It is three hundred years in the future, and mankind is still trying to survive the Great Collision that changed the earth forever. People live in pockets of civilization called compounds, battling the elements and the mutations, which have developed over the centuries, trying to live and survive day by day. Yulen D'Jacques is the Battle Lord of Alta Novis. His duty is to keep his compound and his people safe, which includes yearly sweeps of the area to remove any mutated men and animals from encroaching.

Confined in a small shipping container for weeks on end, Taru was starving, dehydrated, and close to death. When she was given the option of remaining in the container until her owner could turn her in for the reward, or being one of 15 females going to a mining moon to pleasure the drillers who were willing to pay for her services, she chose the latter. At least there was the possibility she could escape from there and get back with her people.

Waking up disoriented, she doesn’t know where she is, or who these men are who are talking over her…about her…about her being their creation. Apparently they ran out of parts, but she turned out okay, if not a little on the small side. Being dubbed Runt, she soon learns these men are not friendly, and she’s about to be sold to the highest bidder. From what she overhears, she fears the new owners will be crueler than her creators.

Earth is in decline, and the wealthy have fled it, leaving only the destitute citizens behind. And aliens. Gemma McKinley works at a prison cleaning goop off the floors and serving food to inmates. When she is reassigned to the alien ward, Gemma is nervous. Aliens are dangerous and ruthless. They bite. But there is one that isn’t like them. Simon is damaged, starved, and wasting away in complete isolation. Touched by his loneliness, Gemma starts nursing him back to health, dismissing rumors that he’s high-risk, ignoring the advice to let him croak.

In need of extra income, Dane Caravelle applies for a new program that allows other people to “rent” her and lets them essentially live her life. This groundbreaking scientific technology is meant to allow those who may be disadvantaged or disabled to experience a normal life. Although it requires rigorous testing to become a rental, Dane is ecstatic when she’s approved.