*****
BAIT AND SWITCH
“Report!” the ghostly figure that
was Gen. Ian Mahoney commanded.
And so Sten reported. Meanwhile,
Mahoney paced back and forth in a room that was millions upon millions of light
years away.
It could be a gut-wrenching sight,
such as when Mahoney paced toward a com desk, then paused midway through – his
big Irish upper body poking above the desk, looking as if he had been cut in
half.
When Sten was done, Mahoney hopped
back onto a desk in his far away office, leaving the holo image of his booted
feet aboard the Jo’l Cash dangling
over the deck. The sight made Sten’s stomach roil.
“This clotting problem just seems
to get worse and worse,” Mahoney said. “First we learn that Venatora is in
cahoots with the bloody Tahn. And now you’re saying that Lord Wichman is as
well?”
“That’s what Shaklin told us, sir,”
Sten said. “And we have no reason to disbelieve him. Apparently Wichman has
been black marketing weapons and forbidden technology to the Tahn for several
years now. Including a com hack that can block all communications.
“And then when Venatora approached
the Tahn with the promise of a whole space train of Imperium X they recruited
Wichman to act as her go-between.”
“I suppose it’s because they
learned the mutineers were holding his son hostage,” Mahoney said. “Gave them
more leverage.”
“That’s our reading, Sir,” Sten
said and Alex, Ida and Doc murmured agreement.
“But what about our offer?” Mahoney
asked, clearly frustrated. “It’s so much better than Venatora’s. Plus there’s
the promise of amnesty, damnit! That’s a huge clotting concession.”
“Wichman’s convinced them that it’s
all a lie,” Sten said. “That as soon as they turn themselves in they’ll all be
facing firing squads. Meanwhile, Gregor will go free and unpunished for his
many sins.”
Mahoney was silent for a long,
uncomfortable moment.
“What about it, Sir?” Sten finally
said. “The amnesty offer is legit, right?”
“Sure, sure,” Mahoney said, a
little too hastily for Sten’s comfort.
“And the court martial?”
Mahoney shrugged. “That’s always
been dicey,” he admitted. “His old man…” he let the rest trail off, but Sten
took his meaning.
“Yeah, his bigshot old man,” Sten
said.
“What’s their next move?” Mahoney
asked. Then he snorted, impatient with himself. “Clot! I know what their next
move is going be. The question is when, not what?”
“In approximately 20 E-hours,” Sten
said, “They are going to create some sort of diversion. Probably a flash-bang
to confuse our communications. Then they are going to make their way to
Venatora’s zone, where her people will guide them through the mine fields.”
Mahoney thought a minute, then
asked, “How much do you trust this Shaklin fellow?”
“I have a few doubts,” Sten
admitted. “But I think we can rely on him up to a point.”
“And that point would be Gregor?”
Mahoney asked. “Because of the death of his beloved Pegatha? Vengeance is mine,
sayeth the Church Of The Universal Point. And never mind the money? Hmm?”
Kilgour broke in. “Th’ wee bishop
is ruled by his heart nae his purse. He wants revenge an’ we’re th’ only ones
fa can gie it.”
“What about you, Ida?” Mahoney
asked.
“I got lost in the purse
comparison, boss,” she said. “And I’m not known for a soft heart.”
“And you, Doc?”
Doc scratched the fur under his
chin with a sharp talon. He said, “Although I hate to agree with our
haggis-eating friend, I’ve concluded that Shaklin has been overtaken by the
weaker side of his human nature.”
He paused, then added, almost under
his breath, “As if there were any strong sides.”
The holo image of Mahoney hopped
off the desk. “Okay, then. We’ll proceed on that assumption.”
He paused, then, to Sten: “You do
have a plan to subvert these beggars, don’t you?”
Sten hesitated, then remembered the
blackened area on the Flame’s tail
section. And it all came together.
“I do, sir,” Sten said.
“And that plan is?”
“Give me an hour to work out the
details, sir,” Sten replied. “And I’ll report back to you.”
“Excellent,” Mahoney said.
“Meanwhile, I’ll notify Admiral Gessler to be standing by to jump in the moment
you send up the flare.”
“Very good, sir,” Sten said.
And then Mahoney was gone.
Sten turned to see the others
staring at him.
“What’s this big plan, buster?” Ida
asked. “You haven’t said anything to us.”
“Sorry,” Sten said. “I just thought
of it.”
Everyone relaxed, looking relieved.
Ida said, “Okay, where we do
start?”
“I’m working on the premise that
the Flame and the Jo’l Cash are sister ships,” Sten said.
“Identical in every way except their names and electronic signatures.”
“That, and the big charred tail
section on the Flame,” Ida said.
At that point Kilgour slapped his
knee and started laughing.
“What’s so funny, Brogue Boy?” Ida
demanded.
“Our wee Sten,” Alex said. “He’s
gonna pull a bait and switch.”
Ida frowned. Then her brow cleared
as she got it. “I’ll get busy pawing through the God Box,” she said. “Saw some
drakh there that’ll do the job.”
And she slid her fat rump off her
chair and waddled away.
As she left, Doc said – in
uncharacteristically plaintive voice: “Will someone please tell me what the
clot is going on?
The only answer – peals of laughter
from Kilgour.
NEXT: VENATORA’S DREAMS
*****
NOTE FROM ALLAN: My multi-talented brother, Drew Cole, has just released a marvelous new album of original songs – “The Shook Souls.” Some of the songs will make you cry, some will tickle your irony bone, and all of them will take you back to moments in your life, both painful or joyful, that will never be forgotten. The songs are free, but you can feed the kitty if you like them. Click on this link and hear for yourself.
*****
STEN OMNIBUS TRILOGY
MAKES ITS AMERICAN DEBUT
Ever since my British publisher put all eight novels in the Sten series in three omnibus editions, American readers have been clamoring for equal treatment.
Well, my American publisher – Wildside Books – was listening and is issuing all three omnibus omnibus volumes on this side of the Atlantic. Sten Omnibus #1 was published
last month. Sten Omnibus #2 debuts this week. Stay tuned for the publication for Volume Three.
THE TIMURA TRILOGY: When The Gods Slept, Wolves Of The Gods and The Gods Awaken. This best selling fantasy series now available as trade paperbacks, e-books (in all varieties) and as audiobooks. Visit The Timura Trilogy page for links to all the editions.
NEWLY REVISED KINDLE EDITIONS OF THE TIMURA TRILOGY NOW AVAILABLE. (1) When The Gods Slept;(2) Wolves Of The Gods; (3) The Gods Awaken.
*****
Tales Sometimes Tall, but always true, of Allan Cole's years in Hollywood with his late partner, Chris Bunch. How a naked lady almost became our first agent. How we survived La-La Land with only the loss of half our brain cells. How Bunch & Cole became the ultimate Fix-It Boys. How an alleged Mafia Don was very, very good to us. The guy who cornered the market on movie rocks. Andy Warhol's Fire Extinguisher. The Real Stars Of Hollywood. Why they don't make million dollar movies. See The Seven Pi$$ing Dwarfs. Learn: how to kill a "difficult" actor… And much, much more.
Here's where you can buy it worldwide in both paperback and Kindle editions:
United Kingdom ...........................Spain
Also: NOOK BOOK. Plus ALL E-BOOK FLAVORS.
*****
A NATION AT WAR WITH ITSELF: In Book Three Of The Shannon Trilogy, young Patrick Shannon is the heir-apparent to the Shannon fortune, but murder and betrayal at a family gathering send him fleeing into the American frontier, with only the last words of a wise old woman to arm him against what would come. And when the outbreak of the Civil War comes he finds himself fighting on the opposite side of those he loves the most. In The Wars Of The Shannons we see the conflict, both on the battlefield and the homefront, through the eyes of Patrick and the members of his extended Irish-American family as they struggle to survive the conflict that ripped the new nation apart, and yet, offered a dim beacon of hope.
A True Story About A Boy,
A Teacher, And Earthquake,
Some Terrorists And The CIA
LUCKY IN CYPRUS is a coming-of-age story set in the Middle East during the height of the Cold War. An American teenager – son of a CIA operative – is inspired by grand events and a Greek Cypriot teacher.
He witnesses earthquakes and riots and terrorist attacks, but in the end it is his teacher’s gentle lessons that keep him whole.
Here's where to get the paperback & Kindle editions worldwide:
Here's what readers say about Lucky In Cyprus:
- "Bravo, Allan! When I finished Lucky In Cyprus I wept." - Julie Mitchell, Hot Springs, Texas
- "Lucky In Cyprus brought back many memories... A wonderful book. So many shadows blown away!" - Freddy & Maureen Smart, Episkopi,Cyprus.
- "... (Reading) Lucky In Cyprus has been a humbling, haunting, sobering and enlightening experience..." - J.A. Locke, Bookloons.com
*****
NEW: THE AUDIOBOOK VERSION OF
THE HATE PARALLAX
THE HATE PARALLAX:
What if the Cold War never ended -- but continued for a thousand years? Best-selling authors Allan Cole (an American) and Nick Perumov (a Russian) spin a mesmerizing "what if?" tale set a thousand years in the future, as an American and a Russian super-soldier -- together with a beautiful American detective working for the United Worlds Police -- must combine forces to defeat a secret cabal ... and prevent a galactic disaster! This is the first - and only - collaboration between American and Russian novelists. Narrated by John Hough. Click the title links below for the trade paperback and kindle editions. (Also available at iTunes.)
What if the Cold War never ended -- but continued for a thousand years? Best-selling authors Allan Cole (an American) and Nick Perumov (a Russian) spin a mesmerizing "what if?" tale set a thousand years in the future, as an American and a Russian super-soldier -- together with a beautiful American detective working for the United Worlds Police -- must combine forces to defeat a secret cabal ... and prevent a galactic disaster! This is the first - and only - collaboration between American and Russian novelists. Narrated by John Hough. Click the title links below for the trade paperback and kindle editions. (Also available at iTunes.)
*****
THE SPYMASTER'S DAUGHTER:
A novel by Allan and his daughter, Susan
After laboring as a Doctors Without Borders physician in the teaming refugee camps and minefields of South Asia, Dr. Ann Donovan thought she'd seen Hell as close up as you can get. And as a fifth generation CIA brat, she thought she knew all there was to know about corruption and betrayal. But then her father - a legendary spymaster - shows up, with a ten-year-old boy in tow. A brother she never knew existed. Then in a few violent hours, her whole world is shattered, her father killed and she and her kid brother are one the run with hell hounds on their heels. They finally corner her in a clinic in Hawaii and then all the lies and treachery are revealed on one terrible, bloody storm- ravaged night.
BASED ON THE CLASSIC STEN SERIES by Allan Cole & Chris Bunch: Fresh from their mission to pacify the Wolf Worlds, Sten and his Mantis Team encounter a mysterious ship that has been lost among the stars for thousands of years. At first, everyone aboard appears to be long dead. Then a strange Being beckons, pleading for help. More disturbing: the presence of AM2, a strategically vital fuel tightly controlled by their boss - The Eternal Emperor. They are ordered to retrieve the remaining AM2 "at all costs." But once Sten and his heavy worlder sidekick, Alex Kilgour, board the ship they must dare an out of control defense system that attacks without warning as they move through dark warrens filled with unimaginable horrors. When they reach their goal they find that in the midst of all that death are the "seeds" of a lost civilization.
*****
TALES OF THE BLUE MEANIE
NOW AN AUDIOBOOK!
 |
Venice Boardwalk Circa 1969
|
In the depths of the Sixties and The Days Of Rage, a young newsman, accompanied by his pregnant wife and orphaned teenage brother, creates a Paradise of sorts in a sprawling Venice Beach community of apartments, populated by students, artists, budding scientists and engineers lifeguards, poets, bikers with a few junkies thrown in for good measure. The inhabitants come to call the place “Pepperland,” after the Beatles movie, “Yellow Submarine.” Threatening this paradise is "The Blue Meanie," a crazy giant of a man so frightening that he eventually even scares himself.
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