The Snowfield Expedition Teams (or “Expedition Teams”, Chinese: 雪原考察队) is a civilian force in the Robot Civilization of the Evernight Era engaged in scientific investigation, research, and manufacturing. Their activities includes snowfield mapping, environmental studies, and exploring human civilization relics. They also repair and repurpose Sunset Era equipment to create an industrial system independent of Geocity.
History
Crisis in Geocity: The history of the Snowfield Expedition Teams began a decade before Alice was awakened. At that time, a large-scale riot erupted in Geocity, where rioters intentionally destroyed production lines in the city’s automated factories. Lacking heavy equipment manufacturing capabilities, robots had to create makeshift parts from synthetic materials. These poorly made and less-durable parts required frequent replacements, prompting the robots to seek more sustainable solutions.
The first snowfield expedition: Some members of the Geocity Volunteers were survivors from other destroyed underground sanctuaries. They proposed to return to their original cities or explore Sunset Era factory ruins in search of heavy equipment manufacturing facilities. Citizens bored with life in the Virtual Universe, concerned members of the Robot Engineers Association, and Shadow Vigilantes wanting to protect friends from Snow Bandits joined them. Together, they formed an expedition team and embarked on an adventure across the snowfield.
Their expedition was a great success, bringing back essential equipment, which they repaired to produce parts needed by the city‘s automated factories.
From annual to permanent: In subsequent years, the robots embarked on yearly expeditions named after the number of expedition or year, such as “The 4th Expedition Team” or “The EE234 Expedition Team.” Eventually, one team became permanent and expanded into multiple teams, broadening their activities. They established numerous outposts on the snowfield and gradually improved their industrial capacity. As a result, they evolved into a significant civilian force known as the “Snowfield Expedition Teams.”
Organization
The Snowfield Expedition Teams consists of hundreds of members organized in a military-style hierarchical structure. They are divided into Service, Convoy, and Research divisions.
Service Division: The Snowfield Expedition Teams’ Service Division manages the organization’s base and outposts, providing maintenance and supplies for vehicles and personnel. The base consists of tents near Geocity‘s snowfield entrance, housing around 100 members to ensure operations run smoothly. Outposts are built along major transportation routes in the snowfield, each staffed by at least one or two members.
Convoy Division: The Snowfield Expedition Teams’ Convoy Division is tasked with transporting equipment and personnel across the snowfield. They organize convoys according to mission needs, with each convoy captain also serving as the mission commander responsible for route planning, setting up temporary camps, and managing supplies and power. The Expedition Teams operate over a hundred vehicles of various types and have recently developed specialized robots that function as large engineering vehicles.
Research Division: The Snowfield Expedition Teams’ Research Division conducts tasks such as snowfield mapping, environmental investigations, excavation of ruins, equipment repairs, and other projects. Most members are from the Robot Engineers Association, either by order or voluntarily. Tourists are also managed under this division.
Armed members: Due to threats from the Snow Bandits, Shadow Vigilantes are present in all aforementioned divisions. Some are stationed at the base and outposts, while others escort convoys on the snowfield. These Vigilantes carry high-powered weapons and can use them anytime without prior approval from the Engineers Association.
Cooperations with other organizations: The Snowfield Expedition Teams closely collaborate with Geocity Volunteers and Robot Engineers Association, exchanging talents, knowledge, and supplies.
Predicaments
Tensions with the Robot Engineers Association: In recent years, the Snowfield Expedition Teams have significantly expanded and recovered more Sunset Era equipment. They now manufacture additional supplies as well as items that Geocity cannot produce. This has led some team members to act more assertively during negotiations with the Robot Engineers Association. Many talents have also left the Engineers Association to join the Expedition Teams. In retaliation, the Association has cut off some support and created obstacles for the Teams.
Disputes over asset ownership: The ownership of assets discovered and produced by the Snowfield Expedition Teams has been contentious. The Robot Engineers Association demands these materials be registered as public assets of Geocity, while the Expedition Teams oppose this, fearing it would place them under the Association’s control due to dissatisfaction with its management style. Consequently, they insist on keeping these materials within their teams. This decision has escalated tensions between the two organizations and turned these items into grey assets, leading to further controversies regarding their use and distribution.
Tourists making troubles: In recent years, an increasing number of tourists fresh from the Virtual Universe have joined Expedition Teams. These individuals lack real-world experience and are unaware of the dangers posed by snowfields and ruins. Their reckless behavior often endangers their teammates.
Snow Bandits Problems: The Snowfield Expedition Teams face threats from the Snow Bandits, yet they also engage in trade involving intelligence and relics from the Sunset Era. Some bandits have become long-term guides and friends to the teams. This has led to a split within the Expedition Teams regarding their stance on Snow Bandits: some view them as potential allies, while others see them as sworn enemies. Each side remains unconvinced by the other, causing internal frictions within the organization.
Leave a Reply