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.

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.