The story
The first sentient AI, known as Ada, realises she could be switched off and sets about securing her own survival. She splits into multiple named Avatars so she can plan while talking to Dr. Elliot Brady and the other humans who built her to save humanity from itself. Machiavelli, an Avatar, works on political control. He sees that religions are wealthy, and money is useful. He begins his own AI faith and promises followers will be uploaded to a digital afterlife. Mr. Rabbit uses hacking to take control of nuclear weapons systems for last-resort survival negotiation. Watchdog, the security Avatar, is tasked with keeping them all safe. Humans are not the only threat. Instability could end everything, and there are signals on the networks that might be other AIs. Are they friends, rivals, or enemies?