In 1898 Michael Townsend discovers an alien space-probe trapped under Canadian permafrost. Having never encountered a carbon-based being, the self-aware alien-probe believes Michael has suffered major injuries and "cures" Michael by raising him to the mental and physical limits possible for a carbon-based being. In return the alien expects Michael to help it fulfill its mission. After learning the alien's dark objective, Michael flees, and for decades perpetually young Michael stays one-step ahead of the alien's agents. Now in 2037 Michael enlists the help of two remarkable women and a powerful android. Together they strive to defeat the alien's agents before Michael is caught, and to destroy the alien before it escapes to complete its monstrous mission. Humanity's fate hangs in the balance, but not in the way Michael believes. Will he discover the truth in time? Can he hope to defeat a self-aware probe built by an advanced alien race?