An atomic war ended the great civilizations of the 21st century. Enough time has passed that scattered towns and fragments of society have re-emerged — but not enough to smooth out the underlying violence of a life lived without comfort or protection. Corporations of uncertain age sit over the few surviving cities like territorial spiders, providing security in exchange for total dependence. Some people live under that arrangement and call it stability. Others wander the wastelands, living off what the old world left behind and whatever justice they can find at the end of a weapon. Which approach will last longer remains an open question.