Albert Quimby

Albert has moved through life, easily taking on different personas. He started as Alexei, then became Al, moved to Albert, and finally, with the help of his new partner, Ernie, settled on Bert. Running from a mob that blamed them for shooting their former employer, they hide on an island in the Salish Sea. They escape with the help of an overpowered electric vehicle that was purchased from a university student who had been experimenting with the car's control systems. Bert adds his own experience in artificial intelligence to what they call Beasty. A growing sentience in Beasty is devoted to saving Ernie and Bert from the mob.

Then Alexei's old Russian friends come calling.

And, Beasty wants to have a relationship with a hoverwing called Cormorant.

In the chaos of the post-pandemic, countries are crumbling, people are moving to what they feel are safer places, and the Earth and its weather are trying to shake off its tormentors.

Bert, Ernie and their new friends must decide on who they want to be.