General Cruz commands the Ortega Republic, targeted by the Federal Unites Air Force who accuse him of international crimes. Amidst the conflict, his daughter, Captain Maria Carnella, seeks a surgeon to operate on an undisclosed individual – later revealed to be Cruz himself, suffering advanced thyroid cancer. Maria sustains an eye wound during his rescue by Ortega forces. The surgeon performs the risky procedure outdoors at night, removing the cancerous lesion to extend Cruz's life despite his terminal illness.

During the retreat to Ortega territory, Federal Unites elite forces attack. Ortega troops mount a diversion but fall in battle. Maria dies shielding her father. The surgeon then attempts to smuggle Cruz across the border. This fails when Federal Unites President Kelly orders Cruz's execution; he is killed under the surgeon's care. Maria Carnella's dog tags, found later among the surgeon's belongings, remain a tangible reminder of the mission's failure and the fates of Cruz and his daughter.