United Canadian and American States

Flag of the UCAS

Map of the UCAS

The United Canadian and American States (UCAS) is a nation in North America consisting of the former US states of Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, MAssachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, North Missouri, North Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Seattle, West Virginia, and Wisconsin, as well as portions of what remains of Canada.

## Geopolitical Overview

Formed from a union between the Dominion of Canada and the United States of America, the UCAS was founded on October 15, 2030. The new nation suffered from attrition and secession between 2034 and 2038 as the southern states, California, and Hawaii each seceded. A democratic society created in the aftermath of the Awakening and the rise of the corporate state, the UCAS government drew heavily upon the American Constitution when forming the new UCAS Constitution. Though several key changes were made, the governmental structures are very similar to those which ruled throughout the USA prior to the formation of the UCAS.

As a signatory of the Business Recognition Accords, the UCAS recognizes the extra-territoriality of AA and AAA megacorporations. The UCAS constitution also recognizes contract law, particularly in the area of employment contracts. Because of the contractual obligations of an employee to his employer, UCAS law recognizes the right of the employer to pursue legal action through a properly designated legal body. UCAS law treats extraterritorial corporations in a manner similar to foreign powers, signing extradition agreements and formal trade agreements. A social implication of the changes to contract law was the secularization of marriage, allowing the formation of contractual obligations in marriage and setting terms of dissolution of the contract.

The UCAS has reduced its isolationist tendencies since 2057. The nation embraced the promise of change provided by President Dunkelzahn during his campaign, and following the President's assassination, Vice President Haeffner vowed to carry out many of the promised social reforms. Over half a million Probationary Citizens were granted full citizenship between 2057 and 2064. This has led to the inclusion of large segments of society that had previously been unable to enjoy the benefits of government programs including thousands of non-metahumans, such as sasquatches and nagas.

The UCAS was the target of an attempted military coup in 2064, in the wake of Crash 2.0. A group calling itself the New Revolution attempted to forcibly reunite the old United States of America. Though the coup failed, the military and political leaders within the New Revolution were able to assassinate President Kyle Haeffner, along with several senators, cabinet members and generals. The country was brought back under control through the leadership of President pro tempore Gene Simone and General Angela Colloton. Through their joint efforts, the leadership of the New Revolution was captured, tried, and executed for Sedition and Treason against the State.

In 2070, the UCAS became the first nation to pass legislation for the mandatory registration of technomancers. Similar to the requirement for all Awakened citizens, any citizen who demonstrates virtualkinetic ability is required to register with the UCAS Federal government.

## Major Cities

### Boston

The former seat of the East Coast Stock Exchange (ECSE), Boston is the seat of the UCAS high-tech industry. Boston is home to NeoNET's world headquarters, and is also where the first portable cyberterminal was developed in 2034. With research facilties for Matrix technology, cyber, and nanotechnology, the city is home to five different arcologies and dozens of smaller firms. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Thaumaturgy (MIT&T) provides superb academic facilities, and is regularly awarded scholarships for its students by local corporations in exchange for work contracts after graduation.

In addition to the university's technological advances, MIT&T also is a leader in magical leadership through partnership with the Dunkelzahn Institute of Magical Research (DIMR). Manadyne Corporation, a leading researcher in spell design and metamagical techniques, is also based in Boston, seated squarely between MIT&T, DIMR, and Harvard. The Boston metroplex also includes nearby Salem, which has a strong basis in holistic magic and traditional witchcraft. This fusion of hermetic and natural approaches provides students and magical professionals with a broad spectrum of theories and approaches to new research.

### Detroit

A prosperous metroplex in the Great Lakes Region, Detroit is a model city for corporate involvement balanced by local government. With the global headquarters for Ares Macrotechnology located there, and the recently finished eight-meter-tall wall surrounding the metroplex, Detroit is one of UCAS' safer cities. Following the closure of Chicago to civilian traffic in 2055, the metroplex absorbed nearly a million refugees and offered them new work. The area has been a source of industry and manufacture for over a century, and continues to be a hub for UCAS construction of automobiles, aeronautics, and military equipment.

Despite the local nickname of "Aresville", Detroit has a smaller percentage of extra-teritorial space per square kilometer than many other metroplexes. The nickname actually comes from the corporation's investment into the local economy. Ares and its subsidiaries fund work outreach programs, to offer jobs to any adult UCAS citizen living within the metroplex boundary who wants one. A census taken in August of 2070 showed less than two percent unemployment rate within the metroplex - substantially lower than the nationwide rate of seven percent.

### Federal District of Columbia

The capital of the United Canadian and American States, the Federal District of Columbia (FDC) is centered on the Potomac River, and includes parts of Maryland and North Virginia. As the seat of political power, the FDC, or DeeCee Sprawl as it is occasionally called, is a home for politicians of all stripes.

There are two major Awakened groups in the DeeCee Sprawl with political and social clout - the Draco Foundation and the Illuminates of the New Dawn. The Draco Foundation headquarters are located in a modest office building at the north end of the sprawl. Founded to carry out the living will and legacy of President Dunkelzhan, the Draco Foundation fosters support and understanding among metahumanity while executing specific instructions left by the great dragon. The Illuminates of the New Dawn are the world's largest and most powerful magical order. Their Grand Lodge is located near Georgetown University in Foggy Bottom.

### Minneapolis

The twin cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul merged to form the Minneapolis metroplex (MSP 'Plex) in late 2042. Nestled in the heartland of the UCAS, MSP sits along the Mississippi River and is only a short distance from the Great Lakes Region. When the Foshay tower was damaged by a terrorist attack attributed to Alamos 20,000, Prometheus Engineering was contracted by the UCAS government to rebuild the obelisk shaped tower. The metroplex is now governed from the new Obelisk which is rated to be able to remain standing even if one of the four primary support pylons is destroyed.

The University of Minnesota houses the Charles Babbage Institute (CBI), a research center for information technology, founded in 1935 at the dawn of digital computing. The CBI hosted the Evo talks for digital intelligence, including their legal status and rights in September of 2070.

### Seattle

A frontier city surrounded by Native American Nations, Seattle is the only Pacific port of the UCAS. Located in the Pacific Northwest, the city has overcome the tragedy of the Renraku SCIRE shutdown. Since the restoration of the former Renraku arcology by General Angela Colloton before her presidency, the local government has been able to provide subsidized housing to over 150,000 individuals through the Arcology Commercial Housing Enclave (ACHE) project. The city has a multi-ethnic population, with citizens commonly knowing at least two languages. Though English is the official language, business is often conducted in Japanese, Salish, or Sperethiel.

Corporate policies within the metroplex are monitored internally through the United Corporate Council (UCC), a megacorporate self-governance committee founded in 2030. UCC membership is made up of sixteen A to AAA corporations which coordinate activities and create economic stability within the region.

### St. Louis

The gateway between the CAS and UCAS, St. Louis is a burgeoning port city. Following the closure of Chicago, nearly all of the shipping traffic was rerouted, with St. Louis' strategic placement along the Mississippi River, it became a key location for intercontinental commerce. Beyond shipping, the city is a common port of call for individuals traveling between the CAS and UCAS. Travel has occasionally been restricted due to flaring national tempers between the CAS and UCAS over water rights and border disputes. The longest delay to date was a six week closure of the border to non-commercial traffic in 2065.

### Toronto

The entertainment capital of the UCAS, Toronto is home to several sim-studios. The city's varied architecture allows it to serve as a backdrop for dozens of cities around the world, providing a boon to media outlets that don't want to move equipment across the globe. Beyond entertainment, Toronto hosts computer and technology startup companies. Many of these small corporations specialize in niche markets, focusing on meeting megacorporate needs for an eventual buyout.

While the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSE) does not have the same transaction count as the East Coast Stock Exchange, the TSE provides a secondary measure for the performance of publicly traded corporations in the UCAS. It also serves as an entry-point for financial transactions between foreign investors and UCAS-based corporations.

## Special Locations

### Chicago

Officially, the quarantine around Chicago was lifted in 2058 after Ares and the UCAS military quelled the insect spirit infestation, though the city has seen very little redevelopment since the Containment Zone was abolished. The area known locally as the Corridor, ranging from ten to forty kilometers out from the Zone walls, has seen some improvements over the last ten years. This area includes the southern Calumet harbor and O'Hare airport. The area is not recommended for tourists, as the local authorities are still attempting to regain control of the region. As of January 2072, the UCAS government has negotiated economic control of many of the outlying cities, including Gary, Naperville, and Joliet to megacorporate extraterritoriality, with the goal of reintegrating the region's international shipping networks and reestablishing a taxable constituency.

### Liberty Bell

As with several other items that have significant historic importance, the Liberty Bell has absorbed the collected energies and thoughts of people since the Awakening and is now the center of a domain supporting magic associated with truth and liberty. The Liberty Bell has been studied extensively since the initial discovery of magic within the area. Every July 8, it can be heard ringing for several miles by UCAS citizens born in Pennsylvania.

Witnesses nearby the Liberty Bell reported that it rang during the executions of the New Revolution leadership after their failed coup to reunify the United States. Whether the ringing was in support or mourning of the executions is unclear.

### Manhattan

Purchased by several megacorporations for development and improvement after the Quake of 2005, Manhattan is a fully functional corporate enclave. It is notable as the only extraterritorial location with internal extraterritorial divisions. Managed by the Manhattan Development Consortium (MDC), the island is the earthbound headquarters of the Corporate Court and home to the East Coast Stock Exchange. The reconstruction and repopulation of the city was paid for by the MDC and its members.

As the largest contiguous extraterritorial presence on UCAS soil, it is a shining beacon of consumerism and free capitalism. The island is policed by NYPD, Inc, with subsections of the zone designated as extra-territorial within MDC territory and full rights and privileges are granted to each individual corporate power. The area allows tourists to visit, and is a common vacation spot for corporate citizens of the MDC board members.

Since Manhattan's purchase, the rest of New York City has improved due to the investment of capital by the MDC and its employees. Though still referred to as the Five Boroughs, the remaining four have sought to rise to the same level as Manhattan.

### Watergate Rift

On the night of his inauguration, President Dunkelzahn left the Watergate Hotel and shortly afterwards, his limousine exploded. At the spot where the Great Dragon died, a visible tear in the fabric of reality was formed. The Watergate Rift is described as a permanent connection between the material world and the astral plane. Since its formation, the rift has attracted visitors, scientists, and magicians of all kinds. Its purpose is unclear, though following Dunkelzhan's death, several great dragons came to circle overhead before returning home.

During the Year of the Comet, several strange events happened around the Rift. Spirits were seen leaving the rift and local Awakened individuals reported hearing voices emanating from within it. On Christmas Eve of 2061, Ghostwalker exited the rift, accompanied by a swarm of spirits. Since those events, the UCAS government has built a secure bunker around the Rift.