Ravaged by global warming, New York City is hyper-stratified: genetically modified humanoids luxuriate in the technotopian SkyDecks of Hi-Town, while the natural masses toil as pain surrogates confined to Lo-Town, the flooded wreckage of the once-great metropolis.

Pain biz legend Lázaro Mato can't gig anymore but is desperate to stack enough coin to modify, elevate, and reunite with his missing love. When he's offered a gig to mine data on a crate of child-sized arms, he jumps at it.

Something's off. But Laz is out of options, and he's determined to see the investigation through to the end, no matter what sinister secrets he uncovers, or what it costs.