The Surveillance State

By Ali Barnett Kennedy

The attack was swift, blunt and direct. One minute Thorn was sitting at his desk, reading the dissertation of one of his more under-achieving though very attractive students, and the next, he just had time to register the reflection in the polished surface of his teak desk when the figure came at him from behind the drapes of his high French windows. He threw himself sideways, his large, wheeled Director's chair sliding away from him as he fell to the left, away from the shadow that had swiped an outstretched arm at the space that he had just vacated. An arm that ended in a fist holding a short, but lethal hooked blade that would most certainly have cut through the flesh and sinews of his neck.

Thus begins Professor William Thorn's fight for survival against a hidden enemy who wants him dead. Thorn must once again call upon his skills and experience, gained in a past life as a Specialized Intelligence Operative to survive and unravel a plot, by a global organization whose tentacles reach into every sphere of life, and whose attacks could come from any angle. He alone, understands the threat that is hanging over the freedom of mankind, and time is running out. As an engineered, global pandemic spreads like wild-fire across the country, Thorn turns to an unlikely ally to help him to reveal the truth of the disease and uncover the sinister agenda behind its creation, the death, not only of countless people, but the death of freedom itself. For Professor William Thorn, it seems that there is 'No end in sight'.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Shadow Heights Publisher LLC
• Release date: Jun 16, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393638056

Ali Barnett Kennedy

Ali Barnett Kennedy is a prolific author, a talented sportsperson, and a full-time student at university pursuing degrees in law and medicine. Growing up, Ali's mom was always working, and she had to stay with her grandparents. While it was stressful not seeing her mom as often as she wished, Ali found solace in spurring her imagination to write creative stories, birthing the writer she is today. Ali relishes the privilege of being flown by her artistic mind into a whimsical world and experiencing life as the characters in her writing do. Ali loves Competing in Equestrian Sports, especially in Murieta Equestrian Center in Rancho Murieta in California, skateboarding, playing basketball, volleyball, and swimming in the ocean. You can reach her at [e-mail]. or alibarnetkennedy.com

Book preview

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Since she was in elementary school, Ali Barnett Kennedy has nurtured a fiery passion for writing. She continually took delight in assuming a different personality while writing. Her debut novel, The Surveillance State: Awaking, is a product of the recognition of Ali’s talent in writing and the subsequent perpetual motivation that she got from her teachers at Moreland Notre Dame. In this thriller, Ali takes her readers through a rush of adrenaline from the blood cuddling presence of a powerful lurking enemy to the chilling whirl of a deadly pandemic that sweeps across the globe, threatening both life and freedom. Ali aspires to pursue writing throughout her life while utilizing her degree in medicine and law. She passes a passionate message to her readers of never giving up and intends to start mentorship programs for budding writers in the future. Ali enjoys competing in the Equestrian Sports, especially at Murieta Equestrian Center in Rancho Murieta, CA, skateboarding, playing basketball, volleyball, and swimming in the ocean. You can reach her at [e-mail]; she will have her publisher create a page for her on the publishing website.

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to all the people who inspired me to follow my dreams.

INTRODUCTION

The attack was swift, blunt, and direct. One minute Thorn was sitting at his desk, reading the dissertation of one of his more under-achieving though very attractive students. Next, he just had time to register the reflection in the polished surface of his teak desk when the figure came at him from behind the drapes of his high French windows. He threw himself sideways, his large, wheeled Director's chair sliding away from him as he fell to the left, away from the shadow that had swiped an outstretched arm at the space that he had just vacated. An arm that ended in a fist holding a short but lethal hooked blade that would most certainly have cut through the flesh and sinews of his neck.

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER ONE

The corner office on the Campus of the University of California L.A. was quiet. Professor William Thorn sat at the large desk, manufactured from railway sleepers that had once graced the opulent offices of one of the directors of the Union Pacific Railroad. Thorn's salt-and-pepper, neatly trimmed head was bowed in thought. He was intently studying the latest issue of 'Surveillance International,' a bi-monthly magazine catering to the world-wide Electronics and Technical Security sector. He was particularly absorbed by the latest article by retired Major General Jeremiah Hastings, the ex-Operational Commander of the United States Air Force 'Star Wars' program. In the article, the General was expounding on the theory that, although the U.S. was prepared for 'war from the sky' and 'invasion from space' scenarios, they were woefully unprepared for an 'attack from within,' in this case not only a from within one's own country but, with reference to the current Virus that had developed into a global pandemic, an attack from within one's own