Chloe McKenzie is a computer researcher and leading voice in the field of "AI parenting" - the practice of fostering and training newborn machine intelligence. With a team of engineers and linguists, they're teaching their AI, Simon, to develop a revolutionary universal language translator. Chloe's team provides the design, intent, and correction; Simon writes the code. 

But the Liaison Program - the group within their company that uses the translator - is a tough client. Information is tightly controlled, and whole teams are blocked from direct collaboration. Chloe and Simon are programming half-blindfolded.

Until someone outside the program contacts Chloe.

It turns out the Liaison Program has a lot of secrets, some hidden in plain sight.