The Millhampton Event has left an entire population at the mercy of the Nestene Consciousness. UNIT's only hope of halting an AUTON invasion is to find Lockwood. However, UNIT's most enigmatic and talented operative is missing. Within his mind are the means by which the Consciousness will return to life and destroy the human race. Lockwood will not be given up easily. Palmer knows that time is running out. As the world's computer networks break down, he leads a desperate mission into the heart of AUTON control. Sal and Ramsay can only hope they will survive to find Lockwood before the Nestene Consciousness takes over his mind completely and extinguishes all life on Earth...