[3] This novel centers around NUMA (National Underwater Marine Agency) crew leaders Kurt Austin and Joe Zavala.

As Austin and Zavala search for Nighthawk, more of the story of the importance of what is inside this craft comes to light and why the stakes are so high that it be found quickly.

He later, once NUMA uncovers the Nighthawk, was a spy nicknamed "The Falconer" who wanted to "turn the world back to the stone age".

After this, both a couple Russians who were helping to steal the Nighthawk and the NUMA crew are found on a Caribbean island, now friends.

Kirkus seemed to like this book, although its review alluded to some of the unlikely scenarios in its pages, saying, "Cussler and company deliver another fun page-turner with a plot ranging from the highly improbable to the totally implausible.