In 2107 Earth is controlled by a military political party known as the Bridgists. There has been a galaxy wide rebellion against the Bridgists' rule, resulting in the destruction of all life on Earth. The rebellion has almost been crushed by the Bridgists, but the rebels make a final stand near Proximia 2 in the Alpha Centauri Star System. There is a starship battle between the rebels and the Bridgists. The rebels win the battle but the Bridgist Commander Tunis and Colonel Norris escape in a time traveling shuttle, which takes them back to Earth in 1998. The rebels destroy the Bridgist ship even though it is full of civilians. Anthony Rand a rebel lieutenant tries, unsuccessfully, to stop the destruction of the Bridgist ship, killing his own commander, so he is arrested and sent to military prison.