A comet impact leaves the world on the brink of extinction. A billion people are incinerated instantly in the blast, the rest of the earth's population wither and falter in the aftermath. Toxic ash, fire from the sky, extreme temperatures and then finally ... the next ice age.The northern United States is a frozen tundra.Anna Jenner is fortunate. Her ex-husband not only has the foreknowledge of the devastating impact, but he has the financial ability to make sure Anna and their son survive. He creates the perfect bunker.Protocol One.Along with a select group of experts, Anna is shielded from the horrors of the comet. When the weather stabilizes, fueled by guilt over their own privileged survival, Anna and others set out to find survivors.The world is a different place. Much different than they imagined. And their surprising discoveries in the outside world pale in comparison to what they discover about Protocol One.The continuity of mankind comes with a price.