Jason Spradlin, Head of Biology at State University, is coerced into leading an effort to develop a lethal toxin as part of the national defense against terrorism. He and his co-worker, Helga Grimes, apply all their expertise and experience in converting a benign organism into a deadly weapon. But they had not expected to encounter resistance in the form of sabotage and personal threats. They achieve the goal within hours of the total destruction of their sophisticated laboratory but the threats continue. Helga is beaten and Jason and his family are under siege from an opposing group of local dissidents. To compound the situation, Kathryn, Jason's wife is stalked again by Hugh Riley, a long-time enemy of Jason's. The subversives, including Riley, steal a sample of the toxin and unwittingly expose themselves, resulting in their deaths.