An ex-U.S. Major called James Cairns is escorted to a military court to face Judge Parker regarding his release from a military jail after serious acts of treason against the United States. Cairns becomes frustrated at the very mention of John Raven's name. After Judge Parker notices Cairns' volatile behaviour, he gives the order for him to be transported back to the U.S. to be placed into another military compound for an additional two years, and his attitude after this period of time passes will determine whether or not James Cairns becomes a free man. Although Cairns accepts Judge Parker's decision, he knows that it will only be a matter of time before he will be able to escape and be united with the Iranian president. Whilst spending time inside a military jail, he made contacts in the Middle East, secretly instigating with President Modarres, who, with the help of the Russians is planning to annihilate the U.S. by using nuclear missiles, and then take Kuwait by storm and hold the remainder of the world for ransom. Christmas is approaching rapidly and John Raven is looking forward to celebrating this special time of year with other members of the family. When the New Year arrived, Raven had arranged to train Unit Expendable and then retire from the military force for good, which pleases his father, Richard. He later fi nds out that Captain Weller is going to miss this Christmas because of special I.T. tasks that have to be undertaken on the U.S.S. Kennedy and U.S.S. Blue Ridge, positioned somewhere in the Gulf. Knowing that John is going to retire from the military, she propositions him, suggesting they get back together to enjoy the rest of their lives. After an emergency cabinet meeting, the President of the United States tells the world that she and the Secretary of State, Sarah Johnson, will visit Iran on the 29th of December to hopefully achieve a diplomatic solution.