What ever happened was a mystery to the crew of the Rig but they knew immediately that they were teleported either to the past or another universe as radiation levels were basically non existent and global population was much higher according to scans. Scouts were immediately sent to California to see what was going on.
"What is our status?" President Richardson asked as the elderly man adjusted his tie.
"From the looks of it Mr. President, we have been sent to another universe. We don't know how but even though the year of this world is 2077, it doesn't match the 2077 we are familiar with." A female officer explained.
"How so?" The President asked with interest.
"Cybernetics and computers in general seem to be far more advanced in this world. Also the closest city to us appears to be some sort of 'Mega City'. A Cess pool that exists more by design then by accident. Designed to keep the people divided against the many corporations that run the international city."
"An international city on American soil?"
"The America of this world facing a Second Civil War negotiated with certain states allowing them nominal autonomy. Speaking of the America of this world. It's no longer anything like the America we knew. It's known as the New United States of America and it's nothing more than a puppet for a Corporation known as Militech."
"We could use this to our advantage in our attempt to remake America in our image."
"How so Mr. President?"
"We promise a world free from the tyranny of the Corporations."
"Militech isn't the only threat. The Japanese Arasaka, the Chinese Kang Tao and the Soviet SovOil."
"Heh, the Soviets and Chinese are controlled by corporations. Ironic." President Richardson found amusing.
"With all this said, Sargent Dornan has found a good location in Northern California to set up a military base with Sargent Granite finding a good location down in Mexico for another. Apparently Mexico being a lot more destabilized that no one will notice us setting up down there."
"What about the Northern Location?"
"The Northern Location will be a good base of operations for trying to take over 'Night City' which is the name of the Mega City from earlier. It will have to be a smaller base in order to avoid drawing attention to it, but it will be a good way point between the Rig and the Mega City."
