The SSN Tarpon, a nuclear submarine, is attacked and sunk in the China Sea. Lieutenant Commander Rico Petrone, a Navigator, is suddenly transferred to the SSN Cardinalfish, whose mission is to find the Tarpon. The nefarious Chinese battle group intends to steal the weapons and technology from the Tarpon and to destroy the detected Cardinalfish. Tension and fear heighten as Petrone's experiences, knowledge, and skills, along with his captain's decisions, are put to the test and become critical to the survival of the Cardinalfish's company as she attempts to escape the Chinese onslaught. The enemy battle group, believing they are invincible, uses a mysterious, new, and unconventional weapon pirated from the US military experimental weapons computer system. Petrone receives praise and admiration for his recommendations in avoiding the weapon and the numerous attacks. With Petrone navigating the way, can the Cardinalfish, facing insurmountable odds, rescue Tarpon survivors, identify the weapon, elude the battle group, and get home in time to prevent a war?