Makoto Shinjou, a Japanese photojournalist, embarks on a journey to the remote airbase Area 88, located in the sandy plains of the Middle Eastern kingdom of Asran. His mission is to capture the activities of a mercenary group that is hired to destroy the enemies of the country. In this group, he meets Shin Kazama, an accomplished Japanese pilot who was once deceived by his close friend into signing a contract with Asran's fighter squad. This decision cost him his career as an airline pilot and his chance to marry his fiancée Ryoko Tsugumo. Now, Shin has three alternatives if he wants to leave Area 88 and return to Japan: he can either serve the mercenaries for three years, earn $1.5 million, or risk his life by deserting the base.