2040 – Rhetoric, the dangerous AI-software for neural chips falls into the hands of General Schenk, a narcissistic five-star general with authoritarian aspirations and the backing of rightwing Americans called BATAs.

The terrifying countdown to a military coup at 4pm is witnessed through the inhabitants of Ellington, a small American town. At that time, it is rumored BATA militias across the country will invade local neighborhoods. In Ellington, BATAs will overrun the upscale neighborhood of Golden Door, the downtown area and the poor Chatham Projects Town, while robbing Ellington’s banks to send the money to General Schenk in exchange for more weaponry to kill off any remaining liberals who long for the return of democracy.

Haisley & De’ontay Jones are starting a new family in Ellington.

Captain Dick is the Chief of Police there, and his wife Emily is the mayor Abra is the five year-old daughter of a billionaire Zeke is a revenge-driven townie.

But it’s not too late. Well before the coup takes place, Haisley Jones was secretly chosen to offset General Schenk when Rhetoric‘s creator installed the AI-software in her neural chip. Now she must learn to harness its power in order to save the child that grows in her belly, and save democracy itself.

Now, the countdown begins.