In 2035, a fledging synthetic consciousness "wakes up" in a lab and is trained for work with people at the border of the American Protectorate of Canada. It's name is Julian. Two years later, Slaton is detained at the border, where she meets Julian in virtual space. After a week of interviewing, he decides to stay with her, learning about the world, the human condition. Meanwhile, a mysterious plague is spreading across the world. Only the far-seeing and well-connected Julian can protect Slaton from the impending societal collapse.
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