In the aftermath of war, fragile peace stretches across the solar system. But on Callisto, one expedition is about to uncover secrets that could ignite it all again. In the aftermath of the devastating war that reshaped humanity and its creations, a fragile peace stretches across the solar system. On Mars, a fragile alliance of Essentients-distinct lineages born from human code-has begun the bold work of populating the solar system. Together they are building new worlds from dust and ice, trying to prove that coexistence is more than a promise. Their next step is Callisto. A terraforming team led by Lira is dispatched to lay the groundwork for a permanent colony. But what starts as engineering and routine science soon tilts off course. A hidden trace is uncovered, evidence that someone has already walked these frozen plains. Among the crew is Adam, carrying memories that belong to more than just himself and truths that could shatter trust when it is needed most. When the mission falters, they are forced to leave Callisto behind and step into the political struggles brewing on Nautrax, where alliances fracture and every secret becomes a weapon. Book One of The Essentients blends spacefaring adventure with quiet philosophical tension, moving from the frozen plains of Callisto to the power halls of Nautrax. It is a story about identity, loyalty, and the cost of truth-where the future of two peoples may hinge on what one expedition chooses to do next.