David Richards is a mid-level diplomate assigned to the middle eastern kingdom of Kutar. For centuries tribal conflict has flared sporadically in the arid hills hundreds of miles from the coastatl capital of Laradan. The residents of Laradan ignore the stories but the Americans decide to do something about it. Urged on by a Kirtzian American military advisroe the little-used Kutaran army marches into the hills and is quickly decimated. Rebel force soon occupy the heights above Laradan. The Americans, and all other foreigners, are ordered from the country and leave the people of Laradan to their fate. David chooses to stay on in the besieged city and moves into the Moonlight Hotel. There he is joined by an eclectic assortment of other foreigners. Together they try to maneuver over the radically-changing landscape of the beleaguered city, while holding out hope that the outside world might yet come to its rescue.
