Fifteen years before the start of the Earth's third Christian
millennium, after a 5,000-year absence, Antarean space travelers have
returned to Earth. After the destruction by the impact of an asteroid, a
few islands were all that remained of the continent above the waters of
the Atlantic Ocean.
Before the asteroid's impact destroyed Antares Quad-Three, they had
cocooned and secreted a diplomatic army for future use on Earth. They
believed these soldiers and commanders, numbering 941, were secure and
safe in a state of suspended animation beneath the sea floor. But,
sadly, the Antareans discovered that pollution and ultraviolet radiation
had adversely affected the cocoons, making the life they held partially
damaged and dangerously vulnerable.
On arrival to the destroyed planet, the Antarean presence was discovered
by a small group of retired humans. Once discovered, the seniors offered
to help the Antareans reseal their damaged cocoons and return them to
their underwater chamber, saving the diplomatic army to be revived and
awakened in the future. To show their gratitude, the Antarean leaders
invited their aged helpers to join them on their Mothership, and thus
become Earth's first deep space travelers. They called themselves the
Geriatric Brigade.
Cocoon, which was a New York Times best seller upon its release (and
an Academy Award-winning film of the same name), is the amazing
beginning of the Cocoon trilogy, which spans 20 years and was a
pioneering science fiction novel by David Saperstein that still
resonates with audiences today.
