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{{cite}}'''Mars''' is the 4th fourth planet of the Sol system. It is the domain, headquarters and principal [[Forge World]] of the [[Adeptus Mechanicus]].

|Population=20,000,000,000³{{Fn|3b}}

The ''"Red Planet'' as it is called, is acclaimed as a wonder of the galaxy. In the early 22nd century it became the first planet to be terraformed by [[human]]s. After being made habitable, the planet was settled by industrial cartels, and it soon developed into the first [[Hive World]] and a center of industry and scientific advancement. During the [[Dark Age of Technology]], the empires of Mars and Earth peacefully coexisted.^{{Fn|2}}

During the [[Age of Strife]], Mars endured long centuries of isolation as complete anarchy ripped through [[Terra]]. Mars' s own atmospheric shields gave way, exposing the planet to deadly radiation that devastated the planet. During this time, fallout shelters represented the only hope for ones survival on Mars. Technology, now responsible to ones for one's very existence, soon became revered and the worship of the [[Omnissiah]] began in earnest.{{Fn|6}}

By the end of the Terran [[Unification Wars]], Mars had developed its own culture distinct to that of earth and was now guided by the [[Cult Mechanicus]]. Eventually, the [[Emperor]] would unite Terra and establish a union with Mars, bringing the red planet back into the fold.^{{Fn|2 }} During the [[Great Crusade]], the [[Titan Legion]]s of Mars marched alongside the newly created [[Space Marine]]s.^{{Fn|2 }} However during the [[Horus Heresy]] Mars became a key battleground as the loyalist Mechanicus and [[Dark Mechanicus]] split. In the resulting [[Schism of Mars]], which devastated the planet, the Dark Mechanicum eventually emerged victorious.^{{Fn|4 }} However, Mars was again claimed by the Imperium after [[Horus]] was defeated in the [[Battle of Terra]].^{{Fn|5}}

In the [[Age of the Imperium]], Mars is home to untold billions of servitors [[servitor]]s and the Cult Mechanicus [[tech-priest]]s, the devoted servants of its techno-arcane [[Machine God]]. The planet is covered in sprawling hives reaching miles into the Martian sky and their foundations delving deep into the planet's core. Orbital factories circle the equatorial belt, their ceaseless industry forming a glowing halo around the planet.{{Cite This}}

Mars is the home of the mightiest fleet in the [[Imperium]], the [[Battlefleet Solar]]; above the equator vast space docks float in geo-stationary orbit. Mars serves as the [[Segmentum]] fortress of [[Segmentum Solar]], and is the home world of several [[Titan Legion]]s, including the [[Legio Ignatum]].^{{{Fn|1, }}{{Fn|2}}}

Some rumours tell that the [[C'tan]] [[Void Dragon]] resides deep under Mars' surface. Another rumour, though strictly rejected by the [[Iron Hands]], says that [[Ferrus Manus]] survived the [[Isstvan V]] massacre and now resides on Mars.³{{Fn|3c}}

In [[M41]], Mars itself would come under attack by a bizarre suicidal [[Necron]] raid. Somehow, five [[Necron ]] [[Shroud Class Light Cruiser|Shroud Class light cruisers]] s managed to penetrate the formidable planetary defenses of the world. After pursuing the invaders to a mining complex in the northern regions of the planet known as the Noctis Labyrinthus, defense ships were finally able to catch and destroy the Necron vessels, though only to great cost to themselves. Moreover, one ship managed to actually land on soil of Mars before being vaporized. What the Necrons hoped to gain by this remains a mystery^.{{Fn|3a}}

*^{{Endn|1}}:[[WD178|White Dwarf #178(UK)]], ''The Titan Legions'', by [[Rick Priestley]]*^{{Endn|2}}:[[Codex Imperialis]], ppg. 42*^{{Endn|3}}:[[Codex: Necrons (3rd Edition)]]**^{{Endn|3a}}: pg. 11*^{*{{Endn|3b}}: {{Cite This}}**{{Endn|3c}}: {{Cite This}}*{{Endn|4}}}: [[Mechanicum (Novel)]], {{Cite This}}*^{{Endn|5}}: [[Horus Heresy (Artbook Series)]] , pg.369*{{Endn|6}}: [[Horus Heresy Book One - Betrayal]] , pg.16