A far future conspiracy comes to light in this science fiction mystery by New York Times–bestselling author Alan Dean Foster.   The Colligatarch is an artificial intelligence that has guided humanity for more than a century, influencing everything from Earth-bound business and politics to interstellar relations with alien species. With world leaders following the AI’s advice, Earth has become a near utopia.    In Phoenix, Arizona, design engineer Eric Abbott is an exemplary citizen with an enviable career. He has no reason to stray from the path of the societal system that has rewarded his work ethic and allegiance—until the day he sees a woman whose beauty and aura have no peer. Her name is Lisa Tambor. To find her, Eric will sacrifice the life he’s built. Suddenly, he’s traveling incognito, defying authority, and trespassing on secret, private properties. And he’s demonstrating superhuman abilities of strength and endurance he didn’t know he had.   Eric’s quest to find Lisa has caught the attention of very powerful factions involved in interplanetary intrigue. And they see Eric as a threat to be eliminated with extreme prejudice . . .