In 1839, Brooke flees a romantic scandal to explore the tropical wonders of Borneo. Eager to use his cannons, Princes Bedruddin and Makota welcome him with open arms. Brooke falls under the spell of Fatima, a Malay noble, until a brutal pirate attack shatters his dreams of paradise. With a fleet of Malay, Dayak and Chinese warriors, Brooke attacks a rebel fort. Despite a resounding victory, Brooke realises that he had been standing on the wrong side all along.