A New Dawn

By Lee W. Pitts and Ronald C. Beach

Higher education gains new meaning when Draper University, a prestigious school in Utah peaks, is awarded a federal grant to work on a plan to harness the suns gamma rays. Elsewhere, a high-tech electronics company, New Energy, meeting in Los Angeles, California, has won a government contract to develop the software that would propel a manned rocket to the moon for an exploratory mission. An agent of a foreign country works together with an American Company in an effort to deter the Ivy League school and the electronics company from achieving their goals by theft and sabotage. While explosions rock the laboratory of the university outside of Provo, Utah, a security company with offices in Bremerton, Washington, and Las Vegas, Nevada, race against time to uncover the treachery. The company, Secure Dreams, under the partnership of Reggie Nutsbagh and Toby Preston have their work cut out for them, as they search to find who or what lies behind the interruptions. An investigation in Los Angeles and Provo progress the two security specialists and the teams they have assembled find that the deceit has pervaded certain levels of the governmenta discovery that ends up finding the president of the United States who he can trust. New friendships and a first-time football coach striving to make a respectable team of a bunch of misfits, adds levity and humanity to an otherwise intense and dramatic novel.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jan 9, 2015
• ISBN: 9781503532557

Lee W. Pitts

The authors Ronald C. Beach and Lee W. Pitts are natives of Bremerton, Washington and have been friends from childhood. Both are retired veterans of the U.S. Army. Ron Beach did his twenty-four years in the Military in Armored Cavalry and Tank Battalions and eventually rose to the rank of Command Sergeant Major. Ron served a tour of combat duty in Vietnam in the 25th Infantry Division and later as a civilian volunteered as an advisor to the 11th Armored Cavalry during the first Gulf War on the M1 and M1A1 Tanks. Lee Pitts served as a Combat Engineer in the U.S. Army and was also in the Vietnam War and rose to the rank of Master Sergeant and retired after twenty year4s of service.

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Copyright © 2015 by Ronald C. Beach/Lee W. Pitts.

ISBN:      Softcover      978-1-5035-3256-4

                eBook           978-1-5035-3255-7

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 01/06/2015

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Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1: Deception

Chapter 2: A Time for Rest and Relaxation

Chapter 3: A New Direction

Chapter 4: A Fine Beginning

Chapter 5: New Name – First Job

Chapter 6: Ready, Set, Hike

Chapter 7: What’s This All About

Chapter 8: Another Casualty

Chapter 9: Confusion

Chapter 10: Help is Here

Chapter 11: The Confusion Continues

Chapter 12: Cover Blown

Chapter 13: Indecision

Chapter 14: The Attacks Intensify

Chapter 15: Making Progress or Not

Chapter 16: A New Wrinkle

Chapter 17: The Truth Revealed

Chapter 18: The Root of all Evil

Chapter 19: Reggie Takes a Hand

Chapter 20: Confession – Good for the Soul

Chapter 21: The Plot Thickens

Chapter 22: One More Attempt

Chapter 23: Confrontation

Chapter 24: Wrapping it up

Epilogue

Dedication

This book is dedicated to Ron’s Wife, Myong C. Beach. She tolerated many long hours on the computer and investment in writing with no obvious return.

Prologue

F rom the beginning of time mankind has been fascination with the sun. Worshipped as a god in ancient Egypt it was cursed by farmers, past and present. Others who depended on it for its life-giving rays watched as it scorch the earth, drying crops to a state of uselessness. It was the discovery of the use of its solar energy that first caused scientists to believe the energy from the sun’s rays could be harnessed. Mathematician, and father of modern science, Galileo Galilei, a pioneer in physics, supported a sun-centered solar system, a belief that caused him to be declared a heretic by the Catholic Church. Yet as a subsequent result of his studies and star-gazing discoveries man has formed new ideas of the sun’s energy, and has successfully contained it through the use of solar panels and other manmade devices. Man’s technology may have allowed the immense radiated heat of the sun to be stored for warmth and energy, yet attempts to capture its rays for other noble purposes have been constantly thwarted, as it was believed to be too expensive and didn’t accomplish enough to make it practical.

Over time scientists and environmentalists have attempted to saddle the human race with the premise that because of mankind’s destroying of the ozone and the sun’s rays are causing global warming. It is believed by many that with the ozone deteriorating the earth no longer had a protective barrier and its absence is allowing the sun to eat away at the huge ice floes of the world creating doom for future generations. As a result of this theory a renewed effort was begun to find a viable way to put the sun’s gamma rays to good use. Many private enterprises petitioned the federal government for grants to research such a possibility, failing over the course of time due to partisan political debate. It was a prestigious university in Utah that eventually proved it could be accomplished and with less money than any in the private sector had envisioned.

As often happens in a greedy and capitalistic society, not all applicants took their rejection gracefully, one in fact would go to any length to sabotage or steal any plan developed to prove such a venture could succeed.

Amidst a world gone amuck in search of a miracle to the world’s problems there is often one person, unaware of the struggle for supremacy in the use of alternative power, naïve in ways of the world; one person who unknowingly makes a difference in this struggle. One person who hopefully makes the world better for their intervention – this person may well be Renie Preston. Youth is wasted on the young, so the saying goes, but on rare occasions the saying falls flat. Motherless at the age of eleven, kidnapped by a maniacal, power-crazed man at the age of thirteen. As a result of that capture she became an heiress to a massive fortune in that same year. Appointed office manager of her father’s partnered business at seventeen, she showed a maturity beyond her youthful years. Selfless, she used her immense fortune in an unpretentious way, assisting family and furthering noble causes, while remaining the same person she was before fortune by accident or Providence fell on her.

Showing her farsightedness beyond experience and age, in a casual comment to her father’s business partner, Reggie Nutsbagh, a man she calls uncle. Uncle Reggie, you and dad need to liven up your business. There is too much talent in the Broken Dreams organization for you to spend your time chasing cheating husbands, silly housewives and missing children, you should make a change. After making this seemingly innocent comment she immediately changed subjects and went back to chatting in her normal manner and then went about her day.

Troubled for days about her comment, Reggie found himself thinking, ‘Change, what is change but to change from one phase to another; to transform; to make radically different; to make a shift to a new idea?’

From that simple remark, by an unusual young woman, a burning fuse was lit in the mind of Reggie; a spark that over time erupted into a full blown blaze, causing him to schedule a conference with his partner and suggest a new course for the business. A new venture or different endeavor, and paths that normally would never cross, but secure dreams for all.

CHAPTER ONE

Deception

T he sun was just going down over the mountains in the town of Chongjin, North Korea as a secretive high-level meeting was called to order. Sitting at the head of the table conducting the clandestine gathering was Joon II Park, President of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly.

Those individuals seated around the table were in attendance, not by written invitation, for fear of a paper summons getting into the wrong hands, but by an uncommon verbal directive from the President’s most trusted confidant. All four of the attendees were involved in the security of the rogue nation in one way or another.

Once the attendees were seated and armed security personnel posted outside the two doors leading into the small room, the President opened the meeting with a stern admonishment that the subject of the meeting would remain completely secret and would not be disclosed outside of the room. He prefaced the importance of secrecy by saying, And if I find out that the subject of this meeting has been disclosed to anyone outside this room, the consequences - - - He left the rest of his sentence hanging, but the threat was evident.

The subject of the meeting was the fear of ongoing efforts by the United States to develop weapons capable of mass destruction by the use of the sun’s gamma rays.

During his opening remarks the President spoke briefly about the leadership’s desire to obtain any plans involved in this process. We know the development of this project is being worked on in secret at a private university in the state of Utah, with assistance provided by a corporation in the state of California which has offices in other states throughout the United States.

After these introductory remarks President Park turned the floor over to Kim Soon Yi, one of the most powerful and feared men in his cabinet, and the head of North Korea’s secretive intelligence organization. It was his organization, which had been responsible for finding out about the new research. Standing, Kim Soon looked at the men, none of whom he considered his equal, and certainly not friends, and stated the impact it would have if it would come to fruition. This project has entailed a lot of research which has already been completed and seems to be headed for completion, sometime in the next couple of years. It we could get our hands on this information it would prove beneficial to us in our goal of becoming a power in the world and would be instrumental as another weapon which would get the West to back off from their demands concerning our nuclear weapons.

Clearing his throat to get everyone’s attention, the President once again assumed control of the meeting. Looking sternly across the room at Kim Soon Yi, he said, You have already briefed me on the project so I am well aware of what is going on, the question is what are we going to do about it?

The next man scheduled to speak, Han Pak Win, the Director of International Affairs, smiled at the President’s chastisement of his hated colleague, deferring his time to allow his comrades to try and come up with a solution before he offered his. He knew for certain that when he outlined his fool-proof plan, one that was unknown to others and almost in place, it would gain him much favor with the President and the Chairman. ‘Let those fools spout off and suggest their stupid plans while I sit back,’ he thought. ‘When I present my plan I know it will be accepted and the favor I have sought will be mine.’

While his other comrades debated what it would take to come up with a viable plan to get the closely guarded information back to their country, Win sat back and continued to smile at their futile attempts to gain favor, knowing he had the perfect solution.

One after another his contemporaries stood up attempting to convince the President that his office had an agent who could infiltrate the West’s foolish attempts at security and obtain the information they desired.

General Lee Ahn Oh began, I have a man in training and he looks so much like a westerner he could pass for a farmer in Iowa. I could get him to the US this week and have him - - - - before he could finish his comments the President waved him off.

I know nothing of this place called Iowa, and I grow weary of all this grandstanding, the President broke in, every one of you talk about what you can do and how fast you can do it. The problem is that we do not have years or even months to try and get the information, the Chairman and I want immediate action. I demand you come up with a plan that we can implement immediately to obtain the information we need. So stop all this posturing and come up with a plan.

Finally, Han Win Pak, the one individual seated around the table who had not spoken felt the time was right, so he slowly rose to his feet. Looking at the others in contempt, he said, Mr. President, I have a plan that not only will succeed and I will guarantee positive results and it can be implemented immediately.

The President frowned at this bravado then angrily asked, And what does that mean? I know what the words mean, but if you have a plan and it fails then you must also know what that will mean to you and your career. So if you are so sure you have a plan and it will work then let us hear it.

Before I tell you my plan let me give you a little past history. Many years ago I wanted a son but my wife was unable to conceive so I adopted a young boy from an orphanage in the South, it is not necessary to say how I acquired him but I did and I raised him as my own. I have instructed him in all things and now he is in a position where he can repay his country in a way that no one else can. I am certain he can get the information we desire and send it to me.

Han Pak Win had the floor and everyone’s attention and he took the time to recalled the days when the boy was young, always screaming in delight as his adoptive father swung him around in circles laughing as they both fell to the ground. He told of the young boy’s delight to spend this time with his father, as it didn’t happen often. His father’s duties, as Senior Security Officer for International Affairs for the Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea, always kept him on the go and not leaving him much time to spend with this young boy he called son.

He paused to explain to those gathered that he had wanted a family but found out, after numerous tests, his wife was unable to bear children so he had devised and executed a plan where he could, in secret, take a young boy out of one of the orphanages across the border in South Korea. The boy was what is called an AmerAsian, born of American/Korean parents and shunned by all true Koreans.

This confession drew sounds of shock and disbelief from the others, almost causing the president to cease the dialogue, but allowing it to continue as he was now intrigued.

That particular child had been specifically selected because of that appearance, as the man, who was to become his father, had a plan for him. One he would disclose to the son in due time. He had legally given the orphaned boy his own name and raised him as the son he could never have, but from an early age he was told to think of himself by his American name. His schooling consisted mainly of learning the English language and all its idioms, and studying American history as the young boy grew into a man he received the finest education. When he wasn’t studying, he participated in the most rigorous military training to be had in the country, becoming proficient in all types of weapons and their uses.

After years of training and education, his father, who had risen to the Director of Security for International Affairs, felt his son was close to the perfect spy so he took the last step in westernizing him, he had his eyes operated on.

It was necessary to make him the perfect American, Han Pak explained to his enraptured audience.

Once his eyes had healed I sat down with him and told him I was sending him away. He protested saying he wanted to stay and follow in my footsteps, and I assured him that he would do that in the future, but that for now I had a more important task for him.

Finished with his discourse, Han Pak Win said, So you see I am ahead of all my comrades as I have a mole who has been in place for some time now and I will have the information you need. I have only one part of the puzzle that needs to be taken care of.

And that is? the President asked.

You must have one of our cargo ships sent into the California port of Long Beach or San Pedro.

I can take care of that. When do you need it there?

In about two months.

I will make sure it is there meanwhile you are required to keep me informed of the progress of your efforts. I want to know step by step what is going on. Before I fully commit to this project I want to make sure you can carry it out without causing problems between the United States and our Chairman. Remember it is not only your head on the block if I approve this mission my head is also there.

My son will be able to get the information we desire, there is no doubt in my mind. ‘And when he does I will gain much favor with the Chairman and the rest of the party and my rise to power will be complete.’

CHAPTER TWO

A Time for Rest and Relaxation

T here is a Biblical saying, common to even those who are not scholars of the written word, that goes, Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord. Ignoring this warning, Abdul-Aziz set out to exact revenge against a small band of men, and with such fierce intensity that he lost focus of his apparent goal – preforming acts of terrorism against America in the name of Islam. His desire to seek revenge against members of Broken Dreams, a small private detective agency, and their families brought death and destruction until by the hand of his nemesis, Reggie Nutsbagh, he was killed. His attempts repeatedly foiled by the men he had hoped to destroy and now the only memory of him was the peace and rest his welcome demise yielded to the surviving group of gallant warriors.

Toby Preston was one of those survivors. At his Washington State home, the past a mere memory, he reveled in awe over the recent addition to his family, daughter Miriam Ashley Miranda Preston, nicknamed Mimi. The tiny treasure, bearing the name of Toby’s recently deceased mother-in-law had captured the heart of her proud uncle, Joel Garza, who had also been chosen to be the child’s godfather.

It is my time to hold the baby, Toby, Joel plaintively reminded his brother-in-law.

Ruth, the baby’s mother, looked at her sister-in-law, Sarah and laughed, Look at them fighting over the poor child. Where are these men when it is time to change the diapers?

Sarah smiled wistfully, not answering, as she watched Joel cuddling the delicate figure in his strong arms. The childless couple had tried unsuccessfully for years to have children of their own and though there was joy at seeing her husband’s happiness there was sadness in her eyes and heart, an expression that didn’t go unnoticed by Ruth.

Before Ruth was able to form a comforting comment the telephone rang and she turned away to answer the intrusive device.

Hello, Preston residence.

Ruth, the voice of Reggie boomed over the handset, how are you and the new addition to your family doing?

We are all doing fine, thank you, but can’t recall seeing tough, grown men fawning over a tiny creature like Joel and Toby are over baby Miriam. Much like you must have been at the first sight of your children.

Reggie chuckled and said, We aren’t your average boys with toys, Ruth, and we often have to end lives so we can’t help but marvel at a new life.

Sighing, Ruth responded, I suppose you are right. I should be thankful Toby is here to share in our joy. Now I imagine you called to speak to Toby so let me see if I can tear him away from the baby crib long enough to talk to you. Say hi to Monika and the children for me.

Will do, replied Reggie, you have a great day.

As he waited for Toby to come on the phone Reggie thought over the reason he was calling his partner, ‘I hope I’m doing the right thing. We have been successful and fortunate up to now, is change the right thing to do?’

So Reg, why aren’t you enjoying a reprieve from the rigors of work like the rest of us?

Good day to you too, pal.

Sorry, pal, good day; I was enjoying my new daughter and was hoping you weren’t calling me to tell me we have to go back to work.

Laughing Reggie answered, "Nothing like that, Toby, in fact just the opposite (‘just a little lie,’ he thought). Monika and I are going to the city by the bay and thought you and Ruth would like to join us. No kids, just the four of us. We might find some time to talk business but this will be about relaxation."

Hey, that sounds like a great idea, with Sarah and Joel here to watch the kids it’ll give us time to really relax. Give me a chance to talk it over with Ruth, and since I’m sure she will agree we should be there in about four days. That’ll allow time for a leisurely drive down the coast on 101. Ruth’s never been down that way and maybe the scenery will help take her mind off Mimi?

Puzzled, Reggie asked, Mimi? Don’t tell me you have a short-skirted, French nanny watching the baby?

Not likely. Sorry, I should have said something earlier. Ben was having a hard time saying Miriam and somehow when he said her name it came out Mimi. So we thought it was cute and adopted it as her nickname. Now Ben thinks he named her and that’s kind of nice in a way as it helps take away the jealousy of not being the baby now.

Gotcha; we had that problem with Reggie Junior when Dominic came along. Okay so we can expect to see you in about four days?

With bells on; how about you setting up the hotel reservations and call me with the details later?

Reggie laughed loudly, and then answered, I’m one step ahead of you, buddy. I figured you would accept the chance to get away so I booked us two suites in the Le Meridien, near the Embarcadero. That puts us near all the fun things to visit like Fisherman’s Wharf and Chinatown, as well as being near the cable car line.

Chuckling, Toby said, This thing about us knowing the other’s thoughts should be frightening. Anyway, let me get out of here and spring the news on Ruth. Say hi to Monika and the kids, and we’ll see you in a few days.

But, honey, what about the baby? Ruth asked her husband when he was finally able to spring the news on her.

From where they sat in the den, the baby could be seen, being held in Sarah’s arms, as she rocked Miriam to sleep in the antique rocker.

Look at her, Toby answered. Do you think anyone could love and care for her more than Sarah and your brother? I know you will miss her, and so will I, but she will be loved and cared for as if she was their own, and you can call home as often as you want. You need the time away, my love.

Not taking her eyes off the baby, Ruth sighed, and then in agreement, said, You are right, my husband, I believe it will be good for me and even better for Sarah. I have always wondered why Jehovah never blessed them with children. They would be wonderful parents. I will talk to Sarah and Joel and then begin packing. I suppose we should leave in the morning before I have time to change my mind.

Good, Toby happily replied, Let’s take the convertible so we can soak up some sunshine along the way.

Joel and Sarah were ecstatic, but there was enough whining from Ben to cause Ruth to consider canceling. It took some coaxing from Renie, promising to visit Baskin and Robbins and a trip to daddy’s office before he was appeased. The promise that mom and dad would return with gifts was the clincher.

Early the next morning the bright red fifty-seven Chevrolet backed out of the garage, the top up in the early morning, dew-laden air and headed down Highway 16 toward the Narrows Bridge and Interstate 5. By eight o’clock they were in Astoria, Oregon where they breakfasted at a quaint restaurant specializing in home-cooked meals and boasting the best country gravy in Astoria.

After a couple of hours spent browsing antique shops they were back on the road again and on historic, scenic Highway 101 shortly after noon. Toby had lowered the convertible top and Ruth was nestled against his shoulder with an occasional tendril of her black hair tickling at his nose. Not pressed for time they took every occasion to stop and look at the marvels of nature, even to walking on the beach, hand-in-hand, as they listened to the roar of the Pacific Ocean.

It has been years since I’ve been this way, Toby spoke loudly above the rushing noise of the wind, as they continued along the ocean highway. And I don’t remember enjoying it as much.

Perhaps we could find an early lodging for the night, Ruth whispered huskily in his ear, and I will help you enjoy it all the more.

It just so happens we are nearing Tillamook, which is best seen in the morning so an early stop is an excellent idea. So I can rest, of course.

Punching him lightly on the arm, Ruth laughed, There will be little rest for you this night, my husband.

Prior to going to bed the night before Toby had made reservations at the Best Western Motel in Tillamook and using the Global Positioning System installed in the car he found his way to their lodging for the evening.

As they pulled into the parking lot, Toby smiled at Ruth, saying, In consideration of the night you have planned for me I believe an early dinner is in order.

Is it too early to request candle light? she jokingly replied.

Never, my love, never.

Early the next morning as he stretched luxuriously on the king-sized bed, Toby whispered to his slowly awakening wife, Marriage to you just keeps getting better, sweetheart.

Still half asleep, she answered, Seeing as you are my first husband I can make no comparison, so I’ll wait until my next marriage to evaluate how this one is.

Tickling her