The President orders the arrest and trial of a battle group commander who, in defiance of a presidential order, led a Congress-authorized attack on terrorists. The angry Speaker of the House retaliates by initiating impeachment proceedings. Jim Dillon, the Speaker's top aide, finds himself defending the admiral in the court-martial and is named number-two prosecutor for the upcoming impeachment trial.

Meanwhile, a terrorist invades a U.S.-owned gold mine on an Indonesian island, murdering the American boss, and holding his wife hostage. The price for her life: the release of captured fellow terrorists. Dillon uncovers another forgotten power to the Constitution, the Rules of Capture, to authorize a SEAL-led attack.

With a feel for politics that rivals Bob Woodward's, a Scott Turow-like gift for legal drama, and a hard-charging rush of military action that surpasses Tom Clancy, James W. Huston delivers a heart-stopping novel that builds to a riveting final confrontation on Capital Hill. Meanwhile, halfway around the world, the SEALs head for shore in their new Mirage assault boats to finish the job.