the novel follows the lives of software developer james travis and his daughter roisín. roisín, a pacifist living at a peace camp outside raf leuchars, has witnessed and recorded the unloading of a strange device from an aircraft. she then receives a text-message from her brother alec — who serves in the british army in central asia — apparently warning her of impending trouble. as she and her fellow protestors leave the area, an enormous explosion devastates both the air-base and the neighbouring town.