The Ophiuchi Hotline

Four centuries after Earth's effortless conquest by an enigmatic alien race, humanity clings to a precarious existence on the Moon and other airless refuges. Their survival is largely due to the 'Hotline,' a mysterious, ceaseless data stream emanating from a star in the constellation Ophiuchus. This alien gift has fueled astonishing technological advancements, enabling humanity to endure and even thrive against seemingly insurmountable odds. However, the delicate balance shatters when the unseen benefactors send a chilling 'bill for services rendered.' Suddenly, humanity faces a new, existential threat, far more insidious than the initial invasion. The story follows Lilith, a brilliant geneticist, as she navigates a treacherous landscape of political intrigue, scientific discovery, and profound ethical dilemmas, striving to uncover the true nature of the Hotline and the ultimate price of humanity's survival before it's too late.