Listeners of Libertas

Retter's Fountain, the opening installment of the Listeners of Libertas series by Alan Cherney (© 2025), is an illustrated science fiction novelette that delves into the ethical and emotional intricacies of artificial intelligence. Set in a future where AI has advanced dramatically, the story follows a computer programmer who crafts two lifelike virtual realms called Primum and Libertas to experiment with the bounds of machine learning. Through introspective journal entries, the narrative intertwines technical ingenuity with deep philosophical inquiries into purpose, autonomy, and redemption.

Rainha's life on Arbour Island is fraught with danger as she and her father live in trees above the treacherous lowlands, inhabited by deadly beasts. When a mainlander named Rico visits their tree-top home, a series of events unfolds, leading Rainha to a profound realization about her purpose. Guided by the teachings of the matriarch Victoria and the Victorian Directives, Rainha learns to listen for the whispers of her maker.

Kaima's Captivity, the third installment of the Listeners of Libertas series by Alan Cherney, is an illustrated science fiction novelette that explores the depths of human emotion and concupiscence through the lens of AI characters. Set in the richly imagined worlds of Primum and Libertas, the story follows Mudmin Pokol, a young sculptor grappling with the loss of his family and the consequences of his actions.

Vigil, once the greatest stone-war athlete in Primum, is thrust into a battle far beyond the arena—into the depths of the Synapse, a vast chasm where agents of darkness harvest the consequences of players’ choices. Assigned to protect a single soul, Vigil must face relentless enemies, impossible odds, and her own doubts as she fights to guide her player toward the light.