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When the Pattern Breaks: Act I: Signals in the Deep
Act I of a Three-Part Near-Future Sci-Fi Thriller
Acts II and III are available now. A complete Book One edition is also available.
The first contact wasn’t from the stars.
It came from seven miles down.
And someone, or something, is desperate to stop it.
In 2004, real-world U.S. Navy pilots encountered a craft that defied known physics off the coast of California. The footage was real and was officially released by the Pentagon in 2017.
The world moved on.
But Dr. Morgan Hale didn’t.
Haunted by patterns no one else can see, Morgan leads a Pacific expedition that uncovers a transmission too precise to be natural… and too urgent to ignore.
As Tic Tac–like craft begin moving beneath the sea and global militaries scramble to respond, one signal breaks through the noise.
It’s not a warning.
It’s a plea.
And silence may be humanity’s last mistake.
When the Pattern Breaks is the first act in a serialized deep-sea sci-fi thriller by C.J. Hale. It blends real-world events with military suspense, scientific mystery, and eerie plausibility.
For fans of The Abyss, Arrival, and The Expanse.
New acts released monthly.
Acts II and III are available now. A complete Book One edition is also available.
The first contact wasn’t from the stars.
It came from seven miles down.
And someone, or something, is desperate to stop it.
In 2004, real-world U.S. Navy pilots encountered a craft that defied known physics off the coast of California. The footage was real and was officially released by the Pentagon in 2017.
The world moved on.
But Dr. Morgan Hale didn’t.
Haunted by patterns no one else can see, Morgan leads a Pacific expedition that uncovers a transmission too precise to be natural… and too urgent to ignore.
As Tic Tac–like craft begin moving beneath the sea and global militaries scramble to respond, one signal breaks through the noise.
It’s not a warning.
It’s a plea.
And silence may be humanity’s last mistake.
When the Pattern Breaks is the first act in a serialized deep-sea sci-fi thriller by C.J. Hale. It blends real-world events with military suspense, scientific mystery, and eerie plausibility.
For fans of The Abyss, Arrival, and The Expanse.
New acts released monthly.
90 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 27, 2025
5 people are currently reading
1 person want to read
About the author
C.J. Hale
4 books1 followerC. J. Hale is a military officer and science fiction writer who
explores the edge where science, mystery, and humanity
intersect. His work draws on years spent inside the world of
national security, where real missions and real consequences
shape the way he understands danger, hope, and
the cost of survival. He writes grounded, character driven
stories about ordinary people confronting forces far larger
than themselves.
His debut novel is the first book in the Pattern Series, a
planned three book arc that charts humanity’s final push
against extinction. The next volume is already in
development.
Away from the keyboard, he plays chess, keeps a disciplined
routine, and finds meaning in the quiet work of
discovering patterns in the noise.
Stay tuned. Stay aware.
For direct feedback or contact, reach him at
authorcjhale@gmail.com.
explores the edge where science, mystery, and humanity
intersect. His work draws on years spent inside the world of
national security, where real missions and real consequences
shape the way he understands danger, hope, and
the cost of survival. He writes grounded, character driven
stories about ordinary people confronting forces far larger
than themselves.
His debut novel is the first book in the Pattern Series, a
planned three book arc that charts humanity’s final push
against extinction. The next volume is already in
development.
Away from the keyboard, he plays chess, keeps a disciplined
routine, and finds meaning in the quiet work of
discovering patterns in the noise.
Stay tuned. Stay aware.
For direct feedback or contact, reach him at
authorcjhale@gmail.com.
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 1, 2025
Gripping Sci-Fi Storyline!
This novel is a standout example of immersive storytelling done right. From the very first chapter, the author draws readers into a gripping narrative that refuses to let go. The plot unfolds with just the right balance of tension and intrigue, keeping you hooked and eager to turn each page.
What truly elevates the book, however, is its cast of richly developed characters. Each one feels authentic and layered, with motivations and emotions that are deeply relatable. The author doesn't rely on clichés or flat archetypes—instead, they offer real people, complete with flaws, growth, and moments of unexpected strength. Their journeys intertwine seamlessly with the plot, enhancing both the emotional depth and the overall pacing of the story.
Whether you're looking for a compelling plot or characters you genuinely care about, this book delivers on both fronts. It’s the kind of story that lingers with you long after the final page, not just because of what happened, but because of who it happened to. A truly memorable read.
This novel is a standout example of immersive storytelling done right. From the very first chapter, the author draws readers into a gripping narrative that refuses to let go. The plot unfolds with just the right balance of tension and intrigue, keeping you hooked and eager to turn each page.
What truly elevates the book, however, is its cast of richly developed characters. Each one feels authentic and layered, with motivations and emotions that are deeply relatable. The author doesn't rely on clichés or flat archetypes—instead, they offer real people, complete with flaws, growth, and moments of unexpected strength. Their journeys intertwine seamlessly with the plot, enhancing both the emotional depth and the overall pacing of the story.
Whether you're looking for a compelling plot or characters you genuinely care about, this book delivers on both fronts. It’s the kind of story that lingers with you long after the final page, not just because of what happened, but because of who it happened to. A truly memorable read.
January 3, 2026
Pulled In From Page One-These Characters Already Own Me
From the very first chapter, Act 1 sets the tone with a gripping, emotionally charged introduction that pulls you in and refuses to let go. The world begins to take shape with just the right amount of mystery, and the pacing never drags, it draws you deeper, slowly but surely, as tension simmers beneath the surface.
The characters are instantly compelling. Even in these early stages, they feel real, flawed, layered, and deeply human. You can tell there’s so much more to uncover, and that anticipation makes every conversation and detail feel charged with meaning. You don’t just want to know what happens next, you want to understand them.
As far as first acts go, this one nails it. It lays down the emotional stakes and hooks you with just enough unanswered questions. You can feel the shift coming, and you want it. If Act 1 is any indication, this is going to be a ride worth staying on.
From the very first chapter, Act 1 sets the tone with a gripping, emotionally charged introduction that pulls you in and refuses to let go. The world begins to take shape with just the right amount of mystery, and the pacing never drags, it draws you deeper, slowly but surely, as tension simmers beneath the surface.
The characters are instantly compelling. Even in these early stages, they feel real, flawed, layered, and deeply human. You can tell there’s so much more to uncover, and that anticipation makes every conversation and detail feel charged with meaning. You don’t just want to know what happens next, you want to understand them.
As far as first acts go, this one nails it. It lays down the emotional stakes and hooks you with just enough unanswered questions. You can feel the shift coming, and you want it. If Act 1 is any indication, this is going to be a ride worth staying on.
January 11, 2026
Loved this book. Act I led to me to reading the whole book. It held my interest so completely that I was obsessed with reading more and I was sad when I reached the end. I needed to see what happens. Now I’m just anxiously waiting for the next book.
January 14, 2026
How Patterns Started
Patterns started with a question that lodged itself in the back of my mind. Not painful, just stubborn enough that I couldn’t shake it. The kind of question that sits there like a splinter until you finally turn your head and face it.
For me, it was the Tic-Tac footage. Real Navy pilots. Real sensor data. Real confirmation. One of the strangest pieces of modern evidence we’ve ever had. And the world talked about it for maybe five minutes before drifting right back to celebrity drama and football scores.
I kept coming back to the same thoughts.
Why did we stop talking about it?
Why didn’t anyone dig into the implications?
Why didn’t the world react the way a sane society should when confronted with something that breaks our understanding of physics?
That isn’t a conspiracy question. It’s a question about who we are as a species.
That question is what eventually turned into When the Pattern Breaks.
I started this journey in early 2025, never intending to write a fiction novel. I wasn’t trying to become an author. I was just trying to understand why we ignored something impossible.
I started writing to explore the gap between two truths.
“This footage is real.”
and
“No one seems to care.”
What lives in that gap? What does it say about us that we didn’t panic, or demand answers, or even pretend to understand what we were seeing?
I followed that thread, and once I tugged on it, the world of the story began to form around it. Characters, emotion, conflict. All of it grew out of that single moment of disbelief.
I didn’t set out to write a book. At the time, I was a U.S. Army officer with a career built around analysis, planning, and dealing in facts. My instinct was to assess, contextualize, and move on. But this question refused to stay in its lane.
The book grew around the search for an answer.
Somewhere along the way, something unexpected happened. I discovered that I loved the act of telling the story itself. I found a hidden talent for shaping tension, voice, and character, and a satisfaction in building a world that readers could step into and feel.
I didn’t set out to become a writer. But I did discover that storytelling gave me a way to explore questions that facts alone couldn’t resolve. It’s something I hope to keep doing for a long time.
Every chapter, every beat, every moment of tension in this story traces back to one simple, unsettling question.
Why didn’t we freak out when reality changed?
Patterns started with a question that lodged itself in the back of my mind. Not painful, just stubborn enough that I couldn’t shake it. The kind of question that sits there like a splinter until you finally turn your head and face it.
For me, it was the Tic-Tac footage. Real Navy pilots. Real sensor data. Real confirmation. One of the strangest pieces of modern evidence we’ve ever had. And the world talked about it for maybe five minutes before drifting right back to celebrity drama and football scores.
I kept coming back to the same thoughts.
Why did we stop talking about it?
Why didn’t anyone dig into the implications?
Why didn’t the world react the way a sane society should when confronted with something that breaks our understanding of physics?
That isn’t a conspiracy question. It’s a question about who we are as a species.
That question is what eventually turned into When the Pattern Breaks.
I started this journey in early 2025, never intending to write a fiction novel. I wasn’t trying to become an author. I was just trying to understand why we ignored something impossible.
I started writing to explore the gap between two truths.
“This footage is real.”
and
“No one seems to care.”
What lives in that gap? What does it say about us that we didn’t panic, or demand answers, or even pretend to understand what we were seeing?
I followed that thread, and once I tugged on it, the world of the story began to form around it. Characters, emotion, conflict. All of it grew out of that single moment of disbelief.
I didn’t set out to write a book. At the time, I was a U.S. Army officer with a career built around analysis, planning, and dealing in facts. My instinct was to assess, contextualize, and move on. But this question refused to stay in its lane.
The book grew around the search for an answer.
Somewhere along the way, something unexpected happened. I discovered that I loved the act of telling the story itself. I found a hidden talent for shaping tension, voice, and character, and a satisfaction in building a world that readers could step into and feel.
I didn’t set out to become a writer. But I did discover that storytelling gave me a way to explore questions that facts alone couldn’t resolve. It’s something I hope to keep doing for a long time.
Every chapter, every beat, every moment of tension in this story traces back to one simple, unsettling question.
Why didn’t we freak out when reality changed?
December 30, 2025
very exciting read !
Was overjoyed at the way the author kept me interested, it lead to buying the book and following the author,
Very well done !
Was overjoyed at the way the author kept me interested, it lead to buying the book and following the author,
Very well done !
January 5, 2026
It's like reading a book about a third of the way through, with the rest of it coming two years later. Much smoke and no fire
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews