Gabriel City -- Pennsylvania, Old American Empire
The Population of Gabriel: Approximately 105,000 people, and growing. Over 75% of the population can read and write English/American. Virtually all speak English/American.
Population breakdown:

• Humans: 65%
• D-Bees: 30%
• Others: 5%

History:

The city of Gabriel is built upon the ruins of the Engineering and Technology University of Pennsylvania (ETUP), located approximately 60 miles north of Pre-Cataclysm Pittsburgh. Before the coming of the rifts, ETUP and HALO, a leading aerospace company, had teamed up for an educational internship program. Students of the school could come, work and gain valuable experience at the HALO plant which was only a few miles away. The program was eventually awarded contracts from the American Military Command to work on several potential military applications, including high-powered lasers and advanced VTOL systems. With the tense global and national situation, the military was beginning to expand for the first time in almost 60 years. The Pentagon chose a site a little less than 6 miles south of ETUP for their newest base, a small Army/Air Force installation: Fort Gabriel. Fort Gabriel was to be used both as a depot for the Army and Air Force and as a new technology proving ground.

After the rifts came, the survivors rallied and established a community around the area. The community was named Gabriel, after the military base. Over half of the population and area survived relatively intact. This included much of the military base, one of the two HALO facilities, and parts of the school campus, including, perhaps most importantly, over 85% of the library system. With this foundation the people began to put their lives back together.

Soon after the cataclysm supernatural beasts began appearing. It was found that there was a minor ley line nexus point a few kilometers away. Rifts would periodically open there and unleash many of the beasts. The surviving military force fought desperately to drive them off, but thousands of people in the area died and severe damage still occurred over the first many years. Eventually, the small HALO manufacturing facility was converted and expanded to keep the military force equipped.

Surrounding communities which sprang up over the decades looked upon Gabriel with envy. They saw a city of educated, hard-working people who were well protected. Many villages and towns made treaties with Gabriel and a few even totally integrated themselves into the city. Eventually, Gabriel established Archangel Industries to manufacture and sell their weapons and equipment.

In the last few decades, Archangel scientists and engineers began experimenting with some of the pre-rifts technology that survived. The first of their designs were several VTOL transports and assault craft which drew heavily on pre-rifts experiments. The craft proved to be even better than hoped for, and they were put into full production. The company was re-christened Archangel Heavy Industries (AHI) to reflect the new additions.

New personal weapon technologies have also emerged. Theoretical ideas in some of the surviving technical journals have been brought into reality and made practical. All personal weapons and equipment are manufactured by Genevec Enterprises, a subsidiary of AHI. These new weapons and equipment have helped make AHI (and Genevec) much more well-known and popular. The Nano-technic Research and Application Division (NRAD) was recently established to explore the vast possibilities of nano-technology.

Gabriel City:

Gabriel is a normal modern city. What sets it apart from others are its industrial plants, military base and general high standard of living. Almost 17% of the population works directly for AHI or one of its subsidiaries. Another 10% of the people are part of the full-time military with many others in the reserves. Even though the city is located near a minor nexus, the vast majority of the population does not look upon D-Bees with fear or hatred. The people have found that most are peaceful and good, just like they are; it is the evil, supernatural beasts which they fear. In fact, almost a full third of the city's population is made up of D-Bees who lead a normal productive life. Magic users and psionicists are also given full rights; if anything, they are treated better because of their special abilities. Any D-Bee, magic user, or psionicist entering the town will be treated with full rights. However, if they start making trouble or turn out to be evil, they will be expelled from the city with whatever force is necessary. Of course, the same thing happens to normal humans too.

1. City Government:
   Gabriel City is ruled by a seven member council. One member is appointed by AHI, one member by Fort Gabriel officials, and the other five by popular elections. This council acts as both mayor and city council. A relatively powerful judicial system exists that can issue statements that are just short of law. However, mostly they perform normal judicial practices and interpret the city constitution. The legislative branch of the government is rather unique. Instead of having elected officials, citizens are drafted. Every year, thirty citizens are drafted (much like today's jury duty) to perform as legislators. This way, instead of the position being a privilege, it is a responsibility. Draftees are compensated for their time just like a normal job. No one (except council members) are exempt from being drafted. That means it is just as likely that an AHI executive will be drafted as a common worker.
   
   
2. Archangel Heavy Industries:
   The AHI facilities lie on the western and southwestern side of the city. The entire AHI complex covers several square blocks and includes manufacturing plants, research and staff buildings, hangars and many other buildings. Parts of the facilities are open to the public, while others are guarded high-security areas. On the very edge of town in the southwest, several kilometers from any vital areas or residences, lies another large building. This is where the miniature nuclear power plants are manufactured to be used in the vehicles. The building is extremely well armored and guarded. It also boasts impressive fixed defenses.
   
   
3. Fort Gabriel:
   This military base is located along the southern and southeastern edge of the city and is home to the Gabriel Defense Force (GDF). It includes training facilities, barracks, extensive air fields, and many other facilities. Much of the military's hardware is purchased from AHI. The military also has many robots and power armors at its disposal. It is an extremely modern, well-trained military force. In fact, parts of the force are routinely hired out as top-notch mercenary units. These "merc" units can range considerably in size, from squads to 100 member companies. This military force is also equipped with hardware from AHI not commercially sold to others. Only authorized personnel are normally allowed on the base, though special passes can be granted for non-sensitive areas.
   
   
4. City Market Area:
   The market is located in the center of the city, with a strip extending most of the way to the northern edge. Vendors in booths can be found displaying anything from vegetables to children's toys. Stores sell a variety of products ranging from clothes to cybernetic installation (including a few manufactured by Genevec Enterprises). Many entertainment establishments and bars are also located in this section. This area is one of the main attractions for outsiders, and helps bring in many tourists. This section of the city never sleeps: if one store is closed at night, most likely the one next to it is open. Many large parties are also found here. However, special precautions are taken that these parties do not escalate into something more violent or dangerous.
   
   
5. Business and Residential Districts:
   Most of the rest of the city is taken up with various business or residential districts. Residences are generally quite nice, by the standards of the rest of the world. There are also a few parks scattered throughout the city. Often, families can be found here playing with their children or enjoying a picnic.
   
   
6. Nexus Outpost:
   Soon after the city realized that there was a minor ley line nexus point nearby, approximately 25 miles (40 km) outside the city, a small military outpost was established. Nexus Outpost is a fairly small facility designed to either defeat any aggressive force coming through a rift or delay it long enough for a larger, more powerful response force to arrive from Gabriel City. A preliminary Rapid Response Force can typically be on site within 15 minutes or less. The outpost is usually assigned about a platoon of infantry with access to heavy equipment (armor and weapons). Assignment to Nexus Outpost can be both a blessing and a curse. The vast majority of the time, it is just a relaxing garrison duty. However, when a rift does open, the defenders can quickly find themselves fighting for their life.
   
   
7. City Defenses:
   Gabriel city is well defended. Besides having the Gabriel Defense Force in the city, the city is surrounded by impressive mega-damage walls. These walls are over seven meters high, and average about three and a half meters thick. The walls are so tough that nothing has ever penetrated them since they were constructed. Spaced evenly around the wall are small weapon turrets. These turrets are automated weapon platforms that include short-range and mini-missile launchers, as well as rail guns, and high-powered pulse lasers. Most of the systems have full anti-air capability. In addition to the automated defenses, is the military base and military force. The military will immediately respond to any threat that cannot be dealt with by the automated defenses. At the first sign of trouble all military facilities are put on heightened alert.

Foreign Relations:

1. Lazlo:
   The Free State of Lazlo is one of humanities greatest hopes. Gabriel City has a constant ambassador in the city of Lazlo to maintain relations. So far, those relations have been very good. In fact, Lazlo is probably Gabriel City's greatest supporter outside of Tolkeen. While there is no formal treaty between the two city-states, it is likely that each would support the other if either were ever threatened.
   
   
2. New Lazlo:
   This town which grew out of an archeological dig has so far mostly been overlooked by the Coalition. However, they are bound to suffer its wrath when they learn of it and have the resources to spare. New Lazlo and Gabriel City have some relations with each other, but for the most each leaves the other alone and isn't very much concerned with them.
   
   
3. Tolkeen:
   This magic-dominated society is on the verge of being invaded by the Coalition. Tolkeen and Gabriel City have always had good relations, and recently officials in both cities have began talking about supportive treaties. While Gabriel City is firmly behind Tolkeen, they are wary of getting in the middle of a war and possibly bringing the wrath of the Coalition States upon themselves. However, if and when war does break out, Gabriel City will almost surely aid Tolkeen; either through outright military aid or more covert and inconspicuous means.
   
   
4. Free Quebec:
   The newly independent Free Quebec presents an interesting problem. While Gabriel City supports Free Quebec's opposition to the Coalition, it is firmly against their views on magic, psionics, and D-Bees. Since there is little contact between the two powers anyway, each leaves the other alone.
   
   
5. Coalition States:
   Gabriel City is firmly against the principles behind the Coalition States (CS). Their views of human supremacy and anti-magic/psionics goes distinctly against those of Gabriel City. However, the CS is much too powerful to do anything to openly. Therefore, Gabriel City has pursued a covert war against them. They help aid rebellious movements and powers that oppose the CS. Luckily, the CS has so far ignored Gabriel City. Whether this is because the CS does not know about Gabriel City is unclear. It is possible that they just do not view it as enough of a threat to worry about. There are no formal relations between the two powers.
   
   
6. Atlantis:
   Gabriel City has no contact with Atlantis. The little information that they do have about the continent makes them very wary of it. The rumors of human and D-Bee slave markets, in particular makes Gabriel City view Atlantis with disdain.
   
   
7. New German Republic:
   Only rumors and a few small pieces of information have been heard about this vast power in Europe. The information that is known about the NGR paints them in a much more positive light than the CS. Gabriel City has seen a few examples of the technology of the NGR from their imported power armor. It was found to be quite impressive. Gabriel City, and especially AHI, would love to make contact with the NGR to try to learn and trade technology.
   
   
8. Republic of Japan:
   Gabriel City has not even heard rumors about this powerful nation and has no contact with it.
   
   
9. South American countries:
   Very little is known about these countries and powers. There has been no contact with any of the groups in South America.
   
   
10. Northern Gun and the Mantistique Imperium:
    Gabriel City is on relatively good terms with Northern Gun (NG). Both areas are home of large industrial factories and military forces and so they see many similarities with each other. The Mantistique Imperium is on friendly, but wary terms with Gabriel City.
    
    
11. Iron Heart Industries:
    This new company is on good relations with both Gabriel City and AHI. In fact, AHI is licensed to reproduce several Iron Heart Industries (IHI) weapon systems. Both companies manufacture conventional vehicles and fill a previously open niche in the market. IHI's main sales come from its ground vehicles while AHI is presently focused on air vehicles. AHI is gearing up to bring out their own line of ground vehicles, however, and this may cause IHI to become more wary and cautious as AHI begins to encroach upon its market.

Original information by Chris Curtis (curtis@thepentagon.com) and Brian Melcher (melcher@iname.com).

Revisions and additions by Chris Curtis (curtis@thepentagon.com).

Copyright © 1997 Chris Curtis. All Rights Reserved.