In the chaos of the first major conflict of the twenty-first century, an old enemy sees the opportunity to strike. Seeking to exploit America's preoccupation with its foes in the Middle East, the People's Republic of China sets out to "reclaim" by force the territories it considers its own: the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea...and Taiwan. China's arsenal is awesome and deadly, including a pair of Akula nuclear-powered subs purchased from a cash-hungry Russia. As Chinese missiles fly across the Straits of Taiwan, the casualties mount at an alarming rate-with American servicemen numbered among the many dead.

World War Three now seems inevitable. And the fate of the Earth suddenly rests with the commander and crew of the U.S.S. "Seawolf, lead boat of America's newest class of ultrasilent attack submarines. For this battle can only be won beneath the surface of a turbulent sea -- where the enemy rules in firepower and numbers...and will not relent, even at the cost of the future.