Olympus

Olympus is a man-made island located in the North Atlantic between the Azores and Canary archipelagos. It is neighbored by several other organized societies. While these nations are not fully democratic, Olympus stands apart with its democratic framework, featuring an elected parliament that governs its affairs.

The city’s population is divided equally between Bioroids and humans, with the Bioroid population comprising about fifty percent. The remaining half consists of humans, the majority of whom are immigrants who fled war-torn nations to find refuge in Olympus. This influx of immigrants has shaped Olympus into a highly multicultural society, where different cultures, ethnicities, and backgrounds coexist, creating a dynamic and often complex social environment. The integration of Bioroids, advanced artificial beings created to serve humanity’s needs, alongside humans, presents both opportunities and challenges. As a result, Olympus stands as a unique experiment in blending technological advancement with human aspirations, striving to build a peaceful and productive society for all its citizens.

At the heart of Olympus’s governance is the Central Management Bureau, a body that acts as a modern successor to the United Nations. This Bureau oversees everything from civil administration and resource allocation to international diplomacy. It is tasked with managing the delicate balance between human and Bioroid populations and ensuring that Olympus remains stable amidst the complexities of a divided world. The Bureau strives to create a utopia where both groups can coexist peacefully, but tensions between human and Bioroid citizens do arise. The Bureau also faces the challenge of maintaining order and peace both internally and with neighboring powers. To assist in this effort, Olympus houses ESWAT, an elite paramilitary force, and the O.R.A., a military organization that can be seen as a replacement for NATO. These organizations are tasked with defending Olympus from external threats, managing internal dissent, and ensuring that the city’s ideals are upheld.

A critical element of Olympus’s infrastructure is Gaia, a massive biological supercomputer located at the core of the Tartaros arcology, Olympus’s main complex. Gaia is a self-propagating entity that expands its network automatically as the city evolves, making it an integral part of the city’s day-to-day operations. It interfaces with a multitude of terminals installed in public areas, collecting data from the citizens of Olympus and using that information to offer advice to the Central Management Bureau. These terminals allow citizens to voice their opinions on a wide range of topics, offering the public a direct link to governance and the issues of the day.

Gaia plays a critical advisory role, offering impartial and data-driven counsel on public matters and global governance. Its input even extends to more controversial decisions, such as whether or not natural humans should be replaced by Bioroids. While Gaia is programmed to remain neutral, the Seven Elders, a group of influential figures within Olympus, have been known to manipulate Gaia’s recommendations to suit their own agendas. Despite these manipulations, Gaia’s guidance is still crucial for decision-making at the highest levels of government.

In addition to its advisory role, Gaia controls all power generation facilities within Olympus, including at least one backup nuclear generator, ensuring that the city’s energy needs are met. Gaia’s influence also extends to the Mobile Fortresses that surround the city, providing it with the ability to control these massive structures remotely. These fortresses act as the last line of defense in case of an attack, and Gaia’s control over them ensures that Olympus is well-protected. However, despite Gaia’s extensive control over the city’s systems, certain tasks still require human intervention. For example, Gaia can prepare the sterility virus contained in the D-Tank, but it cannot deploy it without human authorization. This reliance on human control is an important safeguard in a society where technology plays such a vital role.

The terminals connected to Gaia are central to the functioning of Olympus. They serve as public access points, allowing citizens to access news, data, and directions through the city’s intranet. More importantly, they enable citizens to share their opinions on social matters, playing an essential role in maintaining the democratic nature of Olympus. Some terminals are equipped with DNA scanners, which can be used to identify specific individuals and grant them direct control over Gaia. This includes high-ranking government officials who can use the terminals to initiate ESWAT deployments, enforce security lockdowns, or even shut down Gaia entirely. For example, Hitomi’s DNA profile grants her this level of control, providing her with the power to act decisively in moments of crisis.

Despite its technological advancements and its efforts to create a peaceful, democratic society, Olympus faces numerous challenges. Political intrigue and corruption exist within its government, with different factions constantly vying for power. Ethical dilemmas also surround the use of Bioroids, with some questioning the morality of creating artificial beings designed to serve humanity. These issues are compounded by tensions with neighboring nations, particularly those like Poseidon and the UCAS, who may view Olympus’s advanced technology and democratic ideals as a threat. Nonetheless, Olympus remains a symbol of hope and progress in a world still recovering from the devastation of the Third World War. Its blend of democratic principles, technological innovation, and multicultural society makes it a beacon of potential, even as it grapples with its complexities and moral quandaries.