Four long years have been spent by Hugh Thomas at No.14 Maintenance Unit. Banished after the disastrous happenings at Bomber Command Evaluation Unit.-(See Queen's Airman The Bomber Days.) At his last meeting,in hospital, with a member of 'D' Branch, MI5, he was told that he was one of theirs. At the time this did not mean much but now he was reactivated and on his way to join the colonial policing squadron at Gibraltar. The Prime Minister was convinced that MI6 had been penetrated by the Russians and demanded an additional route for information. MI5 was tasked to provide this, the chosen operative being Hugh Thomas. Hazardous missions are undertaken throughout the regions of waning British political influence as he engages with the Russians once again. Many of the earlier characters re-surface to cause trouble and mayhem as the story weaves it way through Africa, The Middle East, Ireland, Central America, The Caribbean, South America and The Falklands.The last act taking place in Guatemala where a parallel Cuban/Russian operation is taken out by the squadron just in time to save the face of the Kennedy administration. Central to the plot once more is Julia McAuley, now a KGB major.
Turned due to her belief of betrayal by the British. She like Thomas survives as does their love and mutual respect. Many do not.Once again a story of love, despair, intrigue and death. But now Hugh Thomas has grown up and understands the world he has been drawn into: a treacherous world of betrayal.