The training has begun for Mosquito-B ! 3 months to get in shape and to learn about science, space and engineering. The band was officially introduced to the press earlier today by Hughe Howards. "Here is the future. Here is the greatest television show ever presented to the world" said the excentric tycoon. Questioned about the scientific aspect of the mission, Howards told that he finally agreed on a collaboration with the Super International Space Agency. "We agreed to land on a point in the northern emisphere of the planet, a place where there could be proofs of earlier life on Mars". Mosquito-B is already booked on a world tour after the mission. "We are so happy that this opportunity will give us the chance to travel the world and space with our music and finally make it a living !" said Dan Louis. ..."Minus my 40% commission !" replied Howards, laughing out loud. The press conference was disturbed by protesters lead by retired scientist Albert E. Emceetoo. "You don't know where you're going to. You may not like what you'll find there ! You'll pay for that, puppets ! Poor musicians !" told Emceetoo. The scientist was fired from MIT 5 years ago for academic heresy because of his theories about a 7th dimension, invisible, ruling all the physical universe. "Shut up !" said Howards. "By the way Albert, my offer is still available for the reality TV show "The Mad Scientist" !!! On another note, about the flag that the crew will wear on their uniform, they have choosen the colors of the traditional folkloric belt of Quebec (la ceinture fléchée), avoiding any conflict between the province of Quebec and the Canadian governement.

Controversy stole the show at the final episode of the global contest "Bandkind On Mars". Mosquito-B, from Quebec City, Canada won the top spot over the American band Swords'n Magnolias in a spectacular duel broadcasted on all HH Media TV stations worldwide. "This contest is a hoax!" said the leader of Magnolias. "Howards should lose his U.S. citizenship for this greedy unpatriotic attitude !"

The polemic arose with the unveiling of a major spring water bottling deal between Quebec and HH Group in addition to new canadian broadcast licenses given to HH Media for their television network. Howards is accused of having manipulated the jury in order to please the governments of Canada and Quebec.

The jury member responsible for the leak, the popular Yukulele singer, Tony Tim, has disapeared since.

For Dan Louis, leader of Mosquito-B, the band is very pleased with this victory. "We worked hard for several years and we are very happy that astronauts will broadcast our music on Mars". When he learned that he and his group were the ones who will fly to Mars and not the astronauts, Dan Louis who's got the reputation of being afraid of planes, quit the press conference to vomit backstage. "All right, All right ! Dan no longer has any problem with aircrafts. He's just exhausted because of the Jetlag" merely replied Mosquito-B's impresario Mark Dekoy. The final confrontation was, however, presented in Los Angeles, which represents a difference of three hours from the Quebec time zone.

For his part, Hughe Howards said he was very pleased with the winning band. "Prepare yourself for an adventure never seen before . An exclusive endeavor that'll keep you stuck in front of your TV !" he concluded, drinking a bottle of HH Springs pure Canadian water, also a sponsor of the show.

While in Montreal, Canada, where he is currently negotiating an important treaty on private water bottling, Hughe Howards unveiled the outlines of his conquest of Mars. It will be an international competition for rock bands whose winner will be part of a real Mars mission. In addition, a music video will be shot throughout the expedition. "Why send chimpanzees or great scientists when performers in lack of visibility will be happy guinea pigs of choice for this mission," Howards said to his press secretary thinking that his microphone was not turned on. The tycoon, laughing out loud, turned his statement into a joke, while taking care of firing his employee immediatly.

The news had such an impact that even the band The Peace'n Greens left the huge anti HH Group protest who stood outside to go enter the contest.

The astronauts will have a brand new technology developed by TUSA providing a magnetic waves propulsion system, allowing the aircraft to reach speeds 100 times faster than those to which SISA has accustomed us.

The broadcast rights to "Bandkind On Mars" have already been sold in over 25 countries and it is expected that a dozen others will follow.

"This is unprecedented! You will live every moment of this mission even including continuous vital signs of the astronauts. Reality TV will finally win over fiction!" Howards concluded.

Certainly, the global economy will even hurt if not kill the space exploration program "Mars 2012". The Super International Space Agency (The SISA) made the announcement this morning. "All our funds have been cut for an indefinite period" said Jim Starr, director of the program. "The Western world is experiencing the impact of China's decision to double its manufacturing costs to offset the collapse of its economy, following the scandal of electronics and toys contaminated with lead, in addition to the skyrocketing unions in this region. " The Mars exploration program, anyway, had its share of failures since the start, being victim of cuts, engineering errors and even sabotage.

Mars, now a "private affair"

"States are bankrupt! Their lack of vision makes all humanity to regress. " Such was the reaction of the eccentric trillionnaire Hughe Howards following the announcement of the SISA. "We are launching satellites for years in addition to managing a program of geological exploration on the moon. My Space Agency, the TUSA (Totally Unknown Space Agency) will visit Mars my way and before everyone, "concluded the media tycoon, also controlling 80% of manufacturing out of China and President of HH Group.

The U.S. President is willing to work with Howards for this program while Howard, in a commentary bordering on lese majesty, is willing to work with ... himself. 'You'll have a Mars exploration completely original and entertaining that will articulate the convergence model developed by HH Group, HH Media, HH Manufacturing, and HH Whatever Else "concluded Howards.

For his part, Jim Starr doubt the credibility and usefulness of such a mission. "What will Howards send in space? Rock Stars? "He said, overwhelmed. "What a great idea! "Howards responded.