The race war finally grinds to a halt with leaders from both sides signing a peace agreement. People of color have seized control of a great deal of power and land. The United States begins the slow and difficult process of climbing out of the ashes. Millions have lost homes and loved ones during the conflict. Broke and virtually powerless, the federal government delegates much of its authority to individual state governments. These governments set taxes as they see fit and provide what benefits they can for their citizens. States that are still productive, and suffered little in the war, are swamped by an influx of refugees from neighboring states, forcing some to close their borders to outsiders. Even then, they do not have the money, or the manpower, to stop the flow of refugees. Along the nation's highways, shantytowns and tent cities have been erected. Many are home to impoverished refugees and victims of the war, a place to start over for those who have lost almost everything. Others are the domain of prostitutes, bandits and those who prey on weak and weary travelers.