The story takes place at the end of the 19th century in Russia, placed in an alternate universe. In the summer of 1896, London was raided by Martian invaders. One by one, the European capitals fell in the desperate fight against the alien machines.
In early autumn, a rain of extraterrestrial bolides descended upon Petrograd, followed by ravenous tripods rising on the horizon. The only hope that seemed to remain was in Siberia, across the Ural River, far from technological and cultural centers, at the very last train stations.