"In the South China Sea lie a group of very tiny islands, some of which are under water at high tide. The British call them the Spratlys and marked them on charts only because they were a hazard to navigation. They were never of much use to anyone until oil was discovered underneath them.
In AD 2000, five nations claim the islands, five nations have assigned them names, five nations have sent survey parties and military units to secure their claims, five nations have made arrangements with oil companies for their exploitation.
The team is hired by one oil giant to spy out what the competition is up to. Easy as pie, right? In the middle of their mission, however, they make a discovery that is infinitely more important to their long-term survival... they discover what their patron is up to..."
