The story is seen through the eyes of veteran journalist Roger East (journalist). Introduced as a once-fearless foreign correspondent now working in public relations in Darwin, East is drawn to East Timor by José Ramos-Horta of Fretilin; then the fledgling republic's charismatic young secretary of foreign affairs. Initially refusing to become involved, East changes his tune after Ramos-Horta shows him photos of five Australian TV reporters missing in the border town of Balibo.