2066 was the hottest average year in recorded history. It beat the previous holder, 2065, by three degrees. 2065 beat the previous holder, 2064, by two degrees. The extreme heat had many effects on the world and the global population, but none so destructive as the rapid melting of the polar ice caps. In 2066, the ice caps gave way and a global flood swept the Earth. Over the course of 15 days, 90% of the Earth's land was covered in water. The land that remains, the top of what were mountains and some places that were far from the original coasts, have all been claimed by ex-billionaires that were able to quickly build on the lands and hire security to make sure no one else can trespass. The rest of the world, like me, are Drifters. People of no nation, no flag, and no creed. We do what we can to survive on the open waters.

The ship I am on, nicknamed the Sassy Lobster, was recently docked at an abandoned oil rig that was roughly 50 miles off the shore of the State of Alabama, or at least that's what the map says. There were a few survivors there, remnants of the original crew, that traded with us and gave us shelter for a few days. I heard one of them talk of a place almost as if it was a myth. A city on the ocean; adrift like us. The Free City of Sisao. The crewmate told stories he heard that it was a place anyone could go and feel welcome, as long as they helped out. Buildings of scrapped ships and debris all welded and shaped together to form a glorious city. I asked him where such city is, and he responded he did not know, since it floats and all. He did say the last guy that came by said he last visited it when it was in the North Atlantic.

I was able to convince my captain that pursuing this Free City could be to our advantage. We could help them out and trade with them. She agreed and we set sail. That was three months ago and we still have yet found this fabled city. Some of the crew have started to openly question the captain's decision and fear of a mutiny is in the air. After a few more anxious nights we finally spot it.

The city is much larger than that oil rig crewman let on. This place was truly a feat of engineering and ingenuity. Towers of steel and wood float on makeshift ballasts. Rope and cable bridges connect individual buildings up in the air, while "canals" for boats act as streets.

We get permission to dock and make our way through the city. The stories do not do it justice. Small stores line cramped alleyways full of people. The smell of cooked fish fills the air. People yell out to try to get us to buy their goods or services. We come across a school where children are being taught basic survival skills like fishing, welding, and first aid. A nearby factory is full of masked craftsmen creating a plethora of parts and machines to run this city. I have to take a seat on a bench because the sensory overload is too much for me. I have spent years on the open sea. I have gotten too used to constantly seeing the blue horizon in front of me. I feel claustrophobia start to set in. I take a deep breath and calm myself. This place is too great to put me down. This place is the epitome of human survival, but also of human compassion. The Sisaoians have come together to make something beautiful. I am eager to get started to do my part.