When a retired Seal, Mike Angel, discovers an inexpensive new space drive and begins launching satellites from his suburban back yard, the local law takes notice. When he refuses to turn his invention over to the military, the government takes notice. When he blackmails the American and Russian governments into helping him with the first manned expedition to Mars, the world takes notice.
In the Beginning opens in the very near future with a hero who has developed a way to generate and control gravity using a combination of existing technologies. He manages to threaten and cajole the governments of both the United States and the Russian Federation into backing him and providing a crew of international scientists to accompany him and Vesna, his AI computer, on the first civilian expedition to Mars.
This is a highly technical science fiction story about the near future and man's first exploration of our neighboring planet, Mars.
It features an international cast of characters, half are Russian and half are American. It also features two female journalist/meteorologists and their children. The children learn they will be the first humans to set foot on the Red Planet.
This is written in the style of 1960's SF in that there is no gratuitous anything. It is suitable for anyone from 13 on up.
Excerpt
"Captain," Teramore's XO said as he entered the office. "The CNO is on the phone."
"What?" Captain Teramore's eyes bulged. Even as commander of the Seal training facility in San Diego, he didn't expect to ever speak directly with the Chief of Naval Operations. Whatever this was about, it couldn't be good.
"I'll take it here," the Captain replied as he reached for his phone.
The XO turned on his heel and closed the door behind him.
"Sir, this is Captain Teramore."
"Captain, I need to speak to you about one of your former personnel," said the voice on the other end.
"Yes, Sir. I try to maintain contact with most of our people."
"It's about former Master Chief Michael Angel…"
"Oh Lord! What's he done now?"
"You remember him, then."
"Sir, there are some people you can't forget; no matter how hard you try." The Captain slouched in his chair and could feel a slight tremor begin in his hand as a twitch developed in his left eye.
"A real troublemaker I take it."
"Well, that depends on your definition of troublemaker, Sir. He's more of a major pain-in-the-ass. If you want a job done, he's your man. I've never had a better Seal before or since. Nevertheless, if you need someone to follow protocol and orders, then you need to run as fast as you can from this man. The guy is a one-man division. The mission will be done, but he'll do it his way or no way."
"I take it you've been keeping up with the news, then?"
"No, Sir. We just returned from a month's training exercises and I've been catching up on paperwork."
"Then I suggest you turn on CNN."
Captain Teramore reached for a remote control on the desk and activated the television in the corner of the office. As the picture faded up it revealed the image of a man lounging on a folding chair wearing a loud shirt and holding a can of beer. The Captain could make out an Air Force officer and several other military personnel walking around in the background. On closer inspection, the scene appeared a suburban setting, not your normal military base. The Captain's hand had now developed a distinct tremor and his eye had a full-blown tic.
"That's him," Teramore said hoarsely.
"What's he done this time?"
"He's been threatening the United States with weapons of mass destruction."
"Now that's not him! I couldn't ask for a more dedicated man at my six. Frankly, he spent more time and energy coming up with ways not to inflict casualties than he would have if he'd just follow orders for a change. He's not a pacifist, mind you, but he won't hurt anyone he doesn't have to. We got more damn prisoners on my watch than I care to think about. Crap, I hate to admit it, but I was tempted to put him in for the Medal of Honor a half-dozen times for all of the lives he saved on both sides. God, please don't ever let him know I said that."
"Let me fill you in what's been happening," the CNO said as he began relating the events of the past week.
Teramore was white by the end of his briefing and his hand with the telephone was now vibrating against the side of his head.
"You haven't pissed him off, have you Sir?"
"You're telling me that he's dangerous, then?"
"Dangerous? No…well, yes…maybe. Again, it depends on how you look at it."
"He'll retaliate, then?"
"Retaliate? No. Get even? I'll bet my retirement on it! You get him too bent out of shape and he'll make you pray that he'd retaliate. Armed conflict would be a walk in the park compared to what he'll do to your life. He'll make you so miserable that working in the sewers would be preferable to government service. Like I said, he's a one-man division and he's smart. You can't have a better man on your side; and you can't have a worse one against you!"
"But he's threatened to destroy the Pentagon. Moreover, he threatened to redirect missiles to the D.C. area!"
Teramore broke out into a tension-relieving belly laugh.
"He's bluffing, then?" the CNO asked.
"No," Teramore's voice was still shaking from the laugh. "It's not really a bluff. That's just the Chief's warped sense of humor. Sure, he may have the capability to do it, but Mike would no more put anyone in harm's way than you'd deliberately run down a nun in a crosswalk. I'll bet he kept a straight face when he told you that, that warped son of a…!"
"But he can actually do it. He demonstrated it to us!"
"I know." The Captain was calming down now. "You know he can. He knows that you know it, and that's why it's funny. He'll keep you just off-balance enough with doubt until he strong-arms you into agreeing with him. That's just his way. Believe me Sir; I don't think the man even uses insecticide. He has always come up with a way to minimize any collateral damage. But don't get on his bad side because he will make everyone on the Hill wish they'd flunked out of law school and gone into ditch-digging."
"The man has totally ignored and insulted the President, Captain."
"Good…I mean, I always thought it was just me that he tortured like that."
"Captain?"
"Sir, I don't think the Pope or even Jesus Christ could get through that thick skull of the Chief's when he thinks he's right. He gave me an ulcer, a nervous tic, and I received at least a half-dozen reprimands for me not following orders to the letter when I had the misfortune of being his keeper. The only authority he respects is his own. Please assure the President that it's not personal – and assure him that he's not going to win, either. The Chief doesn't dig in this hard unless he knows he's holding all the cards."
"You're saying that we have to give in to his demands."
"Oh, no Sir. Angel will eventually give you a graceful way out, but you'll still wind up doing what he wants. He just enjoys keeping you swinging in the breeze for a while. The damnable thing is he's usually right. This guy plans tactics in his head and makes the rules up as he goes along…and the rules change every minute and a half. One of his few redeeming qualities is that if it looks like he's wrong about something, he'll be the first to tell you and he'll make it right. No, you won't give in, but I'll guarantee he's left just enough wiggle room for what looks like a compromise which will end up giving him just what he wanted in the first place and you don't lose face."
"He's playing politics?"
"More like head games, Sir. He doesn't do politics, at least not in the sense that you do – no disrespect intended, Sir. He'll play you like a well-tuned symphony orchestra until everyone is performing his music. It may always end up a win-win situation, but it's rough on the ego and the chain of command in the meantime. In his mind, the chain of command stops at him and there's no higher authority. I'm just thankful that I don't have to deal with him any more."
"I wouldn't be too certain of that, Captain."
"Sir?" the tic started up in Teramore's eye again as his voice croaked.
"We may require a liaison that's familiar with this situation."
"Yes, Sir." The Captain's voice became hoarse once again. "Will that be all?"
"For now." The line went dead.
The Captain slowly replaced the receiver on its hook. Even though it was only 0600 in San Diego, he opened a bottom drawer in the desk and removed a glass and a bottle of Maker's Mark bourbon. He filled the tumbler half full of amber liquid.
Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water…he thought sourly as he downed the glass in one swallow.
Professional Reviews
A Thrilling Read, Which Is Out Of This World!
If you're a fan of science fiction, politics, adventure, or a thrilling story that will make you think and keep you on the edge of your seat, this is the book for you! In The Beginning is a real page turner, filled with one exciting surprise after another, guaranteed to keep readers coming back from more. You won't want to put it down. For those wanting more, don't forget to check out Mr. Gardner's second book, Just In Time, also available from Amazon.com
NOT a Space Opera
In The Beginning is a MUST READ for every adventure lover. Ben Gardner takes the reader along with his hand-picked crew for this first manned flight to Mars. Find out which of the crew members are the FIRST to set foot on another planet in our solar system -- and why they were chosen. Accompany the explorers as they come upon an unexpected discovery that will keep you turning page after page as it answers the haunting riddle of how humans came to be on earth. Destined to be a BEST SELLER!
Heaven sent us an angel. She could be your neighbor. Her friends call her Megan, but when her eyes are glowing, everyone calls her Ember Reign.
Megan Martin was an average teenager. She felt cheated when her grandfather died and grandmother
