The past half-dozen years have been mostly good for Captain Brian, but not so much lately. His old pal, Pirate Dan, is dying, and he is ill himself. His wife, Billie, hanging out in Nebraska to care for her parents, has been a no-show for months, missed by husband and son, Hawkins. When their dog is killed, Hawk skips school and runs off. Lieutenant March of the VIPD finds him at the ruins of an old sugar mill. He is not alone. Hawk returns home with Sally, a Caltech scientist on the run. Brian doesn't immediately realize that his son hasn't brought home a playmate, rather a woman to replace his mother. Brian isn't opposed to the idea or to Sally and is prepared to second that emotion, but is soon forced to engage foreign spooks, ever-present and menacing, decked out in Aloha shirts-a political and sartorial tradition that began with Blackshirts and Brownshirts. Thus begins the battle of attrition. The Feds are a different matter, hovering out of sight, working their deceit, taking on the persona of evil frat boys. Before long, Captain Brian has confiscated enough Glocks to stage a glockenspiel at the Pretty Okay Corral.