Ex Fleet Air Arm helicopter pilot Nick Evans didn't enjoy his childhood much, and service in the sectarian madness of Ulster brought it all back. Nick chose to take his chances in a burgeoning exploratory business instead, and ends up in Iran flying for an American company not long after the shah's departure to Egypt. But in-country relationships continue to deteriorate , and Nick is further perplexed when an Iranian naval friend from his Dartmouth days asks to be helped to disappear. Nick aids his friend, but this is then further complicated by his friend admitting to an estranged sister, who was working at the US Embassy when it was sacked. As the situation deteriorates further, Nick realizes that not just his friend, but also he, is in danger now, but getting out of the country is not going to be easy.