By the year 2100, the Earth's sea level will rise about 7 feet, significantly shrinking coastlines and redrawing the face of the planet. To reduce further impact, the United States has outlawed the use of fossil fuels, relying instead on heavily-regulated nuclear power. This shift has caused several states to secede, dividing the nation under threat of martial law. This is the story of the first stand of Arkansas. Sawyer is a poor farm girl taking care of herself and her radiation-poisoned mother. Unable to afford the energy to keep her mother alive, she must rebuild her father's illegal homemade generator under the watchful eye of an oppressive government.