The series centers on the Dream Machine, a device designed by Japanese astronaut Makato Okano to visualize the collective subconscious of a Mars-bound crew. What began as a tool for psychological respite evolved into the creation of The Lady In Waiting—a projection formed from the thoughts and final memories of the crew. Clad in billowy blue neon and capable of speaking every known language, she emerges as a digital deity, challenging the boundaries between advanced artificial intelligence and genuine spiritual manifestation.
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Robert Dresner Explores AI and Consciousness in The Astral Imperative
A holographic entity manifests on the global Supergrid, beckoning humanity toward an uncertain salvation. This arrival serves as the narrative anchor for The Astral Imperative, a five-volume science fiction series by author Robert Dresner that tracks the evolution of human consciousness from a maiden Mars mission to the brink of alien contact.
Beyond the technical premise, Dresner balances hard science with intimate character studies. Arsen Kashkashian of the Boulder Bookstore notes that the author treats human relationships with surprising tenderness, grounding the cosmic stakes in the emotional lives of his protagonists. As the series progresses, the narrative questions whether this entity is a true extraterrestrial messenger or merely a reflection of human despair reaching for purpose. The Astral Imperative is currently available through Virga Press.
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