The NorCal-SoCal Border Wall is located between the borders of North and South California, as well as Night City.
History[]
2000s - 2020s[]
California became a Free State in 2002. Over the course of the following years, the relations between the northern and southern areas of the state deteriorated. The increasing control exercised by the Los Angeles Metroplex, as well as the reoccurring number of pro-urban and anti-rural laws and regulations being put forward led the northern counties to vote to secede after they had grown tired of the unequal treatment from the counties in the south. This friction ended up with the Northern Separation War of 2011, in which major roads, highways and other crucial infrastructures connecting both regions were destroyed. This conflict ended in 2012 with the Northern Separation Treaty delimitating the border between both Californias, and allowing the counties in the north to form the Free State of Northern California (NorCal). With its capital in Sacramento, this new state became the most recent addition to North America. Thus, the old California became the Free State of Allied Southern California (SoCal), centered around the Los Angeles Metroplex and with its capital in San Diego. Although many roads and highways (such as 1 or 101) had been destroyed in the process, the border was not physical. Highway patrols from both states tried to maintain the roads as secure as possible, but road gangs were a common presence.
Initially, the United States of America did not accept Northern California, but a number of deals and treaties eventually led to the recognition in 2016. Among these deals was the construction of the NorCal Military Base, a local base of operations for the US armed forces near the border with SoCal. The location for this facility was decided to be in the greater Night City area. Soon after, a number of roads were repaired, including Route 1, though the old Highway 101 portion connecting to the south was not recovered. Other major roads between the states were Route 99, connecting NorCal's Fresno with Socal's Bakersfield, or the Interstate 5, whose border was so transited that a new settlement known as Stateline was formed in the highway.[1][2]
2060s - 2070s[]
Between 2069 and 2070, everything would change when SoCal rejoined the New United States of America and fought against the Free State of NorCal during the Unification War. Portions of the border were filled with mines, creating dangerous minefields that would be left abandoned and a menace to anyone approaching them.[3] After the war, a concrete border wall between both Californias was built by the NUSA. Even though Night City had gained its independence from the North, the metropolis was considered to be inside disputed territory, thus the border was extended through the Badlands south of the city.[4][5] Once finished, the wall prevented smuggling and illegal crossings between the south and the north. The southern section of the wall was tasked to be guarded by the SoCal Border Patrol, with the occasional help from the Militech corporation. NorCal took care of parts of the northern section, and firefights were not uncommon with either state, Raffen Shiv or other nomad groups. Much of the wall was inside an AWACS Zone warning (Airborne Warning and Control System), which was patrolled by Militech drones. If the area was not cleared in time, any vehicle or person was targeted by missiles. Over the years, this area would become filled with smoldering wrecks.[6]
By 2077, tensions between both states was still high, and hearing warning gunfire from both sides was common occurrence.[5][7] Nomad families like the Aldecaldos had built a number of hidden tunnels to cross from one side of the border to the other. One of the first ones was a smuggling tunnel near the Night City border.[8]
Layout[]
The border extended from the Pacific Coast all the way to the Free State of Nevada. Major settlements near the border included Night City or Stateline, and multiple checkpoints — such as the one near Night City — dotted it. Important known highways connecting both states included Highway 126, Route 1, Route 99, or Interstate 5 around 2020, and Highway 101 in 2077.
The wall portion south of Night City extended from the Pacific coast in the west, along the Biotechnica Flats, and continued to the mountains east of Rattlesnake Creek.[6]
Database Entry[]
BORDER WALL
The border between North and South California is marked by a thick, forbidding wall meant to prevent smuggling and illegal crossings. The checkpoint is guarded by the SoCal border patrol, which is backed by corporate forces. You'll need plenty of skill, cunning, sometimes even a dash of luck to get through.
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ MACDONALD, M. Home of the Brave. Berkeley, CA, R. Talsorian Games, 1992. (pp.109–113)
- ↑ PONDSMITH, M. Night City Sourcebook. Berkeley, CA, R. Talsorian Games, 1991. (pp.6–7,13,179)
- ↑ CD Projekt RED. Cyberpunk 2077. Video Game, Multi-Platform. Poland, CD Projekt S.A., 2020. (Border Wall & Minefield Database Entries)
- ↑ The Wall
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Tourism advisory: Stay within city limits!
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 CD Projekt RED. Cyberpunk 2077. Video Game, Multi-Platform. Poland, CD Projekt S.A., 2020.
- ↑ CD Projekt RED. A Visitor's Guide to Night City. Poland, CD Projekt S.A., 2019. (pp.17,66)
- ↑ All Along the Watchtower