A plague sweeps through Jacksonville in Northern Europe. Virtually everyone in the city is temporarily disabled, even hospitalized. Everyone except a small number of 'reverse effect' people. These people seem to benefit. The International Investigation Agency sends its top agents to track down the problem--but their activities seem hampered--as if someone in the trusted upper reaches of the Agency was sabotaging, even betraying them. A billionaire businessman, his too-beautiful mistress, the coldblooded inspector, the hotheaded deputy of the Agency, and a mysterious doctor all become suspects, players, and possible victims as the Internationa Investigation Agency does its best to track down the truth.