On assignment in Latin America, Adam Shepherd (Bridges) learns that an American has been killed while fighting in a nearby revolution. He joins the Army officer sent to pick up the dead man's effects, which include a watch inscribed with the name Dutch Miller (also played by Lloyd Bridges).

While attending the launch of a NASA rocket at Cape Canaveral, Adam imagines what it would be like to be the leader of a team of astronauts that has just landed on a planet that might not be as desolate as they were led to believe.

Seaman McMasters encounters suspicion and hostility as he attempts to befriend a group of Vietnamese refugees.

Mickey Madden struggles to maintain his baseball team despite mounting debts including a mortgage held by Mr. Rogers. His last chance is his signing of a brilliant pitcher called Skippy Maxxox. Skippy, however, is a hypochondriac.