The Navy's newest carrier, the U.S.S. Ronald Reagan along with several vessels of her battle group, has been sunk in an attack using atomic weapons. In order to find out who instigated the attack, the Office of Budget and Plans, a secret Navy Intelligence and Black Ops Program, is tasked to track down the perpetrators. In the course of the search, Lt. Cmdr. Ed Candeto, a former SEAL, makes forays to India, North Korea, and Libya. The attack also makes it necessary to call up reservists and once again activate an F-14 Squadron, VF-128, the Spartans. Wes Hardin is recalled from his perfect life and job as an airline pilot as is his soon to be friend, Tully Cane. Eventually they are assigned to the carrier U.S.S. Enterprise. In the twists and turns of the investigation Candeto, Hardin, and Cane, must interact to bring resolution to the mission.