1855 and Sebastopol is still under siege by the allies, with the Russians putting up a vigorous defense. Jack Crossman and his hardy band of malcontents find their own ways to harass the enemy as Russian sharpshooters mysteriously disappear. But these foxhunts serve merely as a warm-up to the British attack on the Redan. The attack ill-planned and ill-advised, ends in total disaster, forcing Crossman to bear witness to the wholesale massacre of his fellow soldiers. Two months later, French and Sardinian forces foil a massive Russian counter-attack and Sebastopol is left to the allies. At last the Crimean War is over, and Sergeant Crossman learns that he is to continue his life of espionage and sabotage in a new setting, both dangerous and exotic - India.