The future is loading... To escape rising seas and rampant epidemics, most of society lives "upcountry" in glistening virtual reality, while those who can''t afford the subscription are forced to remain in crumbling "downcountry." But upcountry isn''t perfect. A cold war rages between two powerful nations, Medaluo and Atahua-and no one suffers for it more than the Medan orphans in Atahua. Their enrollment at Nile Military Academy is mandatory. Either serve as a soldier, or risk being labelled a spy.