An unstoppable extinction level event (ELE) approaches the Earth.This impending disaster emanates from within our own solar system, yet to be formally identified by astronomers, is the vast planet named Ark. The 3400 year orbital path of this colossal Earth-like celestial body maintains catastrophic potential which is capable of destroying human life as we know it.

For a privileged few, preparations have been under way for many years to save their own lives, the rest of us will perish. In a race against time to save as many as possible humans and alien races work both for and against each other, as a complex web of deceit and mistrust unfolds, to save or “use” as many humans as they can.

Centring on a variety of interconnected characters the book paints an intricate and personal picture of each, driven to great lengths, with their frantic actions demonstrating the challenging and dire state of Earth. Two such characters are those of Geoff and Spike, standing at 7 foot tall, green skinned, yet human looking, these Eridanian’s are equipped with telepathic capability and an understanding of incredibly advanced technology. Sent to a deep underground base in a normal exchange program they carry out undercover work, however while there they discover the true nature of the base. It is a vile breeding ground where humans are grown from embryos previously extracted from Terran mothers without their knowledge. Parents are pre-selected for high IQ, impeccable health records and a stable socio-political background, creating a new race of super humans who will inherit the earth after ELE.

As the tension rises and natural disasters increasingly announce the impending doom, an unlikely hero emerges, whose survival is crucial for the future of mankind. Brian, must swiftly learn that society as he knows it is all a lie. As a washed up, divorced, ex-navy businessman he is oblivious to the fact that he is destined for an important role on Ark and has been since birth. He arrives at the same base as Geoff, not entirely by chance having been “chipped and tracked”, like all Terran' selected for transfer, since birth. He must put aside all that he has learned and prepare for a new future, but first he must secure the future of those he loves.

It is upon Ark that other sub-plot characters are developed, two of which are Zac and Mia, a husband and wife couple originating from the planet Ark. Mia is responsible for helping to build and nurture the new cities as a planet warden and teacher looking after the new species on Ark. Zac, as a commander in the Arkan navy is essential to the entire transfer process for which the planet is preparing. However during an intervention from the Draconian/Rigellians (D/R) a large fighter fur ball ensues with individual dogfights. The enemy craft are much stronger than normal and Zac is badly wounded as his fighter crashes on Earth. Temporarily stranded he is vital in the interwoven web being created and will ultimately save Brian’s girlfriend Mary in a brutal encounter with the terrible Terran twins Vince and Boris.

Mary’s encounter is the culmination of an intense struggle of a desperate mother to find her teenage daughter. Deciding to go and get her daughter Louise herself Mary intends to travel during the day and not break a state curfew at night. However a TV interview broadcast with two scientists debating the event and the dramatic subsequent presidential address changes everything. With the help from a compassionate woman named Lily, Mary sets out to break the curfew and finish the journey at night, a decision that nearly costs her life. Kidnapped by evil twins and held in a stable, her terrible fate is only averted by Zac’s brutal intervention. Following a fervid and moving battle to reach them in time Brian Louise and Mary are eventually reunited on the Transport orbiting the Earth ready for the journey to Ark, however this is not the end of their troubles…

Phil Penhallow

Books