FALL 2049 Cyber agent Isaac Cain is tracking a rogue hacker named Beal, a man searching for a device of unknown power. But no matter how close Cain gets to catching him, he always seems to be one step behind. Elias Overman, Chairman of the West, is the man trying to keep Beal and his employers from finding the device. Facing trial for construction of the Peace Machine, Overman is limited in his power and influence. To assist Cain he springs Edward Liliweh from exile, a former ally to him and a leader to Cain. Amidst the search for man and machine, Cain and Liliweh discover a secret that force them to question their past, present and future. A secret whose origins may lie with a politician named Beseth.