After a nuclear war, the Earth turned into a scorched, dying desert. Almost all animals became extinct. Most people have long since moved to other colonized planets in the solar system. Those who were forced to stay eke out a miserable, dull existence in cities that are also falling into decay. One of these people is Rick Descartes, a professional android hunter. Rick is tasked with tracking down and destroying several fugitive androids who have arrived on Earth illegally. But during the hunt, he involuntarily has doubts. Rick wonders: is it humane to destroy androids?