It's the late 21st century and Merceria City is suffering in the aftermath of nuclear world war. Famine, disease, migration and climate change plague the city, despite the best endeavours of statesman Harvey Sanders telling the public that all is well. But there is an even more sinister side to Merceria City. The on-going urban war between humans and genetically synthesised half-humans has many more twisted dimensions than at first seem apparent. This short story is the first part of a multi-part series.