Psyche leads a new nation, the Collective. They dedicate themselves to saving and restoring life. But their seedling society is unaware of a neighboring threat - the Environ. Out of the ashes of America's once powerful elite, led by ex-president and CEO Reginald Strauch, a hand picked group of plutocrats, servants and scientists inhabit a bio-machine serviced by a race of genetically engineered slaves called the geney.An accident brings geney 199 to the Collective. Over time he assimilates and becomes close to Psyche. He tells stories of the brutality of his former life. Torn by his freedom, he advocates a rescue mission when the Collective's geoengineering project threatens the lives of his people.