Jack Reiner has dealt with some messed-up people in his time. As a psychologist working for the US Military he's encountered PTSD, behavioural instability, the works. His latest patient though promises to be his hardest: humanity's first extraterrestrial contact, a sentient space probe millions of years old, traumatised after seeing one race after another -- including its originators -- annihilate themselves in wars and global catastrophes. It enters the solar system begging for help in ending its existence, but the personnel at the listening station have other ideas. The probe knows things that could propel humanity to a new technological age, and Jack's job is to keep it alive, and keep it talking. But Jack is soon thrown into a game of psychological chess, battling something far more complex - and dangerous - than anyone had anticipated.
Jack Reiner has dealt with some messed-up people in his time. As a psychologist working for the US Military he's encountered PTSD, behavioural instability, the works. His latest patient though promises to be his hardest: humanity's first extraterrestrial contact, a sentient space probe millions of years old, traumatised after seeing one race after another -- including its originators -- annihilate themselves in wars and global catastrophes. It enters the solar system begging for help in ending its existence, but the personnel at the listening station have other ideas. The probe knows things that could propel humanity to a new technological age, and Jack's job is to keep it alive, and keep it talking. But Jack is soon thrown into a game of psychological chess, battling something far more complex - and dangerous - than anyone had anticipated.