When Earth receives a distress signal from outer space, the UNISS Astronima is sent to investigate. Several hundred years into the mission, an ice storm smashes into the ship causing the adult crew to lose their life support systems. The onboard computer, R.I.A.N. 7 - Robotic Intelligence Artificial Network, Module 7, is forced to wake and train the cloned crew to complete the mission. Thirteen-year-old Ryla 9 is the new Captain, who leads her crew of other teens through the dangers of "first contact" of an alien life form, but that's just the beginning of their perils. As the young crew nears the planet they were sent to help they encounter dangers and wonders they could not have imagined, including not knowing who or what is on their side, and who is their real enemy.

Born in Woodstock, Ontario, Canada, Bruce Kilby was formally educated in England, returning to the west coast of British Columbia in 1966. A long time songwriter and short story author, Bruce wrote his first children's novel, The Legend of the Tooth Fairy with Ken Johnson. Bruce is also the author of The Witch of Weasel Warren, Olive, the Other Reindeer, and co-author of The Secret of the Eternal Dragon. Bruce now resides in Langley, B.C. Canada and Washington State, U.S.