America 3000

Korvis incites a riot among the enslaved Plugots at the Comb of the Friscos and escapes with Gruss. They flee into the irradiated contamns where the Frau cannot pursue them. In the ruins they discover a children's book and a top-hat that become symbols of their new resistance.

Korvis and Gruss join other escaped Plugots and band together to survive in the contamns. Over years they build a new social order, effectively forming a comb of their own from the ruins of Camp Reagan. The harsh environment forces them to adapt and educate themselves to challenge their former masters.

Korvis reads the children's book and realizes that they are all 'Men' rather than Plugots. Gruss explains that feral Plugots still exist, driven by hunger and ignorance, leaving room for conflict with the new 'Men'.

On the route back toward the Comb, Reya is gravely wounded in an ambush by feral Plugots. The escapees press on, trying to protect her as she fades.

Arriving at the Comb, Reya is near death and passes on a secret map found in her shelter. She designates Vena as Tiara, while Lakella watches with growing resentment and dismay.

Morha and Freyha arrive at the gates as Reya’s death is mourned, leading to a funeral for Reya and a celebration of Vena’s crowning. They discuss plans to annex the Comb and destabilize Vena’s rule, sowing unrest from within.

Vena discovers the map showing a path through the contamns, and Lynka warns that Lakella will overthrow her if she learns of the plan to bend sacred rules. The tension between sisters tightens the camp’s political climate.

Korvis launches an attack on the Comb and frees the remaining male slaves, forcing a pursuit into the contamns. He leads Lakella and Vena, but Lakella shoots Korvis, sending him tumbling toward a ravine; the arrow is halted by the reading book.

Korvis awakens after the fall and discovers a hidden vault containing laser weapons, a boombox, a radiation suit, and a message for the President. He uses this technology to roleplay the mythical god-character of 'The Prezeedent' and begins plotting to kidnap a close friend of Vena to trade for diplomacy.

Gruss and Relk ambush a Frau seeder camp and capture Lynka, adding urgency to the power struggle and giving their side leverage in the looming conflict.

Korvis orders a dramatic sky-fire to draw attention and forces Vena to meet the 'Prezeedent' at sunrise in the contamns. Vena agrees to go and follows him to the presidential bunker; inside, Korvis reveals his true identity and that he is a 'man' while she is a 'woman'.

During the assault on the men's camp, Morha is knocked off her horse and trampled, Amie is killed by a thunder-rock, and Lakella dies in hand-to-hand combat with Gruss. The loss of key leaders shifts the balance of power decisively.

At the Frisco gates, a surrendering Vena meets Korvis and they drop their weapons, kissing as the onlookers follow suit. The act signals an end to the fighting and the start of a fragile peace between the two factions.