Following their success in crushing Iran's hostility in Strike Force, General Patrick McLanahan's new 'Aerospace Battle Force' has grown into a full-fledged space-based task force, based in orbit on the Armstrong Space Station. But not everyone is supporting McLanahan and his Force. Russia argues that the program is a threat to international peace and security. Under pressure from Russia, the United Nations, and the liberal American press, newly elected US President Joseph Gardner cuts off all funding for this provocative force and dismisses McLanahan, because he says McLanahan will never be part of the 'path to peace.' Unbeknownst to the public, however, the Russians have blackmailed Gardner into this action with documents exposing the president's numerous affairs and other potential scandals.

With the ABF decommissioned, Russia sends 125,000 troops into Turkmenistan and Iran and fills the Persian Gulf with its warships. Disobeying orders, McLanahan orders the ABF to strike the Russian forces, momentarily holding off the Russian attack. President Gardner is outraged at McLanahan's disobedience and orders him back to Washington for disciplinary action. McLanahan refuses the President's command and warns Russia that he is prepared to act unilaterally to stop Russian forces from advancing in the Persian Gulf.

The president orders McLanahan's immediate arrest. But there's a problem: McLanahan is virtually untouchable. He is located at one of the most secure bases in the world, with an arsenal of the world's most sophisticated air weapons; plus, he has control of the Aerospace Battle Force and the Armstrong Space Station. Army, Marine Corps, and FBI units converge on the base, but they are easily turned away...but for how long? McLanahan must hold off his own countrymen and battle the aggression of the Russians - while working to clear his name and expose the president's corruption.