Piperka

Mars is governed by the Combined Systems Corporations, a conglomerate of mining companies and other industrial and commercial interests. The Combine rules with and iron fist, maintaining a large standing security force to combat off-world pirates, renegade mercenaries and an ever-growing group of "Free Mars" rebels.

Martian society is highly stratified, with Combine executives and noble families comprising the elite. It is relatively small echelon that controls most of the vital resources, like oxygen and water. While there is a burgeoning merchant class, the vast majority of Martians are indentured laborers, forced to pay offf the generation-spanning cost of their parents' (and even grandparents') transport off a dying Earth. While slavery was technically outlawed by the Martian Charter of 2128, it exists in effect on the Red Planet in a variety of forms.

Most Martians live in the vast Habitat Pyramids, plasteel-encased cities that rise from the ruddy sand like masive crystal monuments. Less fortunate citizens live deep below the surface in one of the hundreds of mines, while a comparative hadful of Martians make their living as nomadic prospectors.

The nominal capital of the Mars is Olympus City, the largest hab-pyramid. It lies in the shadow of the ancient Martian volcano Olympus Mons and sprawls across the desert including a series of sub-domes and industrial facilities. One particular sub-dome, officially SD4 and colloquilla 'Volcano City' is part slum and part bohemian playground, featuring block upon block of bars, nightclubs and other less savory entertainments.

Recently, tensions between the Combine Directorate and the various mining unions have risen to a new and dangerous level. "Free Mars" groups like the Martian Liberation Front have begun guerilla operations against Combine Security forces, which have retaliated in turn agains MLF members when they can be found and suspected MLF-sympathetic settlements when they cannot. Pirates and other raiders use this chaos as an opportunity to renew attacks against remote mines and unwary freighters. It is a tumultous time for Mars and the Red Planet has become a powder keg with no shortage of fuses...