Coldwire by Chloe Gong

Are you jealous, Ward?

Exceedingly. Your attention belongs to me.

The future is loading . . .

For decades, the world has been caught in a cold war between two powerful nations: Medaluo and Atahua. The Medan orphans who live in Atahua suffer the cost. Their enrolment at Nile Military Academy is mandatory. Either serve as a soldier, or risk being labelled a spy.

Eighteen-year-old Eirale is one such orphan. Having recently graduated and joined NileCorp’s forces, she’s doing well for herself – until Atahua’s most wanted anarchist frames her for assassinating a government official and she’s given a choice: cooperate with him to search for a dangerous program in Medaluo or go down for treason.

Meanwhile, seventeen-year-old Lia is close to her own graduation when she’s paired with her academic nemesis for one final assignment. But when they are ordered to infiltrate Medaluo in virtual reality, Lia quickly realises there is much more at stake than her school ranking.