History
Before the Great War, the city of Springfield was the capital of the state of Illinois and a thriving hub of medical research. Like most population centres, the city was wiped out in 2077, killing the vast majority of inhabitants.
By the late 22nd century, Springfield was an organized community of around 500 citizens, with a law enforcement service and an elected mayor. In 2197, the
Midwest Brotherhood of Steel annexed the town, putting its resources to use in the Calculator War. The annexation of Springfield saw the enacting of the "Bill of Monster Rights," guaranteeing the equality of ghouls within the Midwest. This doctrine of universal suffrage would go on to characterize the Midwest Brotherhood, and would later be extended to Super Mutants, robots, AI entities and Synths.
After the calculator was defeated, there were lingering questions as to whether the Midwest Brotherhood would keep direct control over civilian population centres. It was Springfield where the policy was ultimately decided. Mayor Chris Avellone of Springfield demanded civilian independence, and the Brotherhood Elders acquiesced. They wrote the Gamma Town Charter, renaming Springfield in honour of Bunker Gamma, a nearby Brotherhood military base. But they also secured an independent civilian government with absolute control over trade policy, local law enforcement, property rights and zoning rights. The municipalities across the Midwest would pay the Elders in Chicago a yearly protection tax, at a universal rate. The Brotherhood would no longer be able to conscript civilians into combat service, but were able to keep forts within all Midwest municipalities and had broad powers to enforce defence and national-level law enforcement.
Today
Gamma Town in 2317 is a bustling trade centre, equidistant between Chicago and
St. Louis on the old Route 55 superhighway. It has an extensive intake airport, often hosting freight dirigibles from Columbia in
The Rustlands. The population now stands at over 2500, about a sixth that of Chicago.
Gamma Town's tradition of civilian independence was reinforced on May 29th, 2317, when
John Giscala was acquitted of mayoral incompetence. The Midwest Brotherhood was looking to make an example of the mayor, trying to solidify martial law across the region. The three Brotherhood judges in the case issued a legal demand for all Brotherhood personnel to immediately cede control of the municipalities to local mayors.
Important Locations
Prenell Fine Goods: An elaborate emporium of goods, the Prenell Caravan Company has close links to Columbia in The Rustlands.
Gamma Town Roller Circuit: A popular local pass-time in Gamma Town is roller derby. This competitive and often violent team sport supports a league of six professional teams, including the Springfield Isotopes and the Gamma Town Maulers.
Joe's Tavern: A celebrated bar and meeting hall, Joe's has been in operation for over 120 years.
Lotsa Goddam Guns: A passionate love of weapons drives these smiths and their business.
9th Street Orphanage: Since the times of the Calculator War, Gamma Town has had to support a number of orphans. Though the Midwest has become a safer place, the orphanage is still used to provide for many children, funded by the municipal government.
Altar of Atom: The Children of Atom maintain a small altar here, led by Confessor Babineaux.
City Water, Light and Power: The people of Gamma Town maintain many public utilities, including twenty-four hour electricity and street lights. Clean (but irradiated) water is pumped through the city for sewage purposes, though clean water must still be purchased and hauled.
Triumph Tower: After the Calculator War was won, the people of Gamma Town built a 60 foot monument to the victory. The structure serves as a museum and tourist destination (and Brotherhood recruitment tool.)
Public Housing: The demand for homes in Gamma Town and local tax rates have produced a homelessness problem in the city. The local government has dedicated several buildings with subsidized units for low-income citizens. The quality of life in these buildings is significantly lower than in the rest of the city.
Gamma Town City Council: Gamma Town's municipal government is the envy of the Midwest. Perhaps nowhere else in post-war America is there a greater culture of democracy and public service. Citizens celebrate the Gamma Town charter and take their opposition to pressure from the Brotherhood of Steel as a point of local pride. The city's current mayor is Zahra Sabeen. This structure also serves as the city's centre of law enforcement and penitentiary.
Pitt International Finance: The rich business concerns of The Rustlands capital offer a variety of financial products, including loans, insurance and currency exchanges.
Memorial Hospital: Medical services are available for hire at this large facility. The rates for citizens are heavily subsidized for city residents.
Moxie Massage: An erotic massage parlour, staffed by a variety of service providers. Gamma Town city laws state that contact with the clients must be non-sexual, but it is well known that such services can be negotiated for.
Acumen Legal: The strength of local government and the adherence to city law has generated a small industry around legal representation. Acumen Legal hosts some of Gamma Town's finest lawyers. The Brotherhood of Steel itself is their most frequent client.
Dapper Hair and Ink: A busy hair salon and tattoo parlour.
Bunker Gamma: Built during the Calculator War, this extensive Brotherhood base is the centre of operations for the central Illinois region. The bunker is overseen by Paladin Axion.
Statue Park: The people of Gamma Town have often commemorated great figures in their history, including Abraham Lincoln, and the Warrior who won the Calculator War. The latest statue is a tribute to The Heroes of St. Louis and their rescue of students from the St. Louis Attack.
North Village Inn: A large hotel complex which offers multi-bedroom suites for rent.
Cosmic Chemistry: "Doctor" Pia synthesizes chems for sale, her business rigorously regulated by both the Gamma Town Police Department and the Brotherhood of Steel.
Planet Donut: The favourite confection of the area for over 350 years, this restaurant offers a variety of donuts, made twice daily.
Notable People
Paladin Axion: A young and ambitious Brotherhood paladin, Keegan Axion administers this region of the Midwest. He is known as a shrewd negotiator and clever planner. It is often whispered that the Elders in Chicago posted Axion to this position to bring the notoriously independent Gamma Town under greater control.
Confessor Babineaux: An older member of the Children of Atom, Confessor Babineaux has close ties to High Confessor Leo I in Holy Toledo.
Commissioner Matsuda: The head of the Gamma Town Police Department, Otto Matsuda has a reputation for being a hands-on law enforcement officer, often conducting raids and interrogations himself. His authority constantly overlaps with that of the Brotherhood, and he has a contentious relationship with Paladin Axion, who he sees as manipulative.
Garnett Brooks: The senior partner at Acumen Legal, Mr. Brooks is thought of as the greatest litigator in the Midwest. He has been taking cases for the Brotherhood for most of his adult life, and has deep ties to the organization.
Mayor Sabeen: Zahra Sabeen was elected for the second time in 2316 on a platform of infrastructure spending and promoting trade. She is known as a detached and cold leader, more interested in legislation than engaging with the public.
Sashi Mishna: The president and operator of the Prenell Caravan Company, she manages extensive trade shipments between Chicago and St. Louis within the Midwest, as well as shipments to and from The Rustlands and The Capitol.
Doctor Pia: A professional chemist and amateur psychonaut, she is constantly frustrated by the legal restraints placed on chems. She is always interested in new chems and chemical agents.
Bob Hanssen: A veteran lawyer on permanent retainer with the Gamma Town City Council, Bob generally works setting up adoptions with the 9th Street Orphanage, and occasionally serves as a public defender. Despite his humanitarian work, he is known to be sneaky and manipulative.
Sargent Ox: A respected Brotherhood NCO, known as a tough leader and trainer. He's an exceptionally large super mutant with a strong left hook.
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