Trapped in the smoking rubble of what was once New York City, Ben Raines and his ragged band of followers are up against their biggest challenge. The terrorist Khasmin is marching north to join the cannibalistic Night People and the forces of Sister Velora, with the final annihilation of Ben's hold-out army as their goal. Defeat seems a certainty. But Ben Raines has made crucial decisions in the face of overwhelming odds before. Now, he must gather what forces he has to strike one hard, crushing blow...or American will die, taking the last hope of freedom with it.