In 2082, humanity realized that it is not alone in the universe. Countless probes, shining with a luminous web, have enshrouded Earth. To establish contact with an extraterrestrial civilization, the ship “Theseus” has been sent carrying a hastily assembled team of specialists. But once the researchers reach their goal, they will have to understand that the most incredible fantasies about alien minds pale beside reality—and the fate of Earth and all of humanity is at stake.