When five strangers from an online comic book forum gain possession of a cult graphic novel, they find themselves pursued by a shadowy organisation who are prepared to kill to track it down.

Ian and Becky are forced to face the terrifying reality of life on the run. Meanwhile, Dugdale is drawn deeper and deeper into a plot that threatens to have fatal consequences.

The gang feel the full weight of The Network's power as Grant is framed for a shocking crime. With nowhere else to turn, they are forced to make a new ally - but can she really be trusted?

In 1974, genius Philip Carvel meets an idealistic security services agent, Milner, at a secret forum of political, industrial, financial and academic leaders... by 1979, Carvel's losing his mind.

In the present day, Jessica has been held captive by Milner who has tortured her in a desperate attempt to find out just what adjustment Carvel made to Janus

The gang are on the run and find a precocious young hacker, who uncovers the key to The Network's new plan: a real global outbreak of weaponised Russian flu.