One hive mind of inconceivable power and spanning whole galaxies fears PHALANX. No one knows why. Another is already among them, unseen and unknown. With almost infinite resources they direct their destructive power towards Earth. Stunned by one paradigm shift after another, Allan, Susan, Juho, Jeanette and Chuck try to hold PHALANX together. One of them is destined to send a shock right round the universe.