Twelve bodies are found in several Middle Eastern countries. Each is missing their hands and their identities are unknown. First suspecting a serial killer, it becomes apparent it is something even more sinister. A new agency, APTA, the Agency for the Prevention of Terrorism in America, is notified of the findings when the pieces of a confusing puzzle point to an elaborate scheme to infiltrate the borders of the United States using passports stolen from the victims. But, why and for what purpose? APTA assigns its best agent, James Link, to head the investigation. All information points to an unexpected and strange alliance of terrorist groups located within Iran, Iraq and Syria. His investigation takes him around the country where he discovers US dissident militia groups sympathetic to the terrorists. They too have a plan and meet with them to become part of the alliance. Link discovers that three attacks are planned on US soil. He learns that something big will happen after the first of the year, but clues point in a myriad of directions only adding to the confusion. He knows his time is quickly running out.