30 Bunch: the site of a near-nuclear colony incident. Is the birthplace of the Zoanoid (called “Reef” on Earth) alt-cult. Colonists from Side 1, Espacially 30 Bunch are known throughout the Orbital republic for their capacity to transform like were-wolves into bestial genetic-mutants called “Zoanoids” to fight or perform work that is beyond the capacity of the human body.
The Zoanoids live in a world of mutable form, where one moment you’re a humanoid whale with huge claws and slashing fangs; the next, a speedy cheetah-like runner hurtling at 60mph through the labyrinths of the urban jungle. They are protean, always changing shape and abilities to meet the next challenge; the next deadlyadventure. All that matters to them is the person inside; the bastard child of a diverse world full of myriad life forms, who takes new forms and keeps on ticking.
If you play a Zoanoid you’ve been made over, Transformed. And Change is just part of the equation; the variable that is You. Now you're part of broader circle of life from Earth.
Background
Driven from his titanic Chicago rebuilding project by the ravages of the 4th Corporate War, Richard Storm led a private army to the 30 Bunch colony cluster. Hoping to regroup Storm Technologies (and finish work on his recently discovered transform viral technology), Storm arrived to find his colony unfinished and its inhabitants barely holding on. Needing more cryptoplan (a super plastic used on Earth to construct underwater habitats) to finish the colony, he soon made contact with Amanda Russell, the CEO of of branch of POSEIDON Industries (the maker of the building material).One of three space exploitation groups at the center of the recent human migration, POSEIDON maintained numerous Space Stations and a floatingcity (Atlantis) off the Gulf Coast. A member of Russell's personal bodyguard during the 4th Corp Wa r, the heavily cybered "Neptune" had founded a new philosophy called Aqua Genesis,which advocated the use of cyberengineering to optimize man for life in space. Neptune immediately realized that Storm's transform virus was the key to realizing his dream—and also a way to save the millions displaced to half finished colonies.
Teamed up with Storm, Neptune's charisma and vision swept Amanda and others into his dream, and the three began a drive to transform the refugees into space-dwelling "neo-Atlantians" and expand 30 Bunch into aself-sustaining culture.
In UCEX, Side 1 "Zoa" is a network of colonies primarily scattered throughout LaGrange Point 5. Each colony is a self sufficient entity, with a population of permanent residents who have been “transformed” for survival .In addition, “zOANOIDS” have started to establish new colonies ON EARTH to mine the vast, sunken offshore parts of Los Angeles, Night City and New York.
Turf
Since Reefers are adapted to living in harsh conditions, their Colonies more closely resemble the old “Sea Lab” habitats of the late 20th century than anything else. Clusters of cryptoplan spheres and cylinders are joined by airtight guidelines, shuttle routes and the occasional cryptoplan tunnel. There are airtight drydock garages, patrolled by vigilant packs of trained bio-soldiers. Sneaking in Zoa is difficult, to say the least.
One area of interface with other Altcults is the recent expansion of Zoa into the flooded zones of coastal Old Cities on Earth. In these areas, Zoanoids are morelikely to throw up a few dozen bubble domes and link them via docks and tubes to the surface (and other Altcults they can trade with).
Cultural Memes
• Man came from the Earth. We need to use all of natures tricks to claim our new home in Space. Only then can we become Homo Superior.
• Your body is only skin deep. It’s what you are inside that survives.
• Change is constant. Roll with it, or get rolled under.
Cultural Traits
Zoanoids are somewhat clannish and cool-mannered toward other humans. They‘re used to operating alone or in small teams (on drill rigs, in space crews, or out on the sea farms), and this means social bonds are tight and restricted to a few people. They are also a bit arrogant; something to be expected when the typical citizenis a seven foot tall, three hundred plus pound beast-man. The philosophies of Aqua Genesis, with their emphasis on self-evolution and racial destiny also tend to support this superiority complex.
Lifestyle
Where you live:
Your home is one of the thousands of bubbles that are attached to lifelines along the Cluster. It's a sphere of superhardened glass, with heat, light and power elements molded right into the structure. Polarization filters can let in as much light as you want. Your furnishings are mostly utilitarian,with storage, kitchen, sanitary and sleeping modules stuck to the glass walls with nano-glue and suction cups.
What you wear:
If you're fully transformed, you stick to a digital fabric speedo in various colors. Otherwise, the uniform of the day is a full body skinsuit that keeps you warm. It's also got a sintered gel padding over the important bits, making it as good as most Edgerunner armor.
Typical Reefer Weapons
Torpedo Spear: 2m/yds long spear with capacitor-shock charge in the head. The spear can be thrust like a lance, using the half m/yd monoglass head as a stabbing weapon, or it can be thrown, triggering its torpedo mode. Once thrown, the spear will follow a target up to 300m/yds with limited sonar target-acquisition ability (50%) before motor shuts down. A built in sonic beacon helps the owner locate it even in the depths of the abyss.
EX...+2...N...U...6D6...NA...1...VR...300M/YDS
Torpedo Spear: 2m/yds long spear with capacitor-shock charge in the head. The spear can be thrust like a lance, using the half m/yd monoglass head as a stabbing weapon, or it can be thrown, triggering its torpedo mode. Once thrown, the spear will follow a target up to 300m/yds with limited sonar target-acquisition ability (50%) before motor shuts down. A built in sonic beacon helps the owner locate it even in the depths of the abyss.
EX...+2...N...U...6D6...NA...1...VR...300M/YDS
Missilegun: Missileguns are next generation gyropistols, with intelligent explosive-tipped bullets that lock onto a target. Missileguns come with several loadouts for combating cyborgs and powered armors. Reefers like them because they can be fired underwater and carry loadouts big enough to drop a whale.
P...+1...J...U...6d6...10...1...ST...150M/YDS
P...+1...J...U...6d6...10...1...ST...150M/YDS
Monofists: These are reinforced knuckledusters tipped with monoblade punch daggers. A favorite close combat weapon, because unlike a knife, blades don’t interfere with swimming.
MELEE...+2...J...U...2d6EACH...NA...1...VR
MELEE...+2...J...U...2d6EACH...NA...1...VR
Cybertech: Transform Nodes
Transform Nodes generate T-viruses that change the replication of cells at incredibly fast speeds. The result is an human who can change shape, color, or gain new physical abilities as desired. When the transform node is "empty,” the cell's normal DNA is no longer suppressed and it reverts back to normal. With random mutations and cancerous growths restrained by a web of special bio-check systems, Zoanoids (as they are called), can become immensely strong or fast, alter their inner organs to breathe water or consume poisons, even change sex as long as their nodes produce the right types of viral DNA.
Advantage:
the ability to change your physical body the way others change clothes, gaining superhuman abilities in the process.
