The world is finally recovering from the effects of pandemic, war, and economic collapse. Disease is still rife, people still starve, and the peace is fragile. Yet humanity still strives for the stars, taking its first steps along the path of interplanetary exploration. And with them, both on and off the battlefields, robots have an increasing role. Not everyone is happy with this, including some of the machines. This novel is based, with permission, on an original story and audio-script by Sheriden Starr with additions by Lee Potts of Omenopus. It is not a straightforward retelling of the story recounted in the album (The Archives -- Omenopus -- Monty Maggot Records -- MMCD009). It is an interpretation of events, an offering of back story, and an exploration of some of the dilemmas posed by the original tale.