In the twenty-second century, soldiers no longer experience the mental trauma of war. Instead, the neural lace replaces memories of traumatic events with childhood memories that never occurred. Without fear or regret, these soldiers fight with surgical precision and extreme prejudice. Twelve of these neural-laced soldiers have been tasked with protecting the precious water stores of the Western States of America. With a tenuous peace in the balance, these soldiers, dubbed Knights, have been tasked with escorting a delegation over the Great American Wastelands to the enemy capital, Washington, D.C. When command leader Owen Delancey's escort vehicle is struck down by insurgents, he and his partner race to uncover a conspiracy meant to undermine diplomatic efforts and keep the continent at war. But as he struggles with memories that are not entirely his own, Delancey must decide if he will continue to uncover the truth or bring the war to a swift and conclusive end.