The thrilling adventure of four people who survive an airplane crash in the desolate reaches of western China. Three of the survivors (a German couple and a Mongolian Uighur student) have been expelled from China because of anti-government activities. The fourth (an American forced to leave his NGO work in Russia when that country invaded Ukraine) was on the doomed flight by happenstance. With no recourse to await 'rescue' by Chinese authorities, they head west for 2,300 miles in hopes of reaching the safety of Kazakhstan. Amid the backdrop of international tensions, they are pursed by a Chinese Ministry of State Security director and his obstreperous commanding general, who declare them fugitives. The four travel the incredibly hazardous route of the ancient Silk Road as international tensions build between the US and China over China's stance on Taiwan and their internal handling of their indigenous Uighur population. The four survivors lay clever false trails by hitchhiking, boarding trains, and riding rickety busses. They often must rely on the kindness of common folks who offer them a helping hand as they wend their way to the safety of Kazakhstan where they are finally faced with the undaunting task of sneaking unnoticed across an international border.