 Following that Prince Arkadi, ruler of the small principality of Valance, met, fell in love with, and finally married, Elaine Murchison, the daughter of an American ambassador, the Prince began being increasingly exposed to western ways, values, and ideas. As a result of his new wife and her American lifestyle, he began modernising and democratising his country, none of which pleased Gregor Caron, an anti-American and leader of a group known as "The Valance Red Garde". It is believed that Caron now plans to have the Princess Elaine murdered in order to stop all her western influence on her husband. Jim Phelps and his team of agents get the mission to stop this murder from ever taking place, something which however turns out to be more difficult than they first imagined. Not only is Valance just about to host an important film festival, where huge crowds and public appearances from both the Prince and Princess would make her a very easy target, but Caron also appears to have hired a hit man to do the job for him. The elusive hit man in question is to the world only known by his code name of "Coyote."