Young physicist, Reese Mayfield, applies his genius to developing the first atomic bomb. The atom speaks and warns scientists of its power. Driven by the need to end the second world war, at 5:29.21 a.m. on July 16, 1945, "The Gadget," explodes and changes the world and Reese forever. Although the bomb ends WWII bloodshed, Reese questions its other effects and pursues a medical degree to study the impacts of radioactive fallout on people. What he learns deeply disturbs him. In a flagrant abuse of power and cover-ups, the government denies culpability when cancer clusters occur, children being the most vulnerable. The Cold War has shifted the nation's priorities-America must lead the world in nuclear weapons.