When his AH-64 Apache attack helicopter is forced down by a fierce tropical storm during what was supposed to be a routine training mission over the western Caribbean, Andrew 'Mac' Appleton discovers that surviving the storm and subsequent forced landing are only the beginning of his problems. With no idea of where he has landed - the Apache's navigation systems having failed following a lightning strike - Mac is soon captured by men he believes to be the very drug smugglers that Operation Vigilant Angel is targetting. Unfortunately, his eventual rescue by the Royal Navy's HMS Lionheart only complicates matters.