A tale speculating on where the science of synthetic biology might take us. Outer Shell Engineer Buchanan has good reason for his belligerence. The task of maintaining the integrity of the habitat involves walling off areas which have become contaminated. His job will herald an early, agonising death. The rules maintain a happy, productive and satisfying life, for the majority. The Keepers enforce the rules. Keeper Dominic falls in love with a woman his parents discover to be religious. Her entire village is secretly taken to the cells. Knowing Buchanan will provide his best method of vengeance Dominic agrees to trust him in the inclusion of whatever plan the OSE has devised for his revenge. Buchanan and Dominic survive what they had expected to be certain death only to be captured and sold on in an auction. Here they find themselves in a world of chimeras and humans with blended genes. They discover the reason for assassination attempts on them as well as the true purpose of the habitat.
