In the heart of Nova York, deep inside the Blade complex, the Sentients, chosen by the Elect, wait to be uplifted to a luxurious space station where they will live forever. Beyond the tower, inside the SCELEC enclosures, Freemechs take care of the Sick in makeshift camps, but their days are numbered. When the Sentients leave, thousands of spent fuel ponds will erupt and spew their filth across the northern hemisphere making life near impossible for the remnant. The mysterious Voice speaks to those infected by Dust and recruits a rag-tag squad of cyborg veterans, scientists, and mechs in a last ditch attempt to prevent the cataclysm. But there is another. And she is not happy with the way she is being used to give the Sentients their advantage.