To Asmara

The story follows Amna, a freedom fighter who was previously held captive by Ethiopian forces. She discovers the use of chemical weapons across Eritrea, and sets out to stop them, and in the process show the world what is happening. She enlists the help of journalist Darcy, photographer Christine, philanthropist Lady Julia Ashmore-Smith, chemical engineer Henry and two Eritreans; her commander Colonol Tesfay and pop star Moka Genete. The group set out to travel to the Asmara airport to get proof of the horrific war crimes taking place.

Along their journey, the group encounters horrific scenes in makeshift hospitals, realising the full extent of the brutality of the war. Whilst clashes occur between Amna and Darcy about what should be reported – solely the enemy’s use of chemical weapons or the entire complexity of the war in Eritrea – a romance soon starts to blossom.

They find themselves in the middle of an attack by Ethiopian helicopters slaughtering civilians. Trying to escape, the group find themselves besieged by the local militia, but thankfully are rescued by a group of Eritrean freedom fighters who take them to a hidden base in some nearby mountain caves. After two of the group are captured by a nearby Ethiopian patrol, and later rescued, they realise they have been betrayed by Henry, who sold out to rescue his Eritrean wife who is being held hostage by the Ethiopians.

After Colonel Tesfay sends Henry packing, he tells Darcy the true plan; the Eritreans will raid the airport outside Asmara and destroy the chemical weapons. What he doesn’t tell Darcy is that he intends to capture one of the Soviet advisors to the Ethiopians, as evidence of the war crimes. Before the final raid, Darcy and Amna admit their feelings for one another and finally consummate their romance.

Most of the group watches as the raid starts, with Amna in the midst of the fighting. Colonol Tesfay almost manages to capture the Russian advisor, but is mortally wounded.

Seeing that Amna is in imminent danger, Darcy rushes to her aid, but is shot in the process. Amna and the others manage to escape, but not before Darcy tragically dies in his lover’s arms.

We end in 1991, when Eritrea has won the war and declared independence. Asmara is again the capital of a free Eritrea. Amna talks at a conference in London about her country and its future, supported behind the scenes by Lady Julia and her toddler son – her child with Darcy.