Mutebi marched over to where Zawadi and the two children were seated around John, who was lying in the dirt. Singing softly, Zawadi was cradling John’s head in her lap. Blood from John’s face had created patches of red in the dirt. Opening his eyes, John did not look at Mutebi glaring down at them. He looked instead at the bracelet Zawadi wore on her ankle. Shawni Juma had given it to her during the first meal they had eaten together. He smiled at the memory of the stew Zawadi had made with cassava, sweet potatoes, beans, and millet. Mutebi’s voice broke his reverie like a thunderbolt. “What do I do with you, John Okoro?” he bellowed. “Do I keep you, or do I kill you?”
He had never been a prayer kind-of guy, but right now he prayed God would allow him to put a bullet in Mutebi’s head. I’m guessing that’s not exactly an appropriate prayer, he thought with a glance upward. And after a quick squirt of water into his mouth, he put away the water bottle and began trotting again.
“How do I know I can trust you?” “Now, that’s funny, coming from a traitor."
Alex refuses to get on the helicopter? This is a no-win situation for me, but this isn’t about me. It’s about Larisa, Alex, Shawni Juma, and stopping some of the most depraved and evil men on the planet. So I mean it when I say we have no choice but to let her do this.” “Then our prayers go with you, Bill. They would have, anyway, but this time, you’re going to need them like you’ve never needed them before.
While Talanov was in Africa, physically hurt and running for his life, the love of his life was waiting in her bedroom to be married to another man... Talanov had sent her away, believing that he loved her enough to give her up so that she was not forced to be involved in his career choice where, she, too, would be in danger. He knew he could never go through that again, thinking of the moment his first wife was shot and he'd held her as she died...
This then, was to be the 5th book by one of my personal favorite authors. I found it much more compelling a read... This book may indeed include the normal thrilling scenes readers can expect but, this was so much more! Revelatory! Up-to-Date, Exciting, Unorthodox, and, most surprising, Within a family-like setting... A group of strangers who, in fighting for one cause--justice--had banded, and bonded, to become a loving group of people who would do anything and everything for those they loved--AND--for those in need, no matter where they are, or were...
“O God of all creation, Bless this our land and nation. Justice be our shield and defender, May we dwell in unity, peace, and liberty.” “You quote our national anthem.” “The English rendition is nowhere as poetic as it is in Swahili,” Wilcox responded. “Plus, what have we always said, you and I, since our very first meeting?” “That in spite of political whims, we will always stand together.” “Yes., and what was true then is just as true now.” Lesanu embraced Wilcox as his brother, and the two men smiled and shook hands.
Take for instance Talanov's boss... There is no doubt as we read that he considers Talanov as he would love his own son... Though both are strong-willed, they regret it later and come back together in forgiveness. Wilcox and Talanov were now working together. Kilo Tactical response team, otherwise known as KTAC, which had been created in a classified department within Directorate K of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, or the NGA. Included on the team was another trusted friend, former KGB colonel, Aleksandr Talanov, whom Wilcox had recruited away from the Soviets back in the 80s.
This became very important when a helicopter was landing in the midst of that wedding that was going to be held later in the day... You see, that boss, Bill, had also been asked to walk Larisa down the aisle at her wedding... But, he had gotten a real shock when he'd gone to talk with her preparatory to that event... She was having second thoughts. And, of course, Bill had brought back memories of her love of Talanov...As they talked, the gardens were being destroyed, tables were being turned over and the helicopter had landed and they were looking for the head of KTAC... Just know, these are "the good guys..." Bill had heard the 'copter and knew it would be for him... He stood up and immediately Larisa thought of Talanov and jumped up as well... "I'm going too..." And, of course, Bill knew that couldn't happen... Larisa began to show her own "stuff" as she lifted up the long bottom of her white gown, and started running out of the bedroom and on to the helicopter, passing the family members, guests, and only stopping to whisper regrets and ran on to have the men in the copter lift her up, thinking she was going... Well, Bill tried, but ultimately, Larisa was on her way to help ensure Talanov was safe! Readers get involved as they watch Larisa tackle any man who is trying to once again tell her what "she" should do... And she wasn't having any of it! I was loving this... Here's my hero, finally meeting a woman who was not afraid of a hero loved by many for saving their lives... Larisa was looking for much more... You'll enjoy this romantic story plot within the family drama like no other you will hear about...
Take for instance, that Talanov is now a father of 3 children (adopted)--the oldest in her 20s and a super expert on all things computers... Talanov didn't have a choice. Bill didn't have a choice... It was now a time when using guns was no longer the most effective way to fight long-distance... And when you're heading into Africa, you'll not know what deadly bit of equipment will be flying toward you! Indeed, Bill had his own computer specialist, also with prolific skills, including using computer equipment, in planning out or obtaining what was needed for any respective crisis they were being called into... Readers will learn more about these two skilled women than from either Bill or other leaders of government... They were the experts that, if they know what they are doing, any leader will ensure he has available and in full support for responsibilities to actually come together for a win...
You know, folks, I was also surprised and gratified that Turner had moved forward to introduce, again from our daily headlines, what can happen when computers are moved into an aggressive mode... Specifically, it is only by the brilliance of the creators that those machines can actually perform to do exactly what needs to be done. AI will never, in my opinion, reach that level of independence. But, as shown with the rich villain leader, much damage can occur when the goal is destruction for greed and power...
This gives a public perception of him being a philanthropist because it looks as if he’s donating millions of dollars to charitable causes. For instance, his Endowment for the Arts and Sciences, which is a 501(c) non-profit organization, routes money to another of his 501s, his Foundation, which receives government grants for the support of humanitarian needs around the world, which in turn pays kickbacks to politicians who grant him government aid. His foundation then gives shipping contracts to OBLO Global Holdings, which is his shipping company, which supposedly transports aid to worldwide crisis areas. OBLO then donates massive amounts of money to the Endowment for the Arts and Sciences, and round and round it goes. That’s an over-simplification, but it illustrates how he doesn’t really give money to anyone, but merely circulates it among his NGOs. In the process, he pays himself and his political cronies huge sums of money. It also allows him to sink his hooks into every politician who votes to give his NGOs American aid money in exchange for kickbacks. If they try and jump ship, he ends their careers. Or their lives.” “So he’s in this for the money?” “To a degree, yes, but his primary motive is to make America the seat of global communist power. A prerequisite, as you might guess, is replacing America’s constitutional government with a communist form of government. This is why individual freedoms are under such attack, especially the first and second amendments. Stand out in your standing up, and you’ll get killed.” “I hear you there.” “Which begs the question: why risk your life doing this? There are safer ways to help.” “To be honest, I thought a research lab was where I belonged,” answered Shawni. “I loved the work and I knew I would be helping people. Then I came to Africa and I just . . . fell in love. Then I learned what Mutebi was doing and knew I had to put boots on the ground and do something. If they end up killing me, so be it.”
~~~~~~
Frankly, I was somewhat stunned when I read this--by the way, I've taken out most names of the bad guys. In such a complex book, there is no way, brief excerpts can lead you anywhere significant for potential TMI. Thereafter, I wasn't surprised about who the criminals included on their payroll... The thing about this kind of book, actions described are almost predictable, as if they are being used directly from today's headlines... if you're reading the right headlines, that is...
“Waiting is not doing nothing. It’s the deliberate act of choosing the right time to strike. So waiting is what we do. Can I count on you for that?” Shawni did not reply. “I need to hear you say it.” “I hate you right now, but, yes.” Talanov smiled because he understood Shawni’s frustration over the Okoros being treated like cattle. And not just the Okoros, but everyone in the cage.
“Boys with guns getting drunk.” “That doesn’t sound good.” “It’s not, but maybe they’ll keep drinking and pass out.”
“My God, they’ve got Stinger missiles,” whispered Talanov while Mutebi’s men cheered. “Brought by that white guy in the hat. Do you know who he is?” “A mercenary from South Africa...” answered Shawni. “When I first got here, I noticed him in the camps with an older white guy.” “What did the older guy look like?” “Seventies . . . stocky, gray hair and jowls.” “With a big scar on his chin?” “Yeah, but . . . how did you know?” “That man was...
Bill Wilcox had been asked to head up a rescue somewhere in Africa (to be determined). Immediately Wilcox took control and confronted the government representatives about the fact that the first rescue had failed due to sabotage from within the team. He demanded and got permission for his own team to be vetted and ultimately approved by Bill and Talanov, if they could find him alive... In other words, they had no idea exactly what kind of team support was needed, whether they found anybody still alive, or whether this team, somehow would also be sabotaged. But Bill had gone through this for many years... Four individuals were chosen for interview by Bill. Let's just say that if sabotage was tried, immediate action would be taken...
- Readers will enjoy getting to know the team members, especially one black woman who started singing Redneck Woman until one of the men tried to stop her... Let's just say, for purposes of this post,,, she...won... Ultimately the final team were working on their own, because this book has many different major crimes needing attention...
- Loss of freedom and humane living
- Starvation and loss of life of average citizens of various African locations
- Human Trafficking mostly of women and children, Death through Sexual Attacks, including gang rapes
- Safety of the Victims, how and where they were being taken,
- Gun smuggling and Internal criminals killing innocent citizens,
- Provision of high power weapons for greater destruction
- Control of all criminal actions by the rich and power structure,
- Intimidation and threats against family members of officials/team members,
- Control of businesses by intimidation and threats,
- And a specific hit list of those working against criminality.
- Finally, attempting the rescue of a researcher and Talanov, if still alive, who was seen falling out of the first helicopter that had been destroyed. The researcher had gained significant information which could be used to legally take action. Could the team find, retain, and actually achieve ownership and retention into a safe location?
- Any other atrocity that is now taking place of inciting wars, threatening genocide, control by power rather than providing AID
Talanov had been trained to have no feelings about death. It was only when he learned about being free, in a democracy, that he began to not only feel personal freedom, but learned the pain that, seemingly everywhere, had those who had no emotional concerns about how others were treated... I admired Talanov as a hero in earlier books. In this book I found a man who I could trust, not as a hero, but as an individual who believes in justice--for all... A Perfect Man of the People!
So, of course, Turner keeps our hearts beating fast until the very end and I don't dare talk about any of that... So how to close, because of course I know what is to happen (Yay!) So, I will just point out that one of my favorite authors continues to up his game, and I believe this is already up for a movie? Of course I have no idea where his movies are shown... LOL not in my neck of the woods... Do enjoy this masterpiece of writing!
GABixlerReviews
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