It’s the day of the Gulf Coast Regional Robo-Ruckus. Middle school robotics teams and independent competitors alike are gearing up for combat. In just a few hours, dozens of with hand-built, remote-controlled robots will be bashing and buzzsawing each other to pieces before cheering crowds of spectators. One lucky robotics team will go home with the trophy. And the chance to compete in the state finals.

But as for twelve year-old Brant Haughton? It is his highest hope to have his latest robot creation in the competition today. But he has a whole slew of hurdles to clear first. That’s because Brant’s old-fashioned father doesn’t want him building robots any more. He has forbidden his son from taking part in another Robo-Ruckus. This is a promise, however, that robot-crazy Brant just can’t keep. So he has to be sneaky. Seriously sneaky.

That’s because Brant lives inside one of America’s most sprawling and high-security military bases. And its razorwire fences and platoons of guards do just as good a job of keeping people in as they do of keeping enemies out.

To have all this standing in the way of practicing your passion would be a bummer for any kid. But Brant Haughton is not just any kid. He and his best friend have a plan to escape from the army compound for the day. The plan is so crazy that it just might work.

And their wild scheme starts with a mountain of dirty laundry.