basically there was a 2nd civil war because of the whole Pro Choice vs. Pro Life groups and the end result was that life was sacred from conception to age 13. From age 13-18 a parent could sign an "Unwind Accord'' so the child would be unwound. Technically they'd still be living but in a divided state. So say, for instance, a man lost his arm in battle, they would take the arm from a child sent for unwinding and they would be good to go. Some people don't like this idea, especially the kids sent for unwinding, so they break out of Harvest Camps or run away before the cops come. The whole series is based on different accounts of different kids that all tie in together.