The Ouroboros Effect

25th century humanity has colonized space and achieved technological immortality through advances in medical science and nanotechnology. After a war with sentient artificial persons, a treaty has made it illegal to force them into service for any reason. As a result, this extremely risk-averse and fragile society is faced with a dilemma that had long been absent: some must give up their immortality so that others may live. To answer this call, volunteers create an elite all-human rescue team to handle emergencies and disasters both planetside and in deep space. The story follows that team’s leader, Commander John Mitchell, a man who struggles with a rare condition — The Ouroboros Effect — triggered by the trauma of losing his wife and daughter in a failed rescue attempt. John believes that his technology and training can keep him alive, but he will come to find that his greatest dangers lie within.