International Refugee Coalition (IRC)

Location: Current whereabouts pinpoint the main fleet somewhere within the North Atlantic. Smaller fleets are located in the Pacific and Arctic Oceans and the Mediterranean Sea.

History: The world's forgotten victims of the ever-growing threat of climate change were always forced to rebuild on their own. But the idea of branding together truly never stuck on until the beginning of the 2030s. The subtle collapse of the global market, along with the changing climate, led to millions being displaced from their home country. Approximately one billion were climate refugees and lacked the proper representation on the international stage. So, in 2032, the International Refugee Coalition was founded and began assisting refugees who accepted their services without fear of going into debt.

Shortly after the foundation, the IRC began buying off decommissioned ships from various countries that tried to maintain their economies. Container ships, cruise ships, fishing vessels, and tender vessels were common purchases made with the banking accounts of refugees (the ones who willingly volunteered). But they weren't the only types of ships brought. A year later, the decommissioned USS Freedom and HMS Severn became the first naval ships under IRC ownership. And then, they made their biggest purchase with the INS Rajput for four billion US dollars. But then came the Space Wars.

Although far from the continents (where nuclear hellfire was unleashed), the fleet was still left vulnerable once the satellite infrastructure collapsed. In a matter of weeks, things that ships once relied upon were forever lost, reverting back to 18th-century techniques as a means of survival in this brave new world. Millions sought out the IRC in the midst of total collapse, which soon strained the already limited resources. So, the Universal Council for the Displaced (UCD) voted unanimously to cut communications with the outside world and limit their presence to the Arctic Ocean. Their last communication was in 2040 before vanishing seemingly from the face of the Earth.

But in secret, they collaborated with remnants of the United Nations to gather and perverse human knowledge and culture, becoming unofficial conservators of human history. Shortly after losing contact with the UN, they secured and raided the Svalbard Global Seed Vault. Then, cut all forms of communication with the remaining world governments. The IRC remained hidden and isolated, with occasional visits to the mainland for refuel and resupply. However, a rapid change in leadership recently forced a unanimous vote to re-engage with the outside at the beginning of the 2100s.

Culture and beliefs: Life onboard ships was always going to have its challenges, especially in the wake of societal collapse. Ration cards for food and medicine were implemented to maintain the survival of its crew and passengers. While knowledge of ship maintenance and repair was a mandatory learning course for everybody, not just exclusive to the crew. A captain was responsible for the everyday affairs onboard their ship while communicating with the various departments, managing all personnel inventory, and being a representative of the Universal Council for the Displaced (UCD).

Much of the old understanding of seafaring, along with its professions and ranks, survived and was modified to better suit survival. Access to remaining human knowledge and culture allowed for a better understanding of the old world and its numerous issues than arguably any other in the world. That left some to speculate that the International Refugee Coalition was one of the few direct descendants of old-world governance, while the council was more than willing to remain silent on the matter.

Science and technology: The IRC relied heavily upon preserving old marine technology to actively survive in the open seas while adapting gardening and solar power.

Character names: Spokesperson Noémie Mahieu

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BATMAN

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