Adam Hampton, the newest member of the project's organizing team, objects to an overly optimistic use of old and some very new technologies. He suspects that the plan is fundamentally flawed, that the lives of the many young volunteers are at risk. But, in the beginning, he cannot point to anything specific. He can only watch and wait while three of his best friendsí¬and millions of othersí¬begin what they believe will be a great adventure and a new life.

The eager volunteers reach their destination, but events don't go as planned. They must soon fight for bare survivalí¬against an ancient menace that had plagued mankind and animalkind since life first began.