Earth has been destroyed and the survivors have retreated to an underground city on Mars, preparing to head off to a new planet they hope to colonise.
When her daughter Bea abruptly arrives home, Elizabeth struggles to keep her from being unwittingly drawn into the power of The Rising.
Disgraced journalist Jayne Baghurst seeks to re-establish herself in London through the support of her daughter Robin, after being served with divorce papers from her husband. While Jayne attempts to force her once-obliging spouse to take on the substantial debt she has accrued during their year of separation, Robin begins to see the social contracts underlying her family relationships for what they are.
