In a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by war and plague, a young man named Johnny Hope finds himself ostracized from his village, Hamilton, after the death of his parents due to the Plague. The villagers, fearing contamination, refuse to allow him to bury his parents, leading him to leave in search of answers. Johnny believes that the robot armies, originally created to serve humanity, may hold the key to curing the Plague, but he is met with skepticism from the villagers who have never seen the robots. As he journeys through the desolate landscape, Johnny encounters Diane, a member of the Shining Ones, a group of survivors who have developed immunity to the Plague. Diane saves Johnny from dying of the Plague after he becomes infected, and they form a bond. However, tensions arise as Johnny grapples with his identity as a Shining One and the implications of his past. Meanwhile, the Shining Ones, led by Keleher, plan to raid Hamilton for supplies, which puts Johnny in a moral dilemma. He is torn between loyalty to his former home and his growing connection to Diane and the Shining Ones. As the raid unfolds, chaos ensues, and Hamilton is set ablaze, leaving Johnny feeling lost and without a place to belong. In the Citadel, the heart of the robots' operations, Johnny and Diane's fates intertwine with that of Starbuck, a power-hungry Shining One who seeks to manipulate the situation for his gain. Starbuck's actions lead to a confrontation that forces Johnny to confront his feelings for Diane and the reality of their situation. As Johnny learns more about the robots and their connection to the Plague, he discovers a potential way to defeat them and free humanity from their control. With the help of Westler, a former professor, Johnny devises a plan to infiltrate the Citadel and destroy Central Intelligence, the core of the robots' power. The story culminates in a tense showdown where Johnny must navigate his feelings for Diane, the threat posed by Starbuck, and the looming presence of the robots. Ultimately, Johnny's journey is one of self-discovery, love, and the fight for humanity's survival against the oppressive forces of the robots and the Plague. The narrative explores themes of identity, loyalty, and the struggle for freedom in a world where the line between man and machine has blurred.
By Stephen Marlowe · First published 1969 · Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Adventure · 8 chapters