Descender

Summary

Descender is a sweeping science fiction tale set in a galaxy where advanced robots and artificial intelligence have become both indispensable and feared. The story begins when gigantic, godlike robots called Harvesters appear without warning, unleashing destruction and vanishing as mysteriously as they came. In the aftermath, fear of machines leads to violent purges, wiping out much of robotic life. Years later, a young companion robot named TIM-21 awakens, carrying within him a secret code that may connect him to the Harvesters and the fate of the galaxy itself. TIM-21, designed to befriend and assist humans, becomes the most hunted being in the universe, pursued by governments, bounty hunters, and alien factions who believe he holds the key to understanding—or preventing—the Harvesters’ return. As he journeys across worlds with allies both human and robotic, the story examines themes of identity, prejudice, and what it means to be alive. TIM’s childlike innocence contrasts with the brutality around him, making him a powerful lens through which to explore morality in a universe where machines are treated as disposable. The artwork is notable for its watercolor style, giving the sci-fi settings a hauntingly fragile beauty. This visual softness contrasts with the story’s violence, underscoring its emotional resonance. “Descender” is more than a chase story; it’s a meditation on empathy, technology, and survival. It raises timeless questions: are robots just tools, or do they have souls? And if they do, what responsibilities do creators bear toward their creations? It’s a deeply human story told through the eyes of a machine who only wants to belong.