Michael Townsend just wants to study the mammalian genome but incidentally becomes a pawn in an alien game of strategy. During his research, Michael gets sick. After blood work, a rheumatologist confirms that Michael's genetic code is missing molecules. It's as if something spliced his DNA at the same point in every cell, leaving Michael to waste away. Except, Michael doesn't waste away. A last-ditch treatment effort turns him into something else...