Pembina

## Pembina, Fortress of the Red River

* **Population**: 1592 (2070)
* **Government**: As a part of the RRDMZ  outside of the Semi-Autonomous Statistical Regions, Pembina lies under direct martial law, under command of the Pembina Joint Enforcement Group. Day-to-day administration is handled by a City Manager hired by Pembina Holding (a joint venture of all parties with a significant political or financial interest in the town). Since 2071, the position has been occupied by Casey Pelletier.
* **Territoriality**: Pembina lies between Semi-Autonomous Statistical Regions in the RRDMZ. The MCI-Ares Factory is designated as extraterritorial in possession of MCI-Ares’ parent company, AAA Prime corporation Ares Macrotechnology.
* **Law Enforcement**: The Joint Enforcement Group handles all area law enforcement duties, except for the extraterritorial MCI-Ares plant, which uses Knight Errant Security, which works in partnership with Joint Enforcement.
* **Transportation**: All intercity and rural commuter services are contracted to Whippet Lines, a subsidiary of MCI-Ares.
* **Demographics** (by Metatype): 61% Human, 14% Dwarf, 10% Troll, 8% Elf, 6% Ork , 1% Other
* **Demographics** (by Citizenship): [of SIN -holding population] 47% UCAS  Citizens, 26% Ares Corporate Citizens, 18% Registered members of Recognized Tribes of the Oceti Sakowin , 9% Other (\*SIN-holding citizens are estimated to encompass 79% of actual population).

### History

Pembina was officially designated as a city in 1967 but it has a history that goes back a lot farther. The Pembina area was historically at the borders of the territories of the Lakota, the Chippewa, and the Assiniboine, American Indian tribes, who competed for hegemony. Their conflict increased beginning with the French introduction of firearms in the late 17th century as part of their goods traded for furs. Pembina's recorded history of European encounter extended for more than 200 years. The first known European visitors to the Pembina region were the French La Vérendrye family in the early 18th century. European trappers who hunted in the Red River of the North area frequently married Native women and often lived with local tribes at least part of the year. Their descendants became part of their hunting and trapping culture, and formed the ethnic group recognized in Canada as Métis people.

Due to the unrest among Native Americans of the Red River Valley after the American Civil War, the Minnesota Legislature petitioned Congress to build a fort, especially to defend against incursions by the Lakota (Sioux), some of whom had migrated to Canada to evade the US Army.

As a result, Major General Winfield Scott Hancock recommended the establishment of the post on December 8, 1869; Fort Pembina was completed on July 8, 1870. Located a mile and a half south of the settlement, it was just above the mouth of the Pembina River. It was originally called Fort Thomas, for Major General George H. Thomas, who died on March 28, 1870. The post was designated as Fort Pembina on September 6, 1870. Seriously damaged by fire on May 27, 1895, it was abandoned on August 16, 1895. It was later sold at public auction.

The Métis had a very strong connection with Pembina during the 19th century. Individual and groups of bison hunters and goods traders were based in Pembina. And to this day, the Métis of the Charbonneau Family of Roamers still use Pembina as a home base and a safe haven.

The most significant event to occur in the twentieth century was the opening of the Motorcoach Industries factory, making buses for what was Grayhound Bus Lines (now the Ares-operated Whippet Lines). Even today, after MCI’s takeover by Ares in the 2030’s, the plant remains the largest employer in town.

During the chaos of the Awakening, the Border Patrol base at Pembina became a key defensive point in the Second Ghost Dance War , and the town was fortified. After the war, the fortifications were abandoned and let to fall into disrepair. However, with the Crisis of ‘64 and the formation of the RRDMZ, Pembina’s location and the already-present infrastructure made it a perfect location for the primary field headquarters of the newly-formed Joint Enforcement Group, which has spent the last ten years refurbishing the old emplacements.

### Pembina Today

It wouldn’t be going too far to call Pembina a fortress town. A handshake agreement for keeping the peace exists between the military (the Zone Patrol) and industry (MCI-Ares). And in the heart of both, you’ll find the La Vérendrye family. After 200 years, they’re still the largest landowners in the area, share-holders in MCI-Ares, and have significant interests in pretty much every other business in town in one way or another. Pretty much every private contract to serve the Zone Patrol in town is with a La Vérendrye business. And if this all sounds a little like a monopoly on power, well nobody’s complaining about the lowest crime rate in the Zone. Or complaining at all, not with the Zone Patrol’s guns over them.

The Patrol has taken up residence in the old Pembina State Museum, and the observation tower now stands for the ever-watchful eye of two armies. Pembina is the primary security checkpoint on I-29, and anybody passing through can expect to have their SIN checked and records scanned. Even the Roamer families that come to shelter in the armed safety of Pembina steer clear of the town proper and make sure to camp just outside the walls and towers of the defensive perimeter.

Its a peaceful town because that’s the way the La Vérendrye Family wants it, that’s the way MCI-Ares wants it and that’s how the Zone Patrol keeps it.

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