Arbiter: Perdition city

The world has been largely stagnant as the global governing corporations now look to the stars for expanding the known universe.

World war was averted but at what cost? The world is controlled by several large conglomerates who own an estimated 78 % of the planet surface. Even though most larger cities are shared by most corporations, the majority of these are divided into closed communities where their employees live and work in huge complexes. Corporations have their own laws, police, army, space programs and so on. The corporate zones are under strict security and transmitters with subtle suggestions for their inhabitants are keeping order and productivity high. Espionage, conflicts and wars are not uncommon between the corporations, however most conflicts are resolved in rural, non-productive areas or in space and usually does not involve a high percentage of actual soldiers. Instead, long-range weaponry, atomic weapons or sabotage is used until one party feels that enough money has been wasted and settle their disagreements.

There are still "democratic" govenments, although since the corporations are basically completely autocratic at this point, no government has any sort of relevant influence in corporate zones.

Outside the corporate zones, there is a degree of deteriation and violence but it's far from completely lawless. There is an international intelligence agency (often referred to as simply "the bureau"), keeping the remaining regular police force in check, fighting organized crime and meddling in corporate affairs (especially if these take place outside corporate zones). Life outside the zones is very hard and most cities are usually comprised of crowded slums.

About 25 years ago, UNICRON, widely known as the biggest agency for combat personell went bankrupt as most of their artificial soldiers suffered severe malfunctions, causing heavy casualties and loss of funds. Factories went out of comission, entire production sectors shut down and subsequently a great number of employees in the corporate zones lost their jobs and were thrown out. Riots broke out outside the zones but was quickly put down by combined corporate forces.

During this time, a terrorist organization now known as CELL 16 spread throughout the worlds more populated areas. Very little is known about the organisation, as they operate in isolated cells, often outside corporate zones. Nothing in the way of communication between the groups have been discovered by either corporates or the bureau, as the groups all seem to share identical methods, organisation and goals.

Apart from raids on agricultural, mining and farming operations, intrusion, theft and sabotage of corporate property, CELL 16 utilizes a large amount of electronic equipment through skilled engineers, hackers and cyberjockeys.

"ARBITER: Perdition city" focuses on Rebecca, a young computer engineer employed by Nova incorporated in a gated community at New Haven, the largest metropolis in the world.