In a colony on the island of Titan, very close to the Kraken Sea, Ethan and Jessica work on a project. Going through unhappy marriages, they find solace in each other as they work to launch a power generating station from Titan's cryovolcanic activity.
Ten thousand years after nuclear holocaust, Earth has reverted to the savage garden, and Man to his Neanderthal roots. Yet a man-child is born, fully human, and a young woman wakes to find the world she knew is gone.
Man has developed many a deadly weapon. Today, the weapon most effective in destroying a man's hopes and security is the file folder. and that was the weapon Morely knew and loved. But there was something more potent to come.
"Tea, dear," said Mrs. Winslow, opening the door with the glass window and the white blind that communicated with the parlour. "One minute," said Winslow, and began unlocking the desk. An irritable old gentleman, very hot and red about the face, and in a heavy fur-lined cloak, came in noisily. Mrs. Winslow vanished. "Ugh!" said the old gentleman.