2070-71. Nearly six decades after Step Day and in the Long Earth, the brand new Next post-human society continues to evolve.

For Joshua Valienté, now in his late sixties, it is time to take one last solo journey in to the Large Meggers: an adventure that becomes a disaster. By itself and facing loss of life, his only hope of salvation is situated with several trolls. But as Joshua confronts his mortality, the Longer Earth receives a signal from the superstars. A about The Very long Cosmos signal that is picked up by radio astronomers but also in even more abstract ways – from the trolls and by the Great Traversers. Its message is simple but ts implications are enormous:

JOIN US.

The super-smart Next realise that the Message contains instructions on how to develop an immense artificial intelligence but to construct it they need to seek help from through the entire industrious worlds of mankind. Bit by bit, byte by byte, they assemble a computer how big is a continent – a tool which will alter the Long Earth’s place inside the cosmos and reveal the ultimate, life-affirming goal of these who delivered the Message. Its impact will be felt by and resonate with all – mankind and various other species, youthful and old, areas and people – who inhabit the Lengthy Earths…