The Discovery

A strange, unknown ore is discovered in a worked-out silver mine in Nevada by Dr. Sean Henderson, Director of the Thorny Memorial Research Institute located in Carson City, Nevada. A project is initiated at the Institute to investigate the ore. It is discovered that the ore contains a strange element that exhibits several unique properties of such a nature as to have a significant impact on world science and technology. Research shows that the element appears to draw on some unknown outside source of energy allowing it to multiply stimulus energy applied to it by hundreds of times. The element also changes characteristics depending on the type of stimulus applied. The reasons for all of this are discovered in a surprising twist of science. Sean places his new and beautiful Director of Mineralogy, Dr. Jill Cramer, in charge of the research project to unravel the secrets of the unknown element. Sean and Jill fall for each other over an extended 4th of July weekend at Sean's spectacular home in Incline Village at Lake Tahoe in an intriguing and sensual encounter. NARTA (the Naval Advanced Research Tracking Agency) has become one of the Institute's larger project sponsors. Sean and Admiral Harcleave (director of NARTA) had met many years ago while in the SEALs. They had become good, if not somewhat business antagonistic friends. An unknown "mole" in the Institute leaks information about the strange element and its properties that attracts the attention of some unscrupulous businessmen as well as the Department of Defense. When Sean and Jill return from Lake Tahoe, they find the Institute under the security control of NARTA "to protect National interests". Things go downhill from there.Between the two antagonists-the government and industry-Sean, Jill, the Institute and Admiral Harcleave are whipsawed through various plots to gain control of the element and related confidential information. New properties of the element are constantly revealing themselves and two prototype products are developed. A secret cabal is formed by three wealthy industrialists. This cabal and the Department of Defense independently attempt to take over control of the element and its research programs.Sean, Jill, the Admiral and the Institute's loyal staff thwart the various attacks, uncover the mole and must make a decision on the fate of the new element-keep it within their control or release it to the world. When reading this genre-bending blend of science fiction, romance, action and surprises, the reader will find himself wanting to be part of the talented crew of protagonists.