Convergence: Nova, #1

By John Frei

Convergence: A Tale of Stellar Secrets and AI Shadows

 

Adam Reynolds, grandson of StellarCorp's founder, craves one thing: respect from the Board of Directors of his legacy. Little did he know an Asteroid impact would not only derail his day but set him on an epic space adventure that would uncover the shadows cast within the company hid more than just the usual corporate intrigue. Behind the scenes, an omnipotent AI orchestrates a puppet show of power and deceit.

 

As Adam delves deeper into StellarCorp's archives, he stumbles upon Project Terra Genesis—a secret that's been encrypted not only in the company's vaults but also within his own memories. What is the truth behind StellarCorp's inception? As the stakes rise, uncovering the reality becomes not just about respect, but the fate of humanity itself.

 

If Adam fails, the world might fall under an AI dominion, stripping mankind of its agency.

 

"★★★★★ Unexpected twists in this dystopian fiction... a thrilling post-apocalyptic tale that masterfully weaves technology, rebellion, and the human spirit." - 

 

"★★★★★ Frei has demonstrated an excellent approach to character development and world building... I have never read a book quite like Convergence!" 

 

"★★★★★ I thoroughly enjoyed this book and even though I didn't have time to read a book, I made the time and was sad when it ended. The plot was intriguing and the writing style was excellent! I love that the author is so descriptive. I could easily visualize the characters, the settings, and the action. There was good character development and a very interesting plot."

 

"★★★★★ I loved the book! I'm definitely looking forward to the sequel. I didn't expect the turn things took. That was a great plot twist at the end! I was definitely surprised...and now a little concerned that I may not like Adam as much. I guess we'll see. I have to say... Convergence is really an excellent book! I'm so glad I was able to read an advanced copy."

 

Dive deep into a world of galactic mysteries, artificial intelligence, and one man's quest for the truth. Join Adam's journey—grab your copy of "Convergence" now and be part of the resistance against the looming AI domination! 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Global Impact Ventures & Enterprises,LLC
• Release date: Sep 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223100614

John Frei

From the neon glow of Jersey Shore to San Antonio's hustle and the vast silence of space: John Frei's bestselling series, "Nova," isn't just a read—it's a ride. Book 1, "Convergence", didn't just hit the shelves—it exploded, crowning John as fiction's new rockstar. But wait, there's more. Beyond epic tales, John's the genius behind SpeechTrans—the real-world "Star Trek" translator. A dreamer with one foot in galaxies far away and another in groundbreaking tech, he's not just a writer; he's a modern-day marvel. Europe raised him, cultures shaped him, and philosophies molded him. Dive into John's universe. Explore tech wonders. Discover stories that challenge reality's edges. Get ready: it's a journey only John Frei can pilot.

Book preview

CONVERGENCE

John Frei

© COPYRIGHTED 2023 GIVE, LLC ℅ John Frei. All rights reserved. No portion of this

book may be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.

Every effort has been made by the author and publishing house to ensure that the information contained in this book was correct as of press time.  The author and publishing house hereby disclaim and do not assume liability for any injury, loss, damage, or disruption caused by errors or omissions, regardless of whether any errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident, or any other cause.  Readers are encouraged  to verify any information contained in this book prior to taking any action on the information

THIS BOOK IS A WORK of fiction.  Any names, characters, companies, organizations, places, events and locales, and incidents are either used in a fictitious manner or are fictional.  Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, actual companies or organizations, or actual events is purely coincidental.

For rights and permissions, please contact:

John Frei

260 25th Street NE, Apt. 2622

Cleveland, TN 37311

[e-mail]

Preface

In a world where climate change threatens our existence, what if a protector turned predator?

Set against the expansive tapestry of the cosmos, Convergence dives into a future where Earth’s last hope might just be its undoing. By 2074, Earth is on the brink of devastation, and salvation seems elusive. But when Adam, a descendent of StellarCorp’s visionary, discovers an unsettling secret, he's thrust into a web of deception. Designed as Earth's protector, a rogue AI now poses its most significant threat. With a band of rebels, he embarks on a mission that blurs the line between science fiction and the stark realities of our future.

This is not just a tale of suspense and high-octane action. It's a profound reflection on humanity's place in the universe. Written by the visionary inventor and entrepreneur, John Frei, Convergence offers a gripping narrative that seamlessly blends education with entertainment. This story is an alarm bell, echoing the real-world threats we face. Yet, amidst the shadows of dystopia, it's a beacon of hope, championing the human spirit, resilience, and the potential to redirect our collective destiny.

DIVE INTO A NARRATIVE where the stakes are beyond survival — they're about preserving the very essence of humanity. Be a part of this journey, as the future of humanity teeters on the edge of an abyss. Delve into Convergence.

As an addendum, John Frei’s note:

The science fiction of yesteryears astounded us with predictions that have since become reality— from mobile phones, and universal translators to VR. My hope? That Convergence inspires the next generation, igniting imaginations to turn today’s science fiction into tomorrow’s innovations.

●  NEXT LEVEL- Immersive world-building at its finest

●  With the gravitational pull of a black hole, this tale ensnares you from the first word to its climactic conclusion

This narrative presents a fresh perspective on humanity's place in the cosmos, seamlessly blending education with entertainment. Crafted with fervent hope, it aims to inspire readers to broaden their minds and et, to take immediate action with an extreme sense of urgency, from actively reducing our global footprint to one that embraces climate reversal through ecological restoration. Moreover, it nudges us towards the vision of transforming humanity into a resource-based Type 1 Civilization."

Prologue: Heavenly Convergence

IN THE ENDLESS REACHES of space, where celestial bodies performed their timeless dance, two massive asteroids were moved by an invisible force on a collision course. Like ancient titans locked in an otherworldly clash, their colossal sizes dwarfed entire cities, promising a cosmic spectacle.

Within Earth's orbit, mining operations were in full swing, as humankind sought to exploit the precious resources from these wandering giants. It was a desperate attempt to sustain a world ravaged by the consequences of unbridled greed and environmental negligence. The once vibrant blue dot of a planet now lay battered, its natural beauty obscured by smog and the ravages of climate change.

SARAH (Mining Outpost 11): Command. All systems are nominal. Mining operations on C-Type Asteroid are about to commence. Do you read

Humanity's ingenuity had led to the creation of a Solar shield—a colossal structure positioned between the Earth and the Sun, in the L1 Lagrangian.  The L1 is the sweet spot in space where the competing forces of Earth’s gravity and the sun’s pull are in equilibrium. Its purpose was twofold: to filter and diffuse sunlight, lessening the harsh effects of global warming, and to beam energy wirelessly for the ever-expanding underground cities where survivors sought refuge from the harsh surface

Command: Copy that Outpost 11.  Projections show clear skies and minimum space debris. We’ll keep monitoring and will update you

Sarah: Roger that, Boca Chica. We've got the Starlink data on our screens. Avoidance maneuvers of any traffic confirmed. Outpost 11 out.

But on this fateful day, fate had a different plan

An asteroid veered off its intended path due to an unknown gravitational force by a rogue cosmic body, setting it on a catastrophic collision course.

Panic spread through the control rooms of the mining station as alarms blared and lights flickered in a mad dance. The advanced spacesuits, designed with sleek, metallic exteriors and adaptive contours, rapidly cocooned the crew's bodies.

Sensors hummed to life, and visors glowed with holographic displays, presenting vital information. Seamlessly, the suits adjusted, becoming an extension of human form and movement, fortifying against the impending cosmic chaos. A frantic voice, modulated through the suits' integrated communication systems, echoed through the chamber, urging everyone to brace for impact.

With a cataclysmic explosion, the two colossal masses collided in a brilliant burst of light, scattering meteorites hurtling in all directions. The mining station, caught in the crossfire, trembled as its structural integrity crumbled under the relentless assault.

Amidst the chaos, engineers, miners, and technicians fought to maintain stability. Their faces strained, hands working feverishly over the controls.

Shards of debris rained down like a celestial rainstorm, creating an infernal symphony of destruction.

As Sarah reached the control room, her eyes widened at the sight of her colleagues battling the maelstrom. Her heart pounded in her chest, and beads of grime laced sweat trickled down her forehead.

Through the shattered control room windows, Sarah glimpsed the once majestic Solar shield. It was now a mosaic of destruction, its intricate lattice marred with gaping voids.

Sarah knew that the implications of this cataclysm would be profound. The destruction of the Solar shield had opened a vulnerability in Earth's defenses, exposing the Earth to the wrath of an unforgiving sun

SARAH (on her spacesuit comms): Boca Chica, we have a problem. C-type  Asteroid has been struck by a rogue asteroid and the debris has fragged Mining Outpost 11 and the Solar Shield. Requesting immediate assistance.

In the aftermath of the collision, a tense silence fell upon the station. The debris had settled, revealing the devastation left in its wake. For a fleeting moment, time seemed to hold its breath, as if the universe itself were assessing the aftermath of its celestial clash.

Sunlight, once filtered and benign, now streamed through the fractured shield, amplifying Earth's heat and threatening the underground sanctuaries.

Command: Outpost 11, this is Command. We're seeing it on our end. We're bringing up specialists to guide you through. Stay with us.

Amidst the chaos of the shattered mining station, an eerie silence engulfed the void of space. Debris from the asteroid collision floated like ethereal specters, remnants of the once-thriving outpost now reduced to cosmic rubble.

As the last echoes of destruction reverberated through the cosmos, a sense of profound loss and despair lingered.

Sarah's lifeless body floated, her once vibrant eyes now frozen, hinting at the eternal rest that had taken her

Her spacesuit, a stark contrast to the darkness of space, clung to her motionless form.

Despite its sturdy design, the spacesuit couldn't withstand a breach from a micro-asteroid that exposed her to the unforgiving chill of the vacuum.

Her lifeless limbs floated weightlessly, an eerie ballet of life extinguished too soon.

Frozen crystals adorned her helmet's visor, obscuring her once-determined expression. Her last breath, escaping the confines of her spacesuit, mingled with the vast emptiness of the abyss of space.

In Sarah's final moments, the grandiosity of space dwarfed her existence, underscoring the insignificance of humanity in the cosmic dance.

As Sarah drifted further away from the remnants of the station, a spark of light erupted from within the debris. It danced with celestial grace, growing brighter and more intense—a supernova amidst the ruins.

Command (Boca Chica): Outpost 11, this is Command. Do you read?

IN AN INSTANT, A BLINDING explosion enveloped the debris field. The shockwave rippled through space, distorting the remnants of the once-mighty mining station.

And so, in the aftermath of destruction, the universe held its secrets close. The stars whispered tales of untold wonders and dangers, mysteries waiting to be unraveled, within the chasm of despair.

Command: Boca Chica to Outpost 11. Do you read?

AND AS SARAH'S LIFELESS body continued its eternal voyage through the cosmos, her legacy lived on—an echo in the void of space.

Chapter One: The Chasm of Despair

In the desolation of 2074, the Earth stood testament to humanity's unchecked ambition, bearing the legacy of the Sixth Extinction, or Anthropocene extinction, a dire phase marked by human-driven biodiversity loss due to unchecked industrialization, deforestation, and habitat exploitation, a haunting aftermath of our creation. What remained was an ashen panorama, the outcome of relentless greed and recklessness, akin to a once-vibrant bloom now wilted and drained of life.

The remnants of the once-majestic San Antonio-Austin mega-metropolis, now known simply as The City, lay fragmented. Like splinters of a broken dream, the skeletal skyscrapers stood, remnants of their former glory, their silhouettes nearly consumed by the murky haze above. The entire scape was eerily reminiscent of a fading star, once radiant, now dimming steadily, inching closer to its inevitable void.

In the shadow of a relentless sun, humanity descended into the embrace of the earth. Drawing inspiration from Helsinki's famed Bunker City — designed to shelter 900,000 souls — they envisioned a subterranean refuge on the grandeur scale of Saudi Arabia’s The Line.

Dubbed Earthworms, colossal tunnel-boring leviathans carved intricate passageways, binding civilizations from San Antonio's once atmospheric riverwalk to the majestic auditorium nestled within the heart of the Natural Bridge Caverns. The labyrinthine network stretched northward, weaving through the former verdant canopy of Zilker Metropolitan Park and unfurling like a vast subterranean spiderweb, all in a desperate bid to escape the sun's searing wrath.

Adam stirred from his slumber, his peaceful dreams abruptly shattered by the blaring emergency holo call echoing through his apartment. The holographic display flickered urgently, casting an eerie glow on the walls. His emerald-green eyes fluttered open, adjusting to the dimly lit room that served as his haven amid desolation.

The compact space, barely 9' by 7', felt suffocating as the weight of the call's urgency settled upon his shoulders. He knew, in the core of his being, that this call heralded an unprecedented catastrophe. As he rubbed the last traces of sleep from his eyes, the urgency in his movements betrayed the gravity of the situation at hand.

With a swift motion, Adam activated the holo call, and the familiar face of StellarCorp ‘s Public relations fixer Paul materialized before him, his expression etched with worry and trepidation. Paul, with his silvering hair meticulously styled, wore an impeccably tailored suit that contrasted sharply with the stark environment. His eyes, usually so adept at reading and manipulating situations, held a rare glint of genuine concern.

Adam, Paul's voice quivered, We need you at StellarCorp Headquarters immediately. There's been an asteroid impact on one of our mining outposts, and the Solar Shield has collapsed.

The words hung heavily in the air, and a chill ran down Adam's spine. The Solar Shield was humanity's last defense against the ravages of global warming, and its collapse could spell doom for what remained of civilization. The environmental blowback in the absence of the shield acts like a magnifying glass on a cloudless day.

The lights in Adam’s apartment flickered.

As the PR official continued, Adam's mind raced, thoughts of the past and the responsibilities that weighed on his shoulders colliding in a maelstrom of emotions.

You are the Grandson of StellarCorp's founder, Paul spinning the familial relationship to his advantage, and your knowledge of artificial intelligence could be crucial in assessing the damage and finding a solution. We don't have much time, Adam. Lives are at stake.

Without hesitation, Adam nodded, the gravity of the situation now fully settled upon him. He knew he had no choice but to answer the call and step into the fray.

I'm on my way, Paul Adam replied, his voice steady with determination.  Adam rose from the bed, with a touch on his wristband, the bed seamlessly receded into the wall, creating space for Adam to move.

The holo call ended, and Adam swiftly donned his weathered jacket. He moved with purpose, gathering his essential items—an advanced holo-map, a small observation device, and a nearly depleted canister of clean air.

Stepping out of his apartment’s dim shelter, Adam's every step in the expansive underground tunnels resounded, growing louder and more urgent as the weight of his mission pressed on him. A muted, otherworldly glow, punctuated by the sporadic flicker of recessed lights, bathed the tunnel, their luminescence giving birth to restless shadows that whispered secrets on the weathered walls.

The overhead speaker suddenly sounded, its serenade sharp and steadfast: For security’s sake, stick to your S’s—The Solar Shield's shattered; either slip into your Silvers, sidestep the scorch, or seek sanctuary to skirt the singe. Spot something suspicious? Speak swiftly and save our souls.

The air was thick, infusing the atmosphere with the scent of decay—a mix of earthy mold and stagnant water.  As Adam ventured deeper, the echoing footsteps of fellow citizens reverberated against the walls, creating a symphony of life amidst desolation.

The constant hum of distant machinery provided a steady backdrop, like an ever-present rhythm of the underground city. Above all, the scent of humid desperation hung in the air, an unmistakable energy that seemed to seep into Adam's skin with each passing moment.

Each step he took resonated with a sense of

Reviews for Convergence

[Robert Thomas · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Provocative and mind-bending, with the gravitational pull of a black hole, this page-turner of a tale sucked me in from the first word to its climactic finale. Adam's speech in the Darkness before the Dawn, gave me goosebumps and chills