Editing Exosquad (section)

== Plot ==
{{Main|List of Exosquad episodes}}
{{:List of Exosquad episodes}}
The series is set in the years 2119–2121 AD,<ref name="y2119">Dates on the tombstone of Nara Burns' parents. {{cite episode|title=Scorched Venus|series=Exosquad|network=syndication|airdate=1993-10-30|season=1|number=8|minutes=14:53}}</ref> decades after humanity ("Terrans") has expanded beyond Earth, [[terraforming]] and colonizing Venus and Mars. These three planets are "the Homeworlds", the core first of the Terran interplanetary state and later of Neosapien Commonwealth. Not all Terrans are affiliated with the Homeworlds, however: there is an independent faction of Pirate Clans, descendants of Terran criminals exiled to the Outer Planets who live off looted Homeworlds' space [[cargo ship|freighters]]. The first episode opens with the Earth Congress dispatching the entire Exofleet, humanity's [[space navy|space-based military]], to counter the Pirate threat.

With war with the Pirate Clans looming, an uprising begins among the Neosapiens, an artificial [[humanoid]] race coexisting with Terrans. In the [[back-story]], the Neosapiens were used primarily as slaves during the [[space colonization|colonization]] of Mars and Venus and therefore have been [[genetic engineering|engineered]] to be physically stronger and better adapted to hostile environments than humans. Their mistreatment by Terrans led to the First Neosapien Revolt fifty years before the series' begin, which was mercilessly crushed but had brought some positive changes into their lives. Still not content with his fate, the Neosapien Governor of Mars, Phaeton, sets a new insurrection, codenamed "Operation [Neosapien] Destiny", in motion as soon as the Exofleet leaves to chase after the Pirate Clans. The absence of the Exofleet is also a part of Phaeton's plan as it enables the Neosapiens' capture of the Homeworlds without much effort.

The series follows the progress of Able Squad, an elite unit of exoframe pilots composed of J.T. Marsh, Nara Burns, Maggie Weston, Kaz Takagi, Alec DeLeon, Rita Torres, Wolf Bronsky, and Marsala. Their exploits unfold against the backdrop of the ongoing Neosapien War, as the squad participates in events often crucial to turning its tide. The show features a realistic outlook on war: many characters die in combat, military operations are carefully planned and reconnoitered in advance, and psychological effects of warfare are explored. For example, separate episodes detail Exofleet's [[reconnaissance]] of Venus prior to its recapture, the actual liberation, and the repulse of the first Neosapien reconquest attempt. Moreover, even after Venus is retaken by Terrans, several episodes deal with the remaining Venusian resistance and Neosapien forces who hid across Venus, refusing to surrender and awaiting reinforcements.

The second season draws to a close with the defeat of the Neosapiens and the liberation of Earth, but it ends with a [[cliffhanger]] suggesting that a third season would describe a war against a new [[extraterrestrial life|alien race]], and that the Terrans and the Neosapiens would be forced to ally with each other.

Moreover, a clone of Phaeton was discovered in the final episodes by the Terrans, who were at a loss as to what to do about his existence as they didn't want to unleash another Phaeton on society, but also didn't wish to condemn the clone for his predecessor's actions. The series was cancelled soon after the end of the second season so a third season was never made.