On the fourth of July, over three thousand major wildfires will beset America, producing maximum chaos and social upheaval. No nation, however prepared, can withstand such a simultaneous assault on its resources. Hordes will flee unchecked infernos as anarchy reigns. Key government leaders, blamed for the colossal failure of homeland security, will fall to assassins' bullets, thrusting the Secretary of the Interior Ben Howland into the Oval Office by direction of the Presidential Succession Act.
And that is precisely Howland's plan. For months now his secret organization has flown computerized 'owls' all over the country, planting incendiary devices in key locations. A single radio signal will trigger the unthinkable from coast to coast.
Once in office, the madman will declare martial law and set about to 'correct' decades of moral decadence in the United States. His word will become law. He even has his own military force in place.
There's only one problem. James Foster, whose latest mental talent is extinguishing wildfires, happens to be flying across America on July fourth.
