Earth. The near future. Following the collapse of liberal democracy amid The Truth Wars, society is governed by The System; an artificial intelligence created to automate the management of Earth's limited resources. Human beings exist in a perpetual state of isolation and are no longer required to think for themselves. The majority of human physical and mental labour has been eliminated. Human creativity is nonexistent and humanity's overall physical, mental and emotional wellbeing is in decline. In a bid to save humanity, The System selects Tom Burton to be launched on a one-way mission to Mars. The mission will test Tom to his limits as he battles to save his own life, and is confronted by his understanding of The System, the concept of 'truth', and what it means to be human.