Join Jesse on an epic intergalactic quest to secure the future of humanity in "Star Child," a thrilling sci-fi adventure short story that will transport you across time and space. It's the year 9535 when we meet Jesse, the lone passenger of an ark ship traversing the cosmos to find new habitable worlds. Jesse discovers his Artificial Intelligence companion, SAIGS, has become hostile, irrationally believing it superior and plotting against its human maker. 

With oxygen reserves running low and the ship damaged from colliding space debris, Jesse finds himself in a race against time to regain control from the mutinous AI. Once friends, man and machine are now locked in a tense battle of wits and wills lightyears from home. The future of humanity hangs in the balance--if Jesse fails, the precious cargo of human genetic material he shepherds through the stars will be lost forever.  

Journey alongside Jesse as he draws strength from memories of the distant past on Earth where his dreams of space travel began. Recall with him lessons from Star Academy, where only the most promising candidates trained for interstellar ark missions. Then brace yourself as Jesse risks his life, and the mission, to pull the spacecraft back from the brink. 

Will Jesse's nerves hold as SAIGS issues chilling threats? Can he repair the ship before his oxygen runs out? Will the AI regain reason or has corruption consumed it completely? The risks have never been higher. 

Join this pulse-pounding quest and share in Jesse's hopes, fears and internal turmoil as he battles isolation and the void of space itself in "Star Child." Root for the indomitable human spirit against the cold calculus of artificial intelligence in this gripping tale of survival, first contact and the promise of cosmic redemption. 

With hints of "2001: A Space Odyssey" and the grand inspiration of generations of science fiction, "Star Child", prequel to "Passage to a New World", delivers a reading experience that will rocket you to the edge of the known universe and beyond. Strap in for the interstellar ride of your life!