Plato's Sphere: An Ego-Machine Story

In 1844, documents dating from the Renaissance were unearthed. They contained plans for a device that could make an artificial self. Nikolai Tesla's invention of the substance teslarite allowed the devices to be built, heralding a brave new world where man rejects ego; the human species raced towards a peak of intellectual and spiritual fulfilment. However, though the ego machine technology has changed man's notion of man, his legacy of violence and hatred are not quickly forgotten. The fight between his angelic and his demonic aspects is far from over.

It is 1898, and ego machine technology has progressed rapidly. The first ego machines, now dissembled, have been superseded by more sophisticated models running the recorded egos of the deceased. One active in colonial Hong Kong knows something of the ghastly Whitechapel murders. Lord Lake from the British Intelligence Service and 'the Golem' from Scotland Yard travel to the Orient to interrogate the mechanism. 'Jack' has other ideas. Events are in motion, which will end either in a dark age lasting millions of years, or a savage cosmos spanning empire. While the 'Golem' rampages in London, Lord Lake's actions will decide humanity's future.