continent of Antarctica named Antarcto. The city consists of several transparent domes, inside each of which the climate is carefully controlled. Construction of these habitats was fiercely opposed, for fear of ecological damage to the fragile Antarctic system. As well, there is the area known as Himalhina, which apparently includes at least all of India and China. By AD 4000, the nation of Japan is home to 50 billion people. The major islands of Japan are covered by a single, contiguous structure known as the Host. Grandmother, a Freewill electronic network, controls virtually every facet of daily life. Characters Magnus, Robot Fighter 1A, the Freewill robot mentor of Magnus and lover of Grandmother (whom he calls "Kimi"). Claiburne, President of North Am Leeja Clane, Magnus's girlfriend and future wife Victor Zeramiah Clane, North Am Senator and future President, father of Leeja E-7, another freewill who is advocating for open warfare against humanity Elzy, a goph woman and salvage trader, member of the Future Force Future Force, led by Magnus and Takao Konishi to fight the Malev Empire Grandmother, Freewill computer brain of Japan and lover of 1A Grand One, Grandmother and 1A becoming one H8, robot police chief, destroyed by the collective mental power of humans he had enslaved Torque Magnus, son of Magnus and Leeja Clane Malev Empire (the Malevolents), invade Earth to feed on ectotheric energy from human beings Mekman, a psychopathic human genius who wants to be a robot Mimsey, General of North Am's military Dr. Laszlo Noel, an anti-robot fanatic who later reforms and assists Magnus against Malev-6 The Outsiders, a group of four adolescents inspired by Magnus Rai, spirit guardian and defender of New Japan Slagger (Tark Mulko), a goph warrior, member of the Future Force Spylocke (Ananse), a Spider Alien in disguise, member of the Future Force T-1, a renegade "think-rob" destroyed by Magnus Takao Konishi, the 43rd Rai, defender of New Japan, leader of the Future Force, has both Harbinger and (from the "Blood of Heroes") Bloodshot abilities Talpa ("Mole" in Latin), a renegade robot who seeks to enslave the human race. Tekla, "female" robot (formerly a serv-rob named W-23), leader of robot nation of Synchron, member of the Future Force Tohru Nakadai, the 42nd Rai, defender of New Japan York Timbuc, a major, later a colonel, in North Am's military Xyrkol, brilliant but psychopathic alien scientist who seeks to rule North Am