Unresolved romantic tension has a dramatic effect on some of the Hammersley crew, after a savage mortar attack by insurgents on the Samaru island of Minatu. Mike and Jim are both critically injured during a bold rescue mission on Samaru. Meanwhile, Kate is made acting CO of the Hammersley.

It's up to Kate to handle a volatile beachside confrontation, and the medical evacuation of Mike

Awaiting a call from his girlfriend, Buffer's attention is distracted by the Russian Special Forces tattoo on an aggressive passer by, which leads him to be inadvertently locked in a container on a suspect barge, heading upriver. Meanwhile, Commander Mike Flynn has recovered and is back in charge of the Hammersley, quickly reacting to a "mayday" call from the luxurious yacht owned by Ray Walsman.