The story starts in the future, with mankind having colonized other planets. The main protagonist, Darrow, was born on Mars and belongs to the Red class, the lowest color-based class in the caste system.
He and his wife, Eo, are punished for entering a forbidden area and as such, she is publicly hanged as punishment. Darrow is sentenced to death as well, but is saved by the Sons of Ares, a terrorist group of Reds, who recruit him to infiltrate the elite Gold caste organization, the Society.
He takes on the identity of Mickey, a Violet "carver", and quickly climbs the social ladder within the Gold’s.
During his role as Mickey, Darrow manages to overthrow the Gold’s in the Society and become leader of House Mars. He almost dies fighting against his enemies but is saved by Mustang, who nurses him back to health.
Darrow recruits the slaves in his war against the other House leaders and wins the war. He is rewarded by accepting servitude as ArchGovernor Augustus' lancer.
