Larson - Acceleration and transport of energetic particles observed in the heliosphere: ACE-2000 Symposium, Indian Wells, California, 5-8 January 2000

ACCELERATION

by Lin Larson

Cover Design by Atrtink Covers

Copyright 2019

All rights reserved

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to my son, Timothy, and sister, Diane.

Thank you for your love, devotion, and kind hearts. You are the

lights of my life. I love you dearly.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means including

scanning, photocopying, uploading, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the

copyright holder(author) of this book.

LEGAL RIGHTS

The characters and events in this book are fictional. Any similarity to real persons, either

living or dead is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

INTRODUCTION

I adore action/thriller stories. I admire heroes, especially

charming, brave, and dedicated ones, who respect people and

fight against those who crave power and superiority at the ex-

pense of others. I enjoy reading and writing about attraction

and love, which may struggle to survive and succeed in the

midst of dangerous ideas and people.

My story follows Sam Stone, a man who battles a frightening

lethal and powerful scientific and political conspiracy. It is one

that can bring death to thousands and can destroy the United

States of America. He must win.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART 1: CONFRONTATION

CHAPTER 1

Hey, Sean, you are not home...Surprise! This message is from Sam. Remember me, the brother who writes books but is always too lazy to scribble letters? But then, you too, letters that is.... I miss ya. Im still in Los Angeles. Same old condo. Call me, little brother. Its been too long.

#

Sean, its Sam again. Remember me? I really would like to hear from you, man. You still a big research honcho? Give me a call if they let you talk.

#

Sean, youve got me worried now. You still well...and the family? Its Sam. I think Im homesick for you. Call. Okay?

Sam tossed his phone onto the bed-side table. He picked up his glass of Scotch, drained it, and smacked off the light.

As sleep enveloped him, dark memories reared up like angry monsters. Remember your past. The Army, the Special Forces. Dont forget the death. The words echoed, snarled, and hissed. You should have died too. Thats what war is for.

#

Buzz, Sams phone erupted. He sat up suddenly and shouted, NO!

He gasped and struggled into reality as a huge, overly affectionate, Great Dane skittered into the room and plopped heavily onto his bed. It then lapped worriedly and profusely on Sams face. Sam laughed between trying to breathe through the slobber and squirming up from his massive buddy. Oh, he muttered, I thought my nightmares had ended. Thanks, Pal, for the love, but youre not helping, and its still night. Go back to sleep. Finally, he grabbed his phone with relief. Hi, Sean. Just in time.

You alone, Sammy? whispered Sean.

Yep. Just me and my big mutt, Caesar... Youre hard to reach. Been on vacation?

No vacation Come get me.

Come get you? Sam was stunned. You...you never talked liked this before. Whats wrong?

Its all turned. Im losing. Come get me, Sean began to sob and then there was nothing. Silence hung in the air.

Sean Sean? Sam listened intently, but there was no sound.

Youre gone. You hung up. Sean, I dont understand. What the hell is going on? You never cried before, even when Mom and Dad had died in the car crash. Sam felt like time stood still. He shook his head to clear his confusion. Suddenly his phone rang again. Sam almost dropped it in his eagerness to answer.

It was Sean. He spoke almost mechanically. I was rambling and being silly, Sam. Im okay. You dont need to come. Dont come.

What? Why? Sam replied as the phone went dead again. What? The hell I dont, Sean. Im coming. Ill leave in the morning Whats happened to you?

Sam threw himself back onto the bed in frustration.

Caesar suddenly flopped upon him again, with his big lapping tongue.

Oh, Caesar. I know you care. But slobbery affection is not needed. And move over, big ape. Susie, you are not. Sam heaved Caesar aside and fondly patted his shoulder. Listen, we need to stop living alone. I think its time for a change, for both of us. You like Susie. I like Susie. He chuckled as Caesar cocked his head. I think I will ask her to move in, but it will have to wait to happen. In the morning, it looks like youre going to the dog sitter. Ill be back, but first, I have to help Sean. Something bad is happening. Something is terribly wrong.

CHAPTER 2

Sam stirred. His body ached. He felt he should open his eyes, but he really did not want to. He remembered taking Caesar to Cathy, the dog sitter. Caesar had jumped about her excitedly as she giggled with her big toothy grin. They both liked Cathy, a lot. He had told her that she might be having him for a while. She had said that she would keep him as long as needed. He had paid her for a month, although he hoped it would not be that long.

He kept trying to think. Where was he? Why does his body hurt? And he felt cold.

Sam yanked open his eyes and stared at the delude of rain water that was smacking his windshield. Interesting. I wonder why my car is not moving. He turned his head, looked around slowly, and frowned.

Oh no! I think I got in an accident. I just paid you off, car. You are a fantastic, classic, beautiful, black Jaguar, and I just wrapped your head in this cold-hearted gnarly tree. I apologize. Okay, now let me out.

Sam turned and pushed relentlessly until the door creaked heart-wrenching belches of sorrow and opened. He then untangled his long legs from the metal and yanked himself out.

The wind and rain immediately began to assault him. They ruthlessly hammered his face and drenched his body, as the night chilled his bones. Sam shivered.

He suddenly faced his car. He bent over and searched intently around the crushed front interior. Where was help? Where was his phone?

He then found it, sort of. Ah, phone. Poor thing. Youre smashedWell, look at the bright side. It could be meI wonder how far help is.

He sighed, struggled over to the trunk of his car, and pulled out his heavy jacket and a flashlight. His head still ached, but he felt stronger.

Now, where was I going? Ah, he remembered it all now. He had intended to visit Sean. He had stopped at his office at Mekka Corporation. A man had said that Sean was on personal leave. Sam had tried his house. Seans wife and kids were gone too, but the van and Toyota stood in the garage. He flashed on the thought of that old family cabin and had just headed out of town and towards it, when a massive truck had rammed him and shoved his car off the road. The driver of course had kept going. Sam figured that he had passed out a few seconds later. His hand went to his head. Yep, there was the knot on his forehead. It had been real.

Sam thought in frustration. Sean, this trip isnt going as planned, obviously.

He clawed his way up from the soggy ravine and stumbled out.

Sam now gazed ahead at the desolate pavement, as rain continued pelting him with gusto. I wonder whats ahead, he thought. It doesnt feel good. Im just a writer, Sean, albeit a successful one, but I like knowing the endings upfront. My war is over. Danger is supposed to have ended also. Why are our lives suddenly getting so complicated and inexplicable? Why am I feeling that you are in big trouble? Little brother, I hope I can get you out, but I dont know Where are you? Are you at the cabin? Maybe? Well, Im coming. Im going to get answers.

Sam yanked his jacket up, as the bitter wet wind reared up and angrily battered on his face. He began rapidly tramping down the gaping road. The flashlight beam slid hypnotically along the pavement.