In a world where industrialism devastated the planetary ecosystem at a fast pace, the environmental movement split into two factions. The established environmentalists evolved into business operations where paid jobs, fundraising, government and corporate grants became the main focus. This faction believed that green corporations and growth could save the planet and continue the destructive ballooning of human numbers. They thought that electing members to industrialist-controlled parliaments would make a difference.

The second faction understood that only total destruction of industrialism would be effective, allowing the remaining species to survive and perhaps some humans. At the extreme of this group sat the deep resistors, organized in cells so black that the security forces were not aware of them until they first attacked.

Sherwood Green, in a spectacular series of fires and explosions, launched a surprise attack on Toronto, the strategic financial centre of Canada. The frantic, blind response of police focused on the above ground supporters of Sherwood Green.

Jos Amiel, a young reporter for the local, superficial TorontoNewsNow television network, hoped covering Sherwood Green would build his career. Events drew him in deeper as the stress of the attacks exposed the seamy underside of the fragile city culture. Jos began to understand that if Sherwood Green succeeded, they would destroy Toronto along with his career.