Olympus Mons

"For a rural planet, they certainly know how to city correctly. I guess that means all those homesteads are a choice." ~Abednego Cansaman, Technocrat of Earth

Pyramid on Mars

The whole city is built on Olympus Mons, the largest mountain anywhere in the Sol System. The landscape was terraced, with deep steps cut into the mountain to form city blocks. Hovercraft and elevators are the only ways to travel between the layers, and the top of the mountain has been capped and is the seat of Free Mars.

Brutal Practicality

The stratisfied steps and restricted access facilitate an ascending aristocratic and oligarchical economic caste system, but that's not what it's for. The city in its original stratified form was built by Clan Neamhan, and every facet of it is built to bolster the city's status as an unbreakable citadel. The restricted access prevents armies from marching on the city easily, the buildings are ray shielded like starships, every lower step is dominated by a wide lane that ensures annihilation of thousands of enemies attampting to cross it. The city is beautiful, but it is more deadly than its gorgeous vistas would belie.

Very Real Problems

There is crime, like in any city. The beleagured and understaffed Martian Defense Corps attempt to maintain some semblance of law and order, but Vigilantes handle most of the enforcement and norms. Of particular note is a mysterious vigilante known as "Son of the Horseman," who has plagued the city's underworld. A standing bounty of $1,000,000 Chits remains unclaimed, posted by Three Suns Paradisio.