She's everything they ever wanted. And that's the problem. "She" is Aramid. The year is 2080, and Human Replacement robots - or Reps - are an integrated part of society. At Ledgewood High in Los Angeles, five Advanced Robotics students build a female Rep named Aramid with plans to register her in a cut-throat competition to find the nation's most lifelike robot. But complications quickly arise. The students illegally extract Aramid's "morality chip." The Rep begins to unravel, exhibiting many of the same problems as her teenage creators - lying, stealing, jealousy and, worst of all, rage, which threatens to turn her into a killing machine. Enter Sam Phenix, a brilliant new student with a tortured soul who hopes to reverse Aramid's rogue state and shield her from his classmates' ulterior motives. Sam's sensitivity draws the admiration of another student named Beth. The two of them enter into a tentative relationship while emerging as guardians for Aramid. Against all odds, the Rep begins to improve, developing feelings of love, consciousness, and a longing to sleep like real people. In her desire to become human, Aramid discovers her life's purpose - an explosive secret that even Sam doesn't know about. Unfortunately, Sam and Beth's reclamation efforts may be too late. Authorities are closing in on Aramid's trail, intent on destroying her. Will she live long enough to fulfill her dream? Their pursuit sets up a shocking ending in this riveting sci-fi thriller whose characters face a web of moral dilemmas with no easy answers.