November 13th, 2493. Location: Trench system Valles Marineris, Mars - 72 hours ago the orbital satellite lost any contact to the colony MRS1. Since then, everlasting dust storms prevent satellite based bio-scan of the region. First details indicate an enormous disaster.

The International Community of States reacts surprisingly rapidly and arranges a crisis committee, consisting of politicians, military forces and delegates from leading trade and industrie concerns. 30 minutes after the incident first measures were arranged: "SS Callisto", supply spaceship, being on the way to Jupiter hastily leaves its planned route. 48 hours later it reaches the orbit of Mars.