The story opens on the Howling Earth, in medias res of the actual plotline. Coheed and Cambria have been sent there on a mission by Dr. Hohenberger to investigate a sudden occurence of rapidly diminishing Keywork energy in the area. Coheed and Cambria manage to sneak into a large hidden mining facility by apprehending the guards, taking several of them hostage. They ride an elevator down to the very bottom and discover a huge crystalline structure running from the floor to the ceiling a mile high that is mining Keywork energy. Coheed remarks on the gargantuan size of the structure, saying, "Here we are, Juggernaut." Coheed and Cambria prepare to destroy the structure when they are stopped by General Mayo Deftinwolf of the Red Army. Coheed and Deftinwolf engage in a fight, and it seems Deft