Ever since the untimely demise of his predecessor, Homeland Security Secretary Alan Burke had at the top of his agenda locating the people who had caused that punitive executive order. He sends a request to the NRO to provide him with current satellite photography of the entire US and personally reviews each package that is sent to him from completed missions. One package, covering southern Arizona, finally produces something of interest. He sends out an order for the local FBI office to investigate. Tom Watson takes on the investigation and unexpectedly finds himself in the middle of the Elder Village. He reports that there was nothing of interest at the coordinates, but Burke was not fooled. In a few weeks he visits San Diego to watch the commissioning of a new guided missile frigate. After the ceremony he meets briefly with the Captain on board the ship. Fred Winston invites Tom to the big naval exercise that was about to begin. He and Tom watch the commissioning ceremony. But things don't quite go as expected. Tom Watson suddenly finds himself in a frantic race to warn the Elders of possible impending danger and to locate and stop the Frigate. The whole plot is finally exposed, just as the Frigate launches its missiles.