Would we enjoy life afloat? Sure. Would we also hate it? Undoubtedly.

In the wake of the Cold War, the US Navy is moving into the digital age, navigating the shift from traditional radio circuits and older technologies. Rip "Mercury" Albrecht is smart, cynical, and stubbornly unmotivated. After joining the Navy for tuition money, Rip finds himself trapped by his own competence, his accidental knack for leadership repeatedly resulting in extended service. Yet, as he struggles with the grueling realities of life afloat, Rip undergoes an unexpected transformation, developing into a capable officer and ruffling more than a few feathers along the way. His journey through this rapidly changing environment is shaped by complex relationships, including a romance with a woman strong enough to challenge his cynicism. But just as his long-awaited orders to civilian life finally arrive, the horrific events of September 11, 2001, redefine his world and prompt a change of heart. Handed his walking papers just as he finally finds his purpose, Rip must fight the very Navy he once tried to escape to get back to sea-and keep Mercury buoyant.