MIDA
MIDA are referred to in the original game (Marathon 1994).
They were originally a political party based on Mars. ref
The relevant in-game text is as follows:
The History of MIDA:
MIDA, as it was known, was a popular political party until the failed coup of 2321, when their popularity suffered during their short rule. MIDA gained control of Mars for only three months, but their rule was ruthless and cruel. The MIDA death squads killed anyone who they suspected of being loyal to the UEG. Although accurate census data is not available for that period, it is estimated that about ten percent of the population was killed.
The MIDA coup was afterwards criticized for its shortsightedness. In an organization that was notorious for its long ranging policies and politicking, the coup was very short-lived: MIDA never seriously accounted for the UEG's overwhelming superiority in ground forces and warships. In fact, they never attempted to take over the Marathon, which was nearing completion and would have made a very powerful weapon. The Marathon's massive size made it invulnerable to most normal space attacks, and it would have made a very stable weapons platform.
After the failed coup, the leaders of MIDA were executed for their crimes, and the political organization was banned in all forms.
The organization has survived as an underground terrorist organization, and remains active to this day. In its underground state, it fosters terrorism throughout Sol, and due to its spectacular funding and excellent personnel, it has grown to be one of the most feared terrorist groups active anywhere in Sol.
The date of MIDA's failed coup was corrected by Bungie from 2321 to 2466 after the game was released in order to correct chronological inconsistencies in the Marathon timeline. ref
The revised date brings MIDA closer to the events surrounding the launch of the UESC Marathon in 2472.
MIDA is an acronym. What it stands for is never stated in-game. It has become something of a mystery and a frequently asked question.
The fact that MIDA are still active in 2884 would indicate that they are very good at what they do.
But what exactly is it that MIDA do now?
In the Marathon ARG (Alternate Reality Game) MIDA had a website at hearoursilence.com. It's gome now. This is how the opening page originally looked. Yes, a blurry image but it contained a hidden secret.
If you tried to access the MIDA website on your mobile device you would have got this. (Hint hint folks... Bungie say... get a desktop terminal to read Marathon stuff.)
MIDA also had a Twitter account @We_Are_Mida and a YouTube account @We_Are_MIDA.
The website was seized by the UESC and the Twitter and YouTube accounts were closed (presumably by the UESC).
MIDA defaced public property in Venice Beach (Los Angeles).
The UESC would later cover over MIDA's graffiti.
They hacked and helped others to hack the UESC, Traxus Global and Sekiguchi Genetics uncovering a well kept secret.
All times are in GMT. GMT was 8 hours ahead of PDT at the time of the Marathon ARG.
They published an ezine called ANTI:REV+ and issue 4673c was available to read and download at hearoursilence.com/4673c. It's gone now but this is how the opening page originally looked. Again this was later seized by the UESC.
Somewhat disturbingly if you found the ezine site before it was seized you were informed.
