BOOK ONE OF THE CRYP'LAR SERIES The year is 2315. Michael Ruwan is an exobiologist who spends most of his time on projects away from Earth. It has been years since his latest discovery and his recognition has dwindled. Ruwan now aims to regain his popularity through the discovery of sentient life, and when fading stars suggest alien involvement, he partners with a young astronomer in hopes of a breakthrough. As the two scientists research a dying star cluster, Ruwan is called away for a mission with the Planetary and Lunar Military. When an unknown ship crashes on Mars, he must join a squad of elite soldiers to navigate the Red Planet and retrieve the ship, or be hunted by a deadly warrior and fall victim to his greatest discovery.