After World War III, Earth is in ruins, and the final armies have come to a reluctant truce. Everyone must obey the law-- in every way-- or risk shattering the fragile peace and endangering the entire human race. Although Arika Cobane is a member of the race whose backbreaking labor provides food for the remnants of humanity, she's destined to become a member of the Kongo elite. After ten grueling years of training, she's on the threshold of taking her place of privilege far from the fields-- but everything changes when a new student arrives.