New York City. Earth's resources are depleted, and its population is getting ready to colonize Mars. Machines produce all of the necessities of life, leaving no manual labor for humans. At the age of fourteen, a chip is implanted in every person's brain, so that the machine known as Karma can watch their every movement. To earn a living, to survive, there is only one thing they must do-- be good to others. The only place they are not watched is in specifically designated areas known as Privacy Rooms. A mysterious organization is using these Privacy Rooms to try to disrupt the system, and a young officer, helped by Karma, may be the only one who can stop them. But only one side can win. Freedom or Altruism.