Three months have passed since the space fleet's arrival, but very little has changed in the skies above planet Earth. Motherships still hover without word, impervious to attack and communication. Spherical shuttles still ferry about, their intentions unclear. But the abductions of select humans have ended and most of those taken have been returned -- dazed, incoherent, and prophesying glory or doom -- but back home where they belong. All but nine. Worldwide, only nine seemingly unconnected people remain missing. Trapped in their besieged bunker outside Vail, Piper, Trevor, Lila, and Heather wait for one of them.