The Siege of Mars - A Glimpse into the Battle Aces Universe
Exploring the Battle Aces universe with Senior Environment Artist and Lore Writer, Gavin Glenn-McDowell
November 14, 2024Most of the story in Battle Aces unfolds through visual storytelling, but these key moments provide added depth to the universe’s history. Each event offers a glimpse into the conflicts and innovations leading up to the Grand War of 2651, where the game takes place. Here, through Administrator’s narration—and with support from the AceNet Archive—is one of those moments: a look back at a pivotal event that defined the manufacturers, technology, and tensions of the solar system you’re about to experience.
The Siege of Mars – 2176 to 2193: The Birth of the Heavy Union
"The Siege of Mars and the End of Old-World Earth Power"
“In 2176, Mars—Earth’s most vital colony—reached a breaking point. The nations of Earth imposed heavy taxes, demanding resources while neglecting to send essentials like food. Frustrated, the colonies stopped shipping heavy ore, sparking an economic crisis.
In response, Earth launched a full blockade, cutting off all supplies. Instead of surrendering, Mars united, forming the Heavy Union - a coalition of engineers, industrialists, and colonists determined to fight for independence.
For 17 years, Earth’s forces bombarded Mars and attacked its cities, but the colonies held out. Guerrilla warfare and the use of underground tunnels helped the defenders turn Mars into a fortress. The Heavy Union, forged through struggle, became a symbol of resilience, organizing the resistance.
In the final days of the siege, Earth shifted tactics and launched a ground invasion. Expecting a swift victory, they deployed troops and armor. But the Heavy Union had adapted Mars' industrial machinery into powerful weapons and mechanized units. Dug in with retrofitted mining equipment and heavy walkers, the Union met the invaders with overwhelming firepower.
Earth’s forces couldn’t break through. Mars' combination of industrial strength and tactical ingenuity repelled the invasion, forcing Earth to retreat. By 2193, the siege was over. Mars, and the Heavy Union, had won their independence.
The Siege of Mars didn’t just mark a military victory - it reshaped the solar system’s political landscape. The Heavy Union Alliance became the first independent faction beyond Earth’s control, setting a precedent for self-governance that spread to other colonies. This laid the groundwork for the fractured alliances and rivalries that define the solar system in 2651, as factions like the Heavy Union continue to shape humanity’s future."
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