Definitely a new and different AU from all the others I've seen.

I'm so glad you said that! There are some brilliant post-apocalyptic AUs out there but every time I saw one in the year it took to write this monster I was terrified it would be this story. Thankfully I think I'm the first in this particular sandpit. I had fun writing it and destroying things so don't feel bad for enjoying it! In fact I hope you continue to enjoy it, even though the angst is going to ramp up a bit quite soon.