CyCo's Blackspot on the Information Highway

The following is the beginning of a Cyberpunk Setting that I started several years ago and have never gotten around to finishing. Whilst working on this setting, I was thinking of Judge Dread, AD 2000, the Games Workshop skirmish game of Necromunda, Mad Max, The Fifth Element, Bladerunner and more. Some might notice that some sections from the Habitat section were used in my Lifestyle Packages on the Rules Page. That's certainly true. The Lifestyle Packages were inspired by what I had done for >>Ozone<<..... I think.... Use as you see fit... ;)

INTRODUCTION

The year is 2286 AD. MegaCorps rule the world. The rich live in the Orbitals. The poor [everyone else] live on Earth. The ozone layer is next to extinction, mostly destroyed by the Corp factories churning out the next designer cyberware, digital cybergun or fashionable clothing for the rich overhead.

The scum of the earth support the Rich and Wealthy, the Rich and Wealthy don't even acknowledge the planet below. The dirt siders live in massive Gigahabitats, massive cities which cover hundreds of square miles, usually built over the ruins of older cities. Most people don't even leave their block, let alone leave the cities.

Out in the wastelands, the Nomads scrape a living, looking in city ruins for old tech to sell to the Habs. Wearing rad proof clothing and living in their mobile fortresses, the nomads travel across the surface of the planet. The sky is no longer blue, instead it is a grubby brown/grey. On a good day the sky is a pale grey. It is always overcast, and when it rains, it rains acid. The stars are impossible to see from earth, but the larger Orbitals and the moon can be seen. The moon is now a pale blue, as the Corp's are terraforming its surface.

The terraforming of the moon is ahead of schedule, and was initiated by TerraNova, the most powerful individual MegaCorp. The moon should be ready for living by 3005 AD. The earthlings don't know a thing about the terraforming of the moon, instead are told that the colour of the moon is due to the pollution levels in the stratosphere, when they can see it at all.

Transport on earth between the Gigahabs is by trains running in magnetic levitation tunnels that traverse the planet. Indeed, it is possible to travel from the NewYork Gigahab to the London Gigahab in the 'tubes'. The cost is prohibitive, only the upper 'crust' of the scum can afford it a couple of times a year. Occasionally a group of desperate souls will try to negotiate the 'tubes' on foot, but fail to comprehend the massive task that they set for them selves. Some die due to lack of food, but most die either due to the massive magnetic pulse that precedes the trains or being sucked into the one inch gap that separates the train from the surface of the circular tunnels as the train travels along at 500+ MPH.

This is not to say that travel on the surface is impossible. Indeed, the nomads are experts at travelling on the surface. The most common vehicle for surface travel are GEV's [Ground Effect Vehicles]. GEVs are simply hovercraft that have no need for skirts. You can still see wheeled and tracked vehicles but are less common. A particular favourite with Nomad teens are GEV Cycles, one man hovercycles that zoom along at 200 MPH!

Despite these forms of travel, air transport is by far more common, especially in the wastes. Gyros, AVs and Blimps are the most common form of aircraft, Planes and Blimps used for long distance haulage.

Among all this, the Edgerunners still ply their form of trade. Either working for the MegaCorps, the Governments [yes, some governments managed to survive the corporate world take over of '98], powerful businessmen or the poor and underprivileged. Some are in it for the money, some for the air [a precious commodity in this day and age], some for the people, but most are in it for the fight for freedom.

Gigahabitats.

The cities of 2286 AD are massive, complex affairs, representing a couple of hundred years of building in the one spot. Spaning several hundred square miles, these colossal cities tower several miles into the sky. Some of the smaller 'habitats are actually Arcologies, domed cities designed to keep the good air in and all the bad scum out. [You know, air, Nomads, crazies, pollution, warfare, the bad stuff]. These are the better cities to live in as they produce finer air [from parks and hydroponic stations], the ruling elite have a smaller number of people to look after, and have less mouths to feed. Unless you like your freedom.

Talk about Big Brother! The average citizen will have more forms of ID than what is needed. First are the common passes that everyone should have : Nation Pass, 'habiPass, Cred Pass, Health Pass. Then there are another 11 possible Passes that may be issued to you. And you don't get them for free. See Identification for more details.

On the subject of Arcos, one should mention the Aquatic Cities. These cities are built on huge flotation platforms, big enough to hold up a small Arcology. All of the floating cities are Arcos to the last one. The only way to get to a Floating City is via boat or by flying.

Want to live below the waves? Live in one of the few Sub-domes, or underwater Arcologies! Only a few were built to house the rich before the majority moved to the stars. Now the province of the most powerful men on the planet, these cities are almost impossible to get into. Access is via submarine or a tunnel through the bedrock. The entrance of the tunnels are a carefully kept secret.

Government

Before the Corporate Takeover of 2098, the world finally woke to the impending global disaster, the GreenHouse Effect. In a global panic, the world population decided that a solution had to be found. When various National Governments spoke up about their own pet environment resurrection schemes and realised that if they didn't work together it was all finished, the forming of the first Global Government started. It tool several years to formulate the change and several more to implement the plan, but after 12 years of political infighting the World Council was formed. Headed by a council consisting of a representive from each continent, with each continent having its own council made up of heads of state, It was somewhat biased towards the smaller countries. An interesting amalgam of various different government types, the World Council had an unsteady start. It lasted 18.5 months. In what was a magnificent example of forethought, a then small corporation called TerraNova started sowing the seeds of political unrest. By buying off various politicians, killing off others and alot of planning, TerraNova eventually made the World Council collapse. In the ensuing chaos, TerraNova and other big or alert corporations made their claim on whatever they could get hold of. TerraNova come out at the top. Despite the chaos a few National or State governments managed to hold on to their own soil.

Today the governments are overshadowed by the MegaCorps. While they hold more power than the MegaCorps in their own turf, the Corps make sure that they don't get too powerful. In turn, the Governments try not to aggravate the MegaCorps. The MegaCorps don't want to takeover the remaining Governments as this would mean looking after another several million people. Maybe...

Habiplexes (housing)

Everyone [is supposed to] lives in one type of habiplex of some sort. In what one depends on how wealthy you are:

Coffin: One step above the homeless, coffins are the cheapest type of housing. Consisting of a room 2m'x1.5mx1.5m, the floor is covered in a semi-hard plastic which is actually the bed. The more expensive the coffin, the better options it will have, tv (in ceiling), radio, locks and air conditioning. The usual Coffin Habiplex will usually hold thousands of them, but smaller ones are equally common. Often found near airports.

Cube: At around 3 cubic meters, the Cube is the next step up. This is what most people live in. In a cube, all of the furniture is folded into the walls, bed, sink, shower, fridge/freezer for the most expensive cubes. Tv consists of a flat tube tv mounted in the wall. Enough room for two people(if your close...) (Corban Dallas's cube out of The Fifth Element)

Cubement: A Cubement is an arangement of several interjoining Cubes, where each Cube has an individual function, ie; Toilet/BathCube, KitchenCube, Living/EntrertainmentCube, BedCube. May come with more than one BedCube if your lucky...

Apartment: A residence with more than one room! Usually the only other room will be the bedroom, however the more money you fork out, the more rooms you get. The most you will get will be the main room, two bedrooms (one single, one double), kitchenette, toilet/bathroom(way to small for both to be used at once). And you have to buy furniture....

Condo: Simply the best you'll find on the ground. Consisting of the same package as the Apartment above, but with bigger rooms and more of them.

Penthouse: Usually the entire top floor of an apartment block, although sometimes broken down into sections. This represents the top rung of housing. Plush carpets, gold finished appointments, real leather furniture, huge kitchen, you name it. Hope you've got a few spare millions.....

Identification

You can't move around with out any form of identification. No matter who you are you'll have at least 3 forms of identification on you at any given time. No matter what the ID is, they are all made of a tough carbon-plastic about the size of a credit card. When you get any form of ID, you are required by law to submit a blood sample. From this they can then map out your DNA and use it as a safe guard against anyone else using your ID. Most of the time, the only time the DNA match will be checked is when using an ATM . However, the police are within the law to ask you to 'verify' your ID by onsite blood testing. At the same time, you are also required to have your photo taken. This is then rendered as a 3-D picture on your new Pass. Rumours suggest that the picture actually contains all the of the information on the card, the rest of the plastic is just a fancy border. Few know the truth. But what ever you do, don't tamper with the card, especially Corp or Military Passes. These will dissolve or detonate if mistreated. As a general survival rule, treat your Passes better then you treat yourself. No-one else will....

Air Pass (government stranglehold) [blue]

The Air Pass is only issued to those living in an Arcology, Sub-domes or the Orbitals. The ruling bodies of these Gigacities claim that it costs alot to generate the amount of air for their Arcos, but that's a bare faced lie. But we still have to cough up the money to pay for the privilege of breathing. If you don't pay the monthly due, expect to have a visit from the police soon. Rumour has it that they can seal off your apartment and suck all the air out until you pay...........
COST: 25 /MONTH

'Hunter Pass (bounty hunter permit) [black/yellow dangerstriping]

No matter if its the government or corps, both of their police forces have their hands full. Thus the Licensed Bounty Hunters. This is a licence to use what force is necessary it bring in a bounty as long as there is no collateral damage. Needless to say that the police look the other way when it comes to 'collateral damage', even if it means the death of innocent victims.
COST: 500 /YEAR

Corp Pass (corporate employment ID) [corp logo] To own a Corp Pass is to belong to a MegaCorp. This is the badge of office for many a gopher. It entitles you to whatever privledges you receive at your clearance level. You need it to get in the door. Loose it and you loose your life.
COST: VARIES, OFFICEBOY 10 /YEAR.....CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD 10,000 /YEAR

Cyber Pass (cyberware permit) [silver] If you want cyberware, you need this Pass. This enables you to get cyberware that will help your profession. For an extra amount, you can get any legal cyberware. It also keeps records of all the cyberware implanted in your body, as well as their serial numbers. Having any cyberware and not having this Pass will get the cyber removed, and they mightn't replace what they took out....
COST: 300 /YEAR OR 1000 /YEAR

Cred Pass (bank account) [pale green] This is your cashcard. Without it and it makes it hard to access your account. When you use a ATM, you place your finger on a silver circle on the ATM. This will painlessly take a skin sample and match your DNA with the one on the card and cross reference it with Government records. If they all match, you get your money. If it dosn't.......
COST: 1000 /YEAR

Food Pass (government support) [brown] Part of the welfare scheme, the food pass will let you get food at soup kitchens the nation over. It is supposed to be free, but in actual fact you have to pay up. This will let you eat kibble for a month, nothing less, nothing more. Sometimes known as a Kibble Pass. Enjoy.
COST: 50 /MONTH

'habiPass (GigaHabitat citizen permit) [grey] Officially known as the Gigahabitat Pass, the 'habiPass is your proof that you live in the Gigahabitat. You must have this on your person at all times, as the police do random checks whenever they want, especially if you just broke the law. If you don't have it, or left it at home, expect to be 'escorted' to the Police Station for 'questioning' and verification. Think of it as your passport to the city. If you're a visitor, you will receive a Visitors Pass, loose it and expect to be escorted out of the City. If your a visitor and decide to extend your visit, you will have to pay the difference of the next level of 'Pass, plus 10% processing fee.
COST: 200 /YEAR

	VISITORS: 
		WEEK: 50 
		FORTNIGHT: 100
		ONE MONTH: 500
		TWO MONTH: 1100
		FOUR MONTH: 2500
		SIX MONTH: 6000

Health Pass [pink] The Health Pass is the governments/corps way of keeping an eye on the health level of the populace. Given out at a National level, it is the Gigahabits responsibility to make sure every one is fit and healthy. It dosn't work out that way. Once a year you are to go to get a complete checkup. They check you for toxin levels, Rad levels, Venereal diseases and general fitness. Your entire medical record is kept on your card. Don't loose it. Mind you, they keep a record too. Everyone has one of these, and make sure you carry it with you at all times, as the police can and do random health checks. If you don't fit the bill, they'll send you to one of the 'health farms'. Not a pleasant thought.
Cost: 10 /year

Lethal Weapon Pass [red] If you wish to carry a lethal weapon, you need this Pass. Upon application for this Pass, you have to pass a stringent mental exam and give proof of your need to carry such a weapon. Actually a pair of Passes, there are two types; Ballistic [includes bows] and Melee [includes throwing weapons]. There are more people carrying these Passes than is publicly known. The more weapons you wish to carry, the more you will have to pay. Don't expect to get one if you have a criminal record.
COST: BALLISTIC: 500 /6MONTH, EACH ADDITIONAL WEAPON 50 /6MONTH
MELEE: 300 /6MONTH, EACH ADDITIONAL WEAPON 20 /6MONTH

Medical Pass (government support) [white] Another part of the welfare scheme, this is a Pass to a HealthCare Centre that will cover up 200 in medical costs per month. As with the Food Pass, it is meant to be free, but isn't. These are actually available to anyone, even the rich, but you can be assured that they have the best medical coverage available. Not to be confused with a Health Pass.
COST: 50 /MONTH

Nation Pass (citizenship papers) [national flag] Just like the habiPass, carry this one around with you at all times. It declares you a citizen of the nation, for all thats worth. If you don't have one, loose it, or are a 'visitor' that just forgot to get travel clearance, expect to be declared a traitor/spy and summery execution.
COST: 500/ YEAR. VISITOR: 100 /MONTH : 500 /6MONTH

Net Pass (internet access) [neon blue] If you wish to surf the net, you must get one of these. It enables you to buy a cybermodem and the required software to run the net. The Net Pass is inserted into your 'deck, thus enabling net access. Think of it as a key for your deck. Makes for a handy security device. It also records the last 200 runs made from your deck. If someone else makes an illegal run using your deck and access number, the 'pass will record the run as being made by you.....
COST: 500 /YEAR

Non-Lethal Weapon Pass [orange] Basically the same as the Lethal Weapon Pass, this pass entitles you to carry a Non-lethal weapon of your choice. Much easier to get, there is no mental exam, just a brief check on your background [read criminal records check]. As long as you haven't committed any major felonies, you will receive your Pass.
COST: BALLISTIC: 200 /6MONTH, EACH ADDITIONAL WEAPON 25 /6MONTH
MELEE: 150 /6MONTH, EACH ADDITIONAL WEAPON 10 /6MONTH

Press Pass (media) [neon yellow] If you are part of any of the Media Trades [News, Holos, Radio, Cable, Screamsheets,Netvision] you will have this pass. This will allow you to report the story you are chasing. It may even get you into places most people can't go without the proper authorisation. It may also get you out of the shit when it hits the fan. The reverse is also true.
COST: 400 /YEAR

Vehicle Pass (personal transit) [black] If you wish to [legally] drive a car, cycle, truck or crane, pilot a Zep, AV, or sub, or any vehicle that you can get your hands on, you need the correct licence. A listing of the most common types of licences follow, as well as different classes of licence. Most people will have a private car licence, but there are many different combinations, eg [to pilot a GEV cycle, the licence holder must have Private, GEV, Cycle. To pilot a freighter truck the driver must have Commercial, Heavy Machinery, Haulage (and light, medium, or heavy)].

Vehicle : car (100 ), cycle (200 ), GEV (400 ), heavy machinery (400 ), AV (800), gyro (600 ), dirigible (600 ), jet (900 ), prop (800), submarine (300 ), watercraft (300 ), APCA (900 ), cyberwalks ( 800 ).

Type : private (x1), commercial (x2), haulage (x2), light (x2), medium (x3), heavy (x4), military (x5).

All licence fees are yearly, and all multipliers are culmative. Note that Military licences are usually paid by the military.

The Corps. have been trying to pass a referendum that in the end will do away with the whole ID Pass issue. What they want is to be able to implant everyone with a multi-programmable chip placed in the wrist, that would hold all the information that normally would be on all the above 'passes. Despite all their power, they haven't been able to implement this yet. People don't want to loose their hands to muggers trying to get into their accounts, or worse. What looks more likely to happen is the introduction of an allpurpose ID pass, or 'Multipass', that would replace all the existing 'passes. It will be a mammoth task to implement. The technology has existed for years, but to change all the multi-billions of cards to just one card per person, without any passes going missing, will take a lot of careful planning. Imagine what could happen if some of the old cards fell into the wrong hands. Imagine what WILL happen if some of the new 'Multipass's' fell into the wrong hands.....

Zeros (people who don't officially exist)

Despite the best efforts of the Corps/Gov. there are people out there who have managed to evade the ID/DNA processing. Known as Zeros or 0's, these people range from the squalled poor to homicidal maniacs that have somehow managed to wipe their records. Around 90% of 0's live in the UnderTowns, those areas still accessible under the GigaHabitats that are the remains of previous cities. Because the GigaHabitats have grown over the centuries in one place, there are literally layers of cities under all Gagahabitats. The deeper one goes, the darker, and more dangerous they get. Down in the Unders is the only way to get near to complete freedom in the cities. Being a Zero isn't all fun and games. For one, you don't have any of the above passes, so don't expect to legally leave the country, drive, get cheap food and medical care. And don't get caught because you'll be 'processed', given a 'job' and fined most of your wages. If not killed on the spot. Oh, and you probably live on fungus and giant rat meat. If your lucky, you get to cook the rat. I can hear their squealing right now.......

Pass Regulations

A few more things need mentioning about your 'passes. Firstly, if you need to replace any of your 'passes you face alot of paperwork. You will have to explain what happened to your pass. If it's something legit, you have to pay for a new 'pass plus a fine/processing fee of 20% of 'pass cost. This will take 1D3 hours. If you actually lost it, that is another matter. You will have to pay double the cost of the lost 'pass, plus pay 50% of 'pass cost for processing. This will take 1d6+2 hours. Secondly, a record of what happened to your pass is kept by the governing body, as well as on your 'pass. Once you have had to replace your 'pass 10 times, the colour of your pass changes to one with a neon purple border. This does nothing but to alert the police that you have mistreated your 'pass. This will probably prompt them to do a complete check on all your 'passes. Once you have replaced one of your 'passes 15 times, all of your 'passes will be completely a neon purple colour. This will mean that the police will do a complete check on all of your 'passes, plus ask you down to the station for questioning. If you do don't/can't prove your innocence, you will be placed under arrest. You will be given a trial [this takes 1d6 weeks] and if found innocent, will be sent free and fined 1d10 x 100 . If found guilty, you will be placed in a low risk containment facility for 1 year, where you will learn to look after your 'passes. After the years up, and assuming your free to go, all your 'passes will be "cleaned". This is the only way to get rid of your "tainted" 'passes. But a record will be kept, just in case....

Crime and Punishment

Brain Dance :Sometime used in conjunction with imprisonment, the prisoner is connected to a braindance unit which will submit him to what ever 'environment' is determined by the Judge.

Community Service : This is reserved to minor offences and is usually accompanied with a fine for those slightly more harsher crimes. Usually allong the lines of cleaning parks, working for the Sanitation Division.

Cryonic Suspension : In the 2100's, Cryonic Suspension was used for the incarceration of criminals instead of life imprisonment. But it was termed a failure as it was to costly to keep a perp under ice for so long. Today it is used as a standby for those perps that the Law cannot decide to do with. It is billed to his/her family. If they can't keep up the payments, the lifesupport is turned off. How much do you love them?...

Death : The Ultimate Cost. Reserved for those truly horrible crimes.

Exile : This is treated as a Punishment just under the Death Penality.

Fines :

Hard Labour :

Imprisonment

- Low :

- Medium :

- High :

- Maximum :

- Orbital :Reserved for repeat mass murderers, fellons that other prisons can't hold on to, VIP assassins, and the like. Prisoners are transported up in drone trans-atmospheric planes once a month. The actual Orbital Prison is staffed by Full Cyborgs.There is a total of 4 Orbital Prisons. A fifth Orbital Prison is under construction and will be ready by 2291.

Personality Adjustment :

Personality Reconstruction :

Industriplexes (industrial)

To work in an Industriplex is to work in hell. Even though we have autofactories, billions of people the world over work in a Industriplex. Most Industriplexes are minihabs in themselves, large industrial centres where everything is made, from military AVs to condoms, clothing to food. Most of the people working in the Industriplexes are there to back up the work drones and for general matinence. If you work menial labour, you work here.

Mallplexes (shopping centres)

Lets go shopping! Mallplexes are gigantic shopping malls, with shops selling anything you can get your hands on legally (and the occasional under counter deal as well). As a small 'plex filled with shops, most Mallplexes have their own branch of the police, the Mall Police [M.P.s] Otherwise known to Joe Public as the Maulers. If you have enough money, you probably live in a Habiplex that is apart of the Mallplex and may even work in one of the shops.

MegaCorps

The MegaCoprs rule the world. Without them, life would probably be better. But the Corps are here to stay. It must be pointed out that the concept of a "Nation" is now way out of date. Now that the Corps have their death grip on everything that we hold important, Corp life fills our lungs, bellies and minds. The large majority of the struggling mass that is Humanity works or belongs to the mighty Corps. When your average Joe thinks about the "Nation" that he belongs to, he is thinking about the Corporation that he works/belongs to, or of the continent that he lives on. He dosn't think about "Nations" in the terms of old, like the United States of America, Japan, Australia or England. No, he thinks more along the line of TerraNova, Arasaka, Orbital Air, NorthAmerica, AsiaMinor, Australasia or Great Briton.

TerraNova

The most powerful single Corporation that exists. Since it also the senior Corp. in the biggest Corporate Council, TerraNova holds the world in its large hands. TerraNova started out in 2073 as a agricorp specialising in the reclamation of land layed bare by toxic waste and erosion. TerraNova would "cleanse" another corps land for a percentage of both land and shares. Since it was then a small company that dealt with a problem that everyone ignored, alot of corps came to them to revitalise their holdings. And TerraNova grew in power behind the scenes as the rest of the world ignored the burgeoning corp, keeping their eye on their rivals, not on what TerraNova was up to. And as every Corp. did the same thing, noone realising that the once small and insignificant agricorp was now just where it wanted to be.

It was July 12th 2096 and the World Council was declared open. It also saw a very busy TerraNova. Quietly, behind the scenes, strings being were pulled, stretched taught, or severed. By this time, TerraNova had quietly adsorbed many smaller companies, as well as some of the smaller Corporations. Including several arms and security corps. By using their own resources, and the calling in of some favours owed, TerraNova prodded here, pushed there, and tumbled the World Government. During the 12 turbulent years that were the founding of the World Council, TerraNova had inserted agents into many world governments and corporate councils. Where it could not insert agents, it bought off Council Members, security personnel, receptionists, janitors, scientists, PR personnel, couriers, chauffeurs, bodyguards, anyone who could be bought or blackmailed. Such an individual didn't always know who he belonged to, just that now and then he would receive a "reminder" that he was not his own man. They were also never told if anyone else in their Corp/Gov. had also been bought off. Indeed, there were situations where the whole Corp. Council had been bought off/blackmailed and were running themselves without knowing that they were a "puppet" Corp. The favourite method was to completely takeover a Corp/gov. security forces without the controlling body ever being aware that their Security force was no longer theirs. Thus when the time was ripe for the picking, and TerraNova made their move, alot of corps/goverments found that their dogsoldiers were the ones biting at their heels.

So when the World Council was declared open, TerraNova was already busy at work undermining the proceedings. When the final string was cut, TerraNova's personnel were already in place. The takeover was swift, taking only 8 days for the initial push, about 2 months to really consolidate things into place.

Today TerraNova is still the #1 Head Corp.

Americorp

When the Governing body of what was the United States of America realised that the new world powers were turning out to be MegaCorps, the American Congress desided to turn the American Govt. and all its ajoining bodys into a new and powerful force - Americorp. Although the American citizens had their say via a referendem, polls and votes, it was rigged so that the outcome would be Americorp.

Arasaka

Arasaka statred out as a security company, offering their services to other corperations and individuals, which grew into the most powerful security force in the world. Today, Arasaka and Japan are one and the same.

Mars

The Martian surface has yet to show signs of the terraforming that started in 2278. Of the four research bases on Mars, two are owned by TerraNova, one by Americorp , and the last is owned by Arasaka. They are working in conjunction in the construction of the first experimental martian 'scrubber'.

Moon

The Moon terraforming is the pet project of the TerraNova corporation. Proceeding an amazing seventy four years ahead of schedule, the terraforming of the moon is an amazing technological breakthrough. Initialised in 2084 in secret by TerraNova, the project was brought to corporate notice in the aftermath of the political upheaval in 2098, the other remaining corporations came together to add funding, technology and manpower in exchange for 'moon'holdings when the teraforming is complete. All the corporations agreed to keep the project secret, even from the remaining earth governments. The moon bases hold the personnel and the actual equipment [known as 'scrubbers'] needed for the project. They also manufacture various goods in several of the bases. Indeed, most of the Deltas and Shuttles used in Orbit. The training ground for the Space Marine Corps is located in an underground facility on the moon near the lunar equator.

Money

The main form of currency in 2286 is the Cred Pass. Most transactions are done electronically, and the common person will never see hard currency. Not to say that cold hard cash is illegal, just that hard currency has virtually been superseded by electronic transfer. The value of actual notes hasn't decreased, infact you could almost say that it is worth more. Because most cash transfers and purchases are done with a Cred Pass, the government can keep an eye on the average citizen, thus pigeon-holing them in place. But they can't keep an eye on the flow of hard currency. At least, not as well. Thus, hard currency has found its place at the fringe of society, among the Edgerunners, criminal organisations, government/corp officials funding their own black ops unit, etc. The actual basis for the international exchange is the German Mark, this being closely followed by the Eurodollar. Most of the other national currencies are not worth an awful lot.

Orbitals

The Orbitals. This is where the rich and all powerful live. Where the Corporations dwell. All the corporate headquarters swing through the skies between the Earth and the Moon. The Orbitals are huge space stations, the largest being 8.5 km long. There are a total of eleven main orbitals, with innumerable small workshacks and the like in orbit around the earth and the moon. There are four smaller Orbital Platforms, these being the Orbital Prisons. Out at Mars, there is 1 main orbital with about 25-30 workshacks to keep it company. Also worthy of mention, there are a few workshacks out in the asteroid belt, mining it for raw ores and precious oxygen and water. Of course there are the bases on the Moon, five in total with another six under construction, and four research bases on Mars, with another two being built and another five being planned.

Population Control

The World Council has imposed a death sentence upon the elderly as one way of controlling the population. Upon reaching the age of 65, you must approach a Euthanasia Clinic. These Houses of Death, or Death Clinics, as the're publicly known, are found in every hospital. There, they give you various drugs to send you to sleep and then to stop the beating of the heart. They say that it is painless, but only the dead truly know.... Needless to say, alot of elderly head for the Unders, rather than face mandatory death. But life in the Unders is less than certain.

Of course the rich and powerful seem to age more slowly, perhaps even immortal...

Another form of population control utilised by the World Council is birth control via capsules implanted under the skin near the armpit. These implants last ten years, and are used by both sexes. These implants don't lower the humanity of the subject, and are compulsory. They are checked every year upon your yearly health checkup. Failure to have the implant still in your body is a crime against the community, penalty for such a crime is 1-3 years in a low security jail, or personality reconstruction.

If you desire to have children, you must apply for permission with the Health Council. They will file your application away with all the other couples seeking to start/continue a family. But you must meet a couple of guidelines.

1) Must be between 22 and 35 years of age.
2) Must be married.
3) Must be a citizen of both the country and Gigahabitat in which you reside.
4) Both potential parents must meet the health requirements.
5) Must have a clear crime record.
6) Must pay an initial processing fee of 500 and a 2000 Birthing Tax upon confirmation of gestation. If, for any reason, ie; still birth, abortion, death of mother, misscarage, half of the Birthing Tax will be returned to the parents.

If you meet the requirements, you will be placed upon the waiting list.

At the last count, there was a 7.3 year wait.... Better plan ahead.

Slang

Most of the slang from Cyberpunk can be freely used, plus a few more follow for your enjoyment.

Maulers, MP's: common slang term for the Mall Police.
The Unders: used to refer to Under Town.
Block: common slang for your part of the Habiplex
Block Headz: a broad term to loosely describe Gangers in all their technicoloured splendour.
Habbi: often used to replace "happy" in a sentence when your trying to be sarcastic. [eg. I'm so habbi to be here.] Derived from Habiplex.
'plex: used to describe any dwelling, form a cardboard box to a luxury penthouse.
Tubes: The subway in general as well as the Interconternental Express [The Tube].
I.C.E.: Anachronism for Interconternental Express.
Arcos, Bubbles: archologies.
Domers, Domeheadz: Slang for anyone that lives in an Archology.
Multipass, Plastic, Placki, Colors, Tracer: refers to the multiple passes that your typical Joe has to carry around.
Orbs, Glitterville, Sardine 6 pak: streetlevel for the Orbitals.
Zero, Zip, Neghead, Ratboy: Anyone who dosn't officially exist, a Zero.
Aquaman, Fishboy, Fishhead: refers to anyone living in a Sub-dome.
Ghoul, Zombi, Walking Dead: Any elderly person over the age of 65 living in the Unders. Can also refer to the cannibal gangs that run in the Unders. The latter quite regularly feed upon the former.

UnderTown

ah, the Unders. If you live down here, you're probably a Zero. If not then your on the run and/or are trying to hide from someone. Down here the air is free. Thats because noone would pay a cent for what passes for air in the 'unders. Of cause, the mass of humanity that are the homeless live down here also. If your lucky (if that can be said of a person living in the unders) you live up near the actual city that towers over your head. Up here, the air is somewhat breathable, if not stale. Deep in the 'unders, the cannibals live. The cannibals live by trading lost tech for meat, preferably human flesh. In general, the Unders are poorly lit, if at all. Most lighting is from camp fires, or the occasional glowing fungus. The glowing fungus is poisonous to humans, but that dosen't stop the truly desperate. Death is almost always the case. The smell is enough to make even the most hardened vet to loose his lunch. Decay fills the air, Vegetable matter, rotting plastic and fabric, rusting metals and the overpowering scent of decaying flesh greet every breath.

The Law hardly ever comes down here, except for the annual cull. Unknown to the general public, the Corps make annual combat sweeps of the upper levels of the unders, hoping to wipe out any illegal operations, i.e. ripperdocs, arms dealers, drug labs etc. Of course, they wipe out alot of the homeless and zeros, but thats a bonus. A lot of the residents flee deep into the unders at this time of the year, falling into the waiting arms of the cannibal gangs. Of course, the cull takes place at a random time of the year, just so that the dealers and docs don't know when to expect a cull. In a bad year there maybe two culls, or even more in a really bad year. The record for the most culls was 2281, with an amazing 10 culls.

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