“Voyager 1” was a message in a bottle. Our way to let the Galaxy know we exist. “We’re here! Find us!” For the next forty years, the probe flew past Jupiter and Saturn before plunging into the void, swallowed by the silent universe. Or so we thought… In truth, our message wasn’t left unnoticed. The mysterious code was first discovered by Dr. Dalia Mitchell. It had been sent by a highly intelligent intergalactic species that called itself the “Higher Ones.” Soon it became clear that this alien race wasn’t just interested in communication—they were able to rewrite human DNA through a process they call Ascension.
Five years after “Impulse,” the famous journalist Kit Thomas decides to investigate the event that changed the world. Thomas travels across the country, interviews members of the group that tried to decode the signal. He meets with astronomers who initially doubted the discovery of Impulse. It was exactly this mistake that led to the swift destruction of the world. Thomas speaks with witnesses of the Ascension and with people whose loved ones disappeared in the finale. Around him, on every side, the Ascension event opens up—an occurrence that still puzzles researchers and gives rise to countless theories about the motives of the Higher Ones.
“A creative take on a first-contact novel will satisfy both UFO hunters and nostalgic fans of ‘The X-Files.’” — Publishers Weekly
“You’ll be enchanted by the inner world of the Ascended—those affected by Impulse—as well as by Dalia’s motives and thoughts. Conspiracy theory fans will appreciate the hints at an irrational solution to the problem by governments. A nonstandard post-apocalyptic novel that’s a pleasure to read and offers hope.” — Booklist