Ten years following a disastrous covert military experiment on a secluded Pacific island that resulted in the deaths of 18 American servicemen, Dr. Richard Long, portrayed by David Paymer, attempts to erase the traumatic memories of his past. Residing in the quaint town of Jerome, Montana, he continues to perform scientific experiments at the local US Army base, though he finds more fulfillment in fly-fishing alongside his friend Tim Mason, played by Skeet Ulrich, who has a rather troubled history.
Long's peaceful existence is shattered when Colonel Andrew Brynner, a former military officer portrayed by Peter Firth, comes knocking. Brynner, who spent a decade in Leavenworth for crimes he did not commit, is now seeking vengeance against the government that wronged him. He has gathered a group of high-tech former US Army soldiers turned terrorists, including the cold and calculating Vaughn, played by Hudson Leick, with a plan to steal and sell "Elvis"—a dangerously unstable blue crystal substance developed during Long’s experiments—to the highest international bidder. Brynner aims to settle the score for being made a scapegoat in the aftermath of the mishap.
However, the plot thickens as Long has already entrusted "Elvis" to Tim, providing him specific instructions to keep it below 50°F to prevent it from detonating and causing widespread destruction.
Things escalate when Mason and Arlo, portrayed by Cuba Gooding Jr., a quick-witted ice cream delivery man, encounter Brynner. Though their initial interactions are filled with tension—Arlo only agreeing to transport the volatile substance under duress—they discover a deeper connection as they work together to evade Brynner and his crew. They embark on a perilous journey toward Fort Magruder, located 90 miles away, facing both Brynner's relentless pursuit and the local deputy, Pappas, who is also hot on their trail.
Upon reaching the base, Arlo and Mason are ambushed, and Brynner reveals his plan to detonate the device at an abandoned weapons test site, eliminating them to leave no witnesses. Just as it seems all hope is lost, military reinforcements arrive, rescuing the duo before a catastrophic explosion claims Brynner and his team. The victorious Colonel Vitelli, played by Daniel Hugh Kelly, commends their bravery, but Arlo and Mason confront him about exposing the government's long-term engagement with unstable nuclear weapons. In a twist of fate, Vitelli offers them hush money while also warning them of dire consequences should they dare to divulge any information about the incident or the weapon's existence. Ultimately, the three of them depart the scene via helicopter, their fates intertwined in silence.
