As of 2281, the stretch of west Texas known as the Permian Basin represents the greatest hope of reclaiming Texas from the ravages of banditry, mutation, and super-science run amok. A string of stable city-states and townships has formed, on and about the remains of I-10, I-20, and I-27. Some just see convenient way-stops and trade lanes, others look at the potential of the Permian Basin and see its communities as flies struggling on a web.