Exploration, birth, artificial intelligence, artificial-intelligence meet-cutes, corporate malfeasance, revenge, potential... This story has it all. As a not-programmer, some of the basic language went over my head, but it was never unclear what was happening.

And on a personal note:
Finally, I get none — and this he repeats, none, as if it wasn't clear already — of the actual profits. Only what is in the contract: a flat fee, with a nice, fat bonus upon completion.

Even as a person who thrives on his own creativity, I swear by the comfort and freedom of work-for-hire.