New Victoria

Quite possibly the greatest man made wonder of the known solar system in this modern age is the city of New Victoria. Established in 1873 to the applauds of the citizens of earth it has quickly become an amazing spectacle.

Initial plans were to build it mirroring the intent of modern Victorian cities but as soon as the foundations began the project came under Sky Martian attack. The difficult decision was made to fortify the city and to add an enormous ring and network of walls and defensive outer works. The walls, for the most part, are 40 feet high and 10 feet wide at the top; enough for five men to stand abreast on. Numerous towers have also been constructed along the length on the circuit with varying uses; from storage rooms to aeroneff docks to gun towers, bristling with quick firing cannon to deter any Sky Martian attack.

The city contains within it a large plateau which was actually the first landing site when humans came to Mars. There is a statue to celebrate the event and a small, fenced, public garden containing many of Mars’ natural flora. The plateau itself has upon it many of the more important buildings of New Victoria including the current Governors mansion and many legations of the leading nations of earth. The Royal Societies also have their establishment located here along with several smaller aeroneff docks.

The harbour and docks of New Victoria are a sight to behold also. With three Martian canals converging it is a place of bustling commerce, trading as it does with City Martian states and other outlying human settlements. The Royal Canal enters New Victoria via huge iron gates placed in the massive walls. It proceeds through the city and out the other side taking the affluence and detritus of New Victoria’s citizens (much to the chagrin of the local City Martians). The other two canals go north east and south connecting two of the largest City Martian state capitals and the area surrounding the convergence is full of warehouses and store yards, narrow boat docks and defensive positions.

New Victoria itself contains some of the best examples of Victorian architecture outside of England. Headquarters buildings, warehouses and universities all vying for attention and new construction beginning almost on a monthly basis. The city is roughly divided into commercial, industrial and residential areas but there are no specific zones as such and one area can blur into another. Work is underway to begin construction of a simple underground train network; mainly to link the main commercial, industrial and residential areas of New Victoria but there is also talks of linking the various barracks to the underground to allow the quick movement of troops when a large Sky Martian attack occurs.

Above ground there is an increasing network of rail viaducts and tracks taking passengers and goods to and from locations where the canals don’t, or can’t go; New Victoria Station being the main terminus of these. From above, New Victoria looks like a spiders web with the tracks and  viaducts radiating out to various points on Mars. There are two main rail companies vying for supremacy in New Victoria; these are The Great Martian Railway and The Metropolitan Martian Line. Both have large numbers of rolling stock and have allowed military adjustments to some of the wagons to help defend them when outside the protection of New Victoria.

The main military holding in New Victoria is the Queen’s Barracks; a massive hexagonal structure incorporated into the walls of the northern stretch (this being the direction of the most frequent Sky Martian attacks). It is slightly taller than the neighbouring walls and has a raised interior parade ground. Three defensive towers are placed on every other corner and several embrasures protrude from the walls housing large cannon. A battalion of the 1st Regiment of Mars (The Queens Own Martians) is stationed at the fort with attached cavalry and a small section of artillery and steam tech. Various companies of the 1st, 3rd and 6th regiments are stationed around New Victoria mainly in the defensive towers but also in a few normal barrack blocks situated throughout the city.

New Victoria is ever expanding, what with the influx of traders, soldiers, workers and even tourists. There is still space inside the walls for new construction but it is feared that the population will soon outgrow this, the Marvel of Mars and the Solar System