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 I made the submission yesterday. The file can be found here in pdf format. I will link this to main page only after SeISmO is out.

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This is my scratch pad for what I need to submit to SeISmO tomorrow. I plan to structure the essay as follows.

(This essay presented at the 289th MHCTA ( Martian Human's Cultural and Technical Association) anual conference. The material for this is taken from the diary of one of the founding Martians Mr. Michael (AD2210-AA2293).  Though we have taken atmost care in maintaining the facts, the reader is warned that it might have got colored by the views of the author and the editor)

1. The Armageddon (Demote to 2)

What should this be? It cannot be the Biblical one. If it is the war from space the question will linger as to why are we safe in Mars. I need to justify why this happened, who are involved and explain the aftermaths clearly. I think I will make that part abstract. It will only be 'they' on either side of the 'Armageddon'

2. The separation (Promote to 1)

"You are pappa's brave boy. Brave boys must not cry what ever happens". This was the last words pappa spoke to us as he pushed us into the van. Five year old Helen was struggling to hold onto mamma. Her screams were  submerged by the sound emnating from the human sea surrounding us. Some were crying, some were trying to consolve others in vain and a many others were simply happy or even emotionless. As children of age five and eight, we did not understand the meaning of any of these. "Take care of Helen, Michael, won't you my son?... But who will take care of you?.." I heard mama saying this and then collapsing in to pappa's hands who himself was struggling to  maintain his composure. In a moment the van carrying us moved forward and for some unknown reasons two drops of tears blured my vision. The agonizing cries of my little sister had already made me deaf.

3. The journey

It was the largest of all crafts that we have seen so far. Later I came to know that it was under construction for about one year (A very long time when one considers the advance in technology in 23rd century), starting from the very day the siege was confirmed by the inner circles of earth's ruling intelligentsia.  

4. The arrival

5. The culture, society and technology

6. The life in Mars

7. The memories

I eventually completed it and sent to Karthik today morning. Will post it here soon.