Located in the north central part of the Republic of Texas, Arlington is one of
the largest cities in the nation, second only to Houston. It has an approximate
population of 850,000, and is the centre of automotive and food production in the
Republic.
Arlington was well suited to endure the Wars. Not only was it the location of the local National Guard armory, but it was also the home of Bell Helicopter. As everyone knows, Bell Helicopter (now Republic Helicopter) was essential to the war effort, providing the helicopter gunships that gave the Texas Army vital air superiority.
The coup-de-grace for many cities was the food riots of 2016. Dallas and Fort Worth collapsed due to internal rioting and marauding scavengers. Arlington had few entrances, all of which were easily defended by local police and army units. Arlington was also the home of a little-known (then) company called ConTexCo. Before the War for Freedom, ConTexCo was a small petroleum company, but its refining operations were destroyed in '02. ConTexCo reinvested in food technology, which paid off big in 2016, when they became the first commercial enterprise to grow edible algae at greatly enhanced rates of speed. After 2018, ConTexCo was the largest corporation in the Republic, if not the continent.
Of more interest to autoduellists is the fact that Arlington was also the home of the major General Motors automotive plant. After the secession in 2000, the plant came under the ownership of Grenadier Motors. The plant was the only major automobile manufacturer in the Free Oil States. Arlington was therefore a natural for autoduellists to flock to. And they protected the city well against raiding cycle gangs from the Oklahoma wastelands.
2) University of Arlington. This campus used to be called the University of Texas at Arlington, but Republic funds were cut in 2010. The University is known for its courses in duelling skills, such as Combat Driving Techniques. No duelling is allowed on campus - this is enforced by Campus Police.
3) ConTexCo Headquarters. This is the only fortified part of town. No vehicles at all are allowed within its perimeter, except for authorized ConTexCo vehicles. The company has its own security force and attacker copter.
4) Seven Flags Over Texas. The most popular entertainment centre in the Free Oil States. No combat is allowed on its grounds. Seven Flags is known for its Mini-Ram (bumper) cars and courses, as well as some tamer rides from its pre-independence days.
5) Republic Helicopter. Republic is the largest aircraft manufacturer in North America. The production plants used to be scattered all over the area, but they have been consolidated for protection. Armed vehicles are not allowed near the plant, and any vehicles inside the clearly marked "Authorized Vehicles Only" zones will be challenged by patrol aircraft.
6) Grenadier Motors. GM is protected by its own security vehicles. The plant employs several thousand people, and security is good. Just down the street are several major auto dealers. Custom designs can be submitted at any major dealership for construction at GM. A down payment of half the vehicle's price must be placed with the order. It only takes a month or so to process a design; this is because most vehicle designs are simply modifications of existing models. Special designs with unusual armament, electronics, etc, can take up to several months, though a prestigious autoduellist can get an order filled in just a few weeks.
7) Suburbs. This was a large suburban area called Hurst-Euless-Bedford before it was annexed by Arlington in 2016. This area has many major medical facilities, including a Gold Cross Centre at the H.E.B. Hospital.
8) East and West. These areas contain the ruins of Dallas and Fort Worth. These are generally the home of scum and vermin not allowed into Arlington. The ruins are sometimes used as a base by gangs raiding Arlington from the Oklahoma wastelands. The streets and highways in both cities are dangerous and debris-filled. The AADA recommends caution when travelling these areas.
9) DFW Airport/Arena. This complex is still used to handle the air traffic headed for Arlington. Since that is somewhat rare, the airport owners allow duelling on runways not being used. They tout the complex as the largest duelling arena in the world.
10) Arlington Autoduel Stadium. A standard duelling arena. Although not as large as DFW, it draws more people because of its central location.
The University of Arlington Campus Police number about 35, with five cars. Their colors are blue-red. In case of serious campus trouble, the Campus Police frequently have to request aid from the APD, a fact that less tactful APD officers never let them forget. As a result, Campus Policemen tend to be a bit quick on the trigger and very sensitive about their abilities.
Cycle gangs and other criminal elements are likely to be encountered north, east and west, especially gangs raiding from the Oklahoma wastelands. The largest local gang is the Cowboys, a cruel jest aimed at the area's perennial last-place professional combat football team. The Cowboys claim downtown Dallas as their turf, and headquarter in the base of the fallen Reunion Tower.
The largest autoduelling club is the Arlington Roadsters, who travel in blue vehicles with yellow trim. The Roadsters have risen to the top of the Arlington autoduelling scene by staying out of rather bitter feuds between two previously powerful clubs, the Strangers and the Gryphons. The bloody and often illegal nature of the feud between these two clubs has reduced both sides' numbers dramatically. Despite the fact that both clubs are on AADA-probationary status, the bad blood continues. The Strangers' colors are red with a black triangle on the hood and sides. The Gryphons drive white vehicles with a fighting gryphon symbol. Due to the unpredictable and violent tendencies of both of these groups, caution is advised when any members of either club are encountered.
Duelling is legal in Arlington proper, but common sense - not to mention fear of the very efficient Arlington police - should discourage all but the most necessary combats. Anyone who makes trouble (or even looks threatening) in the vicinity of the Republic Helicopter or Grenadier Motors facilities gets what he deserves - be warned.