The Network is a futuristic society ruled by a powerful cabal of wizards who call themselves the Equalists. They maintain their position by ruthlessly suppressing all dissent and anyone else capable of magic. Lance Cartwright is a lazy and morally ambivalent seventeen year old. He took no interest in the Equalists until his best friend displayed signs of magical power and was disappeared. He tries to forget about his friend, like everyone else did, but he cannot. Now he has displayed a similar power. His life is over. It is only a matter of time before they come for him. He decides that he will not wait quietly for his fate to befall him. He does not care about his own life, but he clings to the hope that he may still be able to save his best friend.