A mysterious black sphere is discovered in the orbit of Mars. The Achilles is sent to investigate. After the bedraggled six-person crew wake from eight months hibernation, the Sphere is transmitting a single word in every Earth language ever known - Deus.
When a group of scientists developing an engine for interstellar travel see their funding cut after a fatal disaster, the disgraced group must resort to criminal activity to finance their operation as they rebuild their space time device.