This Cold War-Era story begins with Air Force first lieutenant Ken James being called into the Commanding General's office. After this tense interview Ken receives a letter from his girlfriend, Jane, who saved his life during his tour of duty in Greenland. Jane tells him that she is going to marry someone else. From this disappointment Ken must continue his assignment as the refueling officer at the SAC air base. The end off his time in the Air Force brings him to graduate school at a state university where he meets his future wife, Gail. Shortly after receiving his Ph.D., he marries Gail, and they head to the southwest where Ken begins his job doing exploration research for an oil company. As the years pass, Ken and Gail build a new home and begin raising their son, Alex. In addition to the usual laboratory work, Ken and Gail participate in a number of adventure-filled field trips for the research company. These trips occur between church events and a court trial involving a robbery. Overtime Gail has developed a serious case of chronic asthma, and they return to her home town. After years of a prolonged struggle, Gail eventually passes. Ken's sorrow is interrupted by a phone call from Jane, his former girlfriend. At this point, she is a member of a group of important ladies in D.C. society who are attempting to change the tone and direction of the U.S. culture. Ken is interviewed by Jane as someone who might be able to provide new leadership and a Constitution-friendly vision of America's future.