In the near future, a video game will determine the balance of world power––and the designer is trapped inside it. Game designer Tandy Kahananui has been developing Alternis for nearly a decade, perfecting its monsters and dungeons. But she never imagined her game would be co-opted as the basis for an ambitious top-secret project to keep the world from plunging into war, with nations competing digitally for real resources. Team USA is losing, and the government needs a secret weapon to help them climb the leaderboard. When Tandy is conscripted into playing a key role and fighting for the future of her country, she quickly realizes she is in way over her head. But are other nations playing by the rules? For that matter, is the game itself playing fair?