In the wake of Earth's devastation, humanity escapes on three great ships. Aboard the Ascendant, Captain Elena Mercer navigates conflicting ideologies among the survivors.

Everything changes when an alien signal is detected and Earth shows unexpected signs of renewal. As communication with the alien intelligence deepens, a disturbing truth emerges: humanity's exodus may have been orchestrated as part of a cosmic experiment. Facing impossible choices, Captain Mercer must determine whether humanity's destiny lies in returning to a healing Earth or embracing a transcendent future among the stars.