Newly promoted, Major Sharpe's mission is to rescue a group of women taken hostage by a band of deserters, one of whom is his bitter enemy Sergeant Hakeswill. Sharpe now has the responsibility of his own company, as well as the newly formed Rocket Troop, which has its own challenges - the rockets are neither safe nor accurate. Sharpe seeks revenge against Hakeswill, but he must concentrate, as the lives of thousands of Allied soldiers depend on it.