Each year, a down-and-out America looks to the Gauntlet games for sheer spectacle and -- for one lucky state -- a better chance at survival. In 2023, former-police-detective-turned-paramedic Lara Evans is poised to enter the punishing endurance competition, determined to bring glory and a major economic boost back home to Oregon. But treacherous tests of physical and mental prowess -- and a pack of cutthroat rivals -- are far from the greatest obstacles...