Estlin Hume wakes to find himself surrounded by aliens, soldiers, scientists, spies, bureaucrats and a horde of affectionate squirrels. That's nothing new. But now there's a giant saltwater tank full of cuttlefish suspended above his house! WTF.

Estlin's unique ability to translate for a pair of newly arrived aliens has brought the first contact crisis to his doorstep in rural Alberta. Unfortunately, the aliens have silently climbed the nearest tree, leaving him to contend with the cuttlefish, as well as ill-advised directives from government and military officials, and random acts of violence from unknown nefarious agents—all of whom are determined to find out for themselves what the aliens really want. No matter the cost!