Whispers from the Machine

For a century, humanity has lived in a fragile balance with Heimer, an all-powerful sentient AI. This peace is enforced by the Ensemble Accords, but a routine deep-space probe has shattered the status quo by intercepting an impossible signal: the location of Stapledon Station, a colossal artificial construct. The UN ship Kia-Kaha travels the vast vacuum of space to reach the site, carrying humanity's finest minds and most guarded secrets. Among the crew is xenoarchaeologist Clio Cormack, a brilliant but impulsive scientist. She quickly realises that the truth is buried beneath layers of political manoeuvring and scientific consensus. The station is hiding something ancient, vast, and deliberately concealed. When Clio ignores her superiors to investigate an anomaly, she pierces the cosmic veil, leading the mission to a discovery that plunges the crew into mortal danger. As the race to uncover the station’s purpose intensifies, Clio must rely on her reckless instincts and a dangerous alliance.