In a world after the collapse of civilization, a community struggles to survive the deserts of what used to be the state of Nevada.
In the spring…
The community discovers an airplane near the ruins of Las Vegas to the northeast, and some members begin to repair it. But bad omens, in the form of sandstorms, appear over the Grand Canyons. The upper echelon of the community—the researchers in the laboratory beside the green house—fear for the safety of their most beautiful desert flowers.
Meanwhile, mutant coyotes are spotted on the outskirts of the city, and evolved mutant coyotes wielding firearms are seen in the oil fields not far from the settlement.
In the midst of these trying revelations, a rebel leader named Adriana rises to power. She convinces a number of community members to follow her in an armed rebellion by claiming weapons from the military base west of the settlement. Meanwhile, the airplane has been repaired and preparations are made to move it. The way to the Hoover Dam is discovered, where water can be reclaimed.
In the summer…
Discussions are held about what to do: should we leave our community and head for the ruins of the great city, or should we stay and defend ourselves against outside threats? While the community tries to decide what to do, Adriana is apprehended by community members and tried for her crimes. She is given a chance for redemption and sent out to find a way to defeat the evolved mutant coyotes.
Not long after Adriana’s rebellion is defeated, a new danger arises. Horse-riding barbarians that worship the mutant coyotes threaten the community. They are one hundred strong. An elderly priest tries to reason with them, but dies in the attempt. Meanwhile, the airplane is moved along the highway to the military base. And a field of wheat is discovered near a newfound oasis. Furthermore, a hospital is discovered in the ruins of Las Vegas.
In the fall…
Adriana returns and attempts to inspire a new rebellion, but she is caught and put on trial again. This time she is sentenced to death, but she escapes and goes into hiding.
It is revealed that the desert flower in the conservatory has the power to transform humans into coyotes. And many of the coyotes in the wilderness were former human beings who were mutated by the desert flowers.
Meanwhile, a species of cactus is discovered in the wilderness. This cactus has the power to either cure or mutate a coyote back into a human.
Near the end of the season, the weakest member of the community tries to become a coyote by eating the desert flower, but perishes in the attempt.
In the winter…
The coyote well is poisoned with cactus water in an attempt to turn them back into humans. The horse-riding barbarians ask for help, due to lack of food, and offer medicine in exchange. But they are refused, due to their killing of the old priest. Preparations begin to make the bunker ready for habitation. But Adriana hatches a plan to bomb the conservatory, while at the same time the leaders of the community send assassins to eliminate her. Shortly after Adriana is murdered, bombs fall on the conservatory. Then at last, a great winter storm sweeps through the desert. It carries with it the spores known as the Frost Shepherds, which transform everyone into coyotes.