Revolutions - Episode 11.13: The Next Three Days

Release Date: February 3, 2025

Introduction

In episode 11.13, titled "The Next Three Days," host Mike Duncan delves into the tumultuous events surrounding the Martian Revolution of 2247. Building upon twelve seasons of analyzing historical revolutions, Duncan presents a fictional yet richly detailed account of Mars's fight for autonomy from Earthly control. This episode captures the rapid escalation of events following the "three Days of Red," exploring the simultaneous crises and strategic maneuvers that defined the early stages of the revolution.

Key Events Overview

The episode is structured around four simultaneous developments in the week following the "three Days of Red":

1. Earthly Debates on Martian Demands
2. Restoration of Order in Olympus
3. Construction of the Firewall by Martian Systex
4. Olympians' Seizure of Tharsis and Elysium

Duncan emphasizes the complexity of these intertwined events, illustrating how each thread influenced the overarching narrative of Martian independence.

1. Earthly Debates on Martian Demands

Initial Insurrection and Martian Demands

Following the Martians' takeover of the Director's Suite at Mars Division Headquarters in Olympus, they directly communicated their demands to Earth via Timothy Warner, the head of Omnicorp's Mars Division. Dissatisfied with telegraphed negotiations, the Martians amplified their demands, including the resignation of Warner, whom they deemed an obstacle to equitable resolution.

Mabel Dorr's Vid Address

On [00:04], Narrator highlights Mabel Dorr's pivotal role:

"The Martians blasted out Mabel Dorr's first vid address on every communications channel they could think of to tell the whole solar system what had happened, why it had happened, and what the Martians wanted."

This address was critical as it was the first direct communication from Mars since the "Bloody Sunrise" vids six months prior, garnering widespread attention across various platforms, including rival corporations' channels.

Omnicorp's Mixed Response

Omnicorp's PR team dismissed the transmission as a hoax, attempting to quell panic:

"Don't believe these lies that have been created by nefarious actors hoping to create panic on Earth. It was, frankly, a disgusting abuse of people's emotions."

However, senior executives within Omnicorp recognized the severity, suspecting genuine unrest on Mars despite the public denial.

Internal Power Struggle

Timothy Werner's secretive management and the implementation of new protocols had concealed the true extent of the unrest from most of Omnicorp. Only a few senior executives with unofficial Mars contacts began piecing together the dire situation. The board, largely filled with Werner's allies from the 2020-2240s, initially resisted deep probing into the Mars crisis.

Impact of Bloody Sunrise Vids

The emergence of "Bloody Sunrise" vids provided Werner's critics, Jin Wang and Kamal Singh, tangible evidence to bolster their skepticism. Despite their efforts, Werner managed to maintain control, attributing the unrest to temporary glitches and reassuring the board of stability.

2. Restoration of Order in Olympus

Chaos in Olympus Post-Insurrection

The "three Days of Red" unleashed chaos across Olympus, with armed Martians wreaking havoc:

"In at least one incident in Expansion, five angry Martians had summarily executed a group of security personnel who had already surrendered."

Various factions emerged, some enforcing order by securing vital facilities, while others perpetuated violence, highlighting the fractured state of Martian society.

Role of the Society of Martians

Amidst the chaos, the Society of Martians became the unifying force necessary to restore order. Their widespread presence and trusted members, including Mabel Dorr, Kinder James, Omar Ali, and Alexandra Clare, positioned them as the only viable entity to re-establish organizational structure.

Formation of the Martian Guard

To address the immediate threat of loose weapons and ongoing violence, Mabel Dorr spearheaded the creation of the Martian Guard:

"We need to come together to organize ourselves. And that is why I am announcing the formation of the Martian Guard."

Volunteers were called to either relinquish their weapons or join the newly formed militia, effectively consolidating control and reducing the potential for further violence.

3. Construction of the Firewall by Martian Systex

Technical Challenge: Securing Martian Autonomy

The muting of the executive mainframe posed a significant threat to Mars's infrastructure, necessitating the rapid development of a firewall to block Earth's attempts to regain control.

Systex's Heroic Effort

The Society of Martian Systex undertook the monumental task of constructing the firewall, a project they had been developing as a hobby for years. Their efforts were both physically and mentally taxing:

"Some of the systex from these first few days... pushed themselves so hard with stims that they never recovered and became permanent mental casualties of the revolution."

Successful Implementation and Risks

By July 25, 2247, the firewall was operational, effectively severing Earth's access to Martian systems. Mabel Dorr advocated for reactivating the executive mainframe to restore essential functions and assert Martian control over other colonies:

"If we turn the executive mainframe back on and it's under our control, we can use it to assert our control over Tharsis and Elysium."

This decision was fraught with risk but deemed necessary to prevent the colony's collapse and to maintain Martian autonomy.

4. Olympians' Seizure of Tharsis and Elysium

Background on Martian Colonies

Before the revolution, the three Martian colonies—Olympus, Tharsis, and Elysium—operated largely independently, sharing minimal physical interaction but connected through communication channels.

Unified Control Under Mabel Dorr

With the firewall in place, Mabel Dorr and the Martian leaders in Olympus initiated a coordinated takeover of Tharsis and Elysium. They issued a vid address asserting control and instructing administrators and security services to stand down:

"Administration of Tharsis and Elysium will be given to designated Martian representatives."

Non-Violent Coup in Tharsis and Elysium

Unlike Olympus, Tharsis and Elysium experienced minimal violence during their annexation. Security services were contained without significant resistance, leading to a near bloodless transition:

"For as bloody as the three days of red had been, the next three days turned out to be a nearly bloodless coup."

This successful takeover ensured that all three colonies were unified under Martian control, solidifying the revolution's early gains.

Notable Quotes with Attribution and Timestamps

1. Mabel Dorr on Organizing the Martian Guard

   • [00:30]: "We need to come together to organize ourselves. And that is why I am announcing the formation of the Martian Guard."

2. Omnicorp PR Dismissal of Martian Vids

   • [02:15]: "Don't believe these lies that have been created by nefarious actors hoping to create panic on Earth."

3. Mabel Dorr on Firewall Risks

   • [44:50]: "Everything is insanely risky, but I say we do it."

4. Final Vid Address Assertive Statement

   • [1:25:30]: "Mars is now for the Martians."

Impact and Consequences

Martian Autonomy Secured

The successful implementation of the firewall and the peaceful takeover of all three colonies marked a significant victory for the Martian Revolution. Earth was effectively locked out, ensuring Martian self-governance and laying the foundation for future independence.

Ongoing Digital Warfare

While the initial battle was won, the threat of digital incursions from Earth persisted. The Martian systex remained vigilant, recognizing that maintaining autonomy required continuous defense against potential cyber threats.

Unified Martian Identity

The revolution fostered a unified Martian identity, transcending the previous independence of Olympus, Tharsis, and Elysium. This consolidation streamlined governance and resource management, enhancing Mars's capability to sustain itself independently.

Conclusion

Episode 11.13, "The Next Three Days," masterfully blends historical analysis with speculative fiction to narrate the intricate and rapid developments of the Martian Revolution of 2247. Through detailed storytelling and strategic structuring, Mike Duncan captures the essence of revolutionary dynamics, from internal power struggles and strategic defenses to the unification of fragmented colonies. This episode not only entertains but also provides insightful parallels to historical revolutions, underscoring the timeless patterns of resistance, leadership, and the quest for autonomy.

Recommended Further Reading:

• Tharsis Second City of Mars by Faraday Gimmick
• Where Life Is: A History of Elysium by Torres Visnin

These works offer deeper dives into the social and administrative evolutions of Mars's other colonies, enhancing the understanding of the broader Martian Revolution.