In the city of Chernobog within the Ursus Empire, a group of operators from the pharmaceutical company Rhodes Island led by their leader, Amiya, awakens and rescues their head strategist, the Doctor, who has gone under cold sleep in a underground facility.

Ursus news claims the government has suppressed the riots, when in reality they are quickly losing control of the city. Amiya and the Rhodes Islanders walk through a park but are attacked by Reunion force led by Crownslayer, who kidnaps the Doctor.

Amiya does her best to shield the Doctor and her friends from both Talulah's attacks and falling meteors from a Catastrophe, but quickly reaches her limit. Ace and his team decide to stay behind to hold off Talulah and her forces to give time for the others to escape.

The Doctor is introduced to Blacksteel PMC contractors Liskarm and Franka as Rhodes Island makes its way to Lungmen, while the massive mobile city is enforcing stricter policies against the Ursus refugees, fearing the Infected might be sneaking in.

Misha loses trust in Amiya after overhearing her talking with Ch'en about handing Misha to the LGD, but reluctantly stays with them. The slums are full of Reunion soldiers and sympathizers, so The Doctor's group relies on the help of Penguin Logistics employees Exusiai and Texas to find a safe route out of the neighborhood.

The Doctor's group hands Misha over to Ch'en and the LGD. Ch'en tells Misha that her father was one of Chernobog's best scientists, and that Reunion wants to capture her, so Misha is being taken into protective custody.

Misha awakens in a Reunion hideout with Skullshatterer, whose real identity is her brother, an Infected named Alex. Alex tells Misha why he joined Reunion and hopes Misha will join as well.

Both sides are licking their wounds as a sandstorm rolls through the quarry. W suddenly appears at the LGD camp to give Amiya a two-way radio before escaping.

Rhodes is negotiating with Wei regarding the situation in Lungmen and its imminent conflict with Reunion.

W is a Sarkaz mercenary, but the war will reveal that she is much more than that.

Rhodes Island infiltrates Chernobog's core city.

Despite the advanced stage of his disease, the Aegis of the Infected and his overwhelming might pose a formidable threat to Rhodes Island.

The Rhodes Islanders split into two teams to continue their mission both above- and below-ground.

It is a flame that she sought.

They have no future in the snowfield. This lifestyle is but a temporary one.

Doctor and Kal'tsit meet a transformed Eno at the sarcophagus.

Amiya confronts Talulah alongside Ch'en, who is trying to understand what happened to her sister.

Ch'en and Amiya try to free Talulah from Kashchey's control and stopping Chernobog.