On the cusp of the twenty-second century, life extension technology and Enhancement allows mankind to drink from the fountain of youth, and the brain, still not renewable, remains the last barrier to immortal life. Refusing stasis, a few, including Dr. Kate's father, insist they be uploaded to the central computer. But can you be a part of something and not change it? The Consortium, the backbone of the 1Tech industry (which makes long, youthful life possible), markets the Neural Interface to the wealthy, allowing streaming access even to the very young. Those who can afford it may upload packets of organized information known as Standard Enhancements, and may further alter themselves with other cosmetic and performance Enhancements. And while humanity has pulled back from non-species genetic and synthetic modification, some extremists still defy the Human Protection Act of 2086. When Kaminer, a KillForce warbot turned policebot, jams his shoulder in a bio-raid in Chicago, he lands at Burke Industries, a key member of the Consortium. There he meets Dr. Rafe Burke, Dr. Kate's son, who discovers it's not just Kaminer's eyes that deviate from standard bot fabrication. Could Kaminer be hiding a secret? Ambrose, a young, newly minted technician, is assigned to Kaminer's repair, but when he resets the bot's connection to the central computer, the procedure goes terribly awry. There's no looking back as Kaminer and Ambrose are launched on an unforgettable journey where ghosts from the past spark the emergence of an organized machine presence. What do they want? How many people will survive the event that forever alters humanity's path? What happens after?