AFFILIATIONS
VIRUS
VIRUS is the mysterious global resistance group that is reputed to be made up of scientists that survived the Final War, who now work tirelessly to support those who would struggle against the machines. VIRUS has been so successful in concealing its identity that many wonder if it is not a ficticious faction altogether. Rumors speak of a secret military organization or the remnants of an intelligence agency that somehow survived the Final War. The group is believed to possess high-tech science and medical labs that work on such things as plague antidotes, new weapons, exotic scientific and technical equipment, and even computer viruses to crack the AI security and reprogram robots.
HLA (HUMAN LIBERATION ARMY)
Not all humans have resigned themselves to slavery or death. The main resistance group of North America asserts itself on an almost daily basis. Best described as a large guerrilla organization, HLA was birthed from the alliance of a few strong nomad and survivor groups and the remnants of California and Washington State national guards and a regiment of the Canadian army. HLA travels fast, hits hard, and vanishes into the night. With military organization and the tenacity of stirred-up hornets, the HLA loves nothing more than to paint the placa of the rising phoenix on the burned out robofacs and slave camps they leave in their wake.
GRRL (Guardians of Reproductive Rights and Liberty)
In response to Zone Washington's draconian Reproduction Statutes, GRRL has come about. Most of GRRL's activities are conducted as lobbying efforts and awareness campaigns, but a few extremists in the organization have strapped bombs into their papooses and marched into state-funded, mandatory fertility clinics and proceeded to cause a ruckus.
Free America
The largest underground movement in Zone Washington, Free
America is focused on long-term strategic objectives. Free America is organized
into cell groups with an advanced network of "postmen" that act as
representatives. These agents travel the continent disseminating news and
winning the "hearts and minds" of the ragged bands of nomads and junkers that
populate the land. Free America hordes resources, awaiting the day that humans
will rise en masse and move against the machines.
America is focused on long-term strategic objectives. Free America is organized
into cell groups with an advanced network of "postmen" that act as
representatives. These agents travel the continent disseminating news and
winning the "hearts and minds" of the ragged bands of nomads and junkers that
populate the land. Free America hordes resources, awaiting the day that humans
will rise en masse and move against the machines.
WASP (Washington Armored Security Police)
Controlled by the Department of Justice, WASP is the paramilitary SWAT team of Zone Washington. They protect Zone Washington from both foreign and domestic threats. Despite their name, the WASPs are as much soldiers as they are law officers. They are trained and equiped for riot control, border control, and counterterrorist operations. There are some 6,000 active WASP officers (plus an equal number of support personnel) deployed in "divisions" located in major cities within the zone. WASP officers are also responsible for security at NYCMAX; upwards of 300 officers are on duty there. Elite WASP units are equipped with mechanized infantry. Regular patrol team consists of either two humans or a human with a robot partner.
FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation)
The very familiar FBI is still operating. Based in Washingtom, the current agency is an amalgamation of the USA's FBI and Canada's RCMP. With much of the world controlled by hostile AIs, the government has felt it necessary to suspend many civil rights and grant the Bureau sweeping powers to combat both robot-sponsered terrorism from other zones and domestic subversive groups such as the so-called Free America. As a result many fear the Bureau is becoming more and more like a "Big Brother" or KGB, straying from the path of justice. The current directorof the FBI, Arnold J. Maddox, is the most hated and feared person in the Zone. Agents are selected from only the most loyal Washington citizens, after extensive screening, of course.