The Nine Billion Names of God

Alveron is the captain of a spaceship invented by a superhuman race. His mission is to get his team of interplanetary beings to Earth before the sun implodes in seven hours, causing the destruction off all life on the planet. The ship, called the S9000, is deployed to search for and rescue any human life it can. Alveron addresses his crew, explaining that they have a “tragic mission” (40) and it is only because the human beings on Earth developed so quickly that they did not see the disaster coming earlier.

Alveron and his Deputy Captain, Rugon, prepare to land their crafts on Earth. They see that all of Earth has been scorched with fire. There is no sign of life, nor do they pick up any radio signals. Shortly after this, a small command detaches from the mothership led by Orostron. Orostron and his team discover what looks to be an observatory. They determine that the station is built for interplanetary communication, even though Orostron and his crew don’t believe it’s possible that the human race could have achieved interplanetary travel so quickly.

When they reach a deserted city, Orostron decides to land and explore. He has only two hours left if he is to depart safely with the S9000.