The large hatch of the rocket slide open slowly, finally allowing the Martian air into the Terrestrial machine. The crowd of Martians surrounding the rocket reacted with fear, awe and anxiety. Commotion stirred throughout them, many turning to flee.

Through the eyes of a million cameras I watched the first step of Terran man out onto Martian soil. If it were a mere scientific or political venture it would have been greatly glorified, much beyond truth. However this was a situation purely functioning on survival, and thus no glorification is needed in the description.

The built in mechanisms of Terrestrial minds had long accustomed to Terran-Earth's biosphere and gravitational pull, yet even within Terran-Earth's atmospheric gravity, Terrestrials had difficulty in coordinating the movements of their physical limbs. Now bear in mind that Martian gravity is little over a third of that of Terran-Earth; a sudden change of gravitational acceleration from 9.81m/s^2 to the Martian 3.69m/s^2 made it extremely difficult for Terrestrial man's subconscious mind to calculate the correct energy and effort required to take a single step. Thus, Terrestrial man's first steps in the Martian world were clumsy, brutish and hideous motions.

Upon being faced with the aliens from the rockets the crowd of Martians changed their reaction from anxiety to outright disgust. No doubt had they expected something more similar to that of Martian physiology: a small, tentacled cephalopod head, long and flexible necks, and a tripedal reptilian body, covered in brown lubricant oil. Nothing like the pale-grey skinned, hairless, hunchbacked and skeletal primate bipeds covered in cloth and metal.

However having evolved in different environments meant there could be no similarities to meet the Martian expectations. For instance, the effects of the smaller Martian gravity meant that the average Martian grew to twice the height of a Terrestrial-man; especially given the Terrestrial incapacity to stand completely upright.

The first man whom stepped towards the hatch made a miscalculated movement, and smashed against the side of the exit before falling over and collapsing into the valley like pit which the rocket's crash landing created. While such a failure would be punished in any other circumstance, this instance was excusable.

The crowd scattered, scampering hurriedly to hide behind sand dunes or among the reddish plant life. A few stared at the sight in fascination and terror. Most of those who ran would halt to turn back and see any more developments. Slowly and cautiously the crowd eventually strolled back curiously at the Terrestrial newcomers.

As the sun set gradually across the Martian sky the crowd would continue to gradually grow. No Martians dared to come anything more than fifty meters from the rocket landing ship at first, and for the large part, the expedition team ignored their presence and continued further checks and preparations to ensure success.

After some time, however, a small team of six Martians trotted forward hesitantly, holding a large horn made of metals. Roughly fifteen meters from the hatch of the rocket the team stopped. Curious to their behavior the Terrestrial expedition team tolerated their closure.

Through my cameras I then observed as the Martians began to blow the metal instrument, letting out both deep booming noises, and high pitched hisses. I was, at the time, very slightly amused by their attempt at communication with us. I found it both primitive, yet at the same time an effective sign of showing intelligence.

With a small crackle of static, the expedition team relayed the question: "Instructions on the current situation?" I then relayed this message to the higher council, which spent no time delaying in reply.

"Eliminate all foreign intelligent life; any signs of intelligence are seen as a threat."

Such a simple order to mark a declaration of war against an inferior race was hardly giving the Martians the credit they were due. Within seconds of the order being sent out to the team the Martians were to be taking their first experience of Terrestrial military supremacy.