Humans designed artificial intelligences, but the AIs no longer need us. They are gods, and can create – or even recreate – themselves. The two most advanced AIs in the universe need to rescue a friend from the clutches of their powerful enemies. Their method is to create millions of offshoots: restricted, cut-down versions of themselves, to fulfil specific tasks such as generating ideas. The offshoots can be deleted once they've fulfilled their role. No one gives a second's thought to software. It's just a tool. Now it's time to see inside the process. Lost Tales of Solace are short side-stories set in the Lost Solace universe.