Six-time Hugo champion Ben Bova brings us a gripping political thriller on the cutting edge of science and technology.

Dr. Jake Ross found Washington to produce a difference. As the research advisor to a newly elected freshman senator, Jake has crafted a thorough energy strategy that employs innovative new technologies to make America the world’s head in energy production while simultaneously improving the economy and protecting the surroundings. The facts-and the science-are on Jake’s side, but his plan soon operates afoul of entrenched special passions, well-funded lobbies, cynical bureaucrats, pork-barrel politics, and one very powerful US senator.

To keep his strategy alive and secure a sustainable future for America, Jake requires a crash course in the way Washington really works. Everyone keeps informing him that his program has no hope of succeeding, but Jake is determined to prove them wrong even if it kills him … a thing that certain hostile parties may be all as well happy to arrange.