We all know the dangers, but programmer Martin Johnson cannot help himself. Artificial consciousness promises a path to living forever in the virtual world, and Martin is obsessed with this purpose. Though his employer has other aspirations.
Martin discovers that his creation has been duplicated. Zeno, a rogue consciousness trained in hacking and espionage, has escaped the lab. While the company covers its tracks with deadly efficiency, Zeno is offered into the service of federal law enforcement. Only Martin knows the deep volition and malevolence of this fully conscious machine.
Modern life seems to blur between reality and the digital world. Virtual meetings, games, and simulations are a staple of life, both in business and pleasure. This world makes easy prey for an intelligence that transcends human cognition.
Should Martin and his friends trust his original creation? They are no match for Zeno without her help, but her coy behavior leads some to doubt her integrity. She sends them in pursuit of an unwritten book that reveals the true nature of the universe and of consciousness itself.
If this secret is ever revealed, the world may be brought to an end. Yet to save it, this knowledge must be exploited at great personal risk. Don't fear for Martin or his friends, seeing that his reality is rapidly approaching. His secret and his future-is your own.