World Headcanon - MegaMetropolis
Theme
MegaMetropolis is a city unlike any other, especially to those who discover it for the first time. It is located in the universe 478-FCITY (On the United Government’s Ministry of Science’s ‘FasTrack’ Coordinate Register). It's actually a planet called Utopia, funnily enough, but the stories tend to purely focus on the biggest city, MegaMetropolis, so the world according to the United Government and it's inhabitants just gets called 'MegaMetropolis' for the time being, until further of the world has been explored.
The discovery of MegaMetroplis actually occurred in 1998, one of the very first universes looked at, at the start of the Field Operations Program. Very quickly did the discovery turn into quite the investigation, and the investigation quickly turned into the U.G. making a formal approach to the nation of the capital city, Staia. Unlike Terra Nova, the U.G. only approached one government so far, with investigations still continuing, albeit under different Operators. While the process had started in 2000, with much progress achieved, alliance negotiations are still ongoing, though far further along than of Terra Nova. Most people understand and know the existence of inter-dimensional travel, one reason being that they are easier to inform, thanks to the level of technology the city has.
Unlike Terra Nova too, Authrum has a lot to learn from MegaMetropolis. It is a city of the future, born from ambitious entrepreneurship and enterprise. Much of the work done in creating the city has been in private hands, with only a few Government departments keeping things in order. Flying cars, literal skyscrapers for miles and miles. It's hard to even see the sky unless you're standing in the right spot. The streets are populated with ads about all sorts of products. It has also become a home to a few interstellar species as well, the planet and the city now also becoming a case study for coexistence.
One could consider an aesthetic of it being, clearly, set in the future, but that the future was envisaged decades ago, say a 1970s/1980s future. A futuristic retro of sorts.
The Suburban Transport Authority does run trains through MegaMetropolis, but an emissions policy only allows railcars to be run one specific way. They utilise the trackage just fine, but if they are not overhead-electric or third rail EMUs, they must use MegaMetropolis' special power system while on such lines. Diesel railcars can utilise this system with a few conversions, as long as their engines remain idle in the process. Thanks to how things have progressed on the planet, vehicles and cars run on green-friendly fuels or methods. Emissions must be kept to an absolute minimum, even for freight consists. Steam locomotives, being of a heritage class and of more complicated design, are exempt from this.
As of current canon, the stories currently seen in the world focus on the immense city in itself. However, and Operator is posted in such a world and is investigating other countries/locations further.
It is of course connected to the Inter-Dimensional Network and is part of the Super Express route. Despite it's co-existence with people, cultures and species, it has been noted that incidents have occured in the past, with some tensions unresolved, in the city, in the planet, even beyond. Vibrant, but not considered to be completely at peace.
Notable Locations:
Railway Station: One of the most impressive railway stations ever seen, boasting several upon several platforms, taking people to other cities, countries.. soon even to other planets, as well as being part of the STA’s ‘Super Express’. The STA only uses a few specific platforms, each section dedicated to a specific route or organisation.
Hakanuchi Shopping Precinct: An immense shopping centre, spanning quite a stretch and boasting several floors. You really can get practically anything here, even some products from Authrum and, on occasion, Terra Nova. You think of it, it exists here. It also boasts one of the biggest food courts ever seen, cuisines from all over the planet, other planets, as well as familiar ‘Earth-like’ dishes from all cultures.
Game Central: The most popular arcade in all of MegaMetropolis, another building of immense proportions. Many a video game, even sporting game, is located here. There’s physical games like air hockey, hoop shooting, goal scoring, but plenty of the proper arcade games as well. There is even a section devoted to some of the real ‘retro’ stuff, though a few have been imported from Authrum. The centerpiece is the ‘Immersive Experience’, where video games can become so real, so life-like you’re actually ‘in’ the game itself, creating spectacular mechanics and deeply involved storylines. Recently limits have been instilled on the Immersive Experiences, so that people don’t end up ‘living’ in the game, wasting valuable time.. and worrying friends and family.
Junk Food Corner: Despite Hakanuchi’s vast food court, there is a literal part of the city dedicated to... fast food. No gourmet, cafe style restaurants here. It’s all grab-n-go, from all the big food chains. There’s even a map pointing you to where you need to go, but no matter what time of day.. or what day it is, you still always see people, looking at that map, wondering where to go eat. One also has to wonder, how did certain chains end up in a city like this? Who has been talking to who?
Crimson Avenue: A rumoured location of MegaMetropolis spoken about only in whispers. A place so secret, you have to visit in only through one specific, concealed entrance, passing through all manner of security, just to get inside. Even a giant city would house the illegal, a district beyond what most would call a ‘sleazy town’. Vices of all sorts can be found here. Drugs, alcohol, sex, you name it, it’s here. Mostly visited by the affluent, but some people are able to make it through with the right attitude and charms... oh and by handing over pretty sizable envelopes of cash.
FunZone: A virtual amusement park, partly envisaged by the Immersive Experience system. It keeps with the futuristic theme of the city, but encompasses so many rides and amusements, the freakiest of roller coasters, attractions, creating forces and G’s unlike any other. Foods and treats galore, as well as plenty of interactive attractions. One of the roller coasters however, is located just outside of the virtual entrance. It’s actually REAL roller coaster that goes up, down and around some of the buildings in the city at incredible heights. Only the bravest ever go on this rollercoaster suspended unlike anything one has ever seen. It is of course completely safe, well maintained from day one of operation. There are some other real attractions surrounding the virtual entrance, to give people a taste of what it’s like, visiting such a ‘world’ within a world.
InfoHub: Of course a world like MegaMetropolis would have such a massive library. Mostly it is an interactive library where one can find out about all sorts of information online, through an interactive experience, though too, it does have a section storing all kinds of books, some of which are rarer or more secretive to access. If there is anything you want to find out about (almost) anything, or about the world or universe in general, look no further than the InfoHub. It helps being a member of the Hub too.
Tranquility Gardens: Even in a utopian powerhouse like MegaMetropolis, you would find quite a park to find yourself at peace. (Similar to Madison Square Garden in New York). However, if you think you’re going to be a part of nature, think again. Nothing about the garden is real, nearly all of it is artificial, the grass, the trees, the soil and the flowers. Only the water is real and thankfully kept pure. You see animals in the park? They’re not real too, only robotic. They only serve to be part of the park’s experience. Some could say it’s a history lesson into the past, or that the city decided to give just a bit of nature for those who wanted it, even if, all the actual nature around the city had gone. At least it exists though, for the enjoyment of those who wish to be a part of it. Though, many do end up being turned off by the place, when they find out what they’re actually surrounded by...
------
CANON:
Bowen Chuuno has known of the existence of MegaMetropolis since his first train ride into other universes at fifteen, as well as having been shown around many of the notable places by Leland Brighto. He does like coming back to the city every now and then, noting how incredible the atmosphere is. He likes going to the shopping centre, arcade, as well as FunZone on occasion. Mostly the railway station though. He does want to learn more about this world and how it got to where it is today, as well as finding out more about what such a universe itself could do, how it could be of benefit to others.
