A mysterious black sphere is discovered in the orbit of Mars. The Achilles is sent to investigate. After the bedraggled six-person crew wake from eight months hibernation, the Sphere is transmitting a single word in every Earth language ever known – Deus.

Threats from sinister foreign nationals aren’t the only thing to fear. Bedraggled college professor Michael Faraday has been vexed (and increasingly paranoid) since his wife’s accidental death in a botched FBI operation. But all that takes a backseat when a seemingly all-American couple set up house next door.