This is the first of three novels involving T.A. Returning to the Philippines to reunite with his girlfriend, and return to their isolated island tourist resort to rekindle their romance, he becomes an unwilling and inexperienced participant in a national armed uprising. He is only aware of the local events and initially thinks he has stumbled on a massive drug-smuggling operation and is unsure if, of how he should resist. Untrained for such events, initially he is guided only by the actions of the fictional characters in the many novels he has read. A mysterious ex-pat, permanent resident on the island, reluctantly takes him under his wing and T.A. tries not to be a burden as they try to save themselves and as many tourists as they can.