[hider=Union] [center][img]http://img08.deviantart.net/2740/i/2012/188/0/6/byzantine_empire_flag_by_black_cat_rebel-d56cnix.png[/img] [h3][color=yellow]The Union[/color][/h3] [/center] Union is a three branch federal republic, consisting of a high court, senate and president. It is a simple, vote driven electorate that holds elections for all offices every eight years. It consists of six smaller states that bound together long ago for mutual defense. Over time a unified military was created to defend them all and a government followed shortly after. [hider=Location][img]http://i1368.photobucket.com/albums/ag161/monkeypantslol/boob_zpsdrd4pwk0.png[/img][/hider] [hider=Bastion] [img]http://www.socwall.com/images/wallpapers/24725-1920x1200.jpg[/img] Bastion is the capitol city built around the remains of an old space elevator. It boasts multiple levels and underground dwellings. Across from the mesa is another large portion of the city that borders one of the larger oasis. In various locations around the outskirts of the city are underground factories that produce many of the civilian and military goods for the nation. Further out is a large number of farms, which draw water via aqueducts and wells, that produces both crops and meats. Years of restoration and maintenance have led to a rather clean and 'modern' city compared most areas, almost reminiscent of how life was before the war. Bastion was, before the war, a massive city and logistics star port built around the mesa IV space elevator. The was took its toll as the elevator was destroyed, damaging the city and littering the nearby desert with large rings that still rust to this day. It was an ideal place for refuge due to its defensible canyons. After it was established there was only growth as many far and wide migrated there. Safety was high as a well funded police force maintained the last bit of law that remained in the world. It boasts a diverse population of nearly 250,000. Bastion is also host to the Bastion-Atheneum. [/hider] [hider=Fort Castello] [img]https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/bb/7f/22/bb7f224361286925778a4ac3f3426c5f.jpg[/img] [/hider] [hider=Pariah] [img]http://orig13.deviantart.net/1df8/f/2013/086/2/c/desert_village_by_crs1009-d5zij53.jpg[/img] Pariah is the newest addition to the Union. It was a hive of slavery and crime that had long plagued the Union. The now ex-president Pohr had long toyed with the idea of taking it out by bombing it to oblivion, but backlash would've been his undoing. Instead he hired mercenaries to infiltrate and remove the "Problem" people. A short civil war occurred within the city and its major factions. After it was said and done, Union troops marched in under the pretense of liberating the "common man" and has since flown its flag over the once sprawling coliseum. Many say to this day that standing in the now empty coliseum, you can still hear the cries for help from long dead slaves. [/hider] The six states, Reach: the largest of the six and home to the nations capitol, boasts the largest population and military bases. Legend has it that it was named this after a man tried to reach the top of the elevator's remains.. and fell to his death. No one is sure why they decided on that name. Rashida: Named for a famous warrior that led people to safety, it is the most militant of the group. It's people are prideful and stubborn. As well as making a sizable contribution of the nations federal military. When the people from reach decided to found the Union, Rashida was the first to join under the stipulation that they have much say in military affairs. It's been decades and the lines between Reach and Rashida have blurred beyond recognition. If not for a piece of paper showing the state lines, many would consider it one big unified nation. Billings: A more so industrial nation. it has prided itself on its mercantile practice which was a large target for bandits and raiders. It wasn't a difficult choice for them to join the Union after they vowed to eradicate a raider group called the syndicate. The Union followed through. Kells refuge: If there was a polar opposite to the beauty of the nations Capitol, Bastion, this is it. Home to the crumbling tower, Which is a fortress built inside a fallen sky scraper. Various trailers and cars with tarps bolted to the top, built into odd shanties, are typical around the once mighty city. Gorrah: More refer to it as "the garden". This place has natural water sources and has since grown into a massive agricultural hub. [b]Leader(s):[/b] [hider=President Brock Gibson] [img]https://cdnb3.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/000/579/999/large/eiad-dahnim-alastair-final-head-textured.jpg?1443932093[/img] President Gibson has served in the government in some fashion for nearly his whole life. He served in the military from age 15 to 25 before retiring to work in the federal government and met Marissa. He started as a young upcoming senator who eventually ran for president. His kind hearted attitude and clear care for his people landed him a near landslide against a true douche opponent. He has held the presidency for nearly three months. [/hider] [b]Persons of Importance:[/b] [hider=Oscar West] [img]https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/8e/91/61/8e91618c35e48ebb89e85d43b1991ee3.jpg[/img] One of the top NIS agents Union fields. He is well versed in most forms of combat. [img]http://farm9.static.flickr.com/8157/7465625026_61fbc1d1c4.jpg[/img] His favorite weapon, a custom made 18 gauge shotgun in classic revolver form. [/hider] [b]Racial Demographics and Population:[/b] Union currently houses nearly two million souls of many different religions. The government recognizes all religions but does not abide by any in particular to refrain from partisanship. Each elected official does have their own beliefs but have taken vows to put the nations people first. [b]Culture:[/b] Survival is the primary culture overall. People scraping by to even just eat is the prevailing way of life for those on the fringe. as you venture further in, law and order seem to take more root. Bartering systems grow more intricate the further in you travel as well as the quality and diversity of music and attire. The closest thing to full on corporations exist in the largest cities and in the core where Bastion sits. These private organizations do much for the people, be it benevolent tasks of funding their own farms to feed the outlaying lands or malevolent deeds of abducting people in the fringe to experiment or hiking prices of produce for a city. [b]History:[/b] Union is merely the combination of six single states that bound together for safety, the time calling itself the "pact". As time went on, the states became more and more intertwined. It was officially renamed the Union some five decades ago and since then, aside from actual maps, the lines between these states has long disappeared. Today's society is a tight knit structure that values life and freedom. [b]Military:[/b] The federal military comes in three branches, The Army, Air force and the National Intelligence service, or NIS. [hider=MV 06 Outrider][img]http://img03.deviantart.net/e17a/i/2014/075/b/0/pitbull_by_jflaxman-d7afkgv.jpg[/img] Outriders are the standard light vehicle of the Union. Its rugged design and powerful engine gives it a clear advantage on the rough desert terrain than most raider vehicles. It has multiple configurations including an assault variant with a auto cannon on a turret. There's light variants with a simple mounted machinegun and no armored plates over the windows to a very rare rocket artillery version. Among others.[/hider] [hider=MT 32 Bettie][img]http://conceptartworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Nicholas_Hiatt_Concept_Painting_Plasma_Tank_03.jpg[/img] Betties were the result of a divisional need for mobile support and light artillery to replace the traditional field cannons. Although these never did replace the common towed cannons, they are still a powerful addition to the armed forces. [/hider] [hider=MT 4a4 Vertigo][img]http://img02.deviantart.net/0dba/i/2011/078/f/6/desert_tank_by_psconcepts-d3c1flr.jpg[/img] MT 4a4's were the result of a long history of costly maintance on the variety of light, medium and heavy armored vehicles that existed in the past. A call for one vehicle that could fill all roles were needed and it was possible with the MT 4a1. The parts were easy to replace and repair due to simplicity of design. A boon from this tank was in the creation of the Bettie, which used many of the same components, making armored vehicles far cheaper to field and maintain. Considering its simpler build, many raiders considered it to be a cheap alternative but quickly found out that the vehicle was not created solely to offset cost, but also combine all three vehicle types into an effective war machine. It is fast, heavily armored for its size and packs a powerful punch with its 125mm cannon. [/hider] [hider=MW 3 Widow][img]http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UqcN4AD7rmg/U7N282iiSPI/AAAAAAAAmy8/L74xSMOPovE/s1600/tumblr_n826qlhpPx1qdkeiao1_1280.jpg[/img] Widows aren't the most common vehicle within the Union but considering firepower, armor and mobility, it is by far the most deadly. It boasts a powerful and long range directed energy weapon mounted directly above a center placed 125mm cannon. Supporting these two heavy weapons is various heavy machineguns as well as small rotary grenade launchers that can fire both explosive and smoke. Being able to climb over obstacles and raise or lower its general height gives it clear advantages over standard tread and hover tanks when it comes to mobility. It is outclassed by hover and tracked vehicles in sheer open speed and lacks the solidarity of a solid metal frame. As with all walking vehicles, regardless of how ever strong your armor is, taking out a leg will result in the failure of the vehicle. [/hider] [hider=AH 22 Wraith][img]http://payload187.cargocollective.com/1/1/34851/6048852/NK_vtol_01_2048.jpg[/img] The Wraith is an general purpose aircraft. It boasts variants such as a standard configuration light transport gunship, a dedicated gunship, a heavy lift version, a scout surveillance version, among others. It is quite fast, maneuverable, decently armored for its size and can carry a large payload far outweighing the wraith itself. [/hider] [hider=AF 5 Dart][img]https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--lwYbmaAx--/c_scale,fl_progressive,q_80,w_800/yi5ixvtvjervgvnr5r4r.jpg[/img] Darts are the first line in defense for the Union. These aircraft have decent range and speed required for the vast borders of the nation. [/hider] [hider=AF 1 Corsair][img]http://pre08.deviantart.net/359b/th/pre/f/2013/316/3/9/sa_43_hammerhead_by_grahamtg-d6tzxaz.jpg[/img] The Corsair is a remnant of before the great war. Pre war, it was a atmospheric defense fighter that was used to great effect in its deployment. It boasts a pin point energy weapon, multiple pulse energy weapons, and two twin linked heavy assault cannon turrets. One on the front and other on the top towards the aft. As it is pre-war, the aircraft is harder to maintain as replacement parts have to be replicated and many of the materials simply do not exist. Therefore, many have armor plates or other pieces that are of very inferior quality. There are even a few planes where the turrets have been replaced with fixed cannons when actuators have been damaged, preventing turret rotation. So far, the Union is the only owner of any Corsairs as they were stationed on a base near the elevator. It is possible that more are in hangars of space hulks buried deep in the desert wastes. This fact alone has led military groups to hold high regard for these hulks to find parts or schematics to either repair or even build their own. This sole vehicle is the strongest weapon at the Unions disposal. They were more advanced than anything else they can field and while they are capable of immense destruction, they are fielded very cautiously as losing even one is a irreplaceable blow.[/hider] Small arms are diverse among the nation. From field guns to anti tank missiles and portable assault cannons to simple knives, the Union ground forces is diverse. However there are a few standard weapons that are produced in house used by the federal standing military. [hider=MAR family of weapons][img]https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/07/5c/99/075c998661ad2061e094245e61a61f51.jpg[/img] Base assault version. The MAR or Modular Assault Rifle, is a very adaptable and rugged weapon used by the Union army. It chambers a hard hitting 8mm round and exists in multiple configurations, from a long barrel 12mm chambered sniper rifle, to a short barreled shotgun. It sees service amongst the standing military but doesn't exist to local militias or civilians. [/hider] NIS, or National Intelligence Service, is the under cover branch of the military. It has access to any weapon or vehicle available and its ground operatives are well versed in most forms of combat and weaponry. The Militia is a far different beast than the federal armed forces. There is no real structure to the forces outside the city forces than their love for country and family. These people come in all shape and size and use everything from tanks to crossbows. Some of the most common weapons are ones that are repurposed from civilian vehicles or gifts from the military. Other weapons are merely found or cheaply produced in leased factories from the government. [hider=Assault car][img]http://pre13.deviantart.net/d141/th/pre/f/2015/180/3/2/mad_max_jeep_by_milkduster-d8zba37.jpg[/img] Assault cars are common in the wastes, some even serve as a family car in the more outlaying areas of the nation. Most are seen armed with light to heavy machineguns and wielded plates to protect from a stray round. Others from more well organized militias are armed with cannons or missiles. [/hider] [hider=Small arms][img]http://67.media.tumblr.com/20b233ae9fe11472893b1cb531eee51d/tumblr_nfnkjsPjyZ1tm0ccyo1_r1_1280.jpg[/img] Desert forces are wide ranging from squads with armor and assault rifles to break action shotgun toting, long coat wearing desperados.[/hider] [/hider]