KANSAS Government: Virtually nonexistent.

Most of the government's resources are spent keeping the roads around Topeka safe. Duelling Climate: Favorable everywhere except KC-l.

Gang Activity: Heavy. KC-1 is the only haven in the state. Rowdy cowhands can be as dangerous as cycle packs, and travelers are advised to avoid highway encounters. Fortunately, this isn't too difficult.

FORT WAYNE Population: 97,000.

Since the Battle for the Concordia Theological Seminary in 2017, naturally defenseless Fort Wayne has become known as "The Beehive." The name is derived from the inhabitants' practice of having everybody tum out when the city is threatened. The city still has light industry that includes, thanks to the recovery of Detroit, prefabrication factories which make parts for shipment to the auto-assembly plants.

LAFAYETTE

Population: 80,000.

Description: Lafayette specializes in three things: agriculture, ammunition manufacture, and the Purdue University.

INDIANA Government: Fairly solid and well-organized. Duelling Climate: Neutral. Once the state for auto combat Indiana's autoduelling pre-eminence ended in 2031 with the invasion of EDSEL forces. EDSEL still maintains a minor presence here, but their patrols are limited to cities and major highways. No state antiduel!ing legislation, though; road duels are too popular on local TV.

Gang Activity: Light. Most of the gangs were destroyed in the Road Wars, a period (from2025-2031) of escalating conflicts between gangs and armed citizens. EDSEL patrols put an end to the Wars, however gangs have begun to return.

ROCKFORD Population: 40,000.

Rockford is a second-class city, in the shadow of the colossal Chicago. It is only half a city as well; the eastern half perished in the Riot Years. Its only real use is as a base for the irregular patrols that try to maintain the safety of the roads in the area. Duelling Facilities: There are no safe facilities.

SPRINGFIELD Population: 50,000.

Springfield is the main stop between Chicago and St. Louis. It has industrial capability of its own, and is no longer wholly dependent upon Chicago for its machined goods.

IOWA Government: Strong and organized. Though a democracy, the government (and most of the state) is dominated by the Amana Society, a German-immigrant religion devoted to peace and progress. Amanas are responsible for most of the state's rebirth, but some Iowans balk at their heavy-handed control.

Duelling Climate: Unfavorable. The Amanas forbid duelling, and enforce the law with extensive military patrols of the borders, confiscating ammunition and targeting circuitry of travelers; the patrol issues vouchers for the value of the confiscated equipment. These restrictions are waived for trucks and commercial vehicles, provided they obtain permits (available via telecommunications before entering the state).

LANSING Population: 115,000.

Lansing is a sore name in the state of Michigan.

During the time of anarchy, the state government pulled back most of the military forces available to protect the capitol, leaving the rest of the countryside open.

Unfortunately for the ordinary citizens of the city, this gesture did not go over well with the rest of the state.

They quite naturally resented the action (admitting that you are from Lansing is dangerous in Michigan today, for the resentment has scarcely abated).

Admitting that you're employed by the state government is even worse.

GRAND RAPIDS Population: 70,000.

Slowly recovering from its defenselessness and the destruction wreaked during the Food Riot years, Grand Rapids became and still is the central fruitand produce-packing point for the farming areas on the shore of Lake Michigan.

Population: 15,000. Since the main route south from Chicago changed from I-57 to I-55, Decatur has been cut off from main traffic flow and any importance outside its region. In its isolation, Decatur is home to rather paranoid people. Short stops for fuel and supplies are safe, but watch your step if you stay longer.

Duelling Facilities: None worth mentioning. There has been talk of a Chicago promoter renovating the old Sports Complex south of town, though.

Other Facilities: St. Mary's Hospital survives, as does the Decatur Airport, though the airport is terribly exposed. Numerous auto-repair and food-storage areas are around, to serve the farmers.

Population: 60,000. Madison is a city largely located on a land-bridge between two lakes. As such, it is one of the most impregnable natural-defense fortress towns in the world. It still remains the seat of state government, and the center of the State Patrol.

Duelling Facilities: As the center for duelling in central Wisconsin, there are several arenas in Madison, the largest being built on the ruins of the old Truax Field airport.

Other Facilities: A TV station, two hospitals (one with Gold Cross- the U. of W. Clinic) and the University.

St. Louis is more a collection of neighborhoods than a unified city. Most of the inhabitants live outside the central city. The fortified neighborhoods have become "micro-cities" on their own and operate independently of each other - not much different from the old days, really. The residents of Maryland Heights, Creve Coeur, Olivette and Kirkwood look down on the central city dwellers as the lowest sort of scum ("city rats"), while the city dwellers share equal hatred for the "suburb fatcats." Roads through the middle of St. Louis are often barricaded by the "city rats," and are frequently impassable.

WISCONSIN Government: Weak. State control covers the three largest cities and not much else. The government's most notable activity is the production of national TV commercials, advertising the delights in store for the tourist in Wisconsin.

Duelling Climate: Favorable.

Gang Activity: Medium to Light.

Michigan Government: Despised and ignored. The state government is holed up in Lansing and has no influence outside of that city's limits.

Detroit Population: 1,200,000.

Duelling Climate: Almost too favorable. Everyone you meet is willing to duel - no surprise, considering that Detroit has both the nation's highest murder rate and the nation's largest auto manufacturing facilities. Undetonated mines are a constant hazard on the roads here. Gang Activity: Heavy. EDSEL presence in surrounding states drove many gangs to the anarchic state of Michigan. The state government is barely able to defend Lansing, and has nothing to spare to patrol the open roads.

ILLINOIS Government:

Weak but trying. The few remaining cities manage their own affairs, and the few inhabitated areas outside these cities tends towards anarchy.

Duelling Climate: Neutral. The residents take the view that if you don't bother them, they won't bother you.

Gang Activity: Heavy (outside the city). The state patrols 1-55, but once off that you're on your own.

Population: 2,500,000. Chicago, even more than Los Angeles, could be called "The Ethnic City." The territoriality that prevailed in Chicago long before the riots manifested itself were neighborhoods fortifying themselves against anyone not from their own neighborhood.