From the introduction: 2437 AD: Humanity has created a polluted world, stripped of resources. And yet, technology has advanced beyond control. Iquot City is one of the last great strongholds in North America. Outside its walls lies a mysterious place, where humans fear to tread—the Borderlands. A race of synthetic beings known as Syms has evolved to look and act human. Many have been programmed to think they’re human. No one knows what their goals are, but it won’t be long before no one can tell humans from Syms. Their civilization is built from the recycled remains of humanity’s waste. They’ve developed manufacturing centers, recycling vehicles, mines and refineries… all of which bodes poorly for humankind. Is there a way to stop the Syms from taking over the world? And if there is, at what price?