A criminology professor uses scientific methods, advanced computer technology, his expertise in chess, and the leg work of several of his students to track down a crazed killer in San Francisco.

A top counter-intelligence agent thwarts a hijacking and is assigned to protect one of the terrorists who plan to turn evidence over for a plea bargain. Unfortunately, the terrorist organization attacks where the agent is guarding the man, wounding him and killing the agent's best friend. The agent decides to take down the terrorist organization on his own to avenge his friend's death at their hands.