Serendipitous Info Dump

The year is 2052. 30 years ago, the Heaven's Eclipse occurred on the 15th of August. Ever since, eclipses have become much more common. Also since, people that develop supernatural powers have started appearing among the populace. Rumors believe that eclipses are linked to the emergence of power-users, but it is not confirmed. People who acquire such powers are designated as Lunatics (colloquial), or Lunars (official).
    
    While cases of power emergence are still uncommon, more and more appear each year. The government has loosened its grip on the matter, however such cases must be reported under threat of legal action. Lunars are then registered in official directories and monitored 24/7. Every time an eclipse occurs, anomalous things can happen to the abilities of Lunars, hence such measures are taken for national security.
    
    The stage is New York City, 2052. The city has been completely paved over from it's former state in the 2000s, with all new facilities, areas and companies. It is now the official capital city for America as a whole, and is home to the Manhattan Administrative Triangle (MAT), the new facility constructed for American politics and various other government operations throughout America (replacing the Pentagon in terms of operations, which has become a museum).
    
    The level of technology has rapidly grown since the Heaven's Eclipse. Robots and other mechanized beings are a common sight in services, but military/law enforcement robots are still experimental and are a rare sight. Holographic interfaces are common in everyday appliances, but controllers and touch-screens are still used for things like television and heat control. Cybernetics is also a relatively experimental concept but has been introduced to the public. Cybernetics and biotics are hot topics in society, with a lot of protests rising against their application.
    
    People now primarily use e-cards to pay for things. An e-card is granted to someone when they turn 8 by official law. E-cards only work for the owner and other personnel the owner registers to the card. E-cards can be used almost anywhere. However, some places still only accept more archaic payment methods such as physical cash. As such, ATMs still exist to provide physical money but are on the decline. Banks are only used as storage for banking databases and to offer services for e-cards. Vaults still exist for physical cash, but are being redone to store servers gradually as actual money declines. Credits are used throughout America and other countries under the Thanatos Treaty, as a universal currency. Native currencies are still used in some places, though mostly in independent stores. It is mandatory for a business to offer services for credits and not just native currency.

    In terms of economy, there are a decreasing number of specialist stores in America. Most goods can be obtained by a chain of general stores called UltimateBuy, owned by megacorporation Ultimo Enterprises. UltimateBuy also comprises most of online shopping and services as well, with several different types of child companies for different types of service/product. Independent marketing is not illegal, but it is not recommended due to Ultimo either buying independent companies into their regime, or simply out-contesting their sales. Success for Ultimo is believed to have stemmed off their support towards the creation of the MAT, and their eagerness to participate in the field of research regarding Lunars. They are another hot topic for journalism and protestors.
    
    Lunars are not received well in public, especially newer cases. It is common for school children developing into Lunars to be shunned by classmates. The same occurs for adults in working environments. The government provides sanction for Lunars who have lost their way due to being outcast by society, in exchange for their servitude. Lunars guilty of crimes are put into military service against their will, no matter what their abilities. Again, Lunars are a hot topic for debaters and protesters.
    
    There are a few Lunars who the government have taken keen interest in. This "elite" group of people are known as Celestials. They are funded and protected by the government. In exchange, they act the role of "superheroes" to society, providing as the ultimate support for law enforcement. Their operations are limited to NYC, but they are cleared to expand into other territories under government permission. Despite general distaste with Lunars, the Celestials' actions have earned them respect and fame amongst humans(and displeasure from other Lunars). The organization that runs this program is known as the Celestial Project. Fliers and ads litter around the city to advertise their recruitment program, though few ever actually make the cut.
    
    21 years ago, Japan underwent a nuclear crisis when nuclear reactors near Tokyo malfunctioned due to a Lunar-related incident. As a result, the Southern half of Japan became uninhabitable. 200,000 people were confirmed dead, and a further 1,300,000 suffered from radiation sickness. Countless others remain unaccounted for. Various Lunars have reportedly gone on a pilgrimage of sorts and entered the Japanese wasteland only to never return. The reason for this is not known, but is thought to be related to Lunar behavior patterns during eclipses.
    
    As a result, other nations have donated support to the remaining portion of Japan. The Thanatos Treaty came into effect following the incident, introducing a no-conflicts policy among the world's major powers. However, various Middle Eastern countries and China refused the treaty. Russia remained on the fence and were excused due to internal affairs. As a result, America and allied forces have gone to war with China and the Middle East till the present.

    The reasons for the moon's abnormal orbit and behavior is unknown. What is known is that it retains an ordinary orbit until a day or two before an eclipse. It will then alter orbit and accelerate in order to successfully meet with the sun. This abnormal orbiting patterns do cause instabilities in the atmosphere, but the most dire of occurrences range from unpredictable weather to secluded supercells. Only one major disaster has occurred that is thought to have been caused by the moon's orbiting patterns (Hurricane Jocelyn, which destroyed Buenos Aires, Argentina).
    
    This is the world of 2052. This setting revolves around the lives of ordinary people and their interactions within this rapidly developing world. The moon watches over all in Serendipity.

Here is a list of well-known companies and services, for characters to be familiar with in everyday life:

Online Services

• Talkhouse: Social network, counterpart to Facebook/Tumblr.
  
• Nexus: Online gaming platform, counterpart to Steam.
  
• Hussle: Social network based on Twitter.
  
• Vidscape: Youtube counterpart.
  
• Seagate: Search engine.
  
• Albatross: Browser.
  

Companies and Stores

• UltimateBuy: General store that provides almost any type of product. General stores are found everywhere with at least one megastore in a city.
  
• Ultimo Enterprises: Mega-corp that owns UltimateBuy and all its children companies.
  
• First Aid: Medical department and store chain of Ultimo.
  
• Beautify: Cosmetic and fashion department and store chain of Ultimo.
  
• Outback: Survivalist/camping gear store chain of Ultimo.
  
• Watergate's: Alcohol/Off-License store chain.
  
• Prudence Inc: Electronics department and store chain.
  
• RAVE: Store chain of Prudence Inc for entertainment media and devices.