Vancouver, including Centre for Natural Sciences

One of the largest conventional cities (3.2.1). It is a hub of marine biology research, trade, tourism, and organised crime. The city was struck by the washout of a mega-tsunami that hit Vancouver Island in 2058. The wave annihilated the island, washing over it. The resulting wake hit Vancouver, reducing buildings to rubble and killing hundreds of thousands of people.

As the city was rebuilt, design of a tsunami defence and control system was implemented. The most obvious feature of the tsunami defence system is a massive 8 m (26.3 ft) tall wall that runs around the harbour, forming a barrier almost 40 km (24.8 mi) long. Jutting out from the wall is the Sword of Richmond, named after the area of Vancouver that was completely destroyed by the massive wave. The Sword of Richmond is a 5 km (3.1 mi) long, multi-pronged wedge that reaches into the ocean, causing waves to break prematurely and away from the city proper.

Vancouver is now home to 45 million residents. Many wealthy families try to build their homes in this city due to its picturesque landscapes and mild climate. It is a central area for biological sciences and has an impressive underwater research facility amongst the ruins of Richmond, which fell into the sea when the ground beneath it gave away during the tsunami strike.

Vancouver Harbour is becoming one of the busiest in the world, and the downtown sector is brimming with corporations and businesses, all trying to maintain their independence while the crime Syndicates try to lobby for their control (4.1.7).

Tomas Vanderlai completed graduate studies at the University of Vancouver’s Centre for Natural Sciences (5.1.22)

People

Most people in Vancouver are quite happy and enjoy the many positive aspects that their city offers. However, organised crime and gang warfare is vicious in the central, downtown areas. The constant fighting between the various crime families is beyond the control of the local authorities, who are too crooked and too overwhelmed to remedy the situation. Concern over the stability and reliability of the government is growing amongst the population, and the future of this great city is questionable.

Government and Travel Controls

The government of Vancouver is democratic, with many organised and centrally controlled social programmes funded through taxation. These programmes are dwindling as corruption continues to grow inside the government, resulting in more and more tax dollars siphoned off by the wealthy families who control the city and the criminal gangs and Syndicates that allow them to thrive.

Military

The Vancouver standing army is 100,000 strong, well-equipped and armed with technology that may not be cutting edge, but that remains respectable in terms of firepower and reliability. Investigators - both military and civilian - who remain loyal to the government have uncovered ties between high-ranking commanders and particular Syndicates within the city. The ability of the army to operate as a single, loyal, cohesive force has become laughable, and many soldiers have deserted, seeking better pay in a legitimate mercenary group (4.1.7).