Previously:
The House of Wisdom (HOW) was a science vessel where the best and brightest went to do their research. Among them were Jas's parents (and Jas, but he was only 12). A bioweapon was released onboard, killing everyone quickly (and painlessly). Jas was the only survivor, because his mother sent him away in one of her experimental ships before he could be infected.
Zahra's father, Dr. Lago, was a space archeologist who was part of the HOW's team until days before the outbreak, when he was removed from his post for hiding data from a satellite (UC33-X) sent back to Earth by one of the ships who left pre-Collapse.
The Collapse happened about 200 years prior, with humanity almost going extinct and society having to rebuild from the ground up. Humanity's now governed not by nation-states, but by the Councils. Life is quite good for its citizens (almost utopian), but its also rigidly structured (where conformity is king). For those who want to live outside this rigid structure, there's the Wastelands, with its decimated soil and scarce water. (But at least they're living free of tyranny.)
To escape persecution due to guilt by association, Zahra's family moved to the Wastelands of North America. There they joined the Family of Light, a group lead by a visionary genius named Adam. Everyone that is part of the family takes the Light last name. Adam hates the Councils for their tyranny and has decided that the only way to truly be free is to commandeer the HOW and escape to explore the stars (it's advanced engine will make it impossible to catch).
