In a far-future space-faring utopia, Hermes is an artificial intelligence brought to real life as an unusually tall, blue-skinned telepath with super-strength—making him the smartest and most feared human in The Milky Way. Clumsy, shy run-ins with paparazzi have done little to improve his reputation during the first year of his life.

Enter his ship's analyst, Cameron Ollis. Traditionally handsome. Universally beloved. One of Hermes's makers assigns Cam the task of teaching Hermes "good human behavior"—starting with a lesson in human desire when Hermes develops a crush on Cam. But their lighthearted mission turns violent when Hermes is assaulted and nearly captured by a conservative politician seeking to elevate herself to Heroine in Chief by taking down "the galaxy's greatest threat."

Graphic depictions of violence, major character death, explicit sexual content. This story tackles grief, feeling “othered” and feeling accepted, and what it means to be human.