<DIV><P>The war of words between right and left collapsed into a shooting war, and raged between the high-technology weapons on each side, devastating cities and overrunning the countryside. <BR><BR>At the close of <I>Empire</I>, political scientist and government adviser Averell Torrent had maneuvered himself into the presidency of the United States.&#160; And now that he has complete power at home, he plans to expand American imperial power around the world.<BR><BR>Opportunity comes quickly.&#160; There&#8217;s a deadly new plague in Africa, and it is devastating the countryside and cities.&#160; President Torrent declares American solidarity with the victims, but places all of Africa in quarantine until a vaccine is found or the disease burns itself out.&#160; And he sends Captain Bartholomew Coleman, Cole to his friends, to run the relief operations and protect the American scientists working on identifying the virus.&#160; If Cole and his team can avoid dying of the plague, or being cut down by the weapons of fearful African nations, they might do some good.&#160; Or they might be out of the way for good.</P></DIV>