November 1915 - HMS Halberd, while protecting a collier convoy,
confronts a German cruiser.
Through a gallant attempt, the convoy is saved, but the doughty little
destroyer is outgunned and sunk. Only a few sailors survive, including
Lieutenant John Braithwaite. Wounded and unfit for sea duty, Naval
Intelligence Division (NID) recruits him for field work based on his
knowledge of East Africa and fluency in German. The mission - discover
the secret of the mysterious enemy light cruiser SMS Aachen operating
out of German East Africa, which is devastating British shipping. How is
Aachen always able to find targets? How does she always evade the Royal
Navy?
Arriving in Zanzibar, he meets the beautiful and charming Alice, code
name MINSTREL, a widow serving as NID's resident agent. Going aboard the
enemy cruiser disguised as a native laborer, Braithwaite discovers
references to "The Machine" and charts marked with the term "Station
Wilhelm" located in the heart of Africa on Lake Nyasa.
Together, Braithwaite and MINSTREL travel up the Zambezi River in search
of the Aachen's secret, but they must battle the elements as well as the
Germans as they go deep into the Dark Continent.
