Neu Berlin

''In September 1889, three years after the first colossal temperature fall, about seven families from Hessen, Germany tried to rescue themselves from the cold by moving north. Without proper gear and only a rough map of Germany, they settled about 250 km (155 miles) further north in what they believed was the main capital; Berlin. In reality, though they only reached Wolfsburg, 178 km (110 miles) away from Berlin and only three of the families just about managed to survive. Still, with new hope and belief, the remaining group settled in a relatively new salt mine, which also contained very small amounts of uranium, a newly discovered mineral by Antoine Henri Becquerel. ''

''By the desperate search of a reliable source for heat, the engineers of the three families experimented in various ways to gain heat from uranium, which was already known to be able to produce some kind of energy. They found out if they mix the right amount of very fine salt into a pool of water with a small amount of uranium inside, the water would begin to boil.''

''In January 189 0 the first improvised construction of, what is today known as a nuclear-power-plant, would begin. David Höfling, the elected lead-engineer, decided the best way to place the "heat chamber" would be deeper inside the mine so the heat would rise to the top of the mine, automatically warming the new settlement.''

'' February 1890, the "heat chamber" would be considered to be finished and a first test run would result in success, only to be diminished by a collapse of the "heat chamber" due to lack of oxygen and temperature regulation two weeks later. Some sort of air conditioner had to be built to keep the "heat chamber" at an approximate temperature. One engineer got injured heavily in the process of regaining control of the "heat chamber", one engineer died.''

''The settlement slowly began to heal themselves from losses and injuries so the question of future operations and decisions had to be clarified. Within two days a leader was announced, Karl Harland. Neu Berlin was born. With an iron fist and harsh tone, he commanded the workers to hunt for food, expected the engineers to do extra hours, and regulate the "heat chamber" properly. Although the given conditions were barely humane, the families managed to survive and breed children.''

''It all seemed well for some time. Until the first explosion of the "heat chamber" in December 1890. Half of the population died, so did many of the newborns, only leaving behind a group of 6 females and 5 males, two injured and one fit newborns. Parts of the mine collapsed due to the explosion and the way to the "heat chamber" was blocked. Not only that, but the people slowly got ill due to being exposed to radiation all the time. Also, a different, social problem accrued when refugees found their way to Neu Berlin. Some demanded to claim some space to perform religious acts and seek healing with the help of god, others tried to claim the space for developing new gear and boost technology as well as paramedic facilities. The settlement experienced a split between religion and science. Soon, both parties realized they needed each other's help to keep Neu Berlin alive, so contracts and agreements were made (only to be broken and betrayed?).''