Set in various military and government locations the film shows how a normal working day in the early warning bases, the pentagon, the white house and other location spirals into facing the unthinkable as a missile launch is detected from an unknown source and over a period of 20 minutes decisions have to be taken. The interceptor missiles have a success rate of 61% in tests, the ballistic track gets resolved to a destination.

All the sites are connected on a conference call which we see played out three or four times from different locations as more information comes in. The Russians and Chinese deny they are involved, do the North Koreans have the capability for a submarine launched missile, could it be some other unknown actor. Maybe its a mistake or a dud but can you take the risk its not a feint. Why are the Russians and others going on alert as we do - is it just in response to us launching B2s to their idling locations and opening our minuteman silos?