35 years ago, Colorado. An airplane is ready to depart despite the fact the pilot isn't very willing. The plane and its crew air Air Force while the whole operation is Navy. In its cargo, the plane carries a very dangerous and mysterious substance.

During the flight, something happens and the plane crashes. Searches are launched but the plane is never spotted nor recovered. All concerning Vixen 03 and her cargo are buried deep, so that no one ever learns about it.

Today, Colorado. Dirk Pitt and Congresswoman Loren Smith (for those who don't know, Loren is a recurring character in the Dirk Pitt's adventures) are taking a few days off to get on with their hot love affair far away from Washington, D.C.

While Loren does some homework, Pitt goes hiking. He founds in the garage some pieces that belong to an old airplane and curious as he is, tries to find out if there had been a crash in the vicinity.

The lake looks promising as those two pieces of equipment have that in common that they float.

He asks someone at NUMA to send some equipment and search the bottom of the lake with Al Giordino and Abe Steiger. Abe Steiger is in charge of all investigations pertaining to lost aircrafts for the Air Force.

At the same time, in South Africa. The African Army of Revolution which fights for South Africa to be freed from White Supremacy, is on the look out on a farm. Fawkes, the owner, has been invited by the Vice-president of South Africa and leaves his entire family at home. Somala, the soldier sent by the AAR, still watching the farm sees soldiers coming out and starting to attack the farm. All are dead. Fawkes who has been presented by a crazy project refuses to be part of it. But then when he learns of the massacre and all leads to the AAR, he decides to accept. At the same time, Hiram Lusana, the leader of the AAR, tries to get the support of the US and asks a congressman to help him.

If you start reading that novel, you really wonder what a revolution army and an old airplane have in common. And it sets you off a bit. But do not worry Cussler winds up everything and all makes sense.

Pitt and Steiger get the plane out and discover what the cargo held and are in pursuit of it. Fawkes carries on the operation that he accepted to take charge of, and Washington, D.C. might be destroyed.

It's a good novel, unlike the most recent ones, no woman is really a part of the story. Loren is there but in the background. And Giordino has just a little part. It appears that along the years women and Giordino have taken a bigger part in the stories.

It never stops, it's entertaining and you should be able to read it during a weekend : )

Enjoy!