AI: First Contact

Almost a thousand years into the future, humanity has ascended to the stars, leaving Earth behind and spreading out among terraformed planets and vast space stations. Despite all that has been achieved, humanity still pushes for more technological advancement, leading to the development of the AI Partner Program. Now, only five years since its inception, the AI implants allow for physical and mental beyond even the most skilled baseline human. Those who volunteer for the AIPP are at the front lines of what humanity is capable of - if they survive the implantation process.

For Sylas Vale, joining the Stanton-Grant Corporation's AI Partner Program was an easy decision. Now, five years on, the AI known as Anais isn't only his partner - she's his best friend and constant companion, helping him pilot the UNSS Inquisitor into unknown territory, seeking out ever more natural resources for humanity.

Captain Lhaileth Tansh'r has been patrolling the edge of Alliance space for the past five rotations. It's a thankless, not to mention boring, task, and one that was given only to get him and his radical ideas out of the way. He doesn't foresee anything exciting happening. He certainly doesn't expect to encounter a strange ship appear on their sensors. But the protocol for first contact with a spacefaring species is well established. Lhaileth believes everything will go according to plan, and this will cement his name in history.

But the crew of the Inquisitor soon discovers that AI are outlawed by the Alliance, and Sylas's connection to Anais might doom humanity's chance to join the celestial community as equals - and cost him his life. Ordered by Earth to keep her a secret and use her abilities to infiltrate the alien society, Sylas reluctantly becomes humanity's de facto representative.

With a whole new galaxy to explore and cultural miscommunication abound, Sylas will soon become torn between his duty to his people, his ideals, and his budding affection for Lhaileth.