When former army captain Hank Holmes and his new Vietnamese wife, Su Wa, first move to Juno, Alaska, after the Vietnam War, they're eager to build a house and settle into small-town life. They know their wilderness home won't be glamorous or luxurious, but after facing great horrors during the war, they're anxious to heal and start afresh. Within a couple of years, they've got wonderful new friends and fulfilling new jobs teaching at the high school. Life is good.

Then Hank stumbles across something unexpected. While searching his land for precious metals to sell, he discovers deposits of molybdenum-a rare, highly sought-after mineral. After reporting his finding, Hank is approached by John T. Barrett, the owner of a private equity group that's interested in mining the area for more precious metals.

Hank accepts John's offer to purchase his land. He'll share a stake in the claim and oversee the profitable mining project for the US government. Suddenly, Juno is bustling with new business and new people-including many hardworking fellow veterans but also spies. Everyone wants a piece of the wealth, but some would literally kill for it.