CAS Sector

The Confederated American States The CAS Sector Executive Elizabeth Kalheim Population 732,000 Human 69% Elf 10% Dwarf 6% Ork 14% Troll 1% Other 0% SINless Population (est.) 162,900 Per Capita Income 20,500 =Y= Below Poverty Level 28% Super-wealthy 1% Megacorporate Affiliation 28% Security Provider Lone Star Education: GED 52% 4 year degree 22% Masters or higher 5% Regional Telecom Grid NA/CAS-TX Opinion-Editorial by Black Eyed Susan; Chop Doc Southern Hospitality Welcome to the CAS Sector. Don't bother to look for the hay bales and the hick attitudes, omae, this is the new world. Southerners still believe in hospitality and the virtues that seem a bit homespun in this fast-moving day and age, but that doesn't mean we are stupid or slow. Remember that when you deal in the CAS Sector and you'll get along well. Forget it and you might be meat on my table. Who you know is just as important as how much cred you have in this sector. Chummers are a little tighter here, a little more standoffish with strangers. Oh, they'll treat you right, but you may get a thick helping of Southern twang and a reminder that things move a little slower if you aren't part of the Good Ol' Boy's network. Once you are in, though, you'll find things move a lot quicker. Us CASers are likely to play the hick and talk funny to put others off their guard, waving the flag and acting like you'd expect, like you see in the trids. Don't buy into this, and for all you out of towners? Calling a CAS citizen a yankee is a quick way to make an enemy. Geographic Overview In 2034, in a blatantly political move, the UCAS Sector voluntarily ceded a portion of its territory to CAS, creating a sixth Treaty nation. The CAS Sector's borders in Denver proper followed Highway 70 eastward from the intersection with Intercity 25, jog south past Stapleton, then run along Route 225 south to the intersection with Highway83. The demarcation line follows Highway 83 south out of the city. South of the Aztlan Sector, the eastern border jogs cross-country until it hits Highway 24 at Peyton, and then follows the highway southwest into Colorado Springs. The border follows Highway 24 around Colorado Springs, then swings north to follow Intercity 25 all the way up to Highway 470, where it turns west. At Route 85, the demarcation line turns north again until it hits Highway 228 (E. Jefferson Avenue), where it turns back east. It then follows Intercity 25 north again, merges into S. Colorado Blvd., hangs east at Colfax, and then does an unholy jog around the downtown area, from which it proceeds back along Intercity 25 north and then east toward Stapleton again along Highway 70. Entry and Exit Like most of the sectors in Denver, the CAS Sector lines it's borders with 10-meter-high fences, Interupted in a few spots by walls. Along the stretch between the CAS and UCAS sectors that swings roughly south between Denver and Colorado Springs and passes through Elbert and Peyton, the fence drops to 5 meters or less. In most of the places they patrol, CAS Sector security forces take a hands-on approach, walking their side of the line in three-man fire teams, often accompanied by attack dogs. Unlike other sectors, CAS protects its borders with sophisticated sensor array only a in a few, highly sensitive areas, usually concentrated along the rural stretches of the sector border. Price Comparison Here's a cost analysis for merchandise you may pick up in the CAS Sector. These prices are marked in comparison to Seattle for those of you visiting from out of town, a little tip we picked up from the New Seattle text (and thanks for that, Captain!) We use the CAS Dollar in this Sector, or at least that is the official line. Unofficially, just about everyone would rather deal in nuyen, so unless you are bribing a government official you are pretty safe . The official exchange rate changes from day to day depending on the market, but you can figure around 1 nuyen equaling $4.75. Government and Law Enforcement Time for the five-minute lecture on government and sector law, folks (paying particular attention to those areas of law most interesting to us of the shady persuasion, of course). Politically, the CAS Sector manager runs the show. Our current benevolent dictator is Elizabeth Kalheim, an experienced politico who used to serve as controller of the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. Unexpectedly, so far she's done more good than bad. Though on the job in the Free Zone for less than a year, her decisions have already begun to make a difference. In a gesture that most regular folks appreciated, fair Lizzy challenged the city security forces, a special division of Lone Star (LS-FRFZ). Time was LS's bully-boys enjoyed quite the rep for use of force bordering on brutality. Then our Lizzy did a little housecleaning, kicking several particularly loathsome members of LS-FRFZ's upper management out of the sector and into the sewer. Within months, the security forces transformed from Kneebreakers, Inc., to a professional, disciplined, and (possibly) incorruptible organization. All right, class. Listen to Prof if you want to know ho to finesse the laws for legal entry into the CAS sector. Three ways to do it, folks: immigration, work visas, or temporary travel passes. Immigration The only way to immigrate permanently into the CAS Sector is through CAS proper. You want to relocate to CAS-ville, first apply to the Department of Immigration and Naturalization (DIN) in Atlanta and jump through all the necessary hoops to enter the "contiguous states" of the nation. Once you've got your immigration datawork and entered the nation of CAS, then you can legally relocated to the CAS Sector. And surprise, said relocation does not require any additional datawork-at this point anyway. CAS's Asian District Chinatown lies in the Englewood district in southeast Denver. It's history dates back to the last years of the 20th century, when political upheaval and continually worsening economic conditions caused many native Chinese to seek a better life outside the Chinese mainland. To help alleviate its chronic overpopulation problem, the normally restrictive Chinese government allowed limited emigration. Most of the immigrants came from Hong Kong and Taiwan, territories more or less recently "acquired" by the Chinese government. Many southern cities of the United States, Denver among them, experienced economic booms during these same years, which naturally attracted these immigrants. The flood of immigration continued until about 2015, then all but stopped in the face of the political upheavals that led to the formation of the Native American nations. A few years later, in 2018, the Treaty of Denver effectively prohibited immigration into the city, unfortunately for the Chinese living in Denver's Englewood District, the initial division of the city assigned them to the U.S.-controlled area rather than any of the NAN territories. Undoubtedly, the NAN would have expelled them along with all the other non-Amerind residents. The businesses and residences of Chinatown continued to thrive through the formation of the Confederate American States, officially recognized by the signing of the Treaty of Richmond in 2034. As part of the deal, CAS took over the section of Denver containing Chinatown. In the wake of their successful, rampant nationalism, it came as no surprise that CAS frowned on a group of its citizens having (apparently) stronger ties to mother China than to their new home. But because no proposed action seemed likely to produce a useful result, the CAS took no official action against the Chinese-Americans. By this time, Chinatown had grown into a community numbering more than 20,000 souls, among whom rumor placed more than a few powerful mages. Certain Chinese businessmen had also developed strong ties to various megacorporations, a fact that further discouraged any official action against the Chinese enclave. For the next decade and more, Chinatown residents continue to live peacefully and prosper. The relative calm ended in 2048 with the first Humanis policlub riots in the district. Over the next several years Humanis members repeatedly looted and vandalized Chinatown establishments. In the summer of 2052, the raids ceased as if someone had thrown a switch, and all Humanis activity in Denver came to an abrupt halt. Other politicos and business leaders could only conclude that the patient Chinese had finally worked out their differences with the policlub and come to an understanding. Current residents of Chinatown represent mostly second or third generation citizens, but they interact with those outside their community little more than their parents and grandparents did. Insular and clannish by nature, they have become more so as a result of years of political turmoil. The Chinese have a curious attitude toward metahumans. Save for elves, the residents of Chinatown treat the metahumas living on the fringe of their community as second-class citizens. However, most Chinese will trust an ork of Chinese descent more quickly than a human of another racial background. Chinese-ethnic humans and elves seem to view dwarfs, orks and trolls as unfortunate, inferior souls for whom they must take responsibility. Strangely enough, the latter group seems to accept this position without demur-they are brewing no imminent rebellion. Aside from the political chaos surrounding Denver, the one factor that has changed the lives of the residents of Chinatown is the return of their ancient magic. Regaining their ancestral powers prompted many Chinese to turn away from technology. Others attempt to combine the knowledge of the past with the technology of the present in a synthesis of unimaginable potential. These divergent schools of thought represent something of a rift in the community. Work Visas Officially, only CAS citizens or landowning immigrants can work legally in the CAS Sector. Only through direct dealings with Atlanta can a person attain either legal status. A minor loophole called the work visa, however, provides opportunity, means, and permission for many a shady hind end. This magical piece of datafluff originates in the sector management offices, located at E. 31st Avenue and Wilson Court. Expect the usual bureaucratic hoops, including proving your idee and convincing the CAS' trained government poodles that you have no outstanding arrest warrants, major felony convictions, or anything else they might find embarrassing. Oh, and also that you have a job waiting for you in the sector. Work visas remain valid for exactly as long as you stay gainfully employed. The second you're laid off or fired, or you quit, your visa expires. Get your hoop aboard the next outbound plane, kids. Travel Passes Any border-crossing post can issue a travel pass, bu yours must be pre-authorized by sector management (oh, joy). You can apply for a pass electronically from any public or private phone, or by paying the sector management office a virtual visit via the Matrix. The datawork is relatively painless and short (shock!), but don't expect the rubber-stamp process. Applications get bounced for the flimsiest of reasons. As in most sectors, CAS Sector authorities record your citizenship data, landed immigrant status, work visas, or travel passes on your personal credstick. You must present your stick on request to any Knight Errant sec-guard who take an interest in you. Weapons The CAS has a long-standing love affair with "personal defense" weapons. Provided your credstick shows the appropriate license datawork, you can pack anything up to and including a heavy pistol. Another kind of license allows you to own, transport, and use semiautomatic long arms, and even certain kinds of autofire assault-style weapons. Of course, such weapons are licensed strictly for hunting. (Sure, Right, Natch. Uh-huh.) Everyone who's ever tried it agrees that importing any kind of bang-bang brings more trouble than it's worth. In theory, you can get the necessary import licenses, but the datawork and bureaucratic hoops and crosschecks (and on and on) make the whole experience about as pleasant as gargling cyberspurs. You might as well come in empty-handed and buy what you need in-sector. (Which is just what the CAS-based gun companies have in mind, I'm sure.) Ain't nothin' gits between me and my slivergun. - Joe-Bob Billyboy Chips, Drugs, and Alcohol The CAS Sector shares the "Bible Belt mentality" common in some parts of CAS proper. Sale and distribution of legal pharmies and alcohol, except for beer and wine peddled in grocery stores, is stringently controlled by the government. Chiphawkers peddle legal simsense chips everywhere, but sector management strictly enforces strict laws against illegal chips. Chipheads, take note (assuming you're not too jazzed-out to scan this screed): certain chips labeled legal in the UCAS are verboten in CAS because the modulation is too high to meet CAS law. The government also cracks down hard on the illegal pharmie trade; they'd like nothing better than to stamp it out once and for all. (Predictably, all this activity only decreases the supply and increases the demand among those in need of a crutch to cope. That trnaslates into plenty of cred for the chipleggers.) Law Enforcement Lone Star Front Range Free Zone, a.k.a. LS-FRFZ, enforces the law in CAS sector. Like every other arm of LS in existence, this division has personnel assigned to command, data collection and analysis, investigations, and Matrix and paranormal/astral security. What sets this division apart is the background of its personnel. All senior management hail from LS's executive ranks: about half of middle management and a quarter of "street enforcement assets" also belong to the LS fold. The rest consist of officers and troops officially demobilized and discharged from the CAS armed Forces (must abide by the strictures of the Treaty, mustn't we?). The fact that they continue to use the same gear they had while on active duty does not change their "civilian" status (surprise, surprise). Crime and Punishment The Justice system in the CAS Sector exactly mimics that of the CAS proper, including provisions for trial before a jury of one's peers. In general, however, the wheels of justice tend to turn quite a bit faster in the sector than in the contiguous states. The following table is your old Professor's small way of making a few salient facts about crime and punishment easily available in a single bit-sized byte. Note that fines are listed in CAS dollars. As is usual among those boasting at least marginal intelligence, the CAS government makes no distinction between intent and use. If you did it, you meant to do it. Cyberware CAS law requires everyone, even CAS citizens, to register all Class A and Class C cyberware with the government when entering the sector. Possession of Class A or C cyberware also constitutes a valid reason for rejecting an application for a work visa or travel pass. Bodyshops and cyberclinics may legally install only Class A cyberware. Cyberdecks All cyberdecks and programs must be licensed with the government, either upon purchase or when brought into the sector. This simple requirement makes it oh-so-easy for the KE matrix cops to make sure your deck has the appropriate ID-trace chipset installed. If an inpsector finds a stealth chipset, he confiscates your deck right now and charges you with a felony. Addictives CAS-ville defines possession of controlled substances as having an illegal mindbender on hand for personal consumption. Transportation means minor dealing, say, less than fifteen standard chem doses or fifteen chips, Sixteen or more says you're dealing big-time, and you take the high jump if they catch you. If convicted, you will go to jail for a good long time, even first-time offenders. And extenuating circumstances don't even exist, as far as they're concerned. Fines and Punishments Offense Fine Sentence Arson 5,000 1 yr Assault 2,500 6 mo Battery 2,500 6 mo Extortion 2-3 yrs F. Confinement 2-5 yrs Fraud 2-5 yrs Illegal Entry 1-5 yrs Kidnapping 5-10 yrs Larceny(petty) 2-5 yrs Larceny(grand) 2-10 yrs Murder 1 30 yrs-life or death penalty Murder 2 10 yrs-life Murder 3 2-5 yrs Negligence 1-5 yrs Rape 2-5 yrs Rape (statutory) 2-10 yrs R. Endangerment 15,000 1 yr Solicitation 250 Trafficking 150,000 5-20 yrs Treason 10 yrs-life Vandalism 5,000 Accessory 20% normal Conspiracy 50% normal Contraband Poss. Trans. Threat Use Small Blade 2.5K 12K/1 yr Large Blade 5K 40K/1 yr Blunt Weapon 2.5K/3 mo 12K/1 yr Proj. Weapon 5K/3 mo 25K/1 yr Pistol 15K/1 yr 75K/3 yr Rifle 25K/1 yr 120K/3 yr Auto Weapons 5K 25K/5 mo 40K/1 yr 40K/4 yr Heavy Weapons 75K/3 yr 120K/4 yr 5 yrs. 15 yrs. Explosives 8K 25K/1 yr 4 yrs. 20 yrs. Mil, Weapons 250K/2 yr 500K/2 yr 5 yrs. 10 yrs. Mil. Armor 50K Ammunition 2.5K Class A Bioware 10K Class B Bioware 40K Class C Bioware 100K Class A Cyber Class B Cyber 12K Class C Cyber 50K Matrix Tech 25k 75K/6 mo Class A Equip. 2K Class B Equip. 10K/6 mo Class C Equip. 40K/2 yr Class A Cont. 3.5K 10K/6 mo Class B Cont. 10K/1 yr 50K/2 yr Class C Cont. 200K/5 yrs. Life