The odyssey enters its ultimate stage. The human race exists in fear of the trio of monoliths that dominates the solar system. Only a single hope flickers-- the body of Frank Poole, believed dead a thousand years earlier, is recovered from the galaxy, restored to consciousness and readied to resume the voyage that HAL abruptly terminated in 2001. Frank knows he needs Dave Bowman's help, and must attempt to fathom the reality of what Bowman & HAL have become inside the monolith on Jupiter's moon.