The Trojan Horse

By Ross Gandy

Second book in the series

Is the United States safe from a major terrorist attack? Could an Islamic terror group amass a large enough army on American soil to challenge the “Great Satan,” with all its security, intelligence gathering and worldwide watchdogs? How could that many terrorists be hidden in plain sight? Where will they come from? How will they get into the US without raising suspicion?

Andy, Lindsey and Col. Mac try to identify and stop what they believe to be Islamic mercenaries from amassing a large army and striking the very heart of the US. At the same time, they try to stop their own government from attacking our alien visitors, while protecting their own lives from an evil power determined to destroy them.

Will Andy’s loyalty to Col. Mac and the US be strong enough to pull him away from his dying wife? Where is Lucy, his supercharged cyber partner who has been by his side from the beginning? Can she help? Will she? Who in the government is helping the terrorists and why?

• Language: English
• Publisher: LifeRich Publishing
• Release date: Oct 22, 2015
• ISBN: 9781489705440

Book preview

Prologue

A NDY WATCHED HIS NEW BRIDE, LINDSEY as she slept. It was hard to believe that just a year ago they were both captives on an alien spacecraft disguised as a space rock. When Andy’s aircraft was vaporized during an alien encounter, he was critically injured, losing his arms, legs and sight. He knew he was dying. When he awoke to the soft voice of a beautiful blue-eyed woman, he assumed he was in Heaven. His injured body had been restored. His assumption that he was in Heaven could not have been more wrong. He was in fact a captive in an alien mothership.

After escaping from alien captivity, then returning to rescue all the other human captives, Andy discovered that Lindsey had been injured and the massive brain injury jeopardized her life. Andy’s computer side-kick, Lucy, was able to enter Lindsey’s brain through a computer port implanted by the aliens in an attempt to save her. Lucy was able to complete the repairs to the alien computer in Lindsey’s brain which allowed her to live. Andy discovered his mentor, Col. Mac, who he had given up for dead, was also a captive on the alien ship and rescued him before the ship exploded.

Now he and Lindsey are married and he and Col. Mac both left the Air Force to move into civilian life. Andy and Lindsey are making every attempt to reinvent themselves as professors in a small town college. Gen. Aiken, who had tried to kidnap them to reverse engineer what the aliens had done so he could sell the technology, is now in Federal prison and no longer a threat to them.

With their new jobs, new location and new marriage, life looks like it might be normal for a while. Or will it?

chapter 1

O K EVERYONE … QUIET DOWN … AND HAVE A SEAT! roared Peter Ryan, VP of Academic Programs at Mid-State Community College. We have some important and exciting news to share. I called this meeting to let everybody know about a great opportunity we’ve been given. The college will be starting an interesting new program at this location within the next two or three months. I’m excited to report that we have been selected to host an International training program that will train hundreds of Iraqi soldiers in the English language and in Western customs. Our Grants Department has been working feverishly to secure this program and the sizeable government grant that goes along with it.

Andy and Lindsey, who had been employed by this small southern college as instructors in History and Physics, sat with their colleagues in the college’s auditorium when the announcement was made. Dr. Ryan continued, in addition to their training, there are other specifications to this contract. The Iraqi soldiers will be given certain special privileges along with diplomatic immunity. They will be allowed to practice the customs of their native country and their particular religion while they are in the U.S. with no interference. The training will last for several months and will include several different groups over several years.

Why here? a concerned voice asked as the crowd began to murmur.

The United States will be selling several military aircraft to Iraq as a part of our efforts to strengthen the relationship between the two countries and to assist them in creating an Air Force. A condition of the sales agreement is that the pilots and the support personnel for this particular aircraft will be trained here in the States.

But why our school? another concerned voice said as the murmuring got louder.

OK, let’s calm down! Our school’s Administration requested the program and the sizeable grant that goes along with it; and we got it. As you know enrollment has been down for the past couple of years so we decided that this would be a great way to utilize our faculty and bring in some badly needed revenue, Dr. Ryan replied as he walked from behind the podium. I personally am very proud of this opportunity. We were selected from hundreds of applicants. This program will bring a lot of resources to the College and much needed income to our town with the housing needs and the food that will be required for these foreign students.

And it’ll bring terrorists and murderers to our country and our community, Andy said as he stood up. How is the government going to insure the security of our school and the community?

Now hold on. Let’s not get over zealous. These will be Allied soldiers coming here so there shouldn’t be any problems! You have nothing to be afraid of! Dr. Ryan replied as he tried to quiet the murmuring.

Yea I know about ‘friendly Allied soldiers’. My best friend from High School was shot in the back by a ‘friendly Iraqi soldier’ while in the ‘safe zone’ over in THEIR country, and now we want to bring them here? Andy said as he sat back down in his seat.

Listen! The Iraqi government as well as our own government has assured us that these student-soldiers will be checked out completely and we will also have one of our own staff check them out. It’s going to happen whether you like it or not, so if you can’t deal with it, you might just want to LEAVE! And I’d like to see YOU, Mr. Andrews, in my office! Dr. Ryan said as he stormed off the stage.

Well, I guess Dr. Ryan didn’t like your comments, Lindsey said as she stood up.

No, and I’m not through yet! Andy said as he got up to leave.

I think you need to give him time to calm down before you attack him again, she said as she walked into the aisle. We need to check this out though. Why don’t you give Col. Mac a call and see what he knows, Lindsey said as she smiled and rubbed Andy’s arm. Now calm down, big boy, before you go to Dr. Ryan’s office. You don’t need to get fired over this. We’re better off watching this from the inside rather than from the outside, don’t you agree? She said as she pulled Andy down the aisle.

Yea, I guess you’re right. If something does happen, we need to be close to the action, he said as he took her hand and they walked out into the lobby.

What do you think this is really all about? Lindsey asked as they walked through the doors and into the courtyard.

I don’t know. It’s probably on the up and up, Andy said as he stopped and looked at Lindsey, but ……….

But, something tells you …….

Yea, something worries me about this whole thing.

But until something happens, we can’t act, right? She said as she looked up at Andy and smiled. "You know you did tell my mama that we’re ‘Secret Agents’, didn’t you?"

Not really. Well, sort of. I had to tell her something and I couldn’t tell her the truth.

So, exactly what are we? Lindsey asked as she stopped and pulled Andy to a halt.

I guess we could be ‘spies’, or agents of the government, but since we really don’t work for the government I don’t think we can actually call ourselves either one.

You’re right, we’re teachers and I’ve got a class to teach, and you’ve got to go meet with Dr. Ryan, as she hugged Andy’s arm and turned and walked away.

As Andy headed toward the Administration building, he thought, Maybe I’m just suspicious for no reason. Gen. Aiken and his crew are gone and there’s little alien activity. But the Muslim extremists are real, and a real danger to this country. They could be involved with the Iraqis in some way. I need to talk with Col. Mac so he can help me figure this out.

As he entered Dr. Ryan’s office, his Admin asked, You here to see Dr. Ryan?

Yes, he said for me to come by.

Have a seat. He’s with someone right now,

OK, thanks, Andy said as he sat down.

Soon the door opened and Dr. Ryan came walking out with a two men in dark suits. As they came through the door to leave, one of the men said, How are you Capt. Andrews? Hope all is well with you; I’m Capt. Charles O’Brian and this is Capt. Sahed, good to see you. I’ve heard a lot about you.

It’s good to meet you also. I hope what you heard was all good, Andy said as he shook their hands.

Of course, Col. McAlphin has told me all about your exploits together while you were both in the Air Force, Capt. O’Brian answered.

We did have some interesting times together. How do you know Col. Mac? Andy asked.

Capt. O’Brian responded, I was in the Officer’s Club the other night and I had a chance to meet him. He was with a Gen. Ludwig. I told them I was working on a project with the College and they both said to give you their best; but Col. Mac also said to tell you to give him a call. Capt. Sahed is our liaison with the Iraqi military. We will be working with him on this project.

Interesting. Well good to meet you two, and if you see Col. Mac again, tell him I will be getting in touch with him real soon, Andy said as he stepped aside to let them leave.

As they left, Dr. Ryan said, Andy, come on in and have a seat. I hope you’ve had time to calm down from the meeting this morning?

Yes, Sir. I’m sorry for my outburst; no disrespect intended Sir, but I don’t trust those guys. And after losing my friend ………… Andy said in an apologetic voice.

I understand your concern, but each of the soldiers coming here for training will be fully vetted by our government before they’re allowed in the country, and their government will be responsible for their behavior, Dr. Ryan replied.

I understand Sir, but we have to remember that the terrorists who killed our guys were from Iraq, and the Iraqi soldiers who are in the supposedly Safe Zone in Iraq were vetted and approved by the government also, Andy said as he took a seat in front of Dr. Ryan.

I know those kinds of things happen but I’m sure we don’t have anything to worry about. Our President has sanctioned this project personally, so it must be OK, wouldn’t you think?

Yea …, that sure makes me feel better, Andy said as he stood up to leave. As long as you guys are good with it.

Dr. Mendez is in full agreement with the project, and as far as we’re concerned, it’s a go. Oh yes, and Capt. O’Brian said it might be a good idea to include you on this project, with your military background and everything.

Great! If it’s OK with you, Sir, I’d like to watch from the shadows.

If that would make you feel better. Capt. O’Brian said you would be skeptical, considering all that you’ve been through.

Yea, well, thanks for your reassuring words.

As Andy walked out the door and down the steps to the walk, he thought, I need to get in touch with Col. Mac, and check up on this Capt. O’Brian and Capt. Sahed. I’m sure not convinced that this is the right thing to do. As he took out his phone and started to dial, a man of Arabic decent dressed in middle-eastern attire, approached him and said, Excuse me, but aren’t you Mr. Andrews, the History professor?

Yes, I am, Andy replied looking at the stranger. Can I help you?

Yes. My name is Dr. Hassan. I teach Arabic Studies here at the college, and I heard your remarks when Dr. Ryan spoke this morning.

Oh, well, please sit, Andy replied. I hope I didn’t insult anyone with my remarks, but I lost a good friend from friendly fire in Iraq and I’m a little gun shy.

Gun shy? Dr. Hassan asked as he slowly stood back up from the bench.

Sorry, that means concerned or skeptical, Andy replied as he tried to reassure Dr. Hassan.

Oh, I can understand completely! Dr. Hassan replied as he sat back down. I just wanted you to know that I am on the interview committee for the new students who will be arriving from the homeland. I will try to screen them properly and I promise that I will inform you of anyone who seems the slightest bit suspicious.

Thank you for that. I just don’t want any problems. This could open up a whole can of worms, I mean problems, that we need to avoid, Andy said as he looked up to see Lindsey coming his way. Dr. Hassan, I’d like for you to meet Lindsey, my wife. She teaches Physics here at the college.

Yes, I saw you two together at the meeting this morning. I am pleased to meet you, Mrs. Andrews, Dr. Hassan said as he remained seated.

And you, Dr. Hassan. I’ve heard a lot about you, Lindsey replied as she reached out to shake his hand. He did not return the gesture, so she withdrew her hand and turned to Andy and said, Please excuse me, but did you call Col. Mac?

No, I was getting ready to when I met Dr. Hassan.

Sorry Dr. Hassan, but we have a very important call to make. I need to steal Andy away, Lindsey replied as she grabbed Andy’s hand and began to pull him away.

Well, good to have met you. Maybe we can talk more later, Andy said as he turned to follow Lindsey down the walk.

I would like that. I hope to see you soon, Dr. Hassan said as he began to walk away.

What was that all about? Andy asked as he grabbed Lindsey’s hand to slow her down.

That man gives me the creeps. I’ve heard a lot about him and it hasn’t all been good either.

And where did you get that?

I sent an email to Col. Mac just before I came out here and he said to be careful of a Dr. Hassan.

Did he say why? Andy asked as he pulled back on Lindsey’s hand, bringing her to an abrupt stop.

Owww! Lindsey said as she grabbed her hand.

Sorry, sweetheart, I forget sometimes that I’m not all human.

Careful. I’m delicate. You can hurt me, she said as she smiled at Andy. He said to give him a call as soon as you can. The two of you need to talk.

Andy sat down on a bench in the courtyard of the college and began to dial the number as Lindsey sat down beside him. Hello, Colonal Mac …….. Yes …….. About 4pm …….. OK, see you there ……. Goodbye Colonal, Andy said as he hung up the phone.

That was short. What did he say? Lindsey asked.

He wanted to know what time we would be home. I said about 4pm, so he said he’d see us there. I’ve got a class in fifteen minutes. I’ll see you after class, blue-eyes.

See you then. I’ll get my things together and meet you at the truck. We can get a bite to eat on the way home.

Ok, see you then, Andy said as he started running across the campus toward his classroom.

Lindsey sensed someone watching her as she began to walk toward her office. She stopped and looked around, but didn’t see anyone. The campus was speckled with students and an occasional faculty member but no one unusual, except, there was Dr. Hassan standing by a tree. Is he looking at me? I wonder what he’s thinking. I don’t trust that man! He gives me the creeps! Lindsey thought. As she hurried away, Dr. Hassan resumed snapping pictures of her with his phone. He lowered his phone and slid it into his pocket. With a smirk he said, American women! then walked away.

chapter 2

A S LINDSEY AND ANDY OPENED THE door to their apartment, Lindsey said, Something’s not right. I can sense someone here!

What do you mean? What is it?

I don’t really know. Maybe Lucy left something with me that increases my senses or something. Someone is in here. I can feel it. I can hear them breathing, she said as she pointed toward the curtains.

Andy rushed toward the window just as Col. Mac stepped out from behind the curtain and said, Wooooooah cowboy! It’s just me!

How did you get in here?

I picked your lock. You need to get some better locking devices. These aren’t safe, too easy to pick; anyone can get through them, Col. Mac said as he grabbed Andy’s hand and gave it a shake. "And you young lady, how