One Earth Space Defense engineers were ready to test a prototype planetary-wide forcefield.
"How will we know it's effective?" asked Space Commander Erika Jones.
"We’ll know immediately when the Martian Republic launches another strike," answered the chief engineer.
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"I certainly hope so. They're developing an EMP bomb capable of crippling an entire continent."
"It'll work, ma'am."
"Fire when ready."
Sure enough, the Martians launched a barrage of interplanetary missiles exploding within their own terraformed atmosphere.
"Chief, did you miscalculate something? The forcefield isn't surrounding Earth."
"Correct, ma'am. Mars can now be designated a prison planet."
"Even better!" clapped Commander Jones.