One year after the establishment of the Hybrid Empire, the great American cities have been turned into re-education camps for all humanity. Malevocrax is putting the finishing touches on a weapon that will bring the entire world to its knees, while Richard's friends wait in one of his re-education camps, hoping that Richard is soon coming to free them. Meanwhile, in the twisting fog beyond the re-education camps, a hooded figure stirs who is nearly ready to stand before his enemy in a duel that will shake the world to its very foundations.