When the USS Alabama, a nuclear ballistic submarine, receives an incomplete order to launch a nuclear missile in retaliation against a suspected Russian nuclear attack, two very different naval men come to blows over what course of action to take. Gene Hackman (Enemy Of The State, Unforgiven) plays Captain Frank Ramsay, a seasoned, tough military commander who believes in following orders to the letter. He is directly opposed by his Harvard educated X.O., Ron Hunter, played by Denzel Washington (The Hurricane, The Bone Collector; Malcolm x).