Crash and Burn

What’s True, What’s Not

At the end of my full-length novels, I love to spell out what’s real and what’s fiction in my stories. I thought I’d briefly do the same here.

First, I thought I’d share the genesis for this story. I blame it on the season. When I began writing this, October was just around the corner, so I thought what better way to celebrate that spooky month than to craft a Sigma story featuring a haunted hotel, hordes of bats, and rampaging zombies — then throw Kowalski into the mix with a new toy. Speaking of which…

Piezer. Kowalski’s new toy is based on a true concept being explored by HSARPA — Homeland Security Advanced Research Project. It’s a double-barrel shotgun that can fire showers of shocking piezoelectric crystals, with a range of one hundred and fifty feet, all without those pesky Taser wires. So, of course, Sigma Force would be perfect to field test such a prototype, and who else but Kowalski is best suited for this gun? You’ll be seeing more of this innovative weapon as it’s put through its paces — in ways only Kowalski would think to employ — in the next big Sigma novel, The Seventh Plague.

Colossus. The other weapon showcased in this story is based on a Boeing patent for a new HPM (high-powered microwave) deterrent. Like the device featured in the story, Boeing is exploring crossing two such beams and modulating the frequency and resonance to produce a unique and powerful effect. Has anyone thought of crossing an HPM with an EMP? So far only me — but I wouldn’t put it past someone to explore this possibility. Especially since researchers at the Natural Science Foundation of China have published a paper on how certain wavelengths of an electromagnetic pulse (an EMP) do have an effect on the brains of rats, causing an increase in cerebral vascular permeability. Could it create zombies? Am I wrong to hope it does?

The Azores. I’ve never been to this Portuguese archipelago in the North Atlantic, but with their verdant grottos, steaming hot springs, crater lakes, and stunning beaches, I’m ready to go when you all are. Let’s just not visit a certain resort that’s about to have its grand opening.

What’s Next?

At this story’s conclusion, Seichan is headed on assignment to Marrakesh, and Kowalski is off to visit his girlfriend in Leipzig, Germany, but alas, neither of them will get to enjoy their time apart for very long. Soon the pair will be summoned to join forces yet again, to thwart an ancient peril ripped from the pages of the Bible in The Seventh Plague. I hope you enjoy the mayhem to come!