Azimuth 2045

The year is 2045. The Earth is on the verge of total environmental collapse, and humans have been largely eradicated. The same entities responsible for the eradication of all life in star system HD 133600 some 180 years prior to their arrival in the solar system on August 24th came to Earth and, within 72 hours, had wiped out most of its human population using an orbital nuclear bombardment.

All known survivors live in one of the four facilities built under the Thaumas Program, all of which straddle the Earth's equator at various points in the oceans. Thaumas I lies in the Pacific Ocean near Kiribati, Thaumas II lies in the Indian Ocean near the Maldives, Thaumas III in the Eastern Atlantic near São Tomé and Príncipe, and Thaumas IV lies in the Pacific Ocean near the Galapagos Islands. The Thaumas facilities are staffed primarily by scientists and engineers recruited by the Azimuth Corporation prior to the alien incursion, and also house military personnel recruited by Halon. Most residents aboard the station have been subjected to genetic enhancement procedures designed to help them withstand radiation, though few have tolerance levels high enough to survive trips outside.