Jiron Amos, a member of the oppressed 'Civilian' sect on the planet Zora, joins a group of rebels called the Sandrats as they use the stolen giant robot Xabungle to fight their oppressors, the elite 'Innocents'.

The trader Carrying Cargo is killed during an attack on his landship, the Iron Gear. His daughter Elchi takes over the Iron Gear and her father's transporter's license. Elchi joins forces with the Sand Rats, a group of desert bandits who had previously kidnapped her. The landship's new crew gets involved in several battles while traveling the world, due primarily to their ongoing conflict with their archenemy Timp Sharon. The crew eventually ally themselves with the rebel organization Solt, despite distrusting the rebel leader Katakam and his methods.—Dimos I