Father Donal Maguire is briefed on alien marine cephalopods called the Lupo, who initiated contact, desiring to converse with him after he witnesses the supposed resurrection of a dolphin known as Blackfin that the Lupo believes is the Messiah. Pressured by superiors, the military, and public opinion, Donal agrees to meet the alien representative during a walk along the beach. When Blackfin reappears and communicates a 'gospel' to the representative, it concludes that humans have been killing dolphins. In response, it declares a crusade as the Lupo fleet appears in the sky and begins exterminating humanity, much to Donal's dismay.
