Academy City's peacekeepingforces are absent due to the Avignon invasion.In that now lawless land, shadowygroups start moving behind thescenes. --Those actingfor their owninterests. --Those wholove the dark and revel inkilling. --Thosetrying to destroy others'hope. --Those standingup in defiance for those important tothem. --Those bringingthe battle to the higherechelons. --Thosequelling rebelliouselements. --Those whowould stop a rampage withviolence. In thiscity, which controls all of science, who will survive?