Science
The level of science and technological development is at about what might
be expected in the mid-21st century.
Computers and information technology
An incredible wealth of information is accessable in databases. Of
course, it's easy to forget that there's an incredible wealth of
information on you out there. What do others know about you that
even you might not know?
High-speed data networks are integrated into all the buildings in
Uptown and some of the buildings of Downtown.
Commports with built-in audio and video terminals take the place of
public telephones and also allow the connection of personal commlinks
to the Network.
Security technology
While the entire genetic encoding of a human being has not been broken
yet (or at least not announced), enough has been done to allow the
identification of a human being from genetic material at a 99.999%
level very quickly (1 or 2 seconds). Longer analysis times would
reduce the error chance. Acceptable genetic material might be skin
scrapings from a fingertip. This identification method has replaced
fingerprinting and retinal scans.
The genetic code of Uptown citizens is recorded at birth while only
a few of the Downtown citizens are so recorded. There is some interest
in starting a major effort to record the genetic code of Downtown
citizens.
IR and UV filters are common on surveillance cameras. Practically
every square inch of Uptown is under surveillance. Some areas of
Downtown, particularly the entrances from Uptown are under surveillance
as well.
Ident Bracelets have been proposed as a method of tracking and
controlling the population, but have not yet been implemented.
Power technology
Solar and geothermal energy is common. Artificial islands in the
Atlantic and Pacific Oceans are covered with mirrors which reflect
sunlight to a central tower. The sunlight flashes a thermal conveyor
liquid to super-heated steam that is used to produce microwave energy.
This energy is beamed to satellites that, in turn, beam it down to
plants around the globe.
Geothermal energy plants are found around the Pacific rim. These
also beam their energy to satellites.
Weapons and Gadgetry
Energy weapons based on focused plasma bursts are common. Blast
pistols typically do a 6d6 EB while blast rifles typically do an 8d6EB.
Artificially intelligent hunter-killer robots are used to support human
troops of the Empire. There are significant weapons restrictions in
Uptown (i.e., no civilians allowed to carry or own weapons) while there
is lip service paid to weapons restrictions in Downtown, but no one
pays attention.
Body Armor
High Tensile Fabric (HTF) is a weave of high strength fibers. This can
easily be fashioned into normal (although slightly heavy) clothing. HTF
clothing is a little pricey, but it beats having to explain to the IPF why
you feel the need for body armor. HTF, depending on the density of the
weave, can provide up to 4 PD/ED. (IIF -1/4)
Almost any other type of body armor is available, and is usually less
expensive than HTF. However, most will be easily detectible (OIF) as
armor, and is sure to arouse the suspicions of the local IPF.
Common Melee Weapons
Vibroblade. Saw-toothed knife blade vibrates at extremely high
rate of speed. 1 1/2d6K
Monofilament weapons. Strand of high tensile strength monofilament
fiber penetrates nearly anything. Generally 1d6K (APx3, -1 STN modifier).
Uncommon Melee Weapons
Electrowhip. 1d6K + 2d6NND electrical attack
Small Arms Group
Energy weapons. Commonly found energy weapons include:
Civilian blaster. 6d6 EB.
Military blaster. 7d6 EB, +1 OCV.
Civilian blast rifle. 8d6 EB.
Military blast rifle. 9d6 EB, +1 OCV, selective autofire.
All energy weapons are classified under a single heading because the
mechanism used to make them work is nearly identical. The only significant
difference is the size of the energy cell needed to make them work.
Uncommon Weapons Group
Crowd control devices. All of these are basically entangles with various
special effects. They are all area effects and all are roughly grenade
sized balls that can be thrown or launched with special launchers.
Transportation
Ground Vehicles
Small ground vehicles: Hovercar (2-person + small cargo; about the size
of a Lincoln Town Car, but with less passenger space)
Large ground vehicles: Hovertruck (2-person or 4-person + large cargo;
about the size of a large U-Haul), Hovertrain (passenger or freight-hauling
train. Runs through specially designed tunnels).
Special Note -- Everyman Skill: TF:Hovercar. Internal combustion engine
vehicles exist in Downtown. Operating ones are rare and fuel is scarce. Most
have been adapted to run off home-brewed alcohol. A TF with such vehicles must
be purchased.
Air Vehicles
Planes: Scramjet (Mach 5+)
Recreational Vehicles
Human powered flight
Space Vehicles
Asteroid miner (small 2 or 3 man ship. Mostly cargo space. Cannot
travel in atmosphere. Cannot travel between planets.)
Interplanetary spacecraft (cargo or passenger. 30-50 man crew. About
300-500 feet in length. Earth-Mars run takes 6 weeks. Mars-Asteroids
takes two more.)
Lunar spacecraft (cargo or passenger. 5-6 man crew. Designed for earth
to lunar jump. About 75-100 feet in length. Earth to moon takes 12 hours.)
There is a wide gap between the "haves" and the "have nots".
Most people born or appointed into positions of power live
in a constant state of luxury, usually in skyscraper penthouses,
or large estates provided to them by the government.
Many in the megapolis have amassed large fortunes and power,
mostly through a corrupt association with city officials.
Corporate officers wield almost as much power as the Imperial
rulers themselves.
Because of government incentives and inheritance factors, much
of the fortunes amassed by the wealthy tends to stay close to
their families or businesses, rather than invested throughout
the community. Wealth seems more of a means of scoring power,
than as a way to improve the quality of life.
The Middle Class
Roughly seventy percent of the people fall into what might be
categorized as the "Middle" or "Working" class. This ranges
anywhere from sanitation workers to engineers to middle management.
The middle class earns enough to support a small family, but
never really saves enough to escape from their particular station
in life.
These people live, as you might expect, throughout the less
glamorous parts of Uptown and the "better" areas of Downtown.
Mostly, the Middle Class works their standard 50 hour week,
goes home to their family, and generally tries to remain an
obedient and law-abiding citizenry. The less one makes waves,
the longer one can remain happy.
The Poor
Almost thirty percent of the population falls below the poverty
line. This underclass lives mostly in the darker areas of the
cities, such as in Downtown Atlanta, or in the outlying
"Wilderness" regions.
Infant mortality among the poor ranges from ten to twenty
percent, subject to prevailing epidemics of flu or other
diseases.
Transactions among the Poor are often through barter or coin --
both of which are illegal. (Electronic cash is the only legal
method of payment.)
The underclass depends upon the indifference of the authorities
and the general population. If laws were enforced among these
people, they would most likely be dead or arrested within days.
The Underground Rebellion
Religion
The state-supported religion is a brand of what we would call Confucianism:
Service to the State is the highest good. Respect for authority, for
elders, and for fellow human beings is good. Avoid making waves, work
within the system, and avoid making life unpleasant for your fellow humans.
This is called Orthodoxy and its followers are called Orthodox.
More mystical brands of religion exist. These are not suppressed by the
Empire unless they interfere with the authority of the Empire. Some examples:
The Servants of MODUX - Cyber-worshippers. Oneness with the computer.
Typically wireheads who spend practically all their waking hours in a
virtual world. Most of the followers are in their 50's-70's who believe
that oneness with the machine will grant them an eternal life. No one
knows what MODUX stands for, but some suspect it is a computer system
somewhere.
Extropia - Humanity is meant to go out to the cosmos, to populate, to
explore, to colonize. These have actually found support among Imperial
officials who see Extropia as a way to get troublemakers off the Earth.
There is an asteroid colony that is barely making it that was founded by
Extropians.
The Children of Gaia - Tree-huggers. Earth First. Anti-technology. Many
of the rebels are Children of Gaia.
Then there are the freaky ones.
The Faceless Ones - We're all but numbers in a machine, so we should
embrace our anonymity. These all wear masks to hide their true features.
It is rumored that they have mutilated their faces. They wander around
spouting fortune-cookie sayings that some believe have an uncanny wisdom to
them. Others think they're just loons. Their agenda, if any, is unknown.
KAOS - Yes, spelled like the Get Smart show, but these people thought of
the spelling on their own. They think it's cool and that it shows their
ability to shun social constraints like spelling. Most of them sit around
talking about how society smothers them and their creative impulses. A few
go out and blow things up. There are a number of KAOS members in the
rebels.
Most laws do not apply to IPF agents during the course of executing their duties.
Civil Rights
The Bill of Rights has been rescinded.
All rights are granted at the discretion of the Empire
The IPF acts as the authorized agents in determining civil rights.
Any citizen may be detained on suspicion of criminal activities.
All citizens must carry national ID
Houses, vehicles and persons are always subject to search.
Laws Regarding Super Powers
Registration and Reporting
Any citizen with paranormal abilities must register
with the Bureau of Special Affairs.
Any citizen with knowledge of someone possessing
paranormal abilities must report it to the BSA or
Local Peace Keepers.
Medical professionals are required to report to the
BSA any instance of a patient found to possess
paranormal abiliites.
Any person may be required to submit to testing for
paranormal abilities.
Prisoners will be reoutinely tested for paranormal
abilities.
Persons related to known paranormals will be tested
for paranormal abilities.
Use of Powers
The use of paranormal abilities against another person
is considered aggravated assault.
Any display of paranormal abilities is considered
reckless endangerment and/or disturbing the peace.
Arrests and Trials
Arrests
Arrests are made by any representative of the IPF.
Arrestees are held at the local Detention Center until trial.
IPF Agents are authorized to use any force necessary to make an arrest.
Trials
Trials are officiated by an Imperial Judge, and overseen
by a professional Jury of Three, hired by the Empire.
Decisions are rendered by the Jury, but may be overturned
either way by the judge.
The prosecution is led by an Imperial Prosecutor.
The defense is led by an Imperial Advocate.
There is only one appeal -- A defendant may present his
case to the Imperial Magistrate General who can overturn
any court decision. However, the penalty for losing such
a case can be severe.
Atlanta
Atlanta consists of two levels, Uptown and Downtown. More about these later.
Neighborhoods
Transportation
Small two-person ground effects cars are used in Uptown. These are
based on magnetic levitation between the car and the road. Fast and
agile.
Most commuting is done by people-movers of various sorts. These include
maglev subways (which is one reason why Uptown came into existence in the
first place), slidewalks, and small two-passenger computer-controlled cabs.
Commerce and Industry
Mega-corporations are generally buddy-buddy with the Empire. Some of the larger
mega-corporations:
FutureX Technologies - communications, networking, advanced technology
in general.
Solar Enterprises - Space flight, space stations, and bases for asteroid
miners.
Virtual, Inc. - Computer graphics, computer worlds.
Recreation and Culture
Much of the entertainment consists of the "Circuses" as in "Bread and
Circuses."
Virtual arenas allow gladiators to fight. Some of these gladiators are
robotic, others merely holographics images, while others are all too
human.
A popular show among Uptowners is "Live Free or Die." In this, condemned
criminals are given a chance to go free by fighting warbots in an arena.
So far, none have been freed.
Popular forms of entertainment include holographic television ("The
holo"), living in a virtual reality while your body is tended to by
attendants (Solar Enterprises actually has a very profitable division
doing this), and thrill-seeking adventure sports (Skyscraper jumping).
North America
The World
ExtraTerrestrials and Space Exploration
None known.
Primitive bacterial life has been found on Mars, but controversy still reigns as
to whether or not the bacteria were brought from Earth and mutated in the harsh
Martian environment.
There is an unmanned mission to another star system underway.
Asteroid mining is in full swing.
There are manned bases on the Moon and Mars that are used to support
the asteroid miners. These are typically run by mega-corporations
under license by the Imperial government.
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