Terra Formars 2016

Mars terraforming begins with algae-driven atmosphere purification

In a bold bid to colonize Mars, scientists seed the red planet with algae that absorb sunlight and purify the atmosphere. Cockroaches die and their corpses help spread the algae as they feed, making the process unexpectedly vital. This early terraforming lays the groundwork for future human presence long before any crew actually lands.

Five hundred years later: first crewed Mars landing and Terraformars emerge

Five hundred years after the terraforming project begins, a crewed ship lands on Mars. They confront giant, mutated cockroaches with extraordinary strength—the Terraformars. The six-member crew fights for survival as the initial contact spirals into a brutal catastrophe.

The six-strong crew is wiped out after sending a warning to Earth

Despite their valiant efforts, the crew is decimated by the Terraformars. Before dying, they manage to send a final warning back to Earth. Their demise signals a new, more dangerous era of interplanetary threat.

New phase begins: multinational ensemble cast is introduced

The narrative expands to a broader mission with an ensemble cast spanning multiple nations. These figures become central to a sprawling expedition that extends beyond a single voyage. Across Earth and space, hope of a cure and deeper scientific understanding begins to form.

BUGS II launched to reclaim Mars and study the invaders

Two years after the disaster, BUGS II is dispatched to collect ten roach samples from both sexes and exterminate the mutated invaders. The mission is driven by rising risk and insatiable scientific curiosity as crews push the bounds of human capability. The outcome could determine who controls Mars and Earth's future.

Genetic modification on the BUGS II crew

Some crew members undergo genetic modification to inherit traits from other organisms. The procedure requires implanting a special organ and carries only a 36% chance of survival, highlighting the brutal stakes. The risk reflects the high costs of pushing biology to its limits.

Onboard power struggles threaten cooperation

Power struggles emerge as multiple factions vie for advantage during the voyage. Alliances shift and cooperation becomes a fragile balance as fear and ambition take hold. The internal conflict threatens the mission as much as the Terraformars outside.

Survivors gather samples to fuel a cure for the A.E. Virus

Despite internal turmoil, survivors manage to gather enough samples to fuel research toward a cure for the Alien Engine Virus (A.E. Virus). The findings offer hope that humanity's fate could be altered if a cure is found. The mission thus shifts from conquest to medical lifeline for Earth.

Terraformars were already on Earth long before the current expedition

The Terraformars did not merely arrive with the latest expedition; they appeared on Earth long before. They multiplied and adapted more effectively than humans anticipated, laying the groundwork for a later, more entrenched threat. This revelation reframes humanity's struggle as a long-running encounter with an evolved species.

Terraformars begin scaling their plan to subdue Earth

As their numbers rise, the Terraformars’ strategy to subdue the planet becomes clearer. Earth must confront an evolving threat that thrives on its own soil and resources. The scale of the danger prompts a renewed, urgent cooperation among nations.

Humanity must unite to counter the growing threat

The looming danger forces nations to reconsider cooperation and resilience. Plans for a coordinated response emerge as the Terraformars' threat escalates. The stakes are global, demanding unified action beyond individual agendas.