The Boost - Softcover

Ralf works in the US government office that updates the population's boosts- chips implanted within the brains of 99 percent of the world's population. Invented by Chinese researchers in 2032, the boost is credited with leading humanity to its most significant cognitive leap since the discovery of fire. Days before a national upgrade, Ralf notices that the update includes an open surveillance gate- meaning that Americans, who'd negotiated high levels of privacy with the Chinese manufacturers, will be subjected to the invasive Chinese standard. Ralf attempts to hack the boost but is caught, and his boost is ripped from his head. Pursued by mercenaries, Ralf flees to the US- Mexico border, where there are other like him- "wild" humans unenhanced by technology, controlled by powerful drug lords. Ralf's only hope is to somehow work with these wild bosses of the analogue world- in hopes of winning back freedom in the digital one.