Admiral Chegwidden and Clayton Webb make an unlikely team when they join forces to save a C.I.A. agent from Italian terrorists. Webb already tried once unsuccessfully to liberate the C.I.A. agent, who was his mentor, and knows he needs backup in order to retry the mission. He approaches the Admiral, with whom he has a tenuous relationship, but who he knows credits the agent with saving his life in Vietnam. Together, Webb and Chegwidden go to Italy and put into motion a dangerous trap for the terrorists that, if it backfires, will kill all involved. Meanwhile, Harm suffers an identity crisis when his classic Corvette is stolen.

As Harm considers his future at JAG, he learns that Charlie Lynch -- the ex-Navyman responsible for the murder of Annie, the abused child whose death still haunts Harm -- has resurfaced, placing the little girl's twin sister, Dar-lin, in danger. Putting his career decision on hold until he closes the chapter on Lynch, Harm tracks him to a shipyard where the vicious killer is holding Dar-lin hostage. Overflowing with anger against all Lynch's grisly acts of murder, Harm finds himself in an intense stand-off with him that will leave only one man standing.

Mac is assigned the personally distasteful task of representing a fellow Marine who is appealing his death sentence for the murder of three other Marines. She believes that the defendant, Kenneth Farmer, should receive the death penalty, but she must argue otherwise in court. Brumby, who doesn't believe in capital punishment, must argue in favor of it.

However, in attempting to overturn the original guilty verdict, Mac must argue inadequate counsel by the corporal's previous lawyer: then-Commander A.J. Chegwiggen. The appeals court lets stand the original guilty verdict, but orders a new sentencing hearing.

Mic is recalled by the Royal Australian Navy and must leave within 72 hours. As a result, Harm is assigned to replace Brumby at the new sentencing hearing. Despite Mac's arguments to the defense of Corporal Farmer that was not raised by then-Commander Chegwiggen, Corporal Farmer is again sentenced to death.

Admiral Chegwiggen throws a goodbye party for Mic at the local bar.

Harm defends a Sergeant Major accused of the attempted murder of his wife. However, the Sgt. Major claims that he was concerned when his wife didn't come home, went out looking for her & was led to her location by the vision of a deceased chaplain from his old Vietnam unit. His defense attracts a representative of the Vatican which is considering the deceased chaplain for Sainthood.

Meanwhile, when Tiner hooks up a new screensaver that searches for extra-terrestial life on the Admiral's computer, it stirs excitement when it starts making weird noises.