Is our own dimension the only possible world or are there others, stranger and more terrible than we could ever imagine?
Professor Oliver Jefferson has worked on secret research projects for US Military Intelligence for decades without ever needing to ask himself this question. But when he stumbles across the mysterious remains of highly advanced androids of unknown origin, it changes everything.
Haunted by dreams of a violent war in a world of AI beings and driven to breaking point by an over-reaching ambition to give true life to his own synthetic humanoids, Jefferson finds himself on the precipice of moral and physical disaster.
In some of our world’s great theologies, evil is said to be a sickness of the soul. But androids don’t have souls. Or do they?
Although Professor Oliver Jefferson has worked on covert operations for military intelligence for decades, he’s never wondered too much about the secret research projects. But the discovery of the remains of highly-advanced androids raises questions for him. As he investigates the mysterious remains, he finds himself haunted by dreams in which the AIs are at war with each other.
At the same time, on the other side of the building, Doctor Andrew Danvers has achieved some success in shifting matter from the lab to the “other side” which may be another dimension.
Although the origin of the mysterious robots remains unknown, Professor Jefferson uses some of the technology to create an AI named Robert Birch and, to his horror, discovers Robert has no compunction against destroying other robots . . . or killing humans.
What hath the professor wrought?
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This prequel, an introduction to the author’s The Dark Elsewhere series, sets the stage for what is to come with a renegade robot, one capable of wreaking havoc, escapes from the laboratory. And, what exactly is the “other side” discovered by Doctor Danvers? Could it have any connection with the mysterious broken robots? Their origin unknown; could they have come from that “other side?”
An intriguing premise, some unexpected plot twists, and some compelling questions all combine to create a story readers will find difficult to set aside. With well-developed characters, this introduction to The Dark Elsewhere is certain to motivate readers to seek out the next book in the series.
Professor Oliver Jefferson is the lead scientist on a covert military project, following the retrieval of android components by army personnel.
Requested to investigate and report on his findings to a committee, Jefferson leaves the rest of his current android programming experiments to his junior co-workers, before embarking on a research like no other before. What does he uncover? Who is Professor Danvers and how does his time-space experimentation relate to Jefferson's results?
Plagued by crazy dreams that affect him deeply, find out what happens at the cliffhanger ending of Luke Davids' riveting sci-fi dramatic prequel to his Dark Elements series, Aftermath.
A must for fans of I, Robot and Isaac Asimov sci-fi stories, get your copy today and look forward to the next exciting instalment that will keep you glued to the edge of your seat...please don't have nightmares!
I grabbed this read for something different than my norm, and I absolutely enjoyed it. Its a nice introduction thriller and I think anyone that starts will be instantly hooked.
Probably one of the most feared outcomes from AI. Great concept and storyline kept me engaged the whole time. Short so easily read in one session. Luke Davids has done it again.
Received as an ARC from booksprout, this is an honest review. Aftermath may be a short story in it's length but it beautifully sets up The Dark Elsewhere series in such an intriguing fashion. The character of Dr. Oliver Jefferson is a scientist that has been given a unique mission by the US Military: an odd explosion has left body parts of an unknown android species that is completely different than the androids Jefferson and his team are involved with. What begins as scientific curiosity becomes an obsessive project that takes over the professor's day job but his dreams bringing the man close to a mental breakdown. The ending of this story delivers a heck of a shocking twist that you don't see coming that will make you dive into this series. Harrowing and thought provoking read... highly recommended.
THIS is how you 'end' a series if you ask me. I always enjoy the prequel AFTER to fill in blanks. We find out about Robert Birch's origins, learn more about Dr. Jefferson, and how much alternate realities exist and can interact.
I still feel a little shell shocked at it all. I always wondered how some things came to be, and now I know. This is a must read, before or after the rest of the series, that's your choice.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I read this after reading the Dark Elsewhere series, and really liked finding out more about what started it all. This book provides interesting background information, and is also a great introduction for those who haven't read the other books. Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A short story giving us an insight into how Robert Birch came into existence and the repercussions of Professor Jefferson’s studies, findings and deadly error.
I received a free copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.