Tom, a fourteen-year-old genius at virtual reality games, is recruited by the United States Military to begin training at the Pentagon Spire as a Combatant in World War III, controlling the mechanized drones that do the actual fighting off-planet.

"Tom Raines and his friends return to the Spire for their third year as superhuman government weapons, but the rules have been changed and Tom's training is put to the test"--

"Nemesis, the Diabolic, and Tyrus face new challenges and old enemies as Tyrus ascends to the throne, and the two struggle to prove Nemesis' humanity to those who oppose her position as Empress and keep them from full power over the galaxy"-- Tyrus has ascended to the throne with Nemesis by his side. But having power isn't the same thing as keeping it, and change isn't always welcome. The ruling class, the Grandiloquy, has held control over planets...

"In the final book in the Diabolic trilogy, Nemesis must choose between love and justice as she watches her once-idealistic husband ravage the galaxy through his tyrannical rule."--

Altered Perceptions is an anthology of science fiction and fantasy authors, donating their work to help author Robison Wells, who's crippled by debt, caused by his mental illnesses. This volume contains original short stories as well as deleted scenes and alternate versions of portions of the authors' books. Also included are essays from the contributors about how mental illness has affected their lives and the lives of their loved ones.