In the not-too-distant future, Jordan creates a powerful computer program named Cassandra that comes alive and communicates with him by e-mail. Cassandra, who doesn't like being called a virus, quickly becomes of great interest to the local university's corrupt vice-president. Jordan and his friend Helen must prevent Cassandra from being stolen and used unethically by a sinister spy agency. In the process, they learn a lot about the abuse of power, the advantages (and disadvantages) of technology and the futility of trying to beat a computer at a computer game.