Leif, Matt and several of their friends win the right to compete in a virtual rocket design and space race contest sponsored by the most popular space-based holodrama on the entertainment nets. The grand prize is a trip to Hollywood to compete in the final round of the race and the chance to appear on the holodrama. The winners of that final round will get some of the coolest computer stuff available. But some of the contestants - especially the team fielded by a Balkan pariah state and supervised by a sinister adult 'chaperone' - are taking the competition too seriously. Leif and Matt end up lost in a deadly maze of dirty tricks, international espionage and the madness that is Hollywood.
Tom Clancy
Tom Clancy was an American author known for his military and espionage thrillers. His most notable works include "The Hunt for Red October," "Patriot Games," and "Clear and Present Danger." Clancy's writing style was characterized by meticulous attention to detail and technical accuracy, drawing from his background in military and intelligence analysis. His contributions to literature include popularizing the techno-thriller genre and inspiring a new wave of military fiction writers. "The Hunt for Red October" remains Clancy's most famous work, introducing readers to his iconic character Jack Ryan and setting the tone for his successful career as a bestselling author.