In a wild and secret bid to restore US influence in the Middle East, President Cyclips has laid plans to help the late Shah's brother regain the throne of Iran. In London a new prime minister is about to take power.

The aged members of the Russian Politburo meet in the Kremlin and decide that as all-American defence arrangements for Britain have been curtailed, Britain can conveniently be annexed into the Soviet Bloc.

President Cyclops is still in hospital recovering from minor wounds. The Deacon tells him that he might need brain surgery. The Russians now have a firm grip on power in Iran. Dave is tempted to try to kill the PM, Kevin Pork.