In this prequel to THE 51ST STATE and GOLD POWER, we meet Creed Emerson, a recent law school graduate. Creed is miserable after three months on the job as an associate at a large L.A. law firm. However, Creed's life changes dramatically when he recognizes and stops a robbery in progress at his favorite coffee house. A week later Creed is recruited by the APA, a secret new intelligence agency reporting directly to the President. Along with ex-detective, John Sampson, and twenty-three other recruits, Creed starts a rigorous training program hoping to become a covert operative. Four months later, Creed and John are officially hired as operatives and sent on their first mission together.