Captured in an airplane hijacking and imprisoned in the barren Australian desert, the passengers of a 747 out of London are frightened and bewildered; even Gordon Gallagher, with his British Intelligence training, can't guess the terrorists' motives. Keeping his former career a secret, Gallagher meets the man responsible for their capture and discovers his horrifying intent. Alex Harding wants revenge on one man among the passengers who cost his corporation millions, and ruthlessly sacrafices innocent lives as he satisfies his desire in the most chilling way imaginable. Gallagher stops the slaughter when he leads the survivors, including the target of Harding's hatred, on a daring breakout. But their escape is only the beginning of the nightmare...once they are out in the searing heat, the real manhunt begins...