After they recover from various injuries suffered in North Korea Gary, Nathan, and a Marine Gunnery Sergeant are sent on a war bond tour. Finished, they are given free choice of duty stations. Nathan elects to take a discharge. Gary went back to his ship because he thought of it as home. It wasn't. He soon found himself transferred to Naval Base Yokosuka where he found a friend in Jason Cuttler, another sailor that had returned from Korea with mental problems. They found solace and comradeship with each other. Gary is transferred to Headquarters United States European Command in St. Germaine En Laye, France. He is just settling in when he is chosen as bodyguard for a State Department courier going to Budapest. The Russians were set to invade and the State Department representative has been directed to inform rebels there the U.S. has broken its promise and will not come to their aid.