The city of Anchorage, Alaska, was once the most populous city in Alaska, and the center of a ten-year war between the United States and China. Less than a year after being liberated, the city, like so many others, was destroyed in the Great War. Over two hundred years later, however, the survivors of the conflict, from native tribals to descendants of the US Army to the descendants of Chinese holdouts, have banded together to rebuild, and have made the once-great city the capitol of the Republic of Alaska.

Formerly a semi-rebuilt ruin far removed from the Continental United States, Anchorage has grown into a major northern trade hub over the past few years. Railways link the city to the nations across Canada, while trade ships come and go, ferrying cargo between Seattle and Anchorage. Downtown Anchorage is dominated by a mixture of rebuilt and restored pre-war structures and newer structures built from scratch. The roads have been restored to the best of the people's abilities, to allow the occasional truck to carry its cargo from place to place. The crown jewel of this city is the Alaskan Capitol Square. Once a section of the city left in ruins from the Sino-American War, it has been rebuilt from the ground up as the center of government. Just a few years ago, its beautiful granite government buildings were a sharp contrast to the ruins that marred much of the city. Now, they serve as a fitting seat of government for the heavily rebuilt Anchorage.

Anchorage has been chosen as the location for the latest American Assembly. Delegates will arrive by one of two ways: rail or airplane. Those traveling by air will land at Anchorage International Airport, and be carted by truck to the Alaskan Presidential Building. Those traveling by rail will arrive at the Capitol Station, and escorted the short remaining distance by foot. Once in the Presidential Building, after relinquishing any armaments, they will be taken to the Diplomatic Meeting Room, which has been specially prepared for the Assembly. A circular granite-topped pine table sits as the center of the room, surrounded by chairs, each aside for an attending delegate. T-51b clad guards and stealth suit encased members of the Polar Night (ordered to remain uncloaked for the duration of the procession) will provide security for the event.

The Presidential House staff will accommodate the needs of the attendees. Following the end of the meeting, the delegates are allowed to remain in Anchorage for a few days at no expense, should they desire to sample the city's sights and cuisine.

The attendees may now arrive.

Mahala and the Columbian Delegation

It had been a lovely scenic trip along the Alaskan line. The party had traveled on the new rail line system that had been constructed over the previous two years, part to prove functionality and usefulness, which the rail lines certainly were, and as an actual method of transport. The party had rolled through vast stretches of the mountainous area's of Columbia's north, crossing over many rivers and forested hills and peaks, the group had passed a number of glaciers, the train had been halted and stopped for a certain period of time as it crossed through NCU territory. The Columbian's had known for a while of the civil war that was raging in the north but had not yet determine the appropriate strategy. In Mahala's mind one of the most pressing matters was for the other northern nations to determine what needed to be done, should the war be allowed to run its course? should the north intervene? on whose side? Such questions burned in Mahala's mind, however he felt that although it seemed a pressing issue, the most lucrative and powerful nations were in the south, and they were likely to care little for the strange affairs of northerners.

The NCU territory they passed through was at the time, under the control of Communist forces, after being halted for a while they determined to let the delegation through. The commander of the rail station asked for an audience with Mahala giving a plea for aid for Communist forces. Mahala told the man he would take things into consideration, and the train was allowed through. As time passed they found themselves entering a more barren land as they passed over Yukon territory but then back into snowy mountains upon entering Alaska. The forest gave way to a vast cityscape along the coast, Alaska's capital anchorage. Although not as beautiful as Vancouver, the city looked quite modern, there were sprawling factories and smokestacks and suburbs and apartments. They departed their train at rail station near the great square in Anchorage, it was a sight, quite an elegant and grand attraction but the group passed over it quickly heading into the Presidential Building.

The delegation took their seats, awaiting the arrival of the other delegates.