Moral Code by Lois and Ross Melbourne

 

Release date: September 20, 2022

Subgenre: Near Future Science Fiction, Artificial Intelligence

 

About Moral Code: 

 

Dr. Keira Stetson has two passions: ethical artificial intelligence—AI with a conscience—and creating technology that improves children’s lives. Trapped in an earthquake-flattened building with a half-dozen panicked five-year-olds, she fears the worst. When billionaire Roy Brandt leverages his mysterious nanite technology to rescue them, she’s both grateful and intrigued.

Impressed by his prototype technology but alarmed at its potential for exploitation, Keira merges her company with Brandt’s. The merger gives Keira access to much-needed funds for the development of her own tech, and access to Brandt’s powerful minuscule robots. In turn, she and her AI assistant, Elly, embed Keira’s trademark Moral Operating System in Brandt’s nanite SmartDust to rein in its power.

But Brandt’s technology has been kept secret for a reason. Though he’s adamant about using the Dust to improve life, not destroy it, corporate raiders and the military have other ideas. They want to weaponize Brandt’s nanites. Suddenly, everything Keira has worked for is in jeopardy. Exposed to the worst humanity has to offer, she and Elly must fight to use this newfound tech for good and keep it out of the wrong hands…before it’s too late.

Excerpt:

 

Never Enough

The dark, smooth tarmac was the easiest surface Roy, Cody, and Loel had navigated in the last two days. They hurried toward the rectangle of amber light at the top of their jet’s stairs. Sparse lighting slipped out from the airport using minimum power via battery backups. The earthquake’s damage to the power grid had been extensive.

Roy entered his plane, handing a backpack to the flight attendant. The glean of the burled wood and the welcoming, deep leather chairs sat in stark contrast to the dirty and chaotic environment they’d left behind. In the cabin, he nodded acknowledgment to Keira, already sitting at the front table wrapped in a blanket, a ball cap pulled low on her forehead. Edmond had secured clothes and a shower for her. Her hotel had been deemed unsafe to enter. Her eyes were tired but didn’t hold the shell shock he would have expected considering her ordeal. “Welcome, Keira, I’ll be there in just a moment.”

Sticking his head into the cockpit, he addressed the pilots. “Please collect our clearance and take off as soon as you can. Communication services are completely screwed up right now. Sorry, I didn’t give you more warning when we were coming back from the city.”

He recognized the captain but not the first officer. “By the way, we’ll be busy working, possibly sleeping. Don’t worry about announcements. You can turn off the radio between here and the cabin.” The pilots acknowledged his request and his apology, then moved with efficiency to prepare for takeoff.

Loel stashed her computer bag in her storage bin, hidden sleekly in the glossy side panel near Keira. “How are you feeling, Keira?”

“I’m sore in a lot of places, but grateful. Thank you. How are you?”

Ruffling the spikiness of her own hair, Loel chuckled. “Well, I’m glad you got a shower, but you’re flying home with three people in desperate need of a one. My apologies.”

Concerned about Loel’s state of mind after the stress of the rescues and her look of exhaustion, Roy turned to the attendant and requested food and drinks be served immediately. She silently hurried to the galley.

Brushing past Roy, Cody claimed a seat behind the table. Decades younger than he or Loel, he still showed the wear and tear of the mission. “All the equipment is stowed underneath. It’s ready.”

The changing rooms at the executive airport had been dark, with no showers. Accustomed to Loel’s meticulous attention to her appearance, Roy was acutely aware of her uncombed hair and the dark circles under her eyes. Cody’s rumpled look had a grunge band effect. Roy was relieved to be in clean jeans and a T-shirt, and that Keira had been given fresh clothes. Edmond has been true to his word, providing her the best care possible under the city’s circumstances.

Roy looked from Loel to Cody. “The post-event review needs to be done soon. But we’ll wait for most of it until we have Hendrick. And we don’t want to drag Keira through our droning on about our processes.” He wasn’t fooling anyone in the cabin. They wouldn’t have discussed details of the Dust in front of Keira. He would set the pace for what more would be disclosed in front of her.

Loel spun her chair away from Roy to face Cody. “Come on, join us at the table. You’ll want to eat before you sleep.”

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About Lois and Ross Melbourne:

“Moral Code” is not the first collaboration for Lois and Ross Melbourne. Side-by-side, they grew their software business to a global award-winning organization, as CEO and Chief Technology Officer, respectively. Now Lois’ storytelling brings to life Ross’ deep understanding of the possibilities within artificial intelligence and robotics. Parenting and marriage have been the easy part of this equation.

Lois is now writing books, having published two children’s books about exploring careers. “Moral Code” is her first but not her last novel. You can learn more about Lois at www.loismelbourne.com. Ross’ current work includes artificial intelligence and robotics. You can learn more about him at www.rossmelbourne.com. And for more about them and the book, you can visit, www.MoralCodeTheBook.com. 

 

Instagram | Twitter: @Lois @Ross