The Human Empire: This AI Wants to Light Up the Stars

In the 27th century, the human empire is busy conquering space. On a once-unremarkable frontier planet, they discover an ancient ruin belonging to an unknown civilization. Beneath the ground lies a “spire,” below it a “sarcophagus,” and inside that, a “spark.” Before humanity can understand how these things work, they recognize their potential as weapons. The empire launches an anti-planetary weapons project based on them. But life is born to resist. A defecting AI, exiles, soldiers, natives... They come from different eras, hold different beliefs, and belong to different factions. They come from exile gangs, resistance groups, independent republics, and even the empire itself. They have their differences and conflicts, and can work together or betray one another. With the spark in their hands, they set out to light up the stars. Note: This story features multiple characters, including nonhuman ones.