In a desiccated New York City, the most wanted criminals in the country hadn't always been on the outside looking in. Maggie and her team outran the soldiers who held them, though the others hadn't been so lucky. The scant remainder of the United States' population had been swept into the prison system, Novus, under the guise of regrouping and rebuilding society as they once knew it. However, under leadership with much darker motives, the psychological testing and repopulation plan had turned into a living nightmare. Maggie, with the help of her friends and their new resources face hope, betrayal, grief, and power as they plan their prison break: this time from the outside in.

"Dear Citizens of Novus: you have been gathered here under the protection of the United States Military in an effort to rebuild our nation to its further glory, and more. All eligible participants will be entered into The Repopulation Plan, meant to find your strongest genetic complement in order to bear the next generation. Those ineligible will be entered into the workforce, who shall participate in their assigned testing. This testing will allow us to have a more accurate picture of human behavior in order to build the best society possible. Thank you for your sacrifice; it will not be easy work, but with the help of my colleagues, this nation will be great again.' Public service announcement from Beau Phillips, on behalf of the Keystone Council.