Disc One:
First Principles - A Norwegian radar surveillance aircraft has crashed in the Russian Kola Peninsula. Neil Burnside, Director of Operations for SIS, receives an urgent appeal for help from his opposite number, Torvik, of Norway's fledgling Secret Service, to rescue the crew and destroy the plane before their discovery by the Russians.

A Proper Function of Government - Neil Burnside is annoyed by the Vienne field station's signal that Sir Donald Hopkins, Chief Scientific Advisor in the Cabinet, has been spotted in the city. His annoyance turns to suspicion when the Cabinet Office tells SIS that Sir Donald is on a fishing holiday and has left a contacting address in Scotland. Burnside can only conclude that Sir Donald is preparing to defect. Now he must convince the Prime Minister and obtain permission to 'lift' the advisor before he goes over to the other side.

Disc Two:
Is Your Journey Really Necessary? - A wounded Sandbagger, Jake Landy, staggers across uneven scrubland in a desperate effort to reach the safety of the Russian-Iranian border before the posse of border guards close in. Landy stands up, arms raised above his head in a gesture of submission, as the guards surround him. A single shot cracks out and the Sandbagger slumps to the ground. On the other side of the border, Landy's colleague, Alan Denson, slowly lowers the sight of his rifle and sadly turns away. The orders of his boss, Neil Burnside, have been obeyed.

The Most Suitable Person - Neil Burnside faces serious staffing problems with the recent loss of two of his three Sandbaggers. Only one name can be offered by the training school, that of Laura Dickens, an attractive, cool and level-headed young woman who has successfully completed her training. Burnside dislikes the idea of introducing a woman into the Special Operations Section. There is no precedent for such an action, but he is desperate and agrees to see her.

Disc Three:
Always Glad To Help - A Russian ship which may not be what it seems, an Arab prince who plots to overthrow his father, a succession of bitter clashes with Peele and a Sandbagger who wants to leave the Section; life for Burnside is over-full.

A Feasible Solution - "It's not what they do, but what they may have to do, come the crunch. Well, the crunch has come." Burnside has to face facts in London, as Caine faces danger in Cyprus.

Special Relationship - In Burnside's game, there has always been a clash between professional and personal priorities, but with Burnside in love and Laura in danger, the clash becomes a head-on collision.