Brief

In 2046, Ethan Cross is called to investigate a fairing that has been found floating in the Coral Sea. As the plot thickens, antagonists are revealed and mystery has to be solved, Ethan finds in Alyne the partner he never know he needed not only for his duty, but also for life.

What We Liked

What is outstanding about this story is, besides the well-tied narrative, the richness not only in the description of technology devices that already exist but also the creativity in which other fabulous ones were imagined.

Film: It would be an absolute incredible adaptation for film because the story has all it takes to be a sci fi hit, with descriptions of equipment and environment rich enough to provide a unique technological universe, as well as interesting characters and an involving storyline.

TV: It would be a great adaptation for TV, especially because the mystery surrounding the fairing is not the only drive to the story, but also the development of the relationship between Alyne and Ethan. Episodes could maybe be organized by the different scenarios in which the story takes place (from Dubai to Australia and the Marshall Islands).

Key points: Futuristic environment; Tech devices richly described; Great and diverse scenarios; Charismatic lead characters; Unusual Enigma being solved.

Synopsis

It is 2046 in Dubai. Ethan is a defense contractor watching an aircraft symposium where he gets to see technology wonders, with special attention to one's from company MagiX, with technology supplied by Australian company NoviX.
At the hotel, he overhears a conversation and meets attractive Australian Alyne Jimmie, who works for Rocket Sci. He also meets Rick Chan, from Solcom, and learns that Alyne and Rick’s company work together. They tell him more about the technology they are using, as the trio go skiing both men compete for Alyne’s attention.
This is when Ethan receives a call from his boss, Logan, asking him to travel to a former nuclear test site and investigate a solar panel that has been found near the Marshall Islands with a unique and mysterious technology.
Before he leaves, he finds out Alyne is not only a pretty face, but a competent orbital mission director.
As he set out to his new mission, Ethan reminds himself of previous missions – and the secret he knew about Cain - and also past disappointments from other relationships with women.
Ethan then lands in the Marshall Islands, which US government destroyed while testing atomic bombs about 100 years ago, and meets Dr. Dodge and “the Ghost”. Both begin trying to make sense of the puzzle. They also mention the importance of undersea internet cables. With more questions than answers, they report back to Logan.
Ethan flies to New Zealand in order to meet Beck Peters, CEO of Rocket Sci, and gather more information in order to solve the mystery. There, he meets again with Alyne Jimmie and inquires her about a rocket aero shell from a Solcom rocket, launched at Rocket Sci.
Alyne also gets curious about the solar panel found in the piece, and both work, relating themselves to Sherlock and Watson, in order to solve the mystery and fly to Sydney together. When they arrive at Rocket Sci’s HQ, they meet Christian Malack, from the supply chain. They begin suspecting NoviX has been hiding something.
Alyne and Ethan begin getting involved also on a personal level, and while they are having fun, they don’t realize they are being followed and Ethan’s backpack is stolen.
Both fly to Brisbane, where they stay at Jay’s, an old friend of Ethan, and go to NoviX headquarters where they meet Rick Chan. Jay, Alyne and Ethan talk to Rick and Ethan grows even more suspicious of him.
Rick invites the two to fly to the Coral Sea and scuba dive in the area, but leaves both of them there until he gets his business done. There, Ethan and Alyne make sense of the technology Chan has been using.
Dr Dodge come to rescue them. Ethan tells him that Solcom appears to be using panels installed on the ocean floor as lasercomm receivers for their downlink from their satellites.
Alyne and Ethan find out that Rick Chan is exporting NoviX solar panel technology to Solcom and stranding them in the Coral Sea to keep it a secret.
When Alyne and Ethan get back, they don’t arrive in time to stop the acquisition but it was not Rick the one to get it, but Cain, Ethan’s last mission opponent.
They later found out that Chan’s plan was a plot for the Chinese government to control worldwide data, but Cain’s plan was no better – probably the development of a pure fusion bomb. Dodge shows up onboard of the Ghost to rescue them and, even though Rick Chan was not successful, their mission is not finished and more answers are to be later provided.

About The Author

R.W. Bell has spent nearly two decades steeped in the impenetrable world of the defense industry. He has led development efforts on covert projects ranging from the fabled US Army Comanche Stealth Helicopter to cutting edge aircraft survivability equipment for the Ministry of Defense. He holds a high level clearance and three advanced degrees in aerospace engineering. He is a helicopter pilot and operates drones for the US government. His work on electronic warfare systems and countermeasures has sent him across the globe to dozens of countries and undisclosed locations. R.W. Bell never expected he’d write a book, until he had to.