The main character, nineteen-year-old Anastasiy Chizhov, was appointed commander of the Zver patrol ship. Under his leadership, the old fishing vessel becomes a strong fighting unit.
Two young men, Aleksey Vasilyev and Pavel Prokhorov, return to their native town after service in Soviet troops in Afghanistan. Aleksey finds out that his bride Nastya became a victim of rape. The rapist is the driver and trusted person of high rank official who uses his position to close the case.
There is a seven-year war, Russian soldiers are forced to fight for the interests of France and Austria against Prussia. The midshipmen continue to selflessly serve the Motherland. One is on an expedition, the other is at court, and the third is sent to Venice to hand over a jewelry box. In fact, there is a message in the box, on which the future fate of Europe and Russia depends!
