Orphans of the Sky

Centuries after a mutiny on a generational colony ship, most of the occupants believe the Ship is the whole world, and regard actual ship history as religious myth. Two populations now exist. The descendants of the "Crew" live on the normal gravity levels in a functioning society, growing crops and performing ship maintenance as religious rites. The "muties" (mutants and/or descendants of mutineers) live a marginal life in the increasingly lower gravity levels and practice cannibalism. When an intelligent mutant captures a young "crewman" alive, he begins to show him the truth about the Ship. Returning to Crew society, he and his friend expect to bring enlightenment to others and a return to the generation ship's purpose. A crafty political wannabe pledges to aid them, but instead uses them as fodder for his own goals. Hunted by police, they realize they must escape.