The South Night City Zoners, better known simply as the Zoners, are a protest group and gang-in-the-making operating in Night City.
History[]
2040s[]
During the 2040s, the residents of the Combat Zone of South Night City saw how the resources aimed to reinvigorate their district were redirected to the wealthier parts of Night City. A recently formed small group of dedicated activists known as the South Night City Zoners decided to legally protest against this, and went to the office of their district City Manager to receive permission. When the authorities discovered their reasoning for the protest, they were turned down. Despite this outcome, the Zoners protested nonetheless. Their pleas where not heard, but they kept complaining while more locals started to join them. After the second demonstration, the NCPD started to monitor their increasing numbers, and shortly thereafter, began sending police forces into the Zone to quell them.
This process continued for months, with more and more people joining into the protests and the NCPD increasing their surveillance and riot police raids. The Zoners established their home in a neighborhood roughly in the central-northern portion of South Night City, where most members lived in two large housing complexes. The rest joined them from nearby cargo container communities and tent cities. They had meetings two times every month, where they talked about their objectives and shared their limited resources. Fortunately for them, being inside a combat zone meant they were able to loot the occasional cyberware and weaponry from any dead boostergangers.
Of note, the local unofficial fire department led by Tearjerker and her second-in-command Forty Mike-Mike became an essential part of the Zoners, advocating for peace, but not afraid to use violence in order to save lives. Another group that allied with the Zoners were the Jodes, even though they preferred to stay out of the protests. A local resident known as FreeFall was the artist behind much of the Zoners promotional texts as well as one of the movement's leaders.[1]
2045[]
In 2045, tensions reached a boiling point when the Zoners discovered that a portion of their funds had been redirected by Night Corp to upgrade the NCPD First Division headquarters. This protest exploded spontaneously, and even the activist leaders were caught off-guard. For the first time, the Zoner protesters left South Night City and accessed the Glen, marching in direction of the police HQ. While the NCPD constructed barricades, they were not able to match the numbers, and soon enough begun to be overwhelmed. It is unknown by who or to where, but someone threw a Molotov cocktail that kicked off a massive brawl that lasted for hours, resulting in expensive and substantial property damage. The fight ended when a fire erupted in nearby buildings, causing all involved to flee the area.
After this event, the Zoners regrouped. Their goal had not changed, but they were starting to realize they needed more than demonstrations to succeed. This "gang," however, had not yet been formalized, still lacking an infrastructure and proper base of operations.[1] Around this time, the Zoners were also promoted by a mobile pirate radio station in SNC known as 101.9 The Dirge.[2]
Notable Members[]
- Alpha
- Blaze
- Forty Mike-Mike
- FreeFall
- Mister Studd
- Nemo
- Speed Demon
- Tearjerker
- Vanisher
- Wrecker
Notes[]
- The name is inspired by the demonym used for the Combat Zone residents, the Combat Zoners.[3]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 GRAY, J. et al., Danger Gal Dossier. Kenmore, WA, R. Talsorian Games, 2023. (pp.131–133,138)
- ↑ BAREFOOT, R. et al., Nomad Presents Radio. Kenmore, WA, R. Talsorian Games, 2025. (p.7)
- ↑ PONDSMITH, M. Cyberpunk RED Core Rulebook. Kenmore, WA, R. Talsorian Games, 2020. (p.49)