The city was devastated by the sudden materialisation of the Fortress, a superweapon capable of destroying all traces of an opponent. Most of the population perished, and their "blast shadows" were left behind as ghosts which pulled whatever they touched out of reality. The survivors set up a village similar to a Hooverville, and refused to use the technology and resources available, fearing it would eventually run out and they needed to learn to sustain themselves. They allowed their children, born after the event, to venture into the city to understand why they must stay in the village.