Sigma AU Spotlight: Sigma City

Location

Sigma City is located at the geographic center of the United States of America.

Brief history

Sigma City was founded as a gigantic settlement sometime in the middle of World War 3, after many of the coastal cities in the US had been destroyed and people had been displaced.

It's not entirely known who is credited as the founder, but many attribute it to a single family. During the war, the settlement grew rapidly, and within five years it had become a city of more than 15 million people, with factories producing wartime items and scrap from the ruined coasts being brought in by trains.

WW3 had a profound effect on America, and despite many of the cities being destroyed across the country, nearly the whole of America rose up to build and defend Sigma City.

After the war ended in 2077, Sigma City had become an industrial and technological powerhouse of the planet, not only in terms of the first city to reach one billion residents but also by becoming the physically largest city.

Geography

Sigma City was built at the geographic center of the US because it's the furthest inland and the easiest spot to defend from missile strikes and nuclear weapons, especially due to early warning systems placed all over the rest of the country.

In its current state (Zoey/Etrius/Ilia/Zola timeline) the city is comprised of 1.125 billion residents, is made up of 12 distinct districts arranged in a wheel around a central "hub" district, with 10 "slice districts" and an outer "ring district".

Districts

Outer Ring District

The Outer Ring District serves as Sigma City’s first and final line of defense. The district is primarily populated by SCDF members and their families, most of whom live in high-security compounds or military-style barracks. The district is dotted with SCDF outposts, vehicle depots, and training grounds, all designed to quickly mobilize forces in the event of a threat.

Defensive Role:
The Outer Ring is surrounded by a series of highly advanced defensive structures, including anti-aircraft batteries, missile silos, and automated turrets. Its primary purpose is to protect the city from external threats, though it also serves to monitor and suppress any potential internal uprising. Soldiers here undergo rigorous physical and mental training, ensuring they can respond swiftly to any threat. Despite its focus on defense, the district also provides support for disaster relief operations and other city-wide crises.

Military Culture:
The people of the Outer Ring live with a distinct military culture. Children grow up seeing military exercises as part of daily life, and many are expected to join the SCDF when they come of age. Civilian life here is a mix of duty, with tightly-knit communities forming around the various bases. There is little tolerance for crime, and disciplinary measures within this district are often handled internally by the SCDF rather than through the city's legal system.

The Central Hub
At the core of Sigma City is the Central Hub, an opulent and exclusive district that serves as the seat of the city’s government and the residence for the ultra-wealthy elite that have outgrown the Business District. The Central Hub is a fortress of luxury, shielded from the realities of the rest of the city. Its streets are spotless, its buildings towering examples of cutting-edge architecture, and its public spaces are serene oases of tranquility, shielded from the noise and pollution of the outer districts.

Government and Influence:
The Central Hub houses the executive branches of government, the offices of powerful corporations, and the headquarters of Sigma City's ruling family. The district is also where the most important political decisions are made, and where laws governing the entire city are passed. The ruling family holds an almost godlike presence here, protected by the SCDF directly.

Separation from the Masses:
The Central Hub is disconnected from the everyday life of most citizens. The wealthiest of Sigma City's residents live here in penthouse apartments or sprawling estates, never having to venture into the lower districts. The ruling family’s estate is a monument to opulence, designed to emphasize their absolute power and control over Sigma City. Access to the Central Hub is highly restricted, and only those with high-level government clearance or immense wealth can enter.

1. Business District

The Business District of Sigma City is the lifeblood of the city’s economic machinery. Towering skyscrapers dominate the skyline, housing multinational corporations, financial institutions, and the executive offices of Sigma City's most influential families. The district operates on a rigid schedule, with its parks and public areas closing as the stock market closes for the day, signifying the end of business hours. Unlike other districts, time is literally money here, and efficiency is paramount. Streets are immaculate and lined with digital billboards flashing stock updates, currency exchange rates, and business news.

Public Conduct and Law Enforcement:
The Business District heavily criminalizes homelessness and public misconduct. Harsh punishments await anyone caught loitering, littering, or even emitting offensive odors. The philosophy behind this is one of maintaining order, cleanliness, and a constant professional atmosphere—any disruption of this is viewed as an attack on the district’s image. Police patrols are frequent, and violators are quickly processed. Security forces within the district work closely with corporate entities, sometimes enforcing laws specifically on behalf of influential businesses.

Despite the harsh legal system, the district is also known for its extravagant lifestyle. High-end boutiques, elite restaurants, and private clubs cater to the ultra-wealthy. Only the wealthiest residents can afford to live here, and they often have access to the most secure and advanced technology the city has to offer, including private security systems and safe rooms.

2. Prison District

The Prison District is a walled-off section of Sigma City that houses the city's most dangerous criminals, political dissidents, and anyone deemed a long-term threat to public safety. Unlike the rest of the city, the district is heavily fortified with towering concrete walls, automated turrets, and constant aerial drone surveillance. Entry into and exit from this district is strictly regulated by the SCDF, and unauthorized attempts to breach its walls are met with deadly force.

Inside the Walls:

Life inside the Prison District is brutal. The district operates as a semi-autonomous zone where lawlessness reigns. Organized gangs control much of the inner workings, including black market trades, resource distribution, and power struggles. The SCDF’s involvement is limited to maintaining the perimeter and ensuring no one escapes; beyond that, the prisoners govern themselves.

Sentencing and Prison Life:
People sentenced to the Prison District rarely ever leave. Sentences here range from a few months for repeat offenders or corporate criminals, to life imprisonment for major offenses. The district houses a mix of hardened criminals and those who’ve simply lost the social game in Sigma City’s cutthroat environment, such as whistleblowers or rebellious citizens. It’s said that surviving in the district for long enough transforms prisoners into something far more dangerous than they were upon entry.

3. Industrial District

The Industrial District is the engine that powers Sigma City. Home to factories, warehouses, and mass production facilities, this district is responsible for manufacturing nearly everything the city requires—from military hardware to consumer electronics. The air here is thick with smoke and the hum of machinery, giving the entire district an ever-present background noise of progress. Due to the scale of production, it's heavily policed by the SCIDPD, which ensures safety, security, and adherence to strict labor laws.

Working Class and Regulations:
The district is populated by a primarily working-class populace, many of whom live in dormitory-style housing provided by the companies they work for. Work shifts are long, often grueling, and the workers are subject to strict oversight. Safety protocols are taken seriously, but accidents still happen, and worker injuries are not uncommon.

Corporate Control:
Corporations wield immense power in the Industrial District, often determining the laws and regulations that govern the workforce. Unions are weak, and any attempt to organize or protest is quickly shut down, sometimes violently. The district is known for its brutal efficiency, with entire blocks dedicated to specific types of production, such as weapons manufacturing, food processing, or vehicle assembly. Resources flow in and out of the district constantly, and any disruption can have a city-wide impact.

4. Forest and Agriculture District

The Forest and Agriculture District is an oasis of greenery and life within the otherwise heavily industrial and urban sprawl of Sigma City. It plays a crucial role in food production and environmental sustainability, providing the city with fresh crops, livestock, and timber. This district is unique in that it represents a conscious effort by the city to reclaim and maintain some form of natural balance amidst the post-apocalyptic landscape outside the city's borders.

Design and Layout:
The district is divided into various zones, each dedicated to different types of agriculture. There are sprawling fields where crops are grown both for food and biofuels, as well as greenhouses for more delicate or exotic plants. Forested areas, many of them artificial or genetically modified to grow faster, cover vast tracts of land and serve both a functional and aesthetic purpose. Lumber from these forests is used in the city's construction efforts, while certain areas are protected as parks or recreational spaces for citizens.

The district’s atmosphere is a contrast to the rest of Sigma City. Instead of towering skyscrapers and industrial noise, the air is fresh, and the sounds of birds and livestock are more common. The district is also home to a sizable population of workers and researchers who manage the farms, forests, and eco-projects. There are small villages where agricultural workers live, their lives largely dictated by the rhythm of the seasons rather than the pulse of commerce.

Technological Integration:
The Forest and Agriculture District is highly efficient thanks to technological advances. Automated drones monitor crops, irrigation systems are controlled by AI to ensure maximum yield, and genetically engineered crops provide higher nutritional value and require less land. There are experimental farms where scientists work on restoring lost plant species, attempting to rewild certain areas of the district and beyond the city’s borders.

Challenges:
Despite its appearance as a peaceful area, the district faces constant challenges. Harsh weather patterns, remnants of radiation, and other environmental issues from the global fallout still affect production, requiring constant vigilance and innovation. In addition, criminal organizations sometimes attempt to smuggle resources from the district, knowing that control over food can mean significant power in a post-apocalyptic world.

5. Aviation District (Sigma City Jetport)

The Aviation District, or SC Jetport, serves as Sigma City's primary connection to the outside world. As the city’s only jetport large enough to handle long-range flights, this district is a bustling hub of activity, filled with travelers, air freight, and military personnel. The district is unique in that it functions almost like a self-contained small city, complete with its own residential areas, commercial zones, and infrastructure to support the constant influx of people.

Design and Layout:
The Jetport is a massive structure, designed to accommodate both civilian and military aircraft. Huge runways stretch across the district, capable of handling the largest cargo planes and jetliners. The terminal itself is sleek and modern, filled with duty-free shops, restaurants, and luxury lounges for wealthy travelers, alongside more utilitarian facilities for everyday commuters. The air traffic control tower looms over the district, coordinating flights to and from distant cities like Berlin, St. Petersburg, and other megacities.

Surrounding the jetport is a town that caters to both airport workers and travelers. There are residential areas for pilots, engineers, and other staff who keep the airport running smoothly. These neighborhoods are filled with small apartment complexes, schools, grocery stores, and cafes—creating an almost suburban feel within the confines of a major transport hub. Many people here live and work in the aviation sector, and the constant buzz of planes taking off and landing is part of daily life.

International Connections:
The Aviation District serves as Sigma City’s lifeline to the world beyond. It’s not just a place for passengers—it's also a crucial hub for the import and export of goods. Rare resources, medical supplies, and luxury items come in via this district, while exports of advanced Sigma City technology and manufactured goods flow out. The airfield is also home to a large military base, where the SCDF houses its air force and maintains aircraft for defense and surveillance operations. As one of the few ways in or out of the city, the district is heavily fortified and monitored by both civilian and military authorities.

Trade and Diplomacy:
Due to its international significance, the Jetport District is a hotspot for diplomatic missions and foreign delegations. The district often hosts dignitaries from other megacities, seeking trade agreements or political alliances. As a result, high levels of security and surveillance are constant, and tensions sometimes flare when rival megacities visit.

6. Suburban District

The Suburban District represents the dream of "normal life" in Sigma City. It is the most peaceful and mundane district, designed for citizens who seek a slower pace of life away from the hustle and bustle of the industrial, business, and inner city districts. The district has a wealth cap, meaning residents can only accumulate a certain amount of wealth before they are required to relocate. Conversely, those who fall beneath a minimum financial threshold are also forced to move, ensuring a stable middle-class population.

Design and Layout:
The streets of the Suburban District are lined with neatly kept houses, small businesses, and local schools. Parks and community centers are scattered throughout the district, offering families and residents places to gather, play, and unwind. The area is known for its family-friendly atmosphere, with high schools, colleges, and small businesses forming the backbone of the local economy. Public transport is efficient but less frequent here, as many residents own personal vehicles—rare luxuries in other parts of the city.

Wealth Cap Enforcement:

The district’s unique wealth cap system ensures that the residents remain in a fixed economic range. The local government tracks financial activity closely, and if a resident’s wealth surpasses the allowed threshold, they are politely asked to relocate to a wealthier district, such as the Business District or the Hub. Conversely, if a family falls below the minimum wealth requirement, they are moved to a lower-income area or provided assistance to improve their standing. This system ensures that the district maintains its middle-class identity and prevents drastic wealth disparities.

Normal Life in Sigma City:
In contrast to the high-stakes, cutthroat nature of other districts, the Suburban District offers a more traditional sense of community. Small businesses like coffee shops, bookstores, and family-owned restaurants thrive here. It’s a district where people can raise children, send them to school, and live relatively ordinary lives—albeit with the ever-present backdrop of Sigma City’s post-apocalyptic reality. Many who live here work in other districts, commuting to their jobs in the Business District, Industrial District, or even the SCDF's Outer Ring.

Social Pressures:
Despite its relative peace, the Suburban District is not without social pressures. The wealth cap creates a certain level of tension, as people strive to maintain a specific economic status without crossing into poverty or excess. Some families, unwilling to leave the district, find creative ways to hide their wealth or underreport their earnings to avoid being relocated. Social conformity is also encouraged, as residents who fall outside the norm—whether through excessive wealth or poverty—are seen as disrupting the balance of the community.

7. Welfare District

The Welfare District, sometimes referred to more cynically as the Slum District, is the place where Sigma City’s most vulnerable residents live—those who are unable to work or fully support themselves due to physical or mental disabilities, chronic illness, or socioeconomic struggles. The district is largely sustained through government subsidies, welfare programs, and specialized industries that employ people based on their abilities. It is a district burdened with challenges, but also home to a resilient community trying to make the best of their circumstances.

Design and Layout:
Unlike the more well-kept parts of Sigma City, the Welfare District is marked by aging infrastructure, overcrowded housing, and the ever-present struggle to make ends meet. Large, multi-story housing blocks dominate the skyline, many of which are subsidized by the city. These buildings are functional but far from luxurious, often in need of repair. Streets are narrow and filled with a mix of small market stalls, run-down businesses, and government offices that handle welfare cases.
There are hospitals, care facilities, and mental health centers scattered throughout the district, all of which are constantly busy. Many of the district’s residents suffer from chronic health conditions, and while the city provides basic care, the waiting lists for treatment and services are long. Local community centers are a lifeline for residents, offering a place to socialize, find support, and take part in therapy or rehabilitation programs.

Community and Business:
Despite the dire living conditions, the Welfare District has a strong sense of community. Businesses in this district are often run by people with disabilities who have become experts in niche fields. These include tech repair shops, custom manufacturing, and artistry where creativity and skill take precedence over physical labor. These entrepreneurs often employ others within the district, creating a small but determined economy.

In some ways, the Welfare District has become a hub of innovation, where necessity drives residents to find creative solutions to problems. While the city at large might view the district with pity or disregard, those who live there often take pride in their resilience. This gives the district a sense of hope amidst its struggles, and there are a few success stories of people using their talents to rise from poverty, though such cases are rare.

Crime and Desperation:
However, the district is not without its darker side. Crime is prevalent, as the desperation of poverty drives many to theft, drug dealing, or worse. Organized crime has a strong presence here, exploiting the vulnerable. The SCDF largely ignores minor criminal activity within the district, as the authorities focus on more critical areas of the city. The residents know they are mostly left to fend for themselves, and as a result, a kind of underground economy exists, where people barter for goods and services that might not be accessible through legal channels.

8. Education District

The Education District is dedicated to learning and research, housing Sigma City's top universities, technical colleges, research institutes, and educational facilities. It's the intellectual heart of the city, attracting students, academics, and innovators from all over. This district is vital for shaping the city's future workforce and technological advancements, with an emphasis on science, engineering, medicine, and post-apocalyptic environmental studies.

Design and Layout:
The Education District is a combination of sprawling university campuses, modern laboratories, and student housing. The architecture here is sleek and futuristic, showcasing the cutting-edge technology being developed within its boundaries. Public libraries, lecture halls, and research facilities are scattered throughout, along with open parks where students gather to socialize or collaborate on projects. The district is also home to various tech startups and incubators, providing a bridge between academia and the business world.

Focus on Research and Innovation:
Much of the district’s focus is on solving the challenges that emerged after the global catastrophe. Environmental science programs work on developing new ways to reclaim irradiated land or clean contaminated water. The city’s best and brightest come here to study ways to improve the quality of life within Sigma City, whether through technological advancements or social reforms.

The district is also a hub for AI development and cybernetics research, with close ties to the Industrial District. Many of the innovations developed here feed directly into the city’s industries, providing the intellectual capital needed for Sigma City to maintain its position as a global power.

9. Medical District

The Medical District is the healthcare hub of Sigma City, home to the city’s largest hospitals, medical research facilities, and pharmaceutical companies. This district is vital for the city’s overall well-being, not only treating patients but also developing advanced medical technologies and treatments for a post-apocalyptic world.

Design and Layout:
The Medical District is a clinical, highly regulated zone. It’s filled with towering hospital complexes, specialized treatment centers, and research labs. The district is divided into zones, with some areas focusing on general healthcare and emergency treatment, while others are dedicated to cutting-edge research in fields like gene therapy, radiation sickness treatments, cybernetics, and life extension. The Central Trauma Center, a massive hospital, is the district's focal point, with a reputation for treating everyone from the city's elite to the most unfortunate.

Experimental Medicine and Cybernetics:
Much like the Education District, the Medical District is on the forefront of experimentation. Sigma City's reliance on cybernetics and augmentation has led to a thriving industry within the Medical District, where injured soldiers, disabled citizens, and those simply looking to enhance their physical capabilities can get cybernetic implants. Research into advanced prosthetics and neural interfaces is one of the district's specialties, and its doctors and scientists are considered among the best in the world.

However, this also leads to ethical dilemmas, as the lines between necessary medical care and experimental augmentation blur. Many residents of the Welfare District, in particular, volunteer for medical trials in the hopes of receiving treatment or escaping poverty, often with uncertain outcomes.

10. Entertainment District

The Entertainment District is where Sigma City's residents go to unwind and have fun. It’s home to theaters, casinos, nightclubs, theme parks, and even illegal underground clubs. This district never sleeps, offering endless opportunities for indulgence, entertainment, and vice. It's the city’s heart of distraction, where people go to forget their troubles.

Design and Layout:
Bright lights, loud music, and advertisements dominate the Entertainment District. Skyscrapers house casinos, luxury hotels, and concert venues, while the streets are filled with bars, restaurants, and shops. There’s something for everyone here—whether you're a wealthy elite looking for exclusive high-end experiences, or someone from the Welfare District looking for cheap thrills.

The Entertainment Strip, a long boulevard packed with neon signs and massive screens, is the centerpiece of the district. It's where the city's biggest performances and events happen, drawing crowds from all walks of life. Beyond the Strip, you'll find more specialized areas, from theaters hosting the latest VR experiences to grittier sections known for underground gambling dens and black-market shops.