Nolan and Irisa arrive in Defiance, where the town is soon divided over the death of Luke McCawley. But a bigger threat forces everyone together: An attack by the Volge.

An old war buddy catches up with Nolan at the same time a Castithan criminal with a history of violence enters the picture.

Interesting relationships develop when the residents of Defiance are forced to stay indoors as a threatening Razor Rain storm approaches. Meanwhile, visions lead Irisa to the Spirit Riders and Sukar, who has fallen under the influence of a strange and mysterious force.

A deadly plague threatens the town; racial tensions rise when the Irathients, who are immune to the virus, are quarantined.