Rangers, why, where and who? (Patreon)

In 1992, after several years of intense lobbying from various corporate organizations, the states most affected by the disasters of the early eighties were designated a Free Economic Zone. This was done to kickstart the rebuilding process. California, Washington, Oregon, and Nevada had started to recuperate from the worst of the quakes and volcanic eruptions, but a US government burdened by costly wars and internal refugees did not have the funds to rebuild the infrastructure needed for life to return to normal. After a short debate, the 40-year agreement was quickly ratified by the house of representatives and Congress. The deal essentially meant the withdrawal of law and regulation from the west. No taxation. No environmental regulation. No financial or ethical oversight. In short, it was paradise for the corporations that had pushed for it, and, as expected, they invested heavily in the less damaged areas. 

However, the lack of rules also attracted people who didn't want to live in the increasingly repressive eastern states. While corporations rapidly invested in local security forces, they did not act outside their spheres of interest. With the lack of federal or local oversight, criminal enterprises popped up everywhere, and the addition of boosted and modded villains escalated the chaos. The mood turned sour when a local warlord, dubbed "King of the Hill" by the press, razed one of the early resettling efforts. Had the US government abandoned its citizens? Technically, the Free Western Territories were still a part of the US. Private armies run by companies were one thing, but one run by powerful boosts with a vague grasp of reality was a lot harder to swallow.

The newly elected President Ross, who had been one of the vocal opponents of the deal in Congress, tried to mobilize the national guard but to no avail. So, stymied by the deals of his predecessor, he took a different route. Ever since the disaster happened, small groups of remaining vigilantes and local forces had held the line against the chaos. Over time, these groups had gained both popular acceptance and influence. Consisting of a mix of boosts, modded veterans, and unpowered idealists, they proved to be the blueprint for the Marshal system.

Ross instructed the justice department to identify which of these vigilantes could be trusted wielding authority and set up local support networks that could operate outside the normal US judicial system. Once the likely candidates had been vetted, he extended an offer and waited to see who would accept.

The deal was straightforward. The Marshals, if they accepted, would get the full backing of the US government in exchange for fighting threats to the lives of the US citizens living inside the Free Territories. They would get funding, staff, facilities, and a generous salary. All team members would be vetted to weed out criminals and foreign spies, but they would have full control of how they went about their mission. The justice department only held an advisory position; the Marshals were appointed directly by the President and answered only to him. 

In a surprising and unprecedented move, President Ross traveled to Seattle to meet with the candidates in person. Washington state was the least affected by the disaster of the western states, having avoided the fallout of the Long Valley eruption. It had only been included in the FEZ after intense lobbying from local corporations, and it was deemed safe enough for a presidential visit as Mt. Rainer had entered a quiet phase. The result of this "Seattle Summit" was the launch of the Rangers Initiative in 1997.

Six Marshals were appointed, leading six very different Ranger teams.

The Seattle Rangers

Founding Marshal: Everett Langford (Mod)

Current Marshal: Rivergrass (Boost)

Notable members: Ensign (Mod), the official Canadian liaison to the team.

From the start, the Seattle Rangers were seen as the first among equals. They were operating in an area less damaged by the disasters, which attracted its own share of troubles. Much of their focus has been on the border to Canada and relations with the various powerful companies who make the city their home. As a result, their members operate more diplomatically than the norm and regularly travel outside the Free Territories.

If there is one team that could be described as old-fashioned comic book superheroes, this is the one. They hold themselves to the highest moral standard, which has led to increasing conflict with the Sea-Tac Corporate Council (which handles regular law enforcement), especially over environmental matters.

Portland

Founding Marshal: The Immovable Bear (Boost)

Current Marshal: Trailblazer (Boost)

Notable members: Captain Columbia (Boost) focused on cleaning up the Columbia River and connecting Portland to the ocean once more.

Isolated and largely depopulated, Portland had been hit hard by the quakes and the various disturbances of the Columbia River. Mount Hood and Mount St.Helens have been erupting regularly since the eighties, and much of the population moved north to the Sea-Tac area. Nevertheless, the Rangers team has always been local and close-knit, and that shows no sign of changing.

Reno

Founding Marshal: Dave (Boost)

Current Marshal: Dave (Boost)

Notable members: Jackrabbit, one of the most high-profile unpowered and unboosted heroes.

The smallest of the Rangers teams, it was only included to make sure that every state had its own Marshal. Dave, or Marshal Dave as he is now known, is the sole remaining original Marshal and shows no signs of slowing down. Dave and Jackrabbit are rarely at their Reno HQ; instead, they roam the Nevada countryside in Jackrabbit's kitted-out truck. As much of southern Nevada was hit hard by the Long Valley eruption, one can wonder why. There's little but ash and ruins remaining.

San Francisco

Founding Marshal: Armstrong (Mod)

Current Marshal: Kaleidoscope (Boost)

Notable members: Pyroclast (formerly Ashfall, Boost), a former Los Diablos vigilante, and rumored to be aiming for a Marshal spot.

The largest Rangers team operates in the larger region consisting of San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland, Stockton, and Sacramento. They have several sub-teams, and as the population has grown, there has been lobbying to form a new Rangers team and splitting the responsibilities between the bay area and the inland. Pyroclast has been one of the most vocal proponents of this plan, but the US government has been hesitant to act so far.

Los Diablos

Founding Marshal: Mount Hood (Boost)

Current Marshal: Captain Steel (Mod)

Notable members: Sentinel (retired, Boost), one of the most powerful boosts on the west coast. He is still active but focusing more on fighting/preventing natural disasters.

As Los Diablos has the highest population of powered villains, there has been a rotating cast of new members over the years. As a result, it is known as a volatile team, though the appointment of Marshal Steel has curbed its worst excesses. 

San Diego

Founding Marshal: Thunderhead (Boost)

Current Marshal: Vaquera (Boost)

Notable members: The newest recruit, Dynamate (Mod), a reformed villain.

The San Diego area is, like Seattle, vitally important for the Free Territories. The gateway to Mexico, it provides a reliable land route for imports to Los Diablos in particular. The Los Diablos and San Diego teams have historically worked closely together to deal with various threats. The area surrounding the two cities is the main hotbed for would-be warlords and people out to run their own local empire, and some grow powerful enough to require both teams to deal with.