung in the Petrograd Soviet or Revolutionary Catalonia. And equally, it's their own tune, inspired by the failed insurrection of modern-day Tranquility City's Revolutionary Armed Forces and the Alliance for the Liberation of the Americas. These people may love their cause and those they fight for, that much is obvious, but I only listen to the way they talk about current events or remember the destruction they caused up in Liberty One to know that as much as they claim to be inspired by love, they're just as fueled by hate.

When we arrive, I'm greeted largely with sullen suspicion. First I approach a trio near a makeshift shooting range, the walls soundproofed. A young woman and her brother, both of Indian descent, are being trained in marksmanship by a close-mouthed Scottish volunteer who had escaped New Albion but refused to join the rebellion there. Then, I try to speak to a Middle Eastern doctor perusing a book about Aristotle. I ask both groups what they fight for. Is it al-Malika? Socialism? Anarchy? Sometimes people just like to watch things burn. But the volunteers tell me "We fight for ourselves." The good doctor, in a surreal display of groupthink, tells me "I fight for them." Throughout the night, I get similar answers, sometimes embellished with rhetoric, sometimes with simple "fuck off" or "leave me the hell alone."

As the night goes on and I get a tour of the underground facility, however, they start to open up. There's a sense of comradely rapport, mixed in with a dangerous certainty of their cause's righteousness and flavored with a bit of gallows humor. I stop asking questions and let them talk to me, and soon I decide that even if I don't feel comfortable or safe (it's never far from my mind how easily these people could kill me and justify doing so), I think I understand them. Finally, after meeting a few more volunteers and even shooting the shit with a few youths smoking an all-too-familiar herb (alcohol, of course, is frowned upon, and non-medical drugs are outright banned save for rehab programs), I'm taken to their living quarters. A message has just come from...somewhere. They've found the signal for Vox Libertas.


A group of refugees and new recruits await the word of Delegate Catiline, public face of the Nightingales

"...and it's not with a heavy heart that we set out, but with a smile on our lips. What we do is grim, but when has justice ever been light-hearted? Our happiness comes from knowing that we are building the better future for Mars. Solidarity." The radio shuts off shortly thereafter, and the British elegance of Delegate Catiline is replaced by Mukhtar's raspy fervor. I think he glances at me before he speaks to the others, and I slip out of the room once I realize what that glance means. An operative gestures for me to re-enter the hall minutes later, and I catch the tail end of his speech. "In a few short weeks, those of us who can fight, will fight. We will halt them in their tracks. They will not pass. Solidarity!" He raises a fist, and the group erupts. It's chilling, and I half expect them to start firing off their guns into the sky or execute me on the spot. My Spanish is a little rusty, but what they're saying is obvious.

"¡No Pasarán! ¡No Pasarán! ¡No Pasarán!"

César Ortiz is a VICE Mars correspondent and was previously well known for his pieces Death or Glory: Strange Rumblings from New Cumaná and Rangers Lead the Way!

(OOC: Oh my god guys I'm so sorry.)