This is a story about life on Mars. It's been a dream for many years, but what would it actually involve? And for how long would relevant Earth agencies be prepared to keep funding such a project, without a significant commercial return? The story explores the development of one such colony when the goodwill of the external bodies funding it has been stretched to the limit. It's been in existence for twenty years, and even has a small second generation. But now, the colony has to face up to the challenge of developing a self-sustaining, independent society. And they also have to deal with the political implications of their (and others') decisions. This isn't a thriller - no murders, no battles (not physical ones, anyway) and above all, no magic. Just a warm, human account of real people trying to build their lives on a planet inimical to organic life as we know it.