Devon questions the religious elders of his community, Cypress Corners. He loves Rachel, but the elders' computer has determined that Garth makes a better genetic match. When Devon speaks out, the elders banish him. Ever curious, Devon finds a tunnel that leads into the church, where he overhears the elders manipulating the computer they used to find Devon genetically unsuitable. The elders discover Devon. Devon flees into the woods and finds an access way that seems to lead out of Cypress Corners.
Devon leaves Cypress Corners through an access way. He finds an observation port and discovers that his world, and very probably many others, are part of a large space craft.
Through the aid of the on-board computer, Devon finds the ship library. He learns about the pollution of the Earth and the construction of the ark. Devon returns to Cypress Corners determined to share what he has learned, but the elders detain him.
Reprints
from Phoenix Without Ashes (IDW, 2010 series) #3 (October 2010) [Lettering credits differ between the original and reprint. It is unknown to the indexer if the reprint was relettered or improperly credited.]
The elders hold a trial for Devon, find him guilty, and sentence him to death by stoning. They imprison him in a shed, and Garth breaks him loose. Devon finds Rachel and takes her into the passageway and farther into the central corridors of the ark.