Colours

People used to live in places called countries. They raised flags and elected governments to rule them. They had a nationality.

But that was a long time ago.

The words ’nation’ and ‘government’ are relics, things of the past. It has been centuries since the last tattered flag was raised.

Now, the world is dominated by corporations and the people that live within their vast, protective shells are the lucky employees. The less fortunate, the consumers, live outside in the Hoards.

Leafen is one such corporation, a technology giant famous for its Fronds - genetic implants that connect users to a vast social network. And for Leafen's 40 million employees, turning sixteen is a very special day. This is the day of their Colours - the personality grading test that will guide their behaviour, and the behaviour of everyone they meet, throughout their busy lives.

Your Colours define you.

Under the guidance of The Market - an omniscient AI system worshipped globally as a deity - and its annual nano-mite sweeps, everything is as it should be. Corporations produce and the Hoards consume.

But when Leafen is suddenly attacked by a huge and ruthless defence corporation, the population is thrown into confusion, and some of its staff are about to find out that life within the protective shell of their home is not what they thought it was.