An indistinct message is received from space and is interpreted by many as the work of an Earth based government. When a second message is received, it tells mankind that the Universe is to be purged of all warlike and expansionist civilisations, but adds that the Earth is to be spared; but not without damage. After the one hour thirteen minute 'Event', the planet suffers stifling temperatures, a breakdown of infrastructure and the unexplained deaths of billions of seemingly healthy survivors. As the weeks and months pass, there is a belief that temperatures will stabilise and that normality will return. However, far from reaching equilibrium, the planet's climate plunges ever downward until the Earth is covered in many metres of frozen snow. A global ice storm is followed by devastating floods. Those that have endured all that has gone before must now fight to survive disease and the very real threat of starvation.