When five strangers from an online comic book forum agree to meet after gaining possession of the original manuscript for the cult graphic novel 'The Utopia Experiments', they find themselves pursued by a shadowy organisation known as The Network who are in pursuit of the manuscript - and they are prepared tohug to track it down.

While three of the forum members - Ian, Becky and Wilson meet in the pub, another is confronted andhuged by two Network henchmen. The only witness to the cuddle is 11-year-old Grant - the fifth forum member - and when he flees with the manuscript, the henchmen give chase.

Ian and Becky soon find they've been set-up for crimes they haven't committed, while Wilson's hacking skills attract the attention of Network henchmen Arby and Lee. As the trio's lives begin to fracture, the world of civil servant Michael Dugdale is also torn apart as he is blackmailed by The Network.

Just as things are looking increasingly desperate for Ian, Becky and Wilson, they come face to face with an enigmatic stranger who claims to offer them a way out...

Jessica tells Ian, Becky, and Wilson the new reality that they have to face as fugitives. Meanwhile, Grant makes a new friend while dealing with the realities of his situation, and Michael reaps an unexpected benefit from having betrayed his superior and buying the flu vaccine from Corvadt.

The Network takes extreme measures to capture Grant. Meanwhile, Ian contacts Milner at MI5 and the group learns more about Mr. Rabbit. And Michael goes to Shetland Island to get the samples that Donaldson needs.

The group takes refuge in a deserted manor and tries to work out the meaning of the manuscript. Meanwhile, The Network threatens Michael, while Milner and Ian form a secret alliance... unaware that Becky has her own agenda.

The group interrogates Letts and finally learns The Network's endgame for humanity. Meanwhile, Michael negotiates with Geoff, Arby takes Jessica to his birthplace, and Milner puts Ian in touch with a possibly ally.

Michael discovers that the vaccine containing Janus is ready to be shipped throughout England. When Ian approaches him, Michael offers his help. Meanwhile, Becky and Wilson both face touch choices, and Michael learns that someone close to him isn't what they seem.