On the way, she tests her many skills as well as her faith and makes new friends that restore her belief in human goodness, and even finds romance.

One Pentagon project, part of a government conspiracy to make tomorrow's super soldiers, created interest among the Russians. When they break into Mary Jo's R&D facility and steal most everything involved with the project, the people in charge of the project frame Mary Jo as part of the cover-up. Mary Jo's travels are motivated by clearing her name as well as revenging her relatives' deaths.