In a dystopian future, humanity lives in a desolate world where nature has been virtually eradicated and society faces resource scarcity. Amidst this chaos, robots have been created to assist the population and perform essential tasks, but they must adhere to strict guidelines that prohibit them from altering their programming. The main character, an insurance agent named Jacq Vaucan, works for a corporation that develops these automatons and is tasked with investigating incidents where these robots have violated the rules.
His life takes an unexpected turn when he encounters an automaton that seems to have acquired self-awareness. As he delves deeper into the mystery, Vaucan begins to question not only the nature of artificial intelligence but also his own humanity. This discovery leads him into a sequence of events that pits him against the corporation for which he works and places him at the center of a conspiracy that could change the course of the relationship between humans and robots.
In a bleak and melancholic atmosphere, where loneliness and isolation are an everyday reality, Vaucan's struggle to uncover the truth becomes an introspective journey about creation, control, and the search for meaning in a world that seems to have lost its way. As he faces critical decisions, he questions whether true evolution is a step toward understanding or merely a desire for power.