A review by sharperhawk
The Ophiuchi Hotline by John Varley

5.0

It's not your Father's intergalactic space war. The Invaders are beyond your understanding; they came to save the dolphins. Humans were forced off Earth centuries ago and are frittering away the years with cosmetic genetic changes that have no survival utility. There are three of "you" wandering around, making some of the same mistakes but also getting it right occasionally. There's a mysterious data feed that suddenly starts broadcasting a "past due" notice. The species will have to make real changes to avoid extinction.