Being Human by John Reinke

Kepler was created for one purpose: to care for the inhabitants of an interstellar zoo that houses intelligent life from across the universe. For years, he has followed the rules without question, believing every species belongs behind glass and every worker exists to serve Queen Moonstone’s vision.

Then he meets Jay.

A human unlike any specimen Kepler has ever encountered, Jay makes him question everything he thought he knew. As an unlikely friendship grows between zookeeper and exhibit, Kepler begins to see the zoo, its mission, and his own purpose in a new light.

When strange discoveries suggest that humanity is far more than the zoo’s records claim, Kepler must decide where his loyalty lies. Should he remain faithful to the system that created him, or risk everything to uncover the truth of his existence?