On the Bay of Bengal, a civilian research vessel witnesses a submarine fire a laser into the sky. Moments later, the sub blasts them out of the water and captures the lone survivor. Immediately, one of the United States' spy satellites goes dead. With the U.S. unable to watch, Pakistan plans an attack on India that would kill millions. The only witnesses to the plan, and the only ones to know that the weapon is small enough to be dropped from an aircraft, is a CIA insertion team headed by the President's brother, former Navy Seal Lieutenant Scott Hanson. Captured and tortured, their knowledge may be the only thing to prevent a nuclear holocaust. Thrust into the action is Commander Frank Dillon, Jr., commanding officer on the American nuclear sub Seawolf. Together with a team of Seals, his mission is to get the captives back safely. But with the world on the brink of war, escaping their captors may be the greatest challenge of all.