In the new world, the genetics race is less sprint and more Mario Kart. While governments scramble to standardise international genetic engineering practices, companies like KO Inc. are taking full advantage of the murky waters, producing made-to-order designer babies for the wealthy and roping the desperate into life-long contracts. Chloe Haste is the product of one such contract. Dubbed a Knockout, she and her kind work off the debt of their birth by submitting to monitoring, training, and eventual assignment within KO Inc. Chloe has never questioned her loyalty to the company that gave her life. Not until she’s tasked with bringing in fellow Knockout Jessica, a blast from Chloe’s past who skipped on her contract eleven years prior. Because if Chloe completes this particular assignment, Jessica dies. And while Chloe loves her job, she loved Jessica first.