The Halter

In a world where virtual addiction is deadly, professional "halter" Kennedy Stark is tasked with rescuing those lost in surrogate-reality feeds, all while dreaming of a new beginning on Mars. When a mysterious case leads him into a highly immersive simulation called The Forum, he uncovers troubling signs of corruption and a groundbreaking project by a former lover that could reshape the digital landscape. Blending black humor with a hardboiled detective sensibility, this sci-fi crime story explores the dangers lurking behind digital fantasies and the quest for truth within a fractured society.