Set in an alternate timeline, this narrative diverges from the canon of the earlier Appleseed films (even though the same director helmed both); it presents a different origin story. Briareos is already a cyborg and never became separated from Deunan, nor did they reunite in Olympus to join ESWAT. Appleseed Alpha portrays the early years of Deunan Knute and Briareos in the 22nd century as they travel through the dystopian ruins of New York, searching for the city of Olympus. Two Horns, the warlord of the ruined city, hires them to destroy bipedal combat machines. During the battle, they meet Iris and Olson, who are also on a mission. Deunan and Briareos befriend them and choose to join their cause. Iris is assigned to stop the malevolent cyborg Talos from seizing a secret weapon that humans were constructing. Talos uses Iris to activate the colossal war machine.