A frigate command for Mark Nialls. Can he pull together the disgruntled crew of HMS Hero and give hot pursuit to a gun-running coaster?

A KGB official in North Africa offers to defect to British Intelligence and HMS Hero undertakes a dangerous operation.

HMS Hero sets out on an important exercise but, unbeknown to Nialls, tempers and temperatures are rising in the engine room. Engineering Mechanic Cutler has a score to settle with the chief of his watch - and the clash reverberates throughout the ship.

PO Willows has a bright future, but his past holds a dark secret.

The drop is an old Navy custom : the officer who has responsibility for victualling a ship has a lot of friends-friends who are willing to pay.

HMS Hero finds an abandoned freighter, and a life-or-death situation ...

Submarine Commander Aubrey believes that Nialls is responsible for a family tragedy, and Nialls is worried that Aubrey will use the detection exercise to further his vendetta. But then the submarine bottoms and a greater tragedy seems all too possible.

HMS Hero enters a North African port on a courtesy visit, and becomes the centre of a political intrigue that shakes the very structure of the balance of Middle East power.

MAA Heron comes face to face with the march of time and with Commander 'Murky' Murton, and it seems that Hero's home-coming will be less than happy.