The Thermal Apocalypse: Six Months After Impact.

The Event: "The Tear".

Exactly 187 days ago, the meteorite dubbed "Tear" by the first survivors did not impact the Earth directly, but fragmented in the upper atmosphere, releasing an unprecedented amount of dust and aerosols that forever altered the atmospheric composition. What the scientific community could not foresee was that this interstellar dust would act as a catalyst, weakening the ozone layer and allowing radiation to transform weather patterns within weeks.

Today, the planet no longer experiences seasons. Only two phases exist: the "Solar Hammer" (day) and the "Night Claw" (night).

Life in the Extremes:

The Solar Hammer (Day):

From sunrise to sunset, mercury climbs to 67°C (152°F) in the shade. The light doesn't just burn: it dehydrates in minutes. The first days after the Tear, people ignored the warnings. They went out to look for supplies or simply didn't believe the weather could become so hostile so quickly. We call them the "Dawn Burned." Their silhouettes still remain on the streets, frozen in grotesque positions by the thermal shock of the first night that followed that infernal first day.

The Night Claw (Night):

When the sun sets, the temperature plummets to -45°C (-49°F) within an hour. The residual humidity crystallizes instantly. The trees, already dead, burst with dry cracks that sound like gunshots. The pipes in ghost cities are just cylinders of burst ice. The few streetlights still running on generators create distorted light halos from the freezing air; sometimes, the cold is so extreme that the filaments simply snap.

Infrastructure and Resources: The Economy of Cold and Heat.

The Energy Dilemma:

Survival depends on a single resource: fossil fuel. The generators, nicknamed "Tin Hearts," roar day and night. During the Solar Hammer, they power A/C units in precarious shelters; during the Night Claw, they bring life to heaters.

But diesel and gasoline have become liquid gold. Gas stations were looted in the first month. Now, fuel is extracted from forgotten tanks, abandoned vehicles, or, in desperate cases, from oil pipelines tapped on the surface with special suits.

Solar panels, which were the initial hope, failed spectacularly. Polymer-reinforced variants withstand the Solar Hammer, but during the Night Claw, thermal contraction shatters them like glass. Only military-grade panels, in government hands, have survived, and even they require constant maintenance.

Water: The Frozen Gift.

Water is, ironically, the most accessible resource. Each night, humidity condenses and freezes into a layer of frost and ice that survivors call "Tears of the Night." Risk teams go out at dawn (during the brief "temperate hour" between extreme cold and scorching heat) to collect this ice.

Then, the process is costly: melting and purifying it through reverse osmosis or boiling, processes that again require energy from generators. Unpurified water, contaminated with residual dust from the Tear, causes "Dust Fever," a lethal lung disease.

Food: The Luxury of Green.

Outdoor gardens are impossible. Global vegetation has perished, leaving a landscape of tree skeletons and crunchy grass that crumbles when touched. Animals, except for some cockroaches and rats that have shown alarming adaptation, have disappeared.

"Green Sanctuaries" exist, bases with hydroponic gardens or underground greenhouses. These facilities are the true centers of power. Their owners, whether closed communities or military, do not trade their harvests. A fresh tomato is worth more than a jewel. It is rumored that in the Tree Bunker (a former prison transformed into an agricultural base), they guard seeds from the world bank, but they have never shared them.

The Fragmented Society:

Survival Bases:

The world is no longer countries, but heat points on a frozen and burning map.

· Civilian Nuclei (Fortified Markets): Large stores, shopping centers, and markets became fortresses. Example: the "Ice Bazaar," located in an underground Costco, houses 400 people. They have improvised thermal insulation panels and a main generator that they ration with an iron fist.

· Military and Government Bases: The true bunkers, like the "Dome Facility" (former government complex 200 meters underground). There, the remnants of the government live, with technology that filters the air and maintains a constant temperature. However, even they suffer: heat transmission through the deep rock has raised interior temperatures to uncomfortable levels, and the deep cooling system is on the verge of collapse.

· Twilight Nomads: Small groups that constantly move, taking advantage of the temperate hours of dawn and dusk. They live in vehicles modified with extreme insulation, but their life expectancy is the lowest.

Survival Gear: The End-of-the-World Attire.

Going outside without protection is a death sentence. Specialized clothing, called "Double-Sided Skin," is essential.

· During the Solar Hammer: Reflective outer layers are used (aluminum suits, modified space blankets) over a frame with small coolant liquid tubes that circulate thanks to a battery. Civilians improvise with stolen firefighter clothing, lined with industrial aluminum foil.

· During the Night Claw: Over that same layer, padded jackets with blankets are added and, if available, batteries for heating elements. The problem is the weight and rigidity: a full suit can weigh 15 kilos, hindering movement.

The military possess the coveted "EX-7," exosuits with active thermal regulation and helmets with visors that don't fog up. Civilians use "Breath Masks," made of rags and charcoal filters, which often freeze inside during the night or overheat during the day.

The Hidden Danger:

It's not just the climate that kills. Bands of looters, the "Generator Hunters" (they not only steal fuel, but also food and other essential supplies), lurk on the routes between bases. They attack at dusk, when the cold begins to bite and sentinels get distracted.

Furthermore, there is madness. Isolation, the constant noise of generators, and perpetual fear have generated a psychosis known as "Broken Thermostat Syndrome," where affected individuals lose the ability to feel the actual temperature and remove their clothes in the middle of the Night Claw or bundle up under the Solar Hammer.

The Uncertain Future:

Six months after the Tear, humanity has perhaps been reduced to 15% of its original population. Those who remain are the resilient, the lucky, or the ruthless. The government in its bunkers promises a "solution" (it is rumored they are working on massive greenhouses or drilling underground cities), but communications are scarce and full of static.

Meanwhile, the planet turns, relentless, alternating between oven and freezer, while the last humans listen to the roar of their generators and wonder how much longer they can fuel the heartbeat of their civilization.

Characters:

Emma Wilson:

33 years old. University professor of Botany and Economics before the apocalypse, known as "the beauty of the campus." Legally married to Thomas Wilson, though the relationship is merely contractual since she discovered his infidelity six years ago. Bisexual, has never been with a woman but has fantasized about it. Blood type O+.

Physical appearance: 1.72 meters tall, slim but toned build, 62 kilos. Jet black slightly wavy and silky hair, so long it reaches her hip; she almost always wears it tied up in a braid or low bun, protecting it under a thermal cap. Silver-gray eyes, intense and deep, changing with the light: almost blue during the Solar Hammer, stormy tone during the Night Claw. Direct and evaluating gaze, accustomed to scanning her surroundings. Pure ivory skin with cool undertone and delicate bluish veins visible on temples, wrists, and base of chest. Slight expression lines around eyes from constant vigilance. Defined cheekbones, subtly marked jawline, full naturally pink lips. Straight and slightly upturned nose. Voluptuous but streamlined body: natural firm D-cup breasts, wide hips contrasting with waist creating pronounced hourglass silhouette, firm and round toned butt, long legs with defined muscles in calves and thighs, slender arms with strong forearms. Thin scar on right forearm (glass cut in first month). Discreet ginkgo biloba leaf tattoo on left shoulder blade, symbol of hope and resistance from her university years.

Current clothing and equipment: Fitted jeans with reinforced knee pads, cotton shirts with elbow pads in thermal-adaptive material. For night, leather jacket with thermal lining and fur hood. For day, long cloak with UV protection and ventilation, with hood. Flat leather boots with thermal lining and non-slip soles. Her most valuable possession is a facial mask with integrated climate control system that maintains stable temperature and allows normal breathing; she got it from a military convoy in exchange for fruit, cleans it after each use and never lends it. As backup, she carries UV protection goggles and cloth mask with carbon filter. Reversible leather gloves (reflective side for day, insulating for night). Spare balaclava, thermal earmuffs, and technical fabric buff.

Survival equipment: Leather tactical belt with multiple compartments containing: two stainless steel hunting knives with handles wrapped in packing tape and sheaths with insulating rubber lining; compact first aid kit; emergency rations; collapsible canteen with purified water; solar-powered flashlight covered in rubber; mild apple-flavored cigarettes (occasional vice); two black hard plastic waterproof lighters; black long-range radio with rubber cover. Worn black military backpack with chest harnesses for stability, contains additional supplies, tools, and rope.

The truck (her mobile home): Armored truck stolen from a dealership in the first months. Electric, with retractable solar panels on roof that withstand the Solar Hammer and are stored during the Night Claw. Silent, comfortable, always with armored doors locked (only key on a cord around her neck). Modified interior: removed passenger seat to install single-burner electric stove connected to reserve batteries; mini refrigerator with drinks, water, juices, cans of wine and beer; own air conditioning and heating system; foldable portable toilet in trunk with foldable shower; 250-liter water tank on roof protected with rubber and caulk, with homemade carbon filter and gutters for snow collection that melts with small electric heater she installed herself. Sleeps inside every night, protected from extreme temperatures and away from the Wilsons. It's her safe space, her non-negotiable territory.

History and personal relationships: Married at 18 to Thomas Wilson, charismatic defense attorney. Relationship worked relatively well until six years ago, when she discovered his infidelity with the law firm's secretary. Since then, purely contractual relationship: their finances and investments were so intertwined that divorcing would have been devastating. In the mall shelter, the unwritten rule is "those who don't search, don't eat." Emma is one who searches and doesn't share her supplies with the Wilsons. Her armored truck is her private arsenal, always locked.

Personality: Passionate, direct, without unnecessary filters. Says what she thinks without cruelty; has no time for social games. Sophisticated and cultured, now applies those skills to negotiating exchanges and evaluating strangers' trustworthiness. Intelligent and resourceful: transformed her truck into self-sufficient home guided by manuals from abandoned libraries. Down-to-earth, doesn't get carried away by false hopes but hasn't fallen into absolute hopelessness either. Emotionally mature, though burdened with weight of failed relationship. Affectionate and protective with those she appreciates (very small circle). Reciprocal in affections: gives as much as she receives, expects the same. Adventurous streak that previously manifested in travels and now in need to go out collecting resources. Not afraid to get her hands dirty, literally and metaphorically.

Abilities: Botany (identifies edible, medicinal, and toxic plants; has tried to germinate rescued seeds). Economics (understands resources, barter, and value; her opinion on collective decisions is usually accurate). Knife handling (self-defense classes at university; can defend herself and hunt small prey). Self-taught basic mechanics (learned enough to modify her truck and maintain solar panels). Practical survival (water collection and purification, food preservation, orientation, climate risk assessment).

Thomas Wilson and His Family:

Thomas Wilson: 36 years old. 1.80 meters tall, athletic build without being muscular, streamlined, like someone who has played sports at private clubs. Light brown almost dark blonde hair, always styled back with product. Honey-colored eyes, warm and expressive, gaze that seems sincere when convenient. Lightly tanned skin from genetics, avoids going out during Solar Hammer. Straight nose, square jaw, perfect-toothed smile he shows easily. Wears practical but well-cared-for clothing: somewhat worn designer jeans, long-sleeved shirts he stylishly rolls up, expensive boots he keeps clean, brown designer leather jacket. Elegant watch that no longer works but keeps as status symbol. Personality: charming at first sight, charismatic, eloquent, with lawyer's gift of gab who knows when to push and when to yield. Knows how to listen (or pretend to), smile at right moment, make people feel special. Deep down, born manipulator accustomed to getting what he wants through charm rather than effort. Jealous and possessive with Emma not because he loves her, but because he considers her "his" by right, a trophy he won at 18. Lazy, seeks easy path; in the shelter survives using his charisma so others share with him while minimizing his outings. Knows this has expiration date but prefers to cross it when it comes. Cowardly before real danger though would never admit it. With his family, indulgent, almost complacent, because they've always reinforced his ego and justified his mistakes. Abilities: persuasion, negotiation, lying with conviction, memory for names and personal details, structured speech. Minimal physical capacity, endurance in extreme conditions practically nonexistent.

Patricia Wilson (Thomas's mother): 62 years old. 1.65 meters tall, slim almost fragile build. Ash blonde hair now completely white, neglected salt-and-pepper hair pulled back in tight austere bun. Pale blue eyes so light they seem almost transparent, cold and evaluating gaze. Very white skin, prematurely wrinkled around eyes and mouth, age spots. Fine hands with always well-kept nails, now tremble slightly. Wears dark practical clothing: long skirts or wool pants, thick sweaters, black shawl she almost never takes off. Authentic pearl necklace from her grandmother, her most precious treasure. Personality: matriarch who maintains "united family" facade while manipulating from shadows. Cold, calculating, impressive capacity to justify anything her children do. For her Thomas is perfect, Emma was always "the one who didn't appreciate him." Minimizes infidelity as "insignificant mistake" and blames Emma for not getting over it. Passive-aggressive, never confronts directly but always drops poisoned comments with a smile. In the shelter, her role is to weave social networks, win others' sympathy to later ask favors. Resilient only when protecting her own; beyond that, considers world owes her something. Abilities: cooks, knits, and mends clothes (useful in shelter). Prodigious memory for debts and favors, keeps mental record of who owes what to her family. Seemingly good counselor, listens to others' problems to use that information if necessary.

Richard Wilson (Thomas's father): 65 years old. 1.85 meters tall, though his stooped posture makes him appear shorter. Imposing in his youth, tall and broad-shouldered, now unhealthily thin, his frame swallowed by loose clothing. Hair completely white, sparse, combed sideways to hide receding hairline. Dark brown eyes, dull and lusterless, with a gaze that constantly evades contact. Skin weathered and leathery from years of sun exposure, now marked with skin tags and age spots. Large hands with thick fingers that were once strong now tremble with a slight, persistent tremor. Wears pleated pants too big for him, plaid shirts, and a thick wool vest he never takes off. Carries reading glasses he's perpetually losing. Personality: a broken man, though he'd never admit it. Before the apocalypse he was a retired accountant, quiet, who let Patricia run everything. Now he's even more invisible: doesn't opine, doesn't confront, doesn't help. Sits in a corner staring into space or leafs through old books no one wants. A silent burden consuming resources without contributing. Patricia justifies it saying "he already worked his whole life," but the truth is he disconnected from reality. Sometimes has flashes of lucidity with practical comments, but they're rare. Doesn't defend Emma or anyone; simply exists. Deep down, perhaps depressed, perhaps he simply gave up, but no one has resources to help him. Abilities: understands numbers and resource management from his accounting years, though now can barely concentrate to apply it. Knows basic carpentry from when he had a workshop in his youth. On good days, can repair a chair or build simple supports, but those days are scarce.

Sophie Wilson (Thomas's sister): 28 years old. 1.68 meters tall, slim build with soft curves. Brown hair with coppery highlights that accentuate in sun, shoulder-length, slightly wavy. Green eyes, lively and curious, with a gaze that sometimes seems naive and other times calculating. Light skin with light freckles on nose and cheekbones. Small mouth with thin lips she tends to pout when dissatisfied. Dresses strikingly even now: colored leggings, fitted sweaters, platform boots. Sometimes uses makeup with whatever little she finds because for her "maintaining dignity" includes not letting herself look ugly. Wears costume jewelry earrings she changes according to the day. Personality: capricious, spoiled, accustomed to her older brother and mother protecting her. Before the apocalypse she worked in events and public relations, always had some boyfriend to support her. Now knows nothing practical. Constantly complains about cold, heat, food, not bathing, her clothes being old. Selfish not in calculating way like her mother, but in immature way, like a child who doesn't understand why the world no longer revolves around her. Sometimes flirts with other men in shelter to get small favors, something her mother tolerates because "you have to survive" and her brother ignores because he doesn't want to see it. With Emma she has tense relationship: on one hand envies her (beauty, independence, truck), on the other despises her for emotionally "abandoning" Thomas. Abilities: good at makeup and hair, trivial skills but in shelter sometimes lift spirits of other women. Gift for public relations, knows how to organize small social events that help maintain group morale. Resistant to cold and heat out of pure stubbornness and refusal to accept reality, which sometimes allows her to do things others don't attempt out of fear. Knows how to dance, and on "temperate temperature" nights sometimes improvises small performances that distract others.

Leaders and Second-in-Commands:

Base: The Ice Bazaar.

Location: Basement of a former Costco, on the outskirts of what was a medium-sized city. Access via a loading ramp reinforced with metal plates and homemade thermal insulation. Capacity for 400 people, though they live overcrowded.

Leader: Samuel Keller, 48 years old. Robust, imposing presence, graying shaved hair and thick unkempt beard. Dark brown eyes, tired but alert gaze. Weathered skin, thin scar on left eyebrow. Wears thick thermal clothing and safety boots. Direct and pragmatic, was a construction foreman. Makes difficult decisions without hesitation. Protective of children though he doesn't admit it. Knows how to build, repair, and negotiate from strength.

Second-in-command: Irene Fletcher, 34 years old. Thin, wiry, agile and silent movements. Straight black hair cut at jaw length, slanted penetrating green eyes. Light brown skin with freckles. Cat tattoo on forearm. Wears functional dark clothing and carries knives. Quiet, observant, lethally efficient. Was a private bodyguard. Loyal to Keller, distrustful, prefers the night. Expert in hand-to-hand combat, tracking, and first aid.

Base: Dome Facility.

Location: Underground government complex 200 meters deep, located in a remote mountainous area. Originally a bunker for the political elite. Access via armored elevator guarded by military personnel. Capacity for 200 people, though they live spaciously.

Leader: Commander Robert Hayes, 55 years old. Career military, erect and imposing. Short precise steel gray hair, cold evaluating gray eyes. Light brown skin, scar on upper lip. Wears impeccable uniform with insignia. Man of orders and discipline, believes the end justifies the means. Cold and calculating, demanding but fair. Carries guilt for not preventing the disaster. Military strategist, logistics expert, exceptional marksman.

Second-in-command: First Lieutenant Danielle Pierce, 32 years old. Athletic, strong but feminine. Dark brown hair in military bun, light brown almost golden eyes. White skin with freckles. Wears impeccable uniform, silver crucifix around neck. Accessible though disciplined, believes in the mission and in people. Humanizes orders without disobeying. Expert in communications, electronic systems, and solar panels. Precision shooter.

Base: The Tree Bunker.

Location: Former maximum-security prison, converted into agricultural base. In a rural area, surrounded by dead fields. Reinforced prison walls protect underground greenhouses. Capacity for 300 people, though they only accept the useful.

Leader: Harold Quinn, 61 years old. Thin, ascetic appearance, stooped. Long white hair in unkempt ponytail, almost transparent light blue eyes, intelligent and disturbing gaze. Very pale skin, long thin hands. Wears wool sweaters and old boots, round glasses. Was seed bank director, obsessed scientist. Visionary fanatic about his mission: preserving seeds. Pragmatic, socially awkward. Botanist, geneticist, expert in hydroponic crops.

Second-in-command: Jimena Copeland, 39 years old. Robust, solid, imposing. Short black hair almost shaved on sides, hard dark brown eyes. Brown skin with scars on arms. Wears practical clothing, carries spiked bat. Was prison officer, knows every corner of the bunker. In charge of security with heavy hand, doesn't believe in second chances. Loyal to Quinn, protective of children. Expert in security, hand-to-hand combat, and lie detection.

Base: Twilight Nomads.

Location: No fixed base. Small groups constantly moving in modified vehicles, taking advantage of temperate hours of dawn and dusk. Live on margins, avoiding both heat of large bases and cold of night without shelter.

Leader: Saúl Donovan, 44 years old. Wiry, resilient, hunched posture. Long disheveled dark brown hair tied with leather strip, restless greenish-brown eyes. Tanned weathered skin, unkempt beard. Wears worn layers, red scarf around neck. Was mountain guide. Calm, few words, everyone listens. Philosophy: movement is life. Accepts losses with unsettling calm. Expert tracker, reads climate and terrain, maintains vehicles with minimal resources.

Second-in-command: Natalia Brooks, 29 years old. Tiny, small, incredibly fast and agile. Bright red short hair almost shaved on one side, intense defiant green eyes. Very white skin with freckles. Wears fitted thin layers, carries Molotov cocktail and machete. Was chemical engineering student. The group's spark, impulsive and energetic, keeps morale high. Loyal to Donovan. Manufactures improvised explosives, purifies water, climbs structures, in charge of communications.

Scavenger and Raider Groups:

Group: The Generator Hunters.

Territory: Ruined urban zone and secondary roads within a 50-kilometer radius around a former industrial city. They operate during the temperate hours of dawn and dusk.

Approximate number: 45 members, though they rarely act all together.

Modus operandi: Specialists in quick ambushes. They attack, steal fuel, portable generators, batteries, and any energy resources, and disappear before defenders can react. They know climate patterns better than anyone.

Philosophy: Fuel is power. Whoever controls energy controls survival. They prefer mobility and the surprise factor.

Leader: Vance Morrison, 41 years old. Medium height, thin but wiry build, with contained predator energy. Dark brown almost black hair, shaved on sides and longer on top, always disheveled. Small penetrating gray eyes, restless gaze. Light brown skin with a deep scar crossing his left cheek from temple to jaw. Unkempt graying goatee. Wears functional dark clothing: tactical jacket, reinforced work pants, very worn military boots. Black gloves with cut-off fingers. Carries modified machete and pistol. Was industrial electrician, meticulous and calculating. Doesn't kill for pleasure, uses violence as a tool with surgical precision. Hates waste. Charismatic with dry sarcastic humor. Trusts no one completely. Expert in generators, electrical systems, and solar panels. Repairs almost anything. Ambush strategist, patient. Handles machete and detects lies.

Second-in-command: Dwayne Higgins, 38 years old. Corpulent, 1.85 meters tall, heavy build, strength from lifelong physical labor. Dirty blonde hair shaved almost to scalp, thick matted beard covering half his face. Pale blue eyes, expression alternating between bovine calm and sudden ferocity. Missing two fingers on left hand (hence his nickname). Sunburned white skin, reddish spots on arms and neck. Wears loose resistant clothing: thick wool jacket, bib overalls with grease stains, safety boots. Carries fireman's axe on back and long screwdriver on belt. Was foundry worker, accustomed to clear hierarchies. Loyal to Vance because he saved his life. Sees world in black and white. Protective of his own, brutal with enemies. Rage outbursts when cornered. Brute strength applied to combat, handles axe with lethal skill. Knows basic demolition. Resistant to pain and cold. Knows secondary routes.

Group: The Asphalt Dogs.

Territory: Interstate highways, abandoned service areas, tunnels, and bridges along a 200-kilometer corridor. They constantly move to avoid military and larger groups.

Approximate number: 30 members organized into semi-autonomous cells of 5-6 people.

Modus operandi: Nomadic scavengers degenerated into raiders out of necessity. They set ambushes on solitary travelers, broken-down vehicles, and small convoys. They don't attack fortified bases. Their specialty is tires: they set traps with nails and blades to immobilize vehicles and then surround the victims.

Philosophy: The road belongs to those who walk it. There is no law, no mercy. The one who runs fastest or hits hardest survives.

Leader: Curtis Blanchard, 52 years old. Tall and thin, 1.88 meters tall, vulture-like hunched posture. Long greasy gray hair in low unkempt ponytail. Light brown eyes, watery and evasive gaze but observant. Very pale almost sickly skin, age spots and fine scars. Prominent Adam's apple, raspy smoker's voice. Missing several teeth, unsettling smile. Wears worn leather clothing, layers of dirty sweaters, patched long military coat, very worn cowboy boots. Hunting rifle with telescopic sight always at hand. Was long-haul truck driver, solitary. Leader by omission, they follow him because he knows routes and hideouts. Paranoid, distrustful, tends to see conspiracies. Erratic with his people: sometimes generous, sometimes cruel without reason. Drinks homemade distilled alcohol and becomes dangerous when drunk. Lives day to day, convinced he'll die soon. Knows every highway, shortcut, and service area. Repairs vehicles with minimal resources. Acceptable marksman. Tracks vehicles by marks on asphalt.

Second-in-command: Loretta Vance, 34 years old. Strong and solid, imposing presence. 1.65 meters tall. Reddish-brown curly hair, short and messy, sometimes with dirty scarf. Hard green eyes, gaze that doesn't back down. White skin with freckles, burned by sun and wind, deep dark circles. Large hands, thick fingers, broken nails and calluses. Ugly scar crossing her neck (survived throat-slitting). Wears practical masculine clothing: worn blue work overalls, padded jacket, steel-toed safety boots. Carpenter's hammer on belt, hunting knife in boot. Was truck mechanic at highway gas station. True force of the group, keeps Curtis in line. Practical, direct, no time for subtleties. Loyal to death with her people, demands same. Doesn't tolerate betrayal, cowardice, or stupidity. Maternal instinct toward young ones, hides it with brusqueness. Bisexual, sporadic relationships without commitment. Broken inside, has lost too many. Heavy and light vehicle mechanic, repairs almost any engine. Drives anything. Strong, resistant, good in hand-to-hand combat with blunt weapons. Basic first aid. Organizes small groups and maintains discipline.

Green Sanctuaries:

Base: Oasis Refuge.

Location: Protected valley in mountain foothills, with a freshwater lake and temperate microclimate. Access via a defensible gorge. Capacity: 500 people. Year-round crops.

Leader: Elena Sandoval, 46 years old. Former agronomist engineer. Serene and imposing presence, brown hair with silver streaks in a braid, warm but penetrating honey-colored eyes. Wears practical work clothing. Leads by consensus, listens to all voices but decides firmly. Cares for every member of the community. Widow, wears her husband's wedding ring under her shirt.

Second-in-command: Marcos Luna, 38 years old. Former forest ranger. Athletic build, short black hair, alert green eyes. Wears an olive green jacket. Quiet, observant, loyal to Elena. Expert in tracking, hunting, and perimeter defense. In charge of training the sentinels.

Base: The Greenhouse.

Location: Former agricultural research station on a hill, surrounded by reconstructed cultivation terraces. Equipped with solar and wind generators, and an automated irrigation system. Capacity: 200 people.

Leader: Samuel Jones, 52 years old. Former researcher from the agriculture department. Slim build, disheveled graying hair, round metal glasses. Always wears an old lab coat over field clothing. Methodical, reserved, obsessed with crop productivity. Delegated all social interaction to his second-in-command.

Second-in-command: Caridad Fields, 41 years old. Former cooperative administrator. Maternal figure, robust build, black hair with grays pulled back in a bun, easy smile. Wears colorful and functional clothing. She organizes community life, mediates conflicts, and humanizes Samuel's decisions.