Tripoli

In 1805, the US Mediterranean squadron blocks Tripoli to pressure pirates threatening American shipping. Consul William Eaton boards the USS Essex to recruit a small commando squad for a secret mission beyond diplomacy. The plan centers on mounting a bold assault on Derna to strike a strategic blow to the Barbary rulers.

Lt. Presley O'Bannon and Lt. John Trippe volunteer to raise a force to seize Derna. They begin gathering Marines and American sailors for the perilous expedition. The mission relies on surprise and a small, capable band rather than a full-scale invasion.

Hamet Karamanly, the exiled former Pasha of Derna, offers his loyalty and troops in exchange for restoration to his throne. The Countess Sheila D’Areneau stays at his side, while privately maneuvering to win his marriage. The arrangement underscores the uneasy, morally complex politics of the campaign.

O’Bannon forms a diverse mercenary contingent—Greeks, Turks, and Arabs—to accompany his Marines and the American soldiers and midshipmen. The multinational force reflects a pragmatic approach to desert warfare and local terrain. The assembly aims to outthink rather than outgun the Derna defenses.

Countess D’Arneau convinces Hamet that the Americans intend to betray him. O’Bannon works to keep Hamet loyal and aligned with the expedition. Tensions simmer as trust is tested and the delicate alliance teeters on a knife-edge.

Countess D’Arneau defies O’Bannon and joins the expedition from Alexandria, traveling across the North African deserts. She is forced to ride with the camp followers, highlighting the peril and social dynamics of the journey. The crossing tests resolve and cohesion among the riders and soldiers.

A waterhole is poisoned by saboteurs, forcing the expedition to abandon the source and push on across a dune sea to reach the next waterhole. The team battles heat, scarce water, and exhausting terrain as they press forward. Survival depends on grit and careful leadership under desert conditions.

O’Bannon shares a moment with the Countess, acknowledging mutual attraction amid the fateful march. The force then endures a brutal sandstorm that tests morale and cohesion. The personal tensions add pressure to the strategic mission.

Hamet's brother proposes a grim bargain: give up the Americans and grant him half the Derna kingdom. The offer raises the stakes and complicates loyalties as the campaign's true motives become muddied. Hamet weighs the political costs of both options.

The expedition reaches the coast twelve days late, and Commodore Barron's squadron is not yet in sight. The delay fuels unease and nearly triggers a mutiny among the ranks. The absence of naval support threatens the planned assault on Derna.

Hamet informs his brother of the plan to attack Derna, revealing the expedition's strategy. The Countess learns of the scheme and rides to warn O’Bannon, risking her own safety to safeguard the mission. Her warning reshapes the imminent battle plan.

O’Bannon leads a surprise assault on Derna and captures the city, turning the tide of the campaign. The victory secures the mission's success and legitimizes the American-led force. In the aftermath, the Countess and O’Bannon become a couple, cementing a personal bond amid the political triumph.