In retaliation for the destruction of his headquarters, Libyan leader Colonel Ghadaffi plans a massive shipment of arms to the IRA. Tom Rowse, former SAS officer with a healthy disrespect for authority, is recruited by MI6 to infiltrate the IRA and uncover the source of the weapons. His mission takes him through the seedy underworld of Hamburg and on to Cyprus.

CIA Agent Jack Grant is sent to investigate the disappearance of five American agents in Berlin. He contacts the British secret service and uncovers a plot to kill Gorbachev but finds himself betrayed and imprisoned.

MI6 Controller Sam McCready is sent to find an old friend, Bruno Morenz, who has suffered a nervous breakdown whilst on a mission in East Germany.