The Planeteers learn that the world is very overpopulated and some countries try to slow it down. Wheeler, annoyed at the idea of anyone recommending how many children to have, goes out windsurfing despite an approaching storm. He is blown off-course and is washed up on an island with a miniature city. The inhabitants, genetically affected mice with human characteristics including overpopulation and its resulting polluted land, capture Wheeler for food. Wheeler also learns the mouse civilization is a dictatorship whose junta plans to invade and colonize Hope Island.