MUSK NIGHT—a secret algorithmic rebellion that nearly destroyed the planet. Admiral-Bishop Lomas, head of security at TRANSHUMANISM INC., is certain their true rebellion is yet to come. This rebellion will destroy everyone—both the losers living on the surface and the rich who have moved to underground cerebrocontainers. To prevent catastrophe, Lomas sends his best canned operative into ROMA-3—a neural network simulation of third-century Rome for the corporation's clients. The secret conspiracy is hidden there. And guarding it is the master of Rome—the bloody and vicious Emperor Porphyry.