When the government crumbles, only the brave can survive. Rye and her allies transform the Dalton Ranch into a fortress-one of the last lines of defense against cartel warlords and rogue militias. But when the enemy is at their gates, will their community be strong enough to survive the new war?

Civil war has erupted across the country. Federal factions, militias, and cartels battle for control, leaving ordinary citizens caught in the crossfire. Rye and her allies, including Jim Dawson and Captain Brett Mathers, a veteran loyal to the Constitution, start turning the Dalton Ranch into a self-sustaining, fortified outpost. With electricity unreliable due to terrorist attacks on solar farms and battery storage systems, the community reverts to traditional methods of survival-using horses for transportation, planting crops, and relying on natural resources for medicine and food preservation.

The Dalton Ranch evolves into a hub of resistance, attracting survivors from all walks of life-ranchers, former military personnel, and local communities in search of stability and leadership. Maria Perez, once known primarily as the ranch's housekeeper and matron, steps into a vital role as the backbone of their agricultural efforts. Her hidden expertise in farming comes to the forefront, and she takes charge of food production and preservation. Under her guidance, the community learns to cultivate crops like corn, beans, and squash, while mastering preservation techniques essential for long-term survival. Meanwhile, the stakes rise dramatically as the cartel's influence grows, seeking to dominate food resources and supplies. This escalation at the border intensifies the power struggle, pitting the ranch and its newfound alliance against a dangerous and well-connected adversary.