In Victoria on a former prison colony, two exiled groups--the farmers of Shantih and the City dwellers--live in apparent harmony. All is not as it seems, however. While the peace-loving farmers labor endlessly to provide food for the City, the City Bosses rule the Shantih with an iron fist. When a group of farmers decide to from a new settlement further away, the Bosses retaliate by threatening to crush the "rebellion." Luz understands what it means to have no choices. Her father is a Boss and he has ruled over her life with the same iron fist. Luz wonders what it might be like to make her own choices. To be free to choose her "own" destiny. When the crisis over the new settlement reaches a flash point, Luz will have her chance.

On an alien planet inhabited by two communities exiled from Earth, a courageous young woman flees her prison-like existence among the vicious denizens of the City to lead the free-spirited Shanty Towners in building a new colony.