Augustine, a brilliant, ageing scientist, has stayed behind at the Barbeau Observatory, a remote research centre located at the Arctic Circle. The observatory was evacuated when news arrived that a mysterious, catastrophic event was underway. Hours after the last airlift departed, Augustine - who insisted on staying behind to collect data - discovers Iris, a reticent, enigmatic child. In spite of the observatory's state of the art equipment, Augustine is unable to establish contact; all communication with the rest of the world has gone dark.

Mission Specialist Sullivan, a divorced astronaut and mother, is flying aboard a spaceship, the Aether, returning to Earth following a successful mission to Jupiter. Suddenly, inexplicably, the Aether loses all contact with Mission Control. In a vacuum of information, the crew must determine the best course of action.

Faced with the cold, barren sweep of the Arctic, the vast silence of space, what will they do next and who will they become?