September 11, 2029. It’s been almost a year since Blake Thompson discovered an alien ship near Pluto, helped President Callahan defeat a terrorist threat, and watched the Cjarians depart for their home planet. Now he’s in Colorado Springs with Diego and Sean, looking forward to well-earned vacation and a U.S.A.F. Academy football game. But then the trio stumbles across a horrific attack planned for the Academy. And before Blake can determine the source of the attack, the Cjarians secretly return to Earth to share their own grim news with him.

When the Cjarian arrival is detected by foreign satellites, it raises the specter of global conflict as world leaders choose sides and vie for the alien technology. Now it’s up to Blake and President Callahan to prevent the growing skirmishes from escalating into World War III. Blake struggles to balance the expanding needs of his country while still protecting the Cjarians and his team, but the ultimate Ops planner is also questioning his own abilities as he is faced with the harsh reality that even he cannot overcome all the threats.