The young Franz Walter had just completed his doctorate at Humboldt University when he received an attractive offer from the GDR's foreign intelligence service. Blinded by the many advantages that the new job brings with it, Franz accepts the offer. At first he enjoys his new life together with his girlfriend Corina. In his superior Dirk, Franz finds a well-meaning mentor who will support him with words and deeds during the joint foreign assignments in Germany. At first, Franz's missions only seem to serve the GDR's information needs, but these soon become bigger and more monstrous. When Franz suddenly has to resort to means for his work assignments that he can no longer reconcile with his conscience, he decides to get out - but the secret service doesn't want to let him go. Franz is soon ready to cross all borders - and to risk everything. Franz' fight for survival against a merciless system begins.