Cyberwood used to be their shelter. Now, it's turning against them. When cybernetically enhanced plants began evolving beyond regular technology, the world relegated all cyber-plants to a 50-mile-diameter biome in the Saharan Annex. There, under the guidance of the High Technomantress, the forest provides its six surrounding clearing villages with food, water, climate, communication, and even inter-village teleportation so citizens don't have to go through the woods. Fay Butler is the granddaughter of the High Technomantress, supposedly in line for the esteemed position, but her Gramma chose Lily Vathrornstoe as an apprentice instead of her. Then, on Fay's last day of school, the High Technomatress falls suddenly ill; she is separated from her Staff of Office, and after she is whisked to another village for treatment, Cyberwood shuts down. Food and water stop, communication, and teleportation are offline and worse things may be...