Earth has changed. Warped by an oppressive ruler, all life segregated to societies encased within the 'New State' of the Earth. Detective Sartore struggles with constant change and a rising Japanese crime syndicate in the New State's Manhattan sector. Galaxies away, two ex-demolition operatives are rehired by a planetary corporation to investigate a small unprotected system containing New Earth. An Earth tribe, exiled to purify the planet known as Mars, develops a weapon to avenge their home planet and bring death to its tyrannical alien king. All is affected, all is connected. Nothing is as it seems.