Rat's Nest 1/ratsnest1.iso/rpg/cyber/antarcti.txt

Text File | 1995-08-06 | 18KB | 365 lines

        The Antarctican Collective
        The Antarctican Collective

        by Chris Hockabout


Summary:

    Form of Government: Neo-Bellamy Socialism (Socialist Democracy)
    Official Language: Spanish (English secondary)
    Official Religion: Canadian Zen-Catholicism
    Area: Miles: 5,500,000/Kilometers: 14,200,000
    Population (2020 Census): 560,700
    Capital: Pangaean Arcology
    Current President: Magistrate Senator Freianna VarTett
    Monetary Unit: EuroDollar



     Eighty-seven percent of current population live and work in
     the Pangaean Arco; the remaining 13% live and work establishing
     future Arcology sites in such areas as the perpetually snow-free
     valleys and moraines of the Transantarctic Mountain Range or as
     long-range workers on the mobile drilling platforms and mining rigs.

    Ethnic Breakdown:

    48% Argentinean/Uruguayan/Brazilian
    20% Mixed Euro
    16%Australian/New Zealander
    12% North American (U.S.A./Canadian/Eskimo)
    8% Other South American
    2% Other (Japanese/China Bloc/African)


    Domestic Economy and Foreign Trade:
     Mineral rights to deposits of iridium, iron ore, petroleum,
    silver; titanium, uranium, and zinc, are used for trade to other
    countries as well as sales of the rights to mine in pre-agreed
    areas.  Although not directly tied to the government's economic
    machine, Revolution Genetics Incorporated contributes substantial
    funds to the workings of the Collective.  An increasing amount of
    money is taken in from hydroponically-grown food-stuffs: fruits,
    vegetables, and exotic plants.  Export of these is so far
    thoroughly restricted at the moment pending a decision from the
    Euro Council.  The Antarctican Collective chiefly imports
    computer parts and equipment, advanced medical equipment,
    construction equipment, synthetic fibers and polymers, and
    weapons and military material.


    Transport and Communication:
   Transportation throughout the many miles of passageways and
   galleries in the Pangaean Arcology is either by foot or small
   electric trams.  Large cargo lifts, elevator shafts and causeways
   connect the levels and the above-ground station.  Huge garages
   exit through the mountainside where the large mobile drilling
   platforms and mining rigs reside when not in service.  Faster
   surface transportation is accomplished by sturdy and squat
   tracked vehicles, AV-4's, 6's, etc., small one-man ground
   skimmers, or the huge "Mother Loaders," large tracked vehicles
   used in transportation of construction equipment and materials.
   Many vehicles are not actually personally owned, being the
   property of the Collective.  Long-range transportation is either
   accomplished by "Volvaresk" Ice-Crusher trans-oceanic transports
   or the largest cargo planes (currently on loan from Free South
   Africa), the huge Gollancz-S1's.

   The Antarctican Collective taps WNS, NNN (New Network
   Nippon), and Network 54 for its televised news and information,
   having a small primarily news-oriented station for itself:
   Entendimiento, which simply means  "information" or
   "understanding".  The Antarctican daily screamsheet is The
   Collective, and plans for world-wide distribution are in the works.


  Education and Health:
  From ages 2 to 16, the children are taught fundamental
  learning skills, sciences, mathematics, economics, and
  communication, literary and oral.  But most importantly they are
  taught about their home and it's many dangers.  A  growing
  Antarctican is taught in thorough and increasingly strenuous
  training courses how to work and survive in his or her icy home.
  From age 17 on, the teenage Antarctican is given the choice (or
  it is made for him/her) of job training, which lasts about two to
  three years and involves training courses and apprenticeships.
  At the end of their job training, all Antarcticans must enter
  into one year of military service.  They are thereafter places
  into their appropriate jobs.

     Members of the Antarctican Collective boast the greatest
  number of  genetically-adapted beings on the planet.  To
  withstand the rigors of life on the ice-continent, the
  Antarcticans had to be made sturdier than the average
  human.  Some of their more common and most advanced modifications
  are listed below:


     The most visible of their genetic adaptations is their
  protections from the harsh UV rays beating down through a nearly
  non-existent ozone layer: the characteristic Antarctican purple
  skin.  This is one of the first modifications made to members of
  the Collective.  It is also one of the adaptations that has had
  the least amount of aberration.  This adaptation, because of it's
  reduced cellular manipulation, is not permanent.  It needs to
  be reintroduced once a year for continued protection.  The purple
  tint will begin to fade after a few months, just as a regular tan
  would.  All of its UV-protective properties go with it.

     The second of the modifications is to increase the strength
  and density of their flesh and muscle tissues.  This makes them
  more resistant to temperature changes and helps hold heat better.
  Redirected genetic hyperplasia induces growth and improves the
  overall tensility and strength of the tissue.  Their greater
  muscle density allows for greater storage of intracellular
  phosagens, which are short term energy sources for muscles.  This
  muscle mass will also break down when food is lacking and provide
  a protein-based source of biological energy for its owner.  This
  means Antarcticans can go further on less.  This is usually the
  second adaptation applied to Collective members, if a genetic
  scan says they are compatible.  Otherwise they are given
  adaptation four instead.  Only a few people are unable to receive
  one or the other of these two adaptations.

    This adaptation allows them to metabolize foodstuffs more
  efficiently.  The human form only utilizes about 14 percent of
  its intake of food as energy.  The adaptation increases this to
  approximately 35 percent.  This increased efficiency means
  Antarcticans can do the same amount of work as normal humans
  with less food and water.

    This modification allows the body to regulate the storage of
  fat in specialized fatty tissues.  It also allows regulation of
  body temperature and energy expended.  This, like adaptation
  number one, ensures greater long-term stamina, in a period
  without food, and greater longevity in the bitter cold
  environment.

    This last modification allows control of the
  cardio-respiratory and circulatory systems and makes respiration
  far more efficient.  This allows their bodies greater control of
  body heat and moisture.  A small number of these people can
  actually enter a limited hibernation that would allow them to
  survive in conditions previously unthought of by humans.

     All of these characteristics would allow the average
  Antarctican more than a fair chance to survive for limited
  periods of time outside with little artificial means for
  protection.  However, only about 20% of the current adult
  population has undergone the total transformation.  Adults begin
  to develop complications when too many modifications take place
  in too short a period.  The process is being refined to reduce
  side-effects such as cancer and immune-deficiency.  Children have
  had few of the complications that adults have and 50% of the
  prepubescent children have been totally modified, with a failure
  rate of 1 in 1000 versus the adult rate of 1 in 100.  It has been
  speculated that 1% of the population has been altered to utilize
  the full combat genetic engineering program rumored to be
  available to persons of compatible genetic backgrounds.


  Antarctica Today:
     The Antarctican Collective is slowly gaining acceptance from
  the world, suffering only one terrorist attack from a remnant
  organization of the Harrad Dictatorship.  Its early (and much
  unexpected) support from the Euro Market helped it get a foothold
  in the Euro and World Market, its mineral goods and
  enfranchisement of mining rights to other countries earning it
  billions in its initial year (and earning European investors many
  more).

     Even though the current government of Argentina is the
  Democratic People's Liberation Party, led by Paulo Montras,
  Argentina turns a cool gaze at the collective.  The feeling among
  many Argentinaens is that those who fled in the early years of
  the Harrad reign abandoned their country instead of remaining to
  help the fight against Harrad.  The Collective cannot adequately
  answer these accusations and therefore remains defiantly silent.

     With the money made from export and investment, Antarctica
  continues to build new arcologies and expand the Pangaean
  Arcology.  In the perpetually dry valleys and moraines of the
  Transantarctican Mountain Range, "Mother Loaders" deposit tons of
  equipment and material for the construction of new sites.
  Mobile mining rigs bore vast tunnel systems in the space of
  months to be filled with the plastic and ceramet skeletons of
  what will be the galleries and trans-ways of the new Arcology.

     Revolution Genetics Incorporated is acquiring a name as one
  of the premier biological and genetic research companies in the
  world, much to the ire of such companies as Biotechnica and
  Neil-Roman Pharmaceuticals.  Many physically and genetically-
  superior Antarcticans are gaining employment as bodyguards and
  mercenary groups outside their country and with other companies.
  Many prefer their genetically-enhanced musculature and central
  nervous systems to the metal-grafted and generally
  psychologically unstable cyber-soldiers running around.
  Unfortunately this doesn't endear them to many in the biz who
  think these "purples" haven't paid their dues in flesh and sanity
  to warrant such rates.

     From the times of hiding when supplies were scarce (they had
  scavenged the nomad ships of all available resources), the
  scientists and engineers, both South American and Australian, had
  to come up with alternative materials to house and clothe
  themselves.  Turning over nearly one-half of their available
  hydroponics labs to genetically-altered plants, they experimented
  with organic fibers and plastics.  Bioplast and organically grown
  fibers from the altered filaments of fibrous plants and mushrooms
  were the result.  Although useful and created in enough
  quantities to service the entire arco, the Antarctican Collective
  is now turning to higher tech building materials.

     Later in the year, the geothermal core station will be
  completed.  Plunging deep into the Earth, the geo-thermal station
  will power the entire collective.  The UV/solar converter fields
  will be used to supplement this energy source.  Plans are also in
  the works for their first fusion reactor.

     Right now, the Antarctican Collective welcomes all visitors.
  The Pangaean Arcology is a massive underground structure with
  many white-paneled galleries and high-ceilinged avenues lit by
  bio-luminescent paints.  Since its emergence into the Euro
  Market, the Pangaean Arcology has opened malls and even a
  hydroponic park.  The automated mining bots continue their work
  far below the surface, creating more and more tunnels and
  chambers.  For the new year, the arcology plans to open a large
  park and recreating area lit by natural light: a huge duraplast
  dome that will cap off the park at a height of 35 meters.

     But behind all of its new openness, the Antarctican
  Collective is a very tense an wary nation.  Thirty people were
  killed when a bomb detonated in the Mallary Hill Memorial
  Shopping Mall, killing an envoy from the Federated Republik of
  Hileine as well as a visiting American journalist.  An
  underground faction of the defeated Nuevo Partido claimed
  responsibility.  The worry among the Antarctican Government is
  that the terrorists reside among the Collective's population,
  waiting to strike again.  So among all of its cheery
  extensions of generosity they keep a watchful eye and do not
  hesitate to remove and interrogate anyone even remotely
  considered a threat to the Collective or its people; all of it
  done very covertly, of course.  The Collective recently
  negotiated a contract with Arasaka Securities, Inc. to instruct
  their police and armed forces as well as supply them with updated
  weapons.


    People of the Collective:
     The Antarctican people are very patriotic, though slightly
  xenophobic, this stemming from their relative isolation.  Their
  net space, once as barren as Antarctica itself, has become a busy
  causeway for the curious netrunner.

     Visit, stay awhile.  The collective is eagerly looking for
  people experienced in cold-fusion reactors, bio-technology, and
  those willing to sell their services to the Collective's security
  militia.

     By the way, all of the stations that were in Antarctica that
  belonged to other countries, joined the Collective or went back
  to their home countries.  It seemed like the safest thing to
  everyone involved.


  Timeline:
  1992:
  In the early months of 1992, the current democratic
  structure of Argentina is overthrown in a hellish thirteen-month
  civil war between the Democracy of Antonio Figuerez and the
  fascist Nuevo Partido led by the ousted Enrique Harrad "El
  Soberano" (the ruler).  A stunned President (formerly Vice-
  President) of America sits and waits.  Help arrives too late.

    1993:
  Fall of Figuerez Democracy.  Gen. Enrique assumes position
  of "Soberano de Absoluto."  New fascist government singles out
  intellectuals, opposing part members, the poor and homeless for
  discrimination and worse.  Late in 1993, fascist Argentina
  invades Uruguay.  The American President again misses an
  opportunity by acting too late.

    1995:
  A short-lived but vicious revolution provides the
  diversion allowing a massive exodus of students, scientists,
  teachers, and many old party members to flee to the ocean with
  the help of a nomad pirate fleet captained by Mallary Hill of New
  Zealand.  Many die in the voyage East, but after a precarious two
  weeks the thousands of Argentineans and Uruguayans escape the
  grasp of the Harrad dictatorship.

     It is late in the voyage when an anonymous attack on the
  fleet drives them south, toward Australia-controlled Heard
  Island.  The same anonymous fleet drives the refugees even
  further south as Heard Island is sunk with a underwater nuclear
  attack.  More lives of refugees and pirate nomads are lost.

    1996:
  It is a weary and greatly reduced fleet which arrives in
  the early Spring season in Prydz Bat, Antarctica.  A previous
  distress call issued by the rag-tag fleet is answered by the
  Davis Australia research station.  A rendezvous is arranged.
  Seven Australian researchers gape at the sight of thirteen large
  trans-oceanic cutters heading toward the shore.  The Davis
  Australia Station at that time was the staging area for what is
  called the Pangaean Arcology Project.  Its original purpose as a
  remote genetic engineering facility remains, though, and advances
  made in this area are to aid in the workings of the new arco.  If
  completed, the arcology would be capable of holding the many
  refugees.  But it is far from completed.  The hundred-plus
  researchers make preparations to re-equip the remaining ships to
  continue to hold the refugees until the completion of the arco
  about a year in the future.

     No sooner have the ships been altered, than the same
  anonymous fleet appears on the horizon.  Fearful of causing large
  tsunamis by using nuclear devices that close to shore, the fleet
  closes and readies for a ground battle.  The refugees are
  evacuated to the cramped confines of the completed underlevels of
  the arco, while some of the more hardy refugees and the pirates
  form a weary but well-armed and determined militia.  The
  researchers, though sympathetic to their new guests, are fearful
  of getting caught in the middle.  They begged the Australian
  government for aid.  The government was unresponsive.  The
  researchers were outraged and decide to aid the hardpressed
  refugees in any way they can.  The battle is joined.  It lasts
  three weeks.  With the help of the researchers, the refugee
  militia are better equipped for the Antarctican environment of
  deathly low temperatures and harsh ultraviolet rays from a
  continent-wide hole in the ozone.  After three weeks the fleet (a
  pirate fleet sent by Argentina) retreats.

     The crash of the American economy sets up shockwaves which
  buffet Australia's economy mercilessly.  Davis Australia research
  station is fully cut off.

    1998:
  The 213 members of the Davis station, with the help of the
  Argentineans and the Uruguayans and three dozen automated
  maintenance bots, complete the primarily subterranean arcology.
  Dubbed the Pangaean Arcology by the researchers (and the Mallary
  Hill Arco by the refugees after his death during the 1996
  invasion), the large facility is capable of holding the 3450+
  refugees.  Plans for subterranean expansion and connective
  passages to the Davis station are made for later that year.

     To solve the severe problem of exposure to the harsh UV rays
  of the surface the labs at Davis station and the Pangaea Arco