Bob Butalia

The Assassin's Mace Bob Butalia

Things are never what they seem, especially in the world of international politics. Janet Chang appears to be an attractive, successful scientist, but she's really a Chinese spy, sent to degrade United States nuclear submarine capability. If she succeeds, America's potential ally, India, will dismantle and fall apart. Of course, China isn't the only country out to get India on the ropes. Syed Ali is a former member of Pakistan's Inter Services Intelligence who served as a long term mentor to the Taliban and Al Qaeda. His orchestrated terror attacks are inflicting death and instability in India. All the while, Durga Vadera, a maverick politician, becomes the Indian Prime Minister after her predecessor and the United States Ambassador are killed. She invokes a secretive Crisis Management Group that may cause more harm than good. America must struggle to give aid to fading India, and fast. "Ash" Conway, former US intelligence agent, is hired to provide input on the terrorist strategies in India, using a proprietary gaming technology. What follows is nothing short of widespread conflict, leading up to a gripping and unimaginable climax. The ending might not be peaceful. Lives may be lost, but as it stands, America is India's only hope for survival . . . and the pressure rests on the shoulders of one woman alone.