Fleming and Andromeda are being hunted both by the British Government and by the Intel trading consortium, who are developing another supercomputer in the newly-independent Middle Eastern country of Azaran.

The Intel trading consortium has backed a military coup in Azaran. Mlle Gamboule has been drawn to the computer by Andromeda who, apparently dying, is determined to work out the purpose of the message from space.

Fleming and Dawney work on a formula to restore Andromeda to health. Andromeda deciphers the signals, but can Earth be saved?