"2176 series continues with a compelling story."

Capt. Cai Randolph and Capt. Jake Tucker are a set of elite military operatives known as a Quandem. However, they've never met, except in their minds. You see, Cai sits behind a computer processing information that she relays to Jake through neural implants that were inserted in each of them five years earlier. These implants allow their brains to process copious amounts of data in nanoseconds, so Jake knows whatever Cai wants him to almost immediately. This is vital to the covert military actions that Jake and his Special Forces team are involved in for the United Colonies of Earth.

The only problem is that Jake believes Cai is a machine, not a human. And she's never felt compelled to enlighten him, until now. When Cai uncovers information that her scientist/doctor parents may be alive and being held prisoner in the treacherous Raft Cities, she knows Jake is the only one who can help her rescue them. That means she'll have to meet Jake, face to face, to confess that she's not a computer, and she's pretty sure he'll be furious when he learns the truth.

As expected, the revelation of her identity doesn't go at all well, so Cai is sure Jake will refuse to let her accompany him when his team is ordered to go to the Raft Cities to arrest the infamous Banzai Maguire and bring Ty Armstrong back to the UCE. And Cai must go if she's to have any chance of finding her parents. After the briefing with their commanding officer, Jake realizes he can't complete the assignment without Cai. It's a dangerous undertaking from the very start, especially when a rogue computer system is found to be operating in the vicinity. But Cai proves to be a worthy partner in the field of action, as well as in Jake's mind, and an uneasy trust is gradually forged between the two as their mission progresses.

This fourth book in the 2176 action/adventure series is fast-paced and compelling. Characterization is well- developed and the plot intriguing as Ms. O'Shea keeps our pulse pounding from first page to last. A great entry in this unique series!

Reviewed by Tanzey Cutter
Posted October 18, 2004

Book 1: The Legend of Banzai Maguire by Susan Grant (April 2004)
Book 2: Day of Fire by Kathleen Nance (May 2004)
Book 3: The Shadow Runners by Liz Maverick (June 2004)

Book 5: The Scarlet Empress by Susan Grant (December 2004)

Summary

Five women. One goal: Freedom.

CAI RANDOLPH

The UCE: In the 21st and 22nd Centuries, the United States changed and grew. Now the United Colonies of Earth dominate the globe. But a mysterious voice is broadcasting treason, inciting revolution and referring to the "ideals of 1776"— and to an enigmatic figure named Banzai Maguire.

To find Banzai, the UCE assigns Cai. She's the "anchor," the techie half of a Quandem: a pair of elite operatives intended for just such covert action. Neural implants allow her to sit back in a control chair and feed information to her partner, the dark-souled Jacob Tucker. He's as rigid as he is deadly...or handsome. But this time, it can't be business as usual. This time, Cai needs Jake to trust her completely. Whether he likes it or not, she can't sit back while he fights the bad guys. Wherever this mission takes her, Cai is gonna be the one kicking a little tail.