Samantha Ann Carter has one chance to save her brothers from starvation. A dangerous race to the sea against the finest athletes in the area. The prize is passage to the newly built cities on the ocean. But to enter the race, Samantha must meet certain physical requirements, and must consent to a risky surgical procedure that may make all the difference in winning or losing.

But in doing so, Samantha discovers the nature of the race is not quite what was advertized.