ADVENT

by Tom Mach

Will the world end in the 21st century?In this 155,000-word techno-thriller, astrophysicist Greg Sorensen discovers an inexplicable object, a faint star he intuitively believes to be “Nemesis”—the sun’s twin star, returning to our galaxy after a 13 million year journey. Few scientists, including his astronomer friend, Audrey Asher, believe him. Greg is convinced that the recent increase in catastrophic events on the Earth can be explained by the approach of Nemesis. These cataclysmic events had, in fact, already spurred the development of a safe harbor for world leaders—Genesis, an underwater city in the North Sea.Valerie Chapman, an intimate friend of Greg’s, discovers a comet that may be headed toward Earth. Greg believes that Nemesis may have unleashed the Chapman Comet as well as other comets in the Oort cloud—located in the outer boundary of the solar system. Drs. Sorensen and Asher are assigned by NASA to rendezvous with the International Space Station and to set up a space telescope called the Alexandria to finally determine whether the approaching star is Nemesis and accurately gauge the trajectory of the Chapman Comet. Once they are in space, however, Sorensen and Asher learn that their true assignment is to add the critical components of a highly sophisticated Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) weapon—capable of destroying all electrical and electronic systems at specific geophysical positions in the world.It’s all part of the plan previously set up by U.S. President Brian Miller. The President, working clandestinely as an agent for The Brotherhood (an international organization comprised of the Russian Commonwealth and an Islamic terrorist network), wants to accumulate global power by blackmailing any nation he chooses with this EMP weapon (which can be activated via a secret code transmitted to the space station). But the approach of the Chapman Comet interferes with his strategy. He agrees with scientists that the only way to prevent it from striking Earth is to divert its path with a precisely executed nuclear explosion near the comet. But to do that, President Miller must accomplish two distasteful things. First, he will be forced to have the Russian Commonwealth admit it possesses a 50-megaton hydrogen bomb (a violation of a worldwide test ban treaty). Secondly, he must force Israel to turn over its top-secret missile guidance system called the Advent. But he must accomplish both tasks as it is the combination of Advent and the hydrogen bomb which can hopefully destroy the approaching comet. Unfortunately, a Christian cult anticipating the Second Coming, believe it is God’s plan to punish the Earth with the comet. Hence, they sabotage the computerization of Advent so that at launch, the nuclear-armed missile, which was to destroy the comet, veers off course. Fortunately, the Chapman Comet misses the Earth, despite the sabotage. But troubles for the world are just beginning…Nemesis is on final approach.

557 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 19, 2011

About the author

Tom Mach wrote three successful historical novels, Sissy!, All Parts Together, and Angels at Sunset (his most recent work). In 2011 Sissy! and All Parts Together were listed by the Kansas State Library as worthy to be included among the 150 best Kansas books (which would include authors such as Truman Capote and Laura Ingalls Wilder). Sissy! won the J. Donald Coffin Memorial Book Award while All Parts Together was a Best Books Award Finalist. Angels at Sunset received 5-star reviews and was also a Finalist for the International Book Award. On March, 2012, the state of Kansas issued a proclamation honoring Mr. Mach for his help in recognizing the 100th anniversary of the 1912 passage of Kansas Suffrage by proclaiming 2012 in honor of his book and officially calling it the “Kansas Angels at Sunset Centennial.”

His poetry collection, The Uni Verse, won the Nelson Poetry Book Award, while Sissy! won the J. Donald Coffin Memorial Book Award. Mr. Mach has written numerous other books as well--including a collection of short stories entitled Stories to Enjoy.

Tom was a former copywriter, editor of two magazines, conducted writing workshops in Ohio, California, and Kansas, and taught writing at KU’s Continuing Education Program. In addition to numerous articles he has authored in national and regional publications, he was past president with the California Writers Club and the Kansas Authors Club. He won the Jack London Award in California and a Service Award with the Kansas Authors Club. He currently resides with his wife in Lawrence, Kansas—where he is also involved in volunteer work to help children with their writing skills.

His website is www.TomMach.com