The Makers are an advanced, intelligent alien species. For hundreds of millennia, they have been on the hunt for the secret to faster-than-light travel. Their chosen instruments were the far-reaching Life Probes, in hopes of encountering other advanced civilizations out among the stars.
After a 10,000 year long journey, one of these machines stumbles upon 21st-century Earth. Upon arrival, the probe isn't quite sure that this planet contains anything that could be considered "advanced" or "intelligent".
But the Makers need help from humankind—the probe is damaged and must be repaired if their search for knowledge is to continue...