1 The Eve of the War

The Narrator describes Earth in the early twentieth century. During the last few years of the nineteenth century. Earth was being watched closely by a higher intelligence on Mars. Humans are unaware and actually dismiss the idea of life on Mars as possible. The being on Mars view humans much like humans view other animals. "as lowly and alien" as monkeys. Since Mars is older and smaller than Earth. The lifespan and resources of the planet and running out. The being on Mars see the vast resources of Earth.