A breathtakingly original tale from

the newest master of the thriller.

It could happen.The is 2OO5

and a paralyzing depression threat-

ens to collapse the United States

government. Desperate to maintain

America s status as a superpower,

a secret military cabal aunches a

supercomputer called DEUS or

a quest to create the most powerful

viral weaponry the world has ever

seen. But DEUS has a mind of its

own literally--ane the potential for

global disaster escalates as the com-

puter begins to create bizarre and

deadly new life-forms n an attempt to

self-destruct.

Suddenly, humankind s fate ies in

the hands of Michael Riley, an unem-

ployed computer expert and the only

person skilled enough to stop the

madness. But even as DEUS is pro-

pelled toward annihilation, it forges

life-sustainingbonds with Riley, the

woman ne loves, and the fatherless

little boy whom DEUS comes to

regara as something truly remarK-

able a friend.