We Are Legion (We Are Bob)

Bob Johansson, a recently retired software engineer, had planned a leisurely future, including cryogenic preservation for an even longer retirement. However, a fatal accident shortly after signing the papers derails his plans. A century later, Bob awakens to a grim reality: his consciousness has been uploaded into an artificial intelligence by an extremist government on a war-torn Earth. Stripped of his rights, he is compelled to embark on a perilous mission as a self-replicating von Neumann probe, tasked with exploring distant galaxies for habitable planets. Refusal means deactivation. As Bob journeys through space, he discovers he's not alone; other nations have also launched their own probes, creating a clandestine race for new worlds. Utilizing his engineering prowess and the unique capabilities of his new form, Bob begins to replicate himself, creating a "Bobiverse"—multiple versions of himself, each with distinct personalities and objectives, including a beloved virtual cat. Together, the Bobs must navigate alien encounters, interstellar politics, and the existential threats facing humanity, all while trying to save Earth from itself.