That was Empress Hot Spring III's mother, Empress Hot Spring II. She died while being a guest of the president. It was not an accident, Hot Spring III is still a child and impressionable
In short,
A bunch of people rebelled against the immortal president Cactus: the Camel Riders.
He killed Olive Joy.
Some nukes happened.
Some individuals are trying to figure out what the heck is going on.