Derek Del Puppo

Critical Assembly is based on two college students who build a nuclear device, which is stolen by a fellow student. When it ends up in the hands of a terrorist, they work with an FBI agent in a race against time.

Julie Ellis is deeply involved with her high school sweetheart, Luke, even though her parents object that she has made a commitment at such a young age. That commitment only deepens when Luke becomes ill. Wanting to stay close to Luke and offer him comfort, Julie defies her parents' wishes to go away to a prominent school.

Teenager Lexi Archer moves to Chicago with her newly divorced mother and befriends a popular girl at her new school, Jennifer. After Lexi's volleyball coach suggests that she lose weight, Jennifer reveals she is bulimic and the two girls decide to help each other, leading to disastrous consequences.