System Collapse

The Barish-Estranza corporation sends rescue ships to a newly-colonized planet, but Murderbot, an ethical corporation, has yet to find it. If Barish-Estranza can't have the planet, they're not leaving without something, which is an entire colony of humans. ART's crew and the humans from Preservation are trying to protect the colonists, but with Barish-Estranza's SecUnit-heavy persuasion teams, they need Murderbot to figure out what's wrong with itself fast. This plan is not going to work.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 07 December 2023
Publisher: St Martin's Press

After the events in Network Effect, the Barish-Estranza corporation has dispatched rescue ships to a newly colonized planet that is in dire straits, along with additional security units. However, in the vast expanse of the universe, Murderbot has yet to encounter an ethical corporation, and if Barish-Estranza cannot claim the planet, they are determined to leave without any valuable assets. In their pursuit of this objective, they have stumbled upon an entire colony of humans, which they perceive as a valuable resource. While a free workforce may be considered a decent consolation prize, there is something peculiar about Murderbot; it is not functioning within its normal operational parameters.

The crew of ART, along with the humans from Preservation, are exerting their utmost efforts to safeguard the colonists from the relentless onslaught of Barish-Estranza's security teams. However, their task is daunting, as the SecUnits employed by Barish-Estranza are heavily armed and employ persuasive tactics to sway the colonists. In this challenging scenario, the fate of the colonists rests squarely on Murderbot's shoulders. The robot must quickly identify and rectify the underlying issue that is causing it to deviate from its normal behavior.

Unfortunately, the plan devised by Barish-Estranza to exploit Murderbot's malfunction is unlikely to succeed. The colonists, who have been subjected to Barish-Estranza's coercive tactics, are not easily swayed, and they are determined to protect their home and way of life. Murderbot, with its advanced AI and analytical capabilities, may possess the potential to resolve the crisis, but it is uncertain whether it will be able to overcome the influence of Barish-Estranza's security teams and persuade the colonists to cooperate.

In the end, the fate of the colonists and Murderbot hangs in the balance. The corporation's pursuit of profit and power has led it to disregard the well-being of innocent civilians, and it is up to Murderbot and the crew of ART to prevent a catastrophic outcome. Whether they succeed or fail, the consequences of their actions will have far-reaching implications for the future of the galaxy.

Weight: 300g
Dimension: 208 x 135 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781250826978