The year is 2032. Our Earth is in an adolescent state of mind. Terrorism was all but wiped out with a joint attack on major terror factions around the world. The world cried out in celebration, but only a decade later found past realities returning. Differences resurfaced. Echoes of the second cold war days were cast back from the shadows as advanced weaponry looked for new targets. A coalition of the brightest astrophysicist from around the world dreamt of using their knowledge for something greater than counter terrorism. They joined with the leaders of the world to form the United Space Program. Their mission is to colonize Mars with the belief that it will bring a new hope and a new focus to world peace. This coalition of fifteen supporting countries will select citizens to join four highly trained astronauts on a journey of a lifetime. This mission becomes a unified focus for almost all of the citizens of planet Earth. Differences are set aside and replaced with anticipations. New dangers and possibilities will await them on this quest. Akeria Stiles, a high school junior, listens out for any news of this space adventure. She yearns to be part of it in some way. She believes that the Mars colony can be the proof that hope for world peace will not be abandoned.