Hugo-winner Bova combines cutting-edge science and geopolitics in a fast-paced near-future technothriller.

January 12, 2010: A rogue faction of the North Korean army launches a nuclear missile into space. Igniting the missile, the subsequent explosion causes electromagnetic shockwaves, destroying several key communication satellites devastating global communication around the world.

Lacking intelligence and fearing an even further crippling of command and control communication, the the U.S. military prepare to launch the ABL-1, a powerful but untested 747-mounted laser that should be able to destroy a missile in flight. At the same time, the President struggles to respond to the crisis without starting World War III. The effort will be a baptism in fire for the skeleton crew - one of whom may pose an even greater danger to the mission.

Loaded with action, the storyline based on scientific electromagnetic pulse bomb theory proves a tense atmosphere and swiftly unfolding plot rife with scientific details. In spite of the over abundance of subplots, Ben Bova provides his audience with a fascinating geo-political technological thriller.