Martian Intermittence Zone

The Martian Intermittence Zone (known as the Miz) is the large area separating Mars' four large centers of population from one another. Like the rest of the Martian surface, the Zone is a desert with numerous hills, canyons and mountains. It is distinguished from the rest of the Martian landscape because the Zone is populated, albeit with only a handful of permanent small settlements. Because of the area's lack of atmospheric scrubbing, large Martian dust storms are known to intermittently rage over the settlements, often wrecking havoc and inflicting much damage. Many old, often abandoned mines are found throughout the Zone. The settlements are mostly unorganized, without a formal system of government. Some have, however, their own elected mayors.

Since 2463 the Zone has been known for its marauding violent gangs who raid unsuspecting civilians travelling between the large cities. These gangs are reported to consist mostly of former belligerents from the First Mars Uprising. The major road running through the Zone, the Preston-Olympiana Highway, has been a favorite target for raids, resulting in the establishment of the Preston-Olympiana Highway Police (often referred to as the POH-lice). Since the establishment of the POH Police in 2471, it has been the closest thing to organized government known to many of the Miz's settlements.