Dishonorably discharged for countermanding orders to save the life of an Afghani, Dr. Frank Slater attempts to redeem his government status by heading a science team in Alaska, where permafrost melting is exposing the graves of Spanish flu victims and triggering the virus's reintroduction to the world.

An action-filled chase through the Amazon jungle for 16th Century Spanish treasure. Joining in the pursuit are Dirk Pitt, the hero, his congresswoman girlfriend, the FBI, the Customs Service, archaeologists, a tribe of local Indians, smugglers and various thieves. There's plenty of treasure for everyone, the gold requiring 200 men just to lift.