1790 and England in on the cusp of war with revolutionary France. Lieutenant James Hayter has achieved his heart's desire - his first independent command, His Majesty's Hawk, ten guns. But his happiness is tempered by the knowledge that his former captain and friend, William Rennie, has been left on the beach after the failure of the Rabhet expedition the pervious year. But it is not long before spy master Sir Robert Greer disturbs Rennie's imposed retirement with a sinister offer that will see Rennie hastening to his former subordinate in Portsmouth. Together they have to tackle one of the most sensitive and dangerous missions of the phoney war, to intercept a contraband runner, and capture her captain. But as with all matters orchestrated by Greer, the mission is about a lot more than capturing a few barrels of brandy and a wanted criminal. In fact, it is soon evident that the very security of the nation depends on Rennie and Hayter's success.