Origins/Major Influence: Proposition Joe, PARANOIA GM
Description: Sometime after the global die-off the Janus Complex opened its doors to some of the smaller complexes nearby that were damaged in the harsh, apocalyptic conditions. Although welcome at first, the migrants from the other complexes were viewed with suspicion and were often accused of being mutants due to being exposed to the intense radiation outside of the walls of the complexes. Ostracized from the rest of society, the migrants were forced to form their own independent groups inside the walls of Janus Complex outside of the control of the standard rule of law. Over time constant fighting between and inside groups resulted in even more splinter factions and the seemingly arbitrary exchanges of territory and power between the many factions has resulted in the citizens of the complex becoming apathetic to what faction they are actually loyal.
Life in Janus Complex is arbitrary and anarchic because no one actually pledges allegiance of loyalty to a specific group. Citizens of Janus Complex are opportunistic and shift their allegiances depending on their current situation. For example, someone traveling through the territory of an especially dangerous group might agree to perform tasks for the leadership to safely travel through. While on this mission, they might encounter another group and switch to their side if they can provide a better deal than the first group.
The only people that don’t often switch allegiances are those that are able to maintain leadership positions in major groups, although they will if they can obtain a better leadership position. The Leadership of each group is typically in control of their own CompuNode that they intend to replace the main computer with and some sort of spy network. Spies in Janus Complex typically work in groups so that each member can keep tabs on each other and maintain loyalty. An estimated one third to half of the complex is engaged in some sort of espionage and one of the factions in Janus Complex, the Havana Club, is rumored to be made entirely out of spies from other factions.
The culture of constantly switching allegiances has resulted in some citizens of Janus Complex leaving the complex altogether to seek out better opportunities elsewhere, even traveling as far as Alpha Complex. Alpha Complex dismisses citizens of Janus Complex as subversive elements that cannot be trusted to remain loyal in the long term.
The difficulty in rooting out spies and unauthorized migrants from Janus Complex is that even though these people have a history of being frequent turncoats, they also typically stay loyal and follow the rules until it becomes inconvenient or dangerous enough for them to ultimately switch loyalties. This makes it hard to find these traitors because they typically don’t openly commit any acts of treason, and thus need to be framed for the good of the complex.
Spy For Another Alpha Complex: Any of the various factions tend to send some sort of spies to Alpha Complex to work against the espionage of other groups or to obtain certain resources.