Denver

HI Factory Ariel View (By Richard Pollard)

The former capital of Colorado, in the early days after Judgement Day, became the home base for the group known as the Combine, headed by Throckmorton. When Throckmorton was overthrown by Toussaint, it became the home of the Combine's replacement: The Unity. However, the Unity's time was shortlived, as in Toussaint's sudden absence, much of the faction turned on itself and most of those who remained true to the original vision were killed in the resulting chaos. After the NW6 dealt with the Swarm, Denver leadership was turned over to John Conner, who started to rebuild with help from the Union.

## History

### Pre-J-Day

The city of Denver was founded by prospectors on November 22, 1858. It soon became of hub for different railroads, and a perfect rest stop before the Rocky Mountains. Colonists pushed Native Americans off the land, and in retaliation, the Arapaho chief Little Raven and Left Hand predicted three major hardships and evils that would arise from the city. In the first few years of its existence, Denver faced a devastating flood and two fires. The hardships had come, and the evil would eventually as well.

In the 1880s, Smith and Robards Company came to Denver, and this move cemented it as a hub of industry. S&R was the biggest producer of 'new science' tech. Or as some called it, 'mad science'. It soon became a hub of agriculture and mining. From 1870 to 1890, the population boomed exponentially from 5,000 to over 106,000 people, becoming the second most populated city in the west behind Salt Lake.

By 1960, 'mad science' fell out of favor, and S&R couldn't recover from the blow. They were bought out in 1962 by an anonymous financial consortium, and their production turned to average consumer products. The Tombstone Epitaph, in 2001, found that Hellstromme Industries had been the one to take control of its former rival.

Around 2000, pollution from Salt Lake caused black rain that poisoned the environment for miles. The US government stepped in and forced Hellstromme to build a dome over his factories to cut emissions. Throughout the early 2000s, Hellstromme began taking over companies in and around Denver.

In 2040, Denver's population passed 2 million people. Despite the density, green areas were kept around the city. The largest airport in the country was housed there.

In 2044, Hellstromme was expelled from the Deseret for his crimes against the anouks on Banshee, and he relocated to Denver. He bought out a sprawling area and created a massive factory complex that was fully automated. It was there on April 9th, 2045, that he showed off the first ghost-rock bomb. Ghost rock and materials from Banshee were brought into the city. In 2052, "city-buster" ghost rock bombs were revealed by Hellstromme. During the same time, the local Agency office became busy with stories of demonic possessions and alien infiltrators.

In 2078, when the Last War began, Hellstromme's factories made arms to sell to the military. In 2080, President Mary Rose Tremane came to Denver to tour the war factories. During this time, massive parades were held in the city. She left Denver on New Year's Day of 2081, and Air Force One disappeared with her shortly after. President Andrew Bates was sworn in soon after.

In Spring of 2081, the war came to Denver's borders. The worst scum the Confederate army had to offer came to break into the city. Only Hellstromme's factories were spared massive damage. A few hundred citizens were killed, with many more wounded, before the local law enforcement was able to regain control. This became known as the April Fool's Day Massacre. Learning its lesson, the USA sent military into the city to protect it from further attacks. In secret, Hellstromme created an experimental energy shield over his factor complex.

### After J-Day

The Confederacy decided Denver was too valuable to simply blow up completely, so n September 23rd, 2081, they send down neutron bombs. Minutemen were able to shoot down some, but six made it through their defenses, killing anyone not sheltered with a wave of radiation. During the attack, Canada dropped 2 city-buster ghost rock bombs on Hellstromme's factories. Their namesake's creation paid off, and the energy shields activated, stopping the bombs cold. However, the wave of power that resulted from the weapons devastated everything around it not covered by the shields.

A couple hours after the bombs hit, the Confederacy set up a missile over the city, which released a fast acting, highly contagious and hemorrhagic virus that was known as the A-5 virus. It carried a 98% mortality rate, and killed off most of the city's population. Once news spread of the disease, no more aid came to Denver. Some people who attempted to flee the city were shot on sight, for fear of the virus spreading.

John Conner, Denver's mayor, returned from a trip after crash-landing a short time before. He helped rally the city's survivors, gathering around 400 by November. They set up in the Fitzsimmons Army Medical Center on Fort Grant. Some survivors gathered and began to live in the sewers, calling themselves "The Family", and attacked other residents of the city at night. Walking dead began to pop up all over the ruins and attack during the day. Assaults from all around the clock wore on Denver's few survivors.

Relief briefly came on New Year's Day, 2082, when the Combine rolled in.

## Places of Interest

### Sewers

One of the most advanced storm drain systems on the continent, filled with hundreds of miles of passageways. Formerly used as a base of operations for the resistance. Many undead still wander the tunnels.