Day 22: Concrete jungle

Rapid-growing plants and wily animals retake major cities. Coporations, governments and wealthy individuals contract mercenaries to scout the cities and recover information, machinery and electronics.


Some say the wild growth was the result of genetic experimentation gone awry. Others said it was the wrath of God, punishing wicked humans for their hubris. Others thought it was proof that Earth had a soul of its own, and was intent on putting humans in their rightful place.

Whatever the cause, the Reclamation happened overnight, decisively turning cities into ruins. Large metropolitan centers across the world -- New York, Washington, Chicago, Los Angeles, Alberta -- hundreds of cities across six continents were retaken by plants.

Overnight, huge brambles encircled buildings; giant trees erupted from courtyards and avenues, splitting concrete and asphalt; thick, creeping ivies stretched across power lines and hung loosely between skyscrapers. Human edifice was damaged beyond use; those who stayed behind found that wildlife had grown dangerous and feral.

In the immediate aftermath, credit systems and transportation have broken down, but that doesn't mean that humans have given up their post as rulers of Earth. Rather, the remnants of governments and corporations -- especially those with rich, physical assets on hand -- have rallied to retake mankind's homes.

However, not all is going well with the effort. The volunteers, soldiers and mercenaries seeking to retake the cities find themselves stymied on many fronts. First, the wildlife and flora has proven incredibly resilient; even when it can be forced back with defoliants and expensive, awkward barrier systems, the buildings are often damaged beyond use. Second, many of these groups also pursue shadowy agendas of their own; they seek to capitalize in the chaos by taking data and materiel that they don't own. The agents who work on such projects are cutthroat and fanatically loyal. Finally, a contingent of humans actively oppose any attempt to return or retake the cities -- some believe what happened was divine will, others believe it was a wake-up call. Those who take up arms to block the recovery attempts are dangerous zealots, and they believe that force is an acceptable tool to use on nonbelievers.