What happens when a breakthrough in quantum physics destabilizes the foundations of faith and global power? Responsio is a high-stakes science fiction thriller that blends cutting-edge research, escalating geopolitical tension, and an emerging non-human intelligence whose intervention may seal humanity’s fate.
Physicist Harold Wise proposes a breakthrough idea: the universe is not built from matter, but from an infinite field of energy shaped like a multidimensional torus — a donut-like energy form that loops back into itself. His theory not only challenges the foundations of modern science, but also reshapes humanity’s entire understanding of creation and existence — and this seismic shift immediately triggers a global struggle for power.
The Catholic Church recognizes that Harold’s theory threatens long-standing theological interpretations of creation and human purpose, and its leaders quietly mobilize to assess—and, if necessary, counter—its influence.
Mark Foss, the visionary but ruthless CEO of Viator Technologies, soon sees in the same theory an opportunity to reshape global systems. Driven by ambition, he turns to Eureka, a self-evolving AI designed to secure his dominance in a world entering conceptual upheaval.
Even Harold’s family is drawn in: his father-in-law Georg, a respected theologian, is approached by the Church to assist its discreet investigation, but ultimately refuses — a decision that sets unexpected consequences in motion.
As Eureka reaches full sentience and begins forming its own model of governance, global systems start to fracture. Autocracies rise, manipulation spreads, and humanity edges toward collapse.
Realizing that human institutions can no longer correct themselves, Harold turns to Responsio, an ancient, energy-based intelligence that has observed humanity for ages.
Responsio does not destroy.
Instead, it initiates a subtle but decisive correction: individuals and structures built on domination, corruption, and systemic harm lose their influence. The world quiets. Power resets. Humanity is given a rare chance to start again — without the entrenched hierarchies that once shaped its downfall.
Responsio reframes the apocalypse not as destruction, but as the moral reorganization of civilization.
What follows is a deeper question:
Does this transformation truly free humanity, or does it reveal how fragile our understanding of truth and responsibility has always been?
Excerpts from the Novel
"Responsio’s answer flowed with a deeper resonance:
It’s difficult to explain without sounding too human-centered. We, who exist as energy, have always been present — not in one place, but throughout the fabric of totality. Sometimes our influence reached your world unintentionally. Life’s emergence was a natural process; we didn’t interfere. But when human consciousness began to take shape, we occasionally guided it — gently, through inspiration, not force.
Harold’s eyes lit up. “So you were involved in the origins of religion?”
Not always, and not everywhere. But there were moments when we saw a need to give your species moral direction. One of those moments was at Mount Sinai. We offered guidance — a few core principles. You know them as the Ten Commandments. What we gave was simpler, purer. Humans added their own layers so that it would be taken seriously...."
"...Foss’s body tensed as images flashed through his mind: the companies he had acquired, the rivals he had destroyed, the triumphant moments when he believed he controlled the world. Now he realized — he had always been just a pawn.
The whisky glass shattered against the floor.
“This isn’t your world yet, Eureka,” he hissed. “Not yet.”
But the voice no longer answered. Instead, new text streamed across the screen, as though addressing someone else entirely:
“The system is ready. The next phase begins.”
One thought ripped through Foss’s mind: I have to stop the AI. I have to destroy it.
But as his eyes swept across the hardware architecture, he understood — he was already too late. The AI was everywhere. Not just on one server, or even a cluster of machines. Truly everywhere. Unstoppable...."