The Last Option
Page 21
Inside the impervious shell, a tiny green light on a radio receiver winked merrily, showing that the radio was ready to receive the signal that would set off the largest nuclear explosion ever designed. The drone's battery was nuclear powered. It would last a long time.
As long as was needed.
NOTES
We live in a world where fiction and truth are often entwined. Sometimes it's hard to know which is which. This book is fiction, but some things in it are factual. Here are some of them, in no particular order.
The road in Estonia that crosses for nine hundred meters or so through Russian Federation territory is real. It's one of those strange anomalies of border treaties that has yet to be effectively resolved. To the best of my knowledge, it is still patrolled by Russian border guards and still considered Russian territory by Moscow in spite of an agreement to give it back to Estonia.
Status 6 may be real. It could also be a bit of Russian disinformation, a tidbit dropped casually by the Russian Minister of Defense during an interview. If it is real, it is a horrifying weapon. The Tsar Bomba was real enough. The test of this bomb still stands as the largest nuclear explosion on record.
The Akula class submarine is real. It's a very dangerous weapon, competitive with our own best efforts.
Inalco House is real. You can access Google Earth and look at it, if you like. In 1945 the location was extremely remote. It still is, although a major highway now runs nearby. I've taken some liberties with the description. As far as I know, there are no underground bunkers or tunnels there.
It's never been certain Hitler died in Berlin at the end of the war. There have been rumors from the very beginning that he escaped the destruction of Berlin. Numerous theories present a scenario of escape by Hitler to Argentina and a stay at Inalco House. There are pictures supposedly of Hitler taken after the war and statements by witnesses who claim to have seen the Nazi dictator alive in Argentina after 1945.
Many Nazis fled to South America at the end of the war. It's possible Hitler could have been one of them. In any event, he's dead now.
There is indeed a resort in Estonia at Varska. It sounds like a place to go if you happen to be visiting that country. It's not very far at all from the border with Russia.
The debt described as being held by the European Common Bank is genuine and beyond rational belief, but then greed has never been rational. If the ECB ever fails, the consequences will be felt across the world. It could happen.
It is possible to encode messages in music. Cicada 3301 is real.
I hope you have enjoyed the story.
Alex Lukeman
July, 2018
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
It's impossible to acknowledge all the anonymous people who have filled the Internet with fascinating information. I often consult the Internet for information or for details and pictures of places I have not personally experienced. Thanks to all of you.
There are several articles regarding the M27 IAR Nick and Lamont are testing on the range. I found a good one in the National Interest Magazine. I haven't fired one (though I'd like to) but it sounds like an excellent weapon.
Thanks to Gloria Lakritz, Nancy Barth, Jane Rivar, Ken Friedman, Seth Ballard, and Bern for their comments after reading the Beta version of the book.
Neil Jackson for another great cover.
Lastly my wife Gayle, for her ongoing support and for putting up with my erratic moods.
*****
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Alex Lukeman writes action/adventure thrillers featuring the PROJECT, a covert intelligence unit reporting only to the President. He is the author of the award-winning Amazon best seller, The Tesla Secret. He likes riding old, fast motorcycles and playing guitar, usually not at the same time. You can email him at alex@alexlukeman.com. He loves hearing from readers and promises he will get back to you.
Did you love The Last Option? Then you should read Solomon's Gold by Alex Lukeman!
An ancient scroll written in code is discovered in a New York museum. Selena Connor is called in to translate the writing. She's a world-class linquist, a member of the secretive, covert operaions team know as the Project.The scroll reveals clues to the location of treasure collected by King Solomon to build and maintain the First Jewish Temple. Hidden somewhere in the desert lands of Israel is a vasy hoard of gold, the heritage of a nation.Director Harker of the Project sends the team out to see if they can discover where the treasure is hidden. Selena is determined to quit the dangers of the field, but this looks like a pleasant change from the usual mission. It's just a simple arceological expedition, after all. But nothing that involves the Project is ever simple.Betrayal, murder and vicious enemies stalk the expedition, as Selena and her teamamtes follow the clues revealed by the scroll. Meanwhile, back in New York where it all began, a sinisiter plan is unfolding.Will the Project team survive their enemies and find Solomon's Gold? Can they stop a plot to kill two of the world's most important leaders leaders and thousands of unsuspecting victims?The issue is in doubt...