In a way, you could call this an invasion, but it wouldn't be the kind of invasion you're used to hearing about. There are no political issues involved, and no soldiers in the literal sense. No bombs, no guns and no shellholes. Not even any blood. The story begins in the atmosphere. In compliance with a law still unknown to us, detached molecules of hydrogen and oxygen floating in the air, rush together and columnise into geometric crystals - crystals of almost unbelievable beauty, of infinite variety, and frightening potential. The icy particles begin to fall singly at first, then as they bump in the lower, warmer air, they stick together forming flakes, and the quiet white invasion of the earth begins in earnest...