Writing...

It really is. Writing can be very tough, but as ideas come and go, it's easier to get a grasp on where I want to go with this newest book. I feel like I have a solid idea of how the book will open up thus far, delving into the past a little bit for connections sake as noted in the last entry. Adding some historical figures into the mixture can be very intriguing when it can be put together and made into a viable plotline branch that ties into the book nicely.

Looking at how to proceed with this, it was noted in the original book about how the main character in Travi Gladius comes a military family, and someone in every generation since the Revolutionary War had fought in the military, and him being the last in the line thus far. Given this expertise, and his warrior spirit that obviously flows through his veins, it only makes sense to include a minor, but very influential character in his life in this book. Travi's father, Nathan, was also in the military for a long while, joining near the end of the Vietnam War and serving for a long time. This gentleman will have a spot in the opening of the book, or somewhere near it as an Army Ranger that set the events of this book in motion. The main bad guy, name is in the works, was a protege of Jim Jones whom many probably know as being the infamous leader of the People's Temple back in the seventies and coaxed near a thousand people into "revolutionary suicide". The twist I'm looking at doing is the United States receiving a credible threat against a prominent figure (I'm going with then President Jimmy Carter), and a task force of Army Rangers is being sent in to detain the leader. They arrive just hours after the suicide takes place, and from there - they contend with Jones's bodyguards and then him. From a distance, the main bad guy sees this all go down and it creates his hatred for the unbelievers, in particular, the United States. But his hatred grows and he vows to kill all unbelievers in the name of God. This of course, setting the stage for the entire book as SOCA must contend with religious radicalism.

Except they don't rip hearts out...yet.

So, while that is going on - in the present, the main bad guy is biding his time to unleash "God's wrath". As a distraction, he orders his followers to launch an attack on a target to get the world's attention. From there, all hell breaks loose.

Something like this I guess.

From that impasse, once all hell breaks loose (see above), Travi and Bill take charge and begin investigating the reports of religious fanatics at large and ties toward this radical branch. All across the world, new attacks are reported, and the plot point takes front stage - bringing Allison Gladius and Heather Greene into the mix and their continuing research. Upon a return to Italy, they find some previously unknown data that their mentor Doctor Fordham had hid away for such an emergency - Allison finding the footnotes in her locked away research data that had been previously overlooked. This would return us to a look at the place where the first book began, and hope for the future begins anew. Meanwhile, SOCA (now known as Task Force 191) is given full authority by the President of the United States to get into the investigation and shut down the ones responsible. From there, it's the usual game of investigation, evidence gathering, putting the pieces together, and having old names resurface that give clues and hints along the way. From here, the book takes off and the world looks at a complete collapse. A subtle hint dropped by the "peaceful" front of the radical religion could be what tips the scales into TF 191's favor.

Plot twists galore, including insiders on the good guys part. This could turn into an interesting thriller full of intrigue if I play my cards right. After all, having the good guys on their heels is part of the fun. Shows resolve, shows willpower. It will test Travi and Bill to the limits, but I think they can handle it. They are the best of the best. I like where this is going. Almost makes me wanna say: 

Adieu for now.