The Marauders Protocol

Mayne's Marauders: Third Place to LegendIn the high-stakes world of competitive esports, Drew Mayne and his squad-Mayne's Marauders-are fighting for more than just glory. After a heartbreaking third-place finish at the Dallas Regional LAN-down, the team returns to Colorado Springs determined to rise. With a new sniper joining their ranks and intense basement practices on their father's cutting-edge secure servers, they're finally clicking as a unit.But something is wrong with the game. The AI opponents are getting smarter. Unnervingly realistic. And the victories feel... different.As school rivalries boil over, Nationals approach, and strange glitches bleed from the screen into reality, Drew and his friends discover that their late-night sessions may be part of something far bigger than esports. With friendships tested, hearts on the line, and the line between game and reality blurring, the Marauders must decide how far they're willing to go to win it all.A fast-paced YA thriller packed with intense gaming action, heartfelt friendships, budding romance, and mind-bending twists, Mayne's Marauders is perfect for fans of Ready Player One and Ender's Game. The ultimate underdog story where every click counts-and the stakes are higher than anyone imagined.