<div align="center"><em>Space, the final frontier... <br/>- attributed to 20th century sci-fi show</em></div><br/><br/><strong>+++++ Main Concourse, 'Tranquillity Base' Lunar Station, January 21st  2052 +++++</strong><br/><br/>"... And for each of you I know this will be a moment you remember for the rest of your lives. Your families and the people of the nations you represent can look back upon your endeavour and sacrifice with pride. You may never return to planet Earth again, but know that when we look up to the night sky and the distant light of Mars, we will always remember you, the pioneers of Mars." Secretary General Alexandr Kerensky of the United Nations addressed the crew of the UNS Pioneer in a live broadcast watched by billions around the world as they prepared to board the shuttle that would take them to the waiting ship. The end of his speech was met with rapturous applause from the gathered crowd and the hundreds of flash bulbs from the words media that had come to record this momentous event.<br/><br/>The crew sat by the podium used by the elderly Polish politician, elected as head of the UN a few years after the establishment of the Moon base, a mission he himself had commanded. The spotlight of the whole world's media was on everyone today, but hopefully after a while you would be able to get down to doing the job you all signed up to do: To be the first humans to set foot on Mars and herald a new era of Mankind's history, a Golden Age of space exploration and scientific discovery. Though, the announcement a few days earlier that there would be a live 24 hour feed on board the UNS Pioneer and that everyone will have streaming feed from their helmet camera once on Mars did cause a little consternation among some of the crew.<br/><br/>Once this showpiece was over and you'd all endured the politicians photo opportunities and shook the hands of all the people seeking to gain some publicity from their association with the project, the hard and doubtless monotonous work would begin. A 44 day journey from here to Mars orbit followed by another few weeks preparing the habitation modules would follow before the mission could be deemed a success and the 200 colonists could be woken from their cryo sleep and their work of medical and technological research on Mars could begin. After that your mission would change to one of mere caretakers and occasionally guides if anyone needed babysitting while they explored the dangerous Martian surface.<br/><br/>In preparation for your arrival a number of automated craft had set off just over a month ago carrying the larger modules for the colony, prefabricated elements of the structure too bulky for the Pioneer to carry. The more delicate cargo, such as the sleeping scientists, doctors and researchers as well as electrical equipment, a small number of Martian adapted vehicles and the initial quota of air, water and food supplies were in your care aboard the Pioneer, the first ship capable of making the long journey to Mars.<br/><br/>The Secretary General ends his speech wishing you all god-speed and favourable winds, harking back to the days of old and the explorers of Earth's ancient history. The hubbub dies down eventually and you are able to extricate yourselves to the relative peace of the ready room of the shuttle launch bay. Here you are able to don your bespoke skin suits that will be your constant attire while in space. Designed to fit each of you like a glove it functions as a flight suit, helping you stay conscious during high G manoeuvres and interfacing with your modified STARS suits when you arrive on Mars.<br/><br/>While you ready yourselves you are afforded a glimpse of the Pioneer, your home for the next 44 days...<br/><br/>(http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQSBm7xZ9JoVDmYS3gnUYH-VLi4viUyAB_l_vvmIi1pC58uyCvxYfZenNKm)<br/><br/>A chime sounds in the ready room and over the intercom a voice announces the shuttle is ready for you to embark. Its is a functional, angular looking craft, more like a brick with wings than any atmospheric craft used in Earth orbit. Once on-board and strapped into your flight seats the pilot's voice fills the cramped passenger cabin announcing the small craft's imminent departure. Looking around you see the familiar faces of the people you have trained with for the last year.<br/><br/>With a slight shudder to announce its departure the shuttle slowly manoeuvres its way from the bay on the lunar base up to the orbiting docking frame to which the UNS Pioneer is currently tethered.