Chapter One: Every Satellite Forgot It

The ship settled on the roof without impact, wind, or even a cracked tile. Its black surface was seamless. Zhou took one step back and raised a high-voltage tool used for drone repairs. A silver seam opened. A translucent interface unfolded in the air. He recognized none of its symbols, yet understood them all. [CANDIDATE CIVILIZATION: HUMAN.] [CANDIDATE INDIVIDUAL: ZHOU YE.] [OBSERVATIONAL ABILITY: QUALIFIED. DISCRETION: QUALIFIED. RESOURCE CONTROL: EXTREMELY LOW.] “Accurate,” Zhou muttered. [LOW-RESOURCE CONDITIONS REDUCE VESTED-INTEREST BIAS.] “What are you?” [CIVILIZATION AGENT VESSEL. DESIGNATION: REFRACTION.] “Why did everyone forget you?”