Captain Tom Duncan is on the way up as an expert targeteer for the United States military. Unlike many of his peers, Duncan has an almost preternatural feel for the world at war. He's able to plan strategic campaigns, identify the enemy's critical weaknesses, and exploit vulnerabilities faster than the competition-which makes him a shoe-in for a promotion. Soon, he could become a major or maybe even colonel. As Duncan's military dreams come true, his eyes are opened to the monstrous ways of his own government at war, and he's sickened by the unnecessary violence. When the enemy escalates with the introduction of chemical munitions against civilians, Duncan's boss wants to make an example-by which he means the use of weapons of mass destruction, otherwise known as nukes. Duncan knows there's no coming back from WMDs. In order to make a point without bloody consequence, Duncan arranges for a clean, efficient attack-an attack that goes horribly wrong. To his utmost regret, it's not the enemy but friendly civilians and American military personnel who suffer. So begins a battle between the state of Texas and the United States government ... but whose side will Duncan choose?