Flight to Mars

The first expedition to Mars launches from Earth, carrying Dr. Lane, Professor Jackson, Jim Barker, Carol Stafford, and journalist Steve Abbott. The crew is assembled to study Mars and report on the historic mission. They depart for the red planet with high hopes and careful preparations.

A meteor storm strikes, disabling the landing gear and radio. The crew loses contact with Earth and faces a perilous period of isolation. They must decide how to proceed with the mission under these dire conditions.

In the ship’s bridge, the crew debates their options after the storm. They choose to push on toward Mars and complete the mission rather than turn back. The decision locks them into a course that could mean they never return home.

The crew crash-lands on the Martian surface but survives the impact. They assess damage and begin to secure shelter and communicate as best they can. The landing marks the start of their unexpected stay.

Five Martians greet the Earth crew at an above-ground structure. Ikron, the planet’s council president, explains that Martians learned Earth languages from broadcasts and can communicate in English. He hints at deeper motives behind the contact.

The Earth crew is taken to a vast underground city sustained by life-support systems fed by Corium. Tillamar, a former president and council advisor, and Terris show them around as they begin to understand Martian technology. The crew realizes the scale of the Martian civilization.

The expedition members request help repairing their ship, hoping to return home. They are impressed but wary of the Martians’ power sources and capabilities. The council contemplates their fate while considering the ethical implications.

Ikron reveals that Corium is nearly depleted. He proposes reproducing the Earthship to create a Martian fleet that can evacuate their people, effectively enslaving Earth in the process. The plan sets the stage for a political power play inside the council.

The council votes to adopt Ikron's plan and holds the Earthmen captive while repairs proceed. Alita, a leading Martian scientist, is put in charge of the ship. Ikron begins using Terris as a spy to monitor progress.

Jim, with Alita’s help, stages a fake explosion aboard to slow the repairs. Their ruse buys time to rethink their escape options. The action raises tensions and jeopardizes their already precarious situation.

Jim announces that blast-off for Earth is scheduled for the next day and surprises the crew by revealing Tillamar and Alita will accompany them, with Alita becoming Jim’s wife. The plan signals a potential shift in Martian leadership and future relations.

Terris reports suspicious Martian behavior to Ikron, leading to Alita and Tillamar being detained. The humans’ trust frays as intramartian politics escalate. The situation becomes more dangerous for the Earth crew.

Jim frees Alita and Tillamar and confronts the Martian guards at the ship’s gangway. A brief confrontation ensues as they try to secure passage off world. Ikron’s broader scheme remains unresolved as they prepare to leave.

The Earth crew, now with Alita and Tillamar aboard, boards the repaired ship and departs for Earth. The journey promises a tense return as the Martian plot unfolds behind them, and the crew heads home with a new dynamic on their minds.