Captives

EPILOGUE

Zone 4, Sector 60

Year 1 of the New Light

Over two hundred and sixty years have passed since World War III left our earth poisoned and shrouded in darkness. For most of my life, I lived in the sky. But then my people discovered a habitable place to call home. A place where the sun shines and the water is crystal clear. A place where humanity has a second chance.

I left that home to help find you, the hidden survivors. People around the world who, like me, dream of living on the surface again. I know you’re out there, hiding in the shadows and living in the darkness. Frightened of the monsters, machines, and even humans that want to wipe us out.

I have traveled the world, from the skies and sea to the poisoned soil, looking for survivors just like you. I have seen the nightmares on the surface. I have fought monsters and men who wanted to eat my flesh.

But I survived. My people survived. We built a new home on the ocean, which we call the Vanguard Islands. My team has already rescued dozens of survivors from the poisoned darkness and brought them back to our colony.

We have farms, we have fish, and, most importantly, we have each other—a strong community governed by an executive council.

Things aren’t perfect, but life is good here. Beautiful, even.

Beyond our dark walls, there are still threats everywhere. Mutant beasts and plants, radioactive dirt, electrical storms, and killer bots. The AI defectors that hunt and kill humans—the same machines that very nearly brought our species to extinction.

But as long as there are Hell Divers, we will fight. We will dive. And we will survive.

This is Commander Michael Everhart, transmitting from the airship Discovery, formerly known as ITC Deliverance. And if you’re listening, don’t be afraid. We are the last humans, and we are in the skies, looking for you. If you’re out there, respond to this message. We will never stop diving for humanity. We dive so humanity survives.