Magnum prepares for the trial of Quang Ki, who attempted to kill both him and his family. When the case is suddenly, unexpectedly acquitted, angered Magnum suspects some other hand is behind Ki's release. It becomes evident that his archnemesis will stop at nothing to destroy Magnum and his family, when he receives a videotape containing terrible information about the fate of his former wife and young daughter. As Magnum plans his revenge against Ki, he is thrust into a quagmire of intrigue endangering a sensitive, prisoner exchange program.

Higgins wants Magnum to find the "Lost Art of the Ancients", a priceless ancient scroll from a fallen civilization, that could spell disaster if it should ever fall into the wrong hands. But the search for the long lost artifact is laced with abduction, danger and deceit, as an old flame of Magnum's, a foreign double agent, and a ruthless rival of Higgins' are all out to find the scroll as well, and the dangerous path to unearthing it could ultimately lead to death.