When firefighter Bill Goddard raced into a blazing building to rescue trapped children, he expected to die. Instead, he became something more than human-the nation's first ascendant. Now known as American Eagle, Bill must assemble a team of other ascended heroes to defend the country from villainous forces intent on wreaking chaos and destruction. But the process of ascension is fraught with peril, and not everyone emerges with their mind and morality unscathed. In America's hour of need, who will answer the call? And can they do what it takes to protect the nation without sacrificing the values they've sworn to uphold?