The Cost of Justice

By Michael Skeen

President Praying to End World War III. The Cost of Justice is the third book in a series following the election of President TJ Samuels. Even though he was popular with most he was disliked by the political majority and elite. Since elected he has fought Congress, terrorists, and assassins. In the second book The Cost of Liberty the United States was invaded and occupied until TJ led the military to take our country back. Now, can he end World War III? TJ uses his ultimate weapon-Prayer! Can Vladimir be stopped?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Outskirts Press
• Release date: Jan 17, 2019
• ISBN: 9781977209665

Michael Skeen

Michael Skeen has lived most of his life in the Midwest and has a strong conservative view. He served in the military and spent more than 30 years in law enforcement. Upon retirement he became interested in the constant doom and gloom points on talk radio and decided to write this series of books as if they were correct in their views.

Book preview

Author Notes

The Cost of Justice, is the third in a series of books about the fictitious President Tyrone J. Samuels. TJ is not popular with party politicians because he openly criticized the corruption and petty politics taking place in Washington DC. When he runs for office the other candidates think his campaign is a joke because it is based on cleaning up government corruption and stiffening the immigration policies. But the joke ends when TJ Samuels is elected president.

As President Samuels starts his first term of office he fails to unify either Democrats or Republicans. Neither side is going to work with him on any of his issues. When the president finds a way to get things done anyway, his problems don’t stop—they only change. Terror attacks begin to occur repeatedly all over the country. These include biological attacks all the way up to an attempted assassination of the president.

The president surrounds himself with top notch experts and pays attention to their suggestions. An investigation reveals that many of this president’s worst problems originate outside of the United States and his true enemy is the leader of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Lenoidivic, an ex-KGB agent.

As the story continues President Samuels’ problems eventually lead to World War III. Nuclear weapons are used as well as new weapons that have not been used previously. Although this is a work of fiction the weapons described in the book are factual and do exist.

The books describe an invasion of the United States and a period of time when the country is occupied by a foreign army that even now could be in place. The books also talks about the resilience of the American people and especially the American military. Step by step the enemy is pushed back as Americans fight to take their country back.

Throughout all three books the attitude and character of President Samuels changes. In the books you will see a confident and somewhat cocky man face trial after trial. As the problems grow so does his faith in God. TJ Samuels goes to church on Sundays from time to time. President Samuels faces such huge problems he needs to find a way to deal with the problems and maintain his sanity. He finds this by turning to God. President Samuels not only begins to worship every Sunday but begins each day in prayer and Bible reading. His problems don’t suddenly disappear, but his ability to cope with them and find the right answer through his advisors does improve.

The situations in these books have not happened but they could happen in the future if we as a nation are not careful.

Some of the comments I have received from the first two books, especially from ladies, is that they don’t always understand the abbreviations used in the story. So I will define a few here to make that a little clearer.

EMP Electronic Magnetic Pulse, a wave projected from a nuclear weapon which explodes in the atmosphere and damages electric circuits or wires.

EOM End of message

CONUS Continental United States

Please read the first two books in this series as well; The Cost of Freedom & The Cost of Liberty.

Michael Skeen

Some Focus on Power So

They can feel Important,

Some Focus on Finances So

They can feel Wealthy,

Some Focus on Family So

They can feel Love,

Some Focus on God So

They might be Granted Eternal Life,

But Some Focus on Serving Others,

Protecting Them, And Faith in God,

In Doing So, Accomplish

Earthly Peace and Heavenly Forgiveness.

June 15, 2018

Lyobavichi, Russia

The sun was low in the western sky as Nicolay Lubwinski slowly walked to his home in Lyobavichi. Nicolay no longer could walk with his back straight. His 58-year-old frame was now stooped forward as a result of a back condition brought on by years of working in the fields. Except for the ten years he spent in the military, Nicolay had worked in the farm fields since he was fifteen and now at fifty-eight he was feeling the consequences of year after year of labor.

As he walked toward his small blue house across from the long-closed Russian Orthodox Church, he thought about his life and how times had changed in the world, but remained the same for him. His years in the military flashed through his head as he thought about young Hugo who he recently learned was killed in action while serving in the Navy. Hugo was the 27th young soldier from the area killed during the past two years. Forty of the youth from Lyobavichi had joined since the war against America began and that was a large number considering the village had a population of only 550.

Nicolay, along with so many others, did not understand everything about this conflict but he heard news reports daily that the Russian military were simply trying to come to the aid of their ally. Then America attacked the space center with nuclear weapons and also engaged in a number of attacks against the Navy while they patrolled waters in the Black Sea and the Pacific. War was a horrible thing that Nicolay had experienced firsthand. He had served in the Soviet Army in Afghanistan when he was only twenty years old. He was assigned to the force in the Panjshir Valley and fought against the resistance of the Mujahedeen. He witnessed many friends wounded and some killed during the fighting. Hugo’s death was even harder to accept though, because Hugo was his 25-year-old son. Hugo was serving as a radar operator when his ship ceased to exist somewhere in the North Pacific Ocean while traveling toward Alaska. A missile carrying a nuclear warhead caused his death and hundreds more. Nicolay would never be able to forgive the Americans or the Russian leaders for this great tragedy.

As he approached his home he saw that his youngest son, Anton, was home from university. Anton was twenty-one, had already served his mandatory military service and was now in school to achieve a degree in agriculture. Nicolay’s face brightened as a large grin appeared, and he held his arms out to embrace his son.

Nicolay looked directly into his son’s eyes and said, Anton, I did not expect you home.

Anton quickly replied, PaPa, we need to talk. I have been recalled to the military.

You have already completed your service. How can they call you back now and take you from your studies? Nicolay questioned.

Many have been killed as a result of this war and so the emperor has announced that a special extension of mandatory service has been enacted. I must return for two additional years, but the commander that I spoke to said they will train me in electronics, and you know that I have always been interested in this.

But I thought you would work with me on the farm.

PaPa, I love you and want to please you, but I never wanted to work on the farm. I have seen what the work has done to you, and I do not wish to be like this when I get older.

Nicolay released his son from the embrace and motioned him back into the house. Let us talk about this more after we eat. I am sure your mother has prepared the evening meal by now.

The disappointment was easy to recognize on Nicolay’s face as he entered the family home. This would be a long night. Despite his hopes and dreams, he would be the last of his line to work the farm. The government might own the farm, but he always felt pride in knowing that the oats and barley that he was responsible to grow fed thousands every year. It was very hard work but it became easier each year as new and improved equipment was brought in. More importantly, it was safe for him and his family. He didn’t care for the government, but as long as he kept quiet and did his job he was left alone. He knew that elsewhere in the world protests against government officials were common, but here he simply did his job and provided for his family—what was left of it anyway. Now he wondered if either of his sons would be alive when he passed on. He did not have to work this weekend so perhaps he would take Anton on a trip to Minsk so that he could talk and enjoy his son’s company at least for a couple days before he departed for his training.

June 15, 2018

The White House

The President’s Temporary Office

President Samuels sat at his desk in his temporary office with Don Ladner, his chief of staff. The office was drab, with no windows and only a few personal pictures and items he had managed to secure. Most of the artwork and statues that normally were on display were being refurbished or cleaned after the attack on the White House. TJ had returned only a week ago, and his family still was not in the residence while carpenters and others worked diligently to restore the interior of the structure that had been so severely damaged by the radical Islamic invaders.

Two televisions had been set up temporarily so the president could keep up with what the world was seeing on the news. The television coverage was still not back to the standard of the networks prior to the invasion and the takeover of the networks in New York. Most of the big newspapers were also not publishing but he was able to watch some local coverage that was available and the BBC, which was doing a remarkable job of coverage worldwide.

As TJ and Don discussed plans for activity later that day, TJ noticed that the picture on one of the televisions appeared to be Michigan Avenue in Chicago. He reached across the desk to pick up the remote and turned the sound up.

The reporter had singled out what appeared to be a protester in a march which was blocking the entire width of Michigan Avenue.

So, what do you hope to gain through this demonstration today?

The demonstrator wearing blue jeans, a black hoodie, and a handkerchief tied across his face to hide his identity calmly turned to look directly into the camera. We want this war criminal we have as a president to be impeached and tried for his crimes. This is not going to stop until he is gone and behind bars.

TJ’s mouth opened but nothing came out as he sat erect in his chair and focused with a look of astonishment at the television. The scene then shifted and, one after another, showed scenes in Seattle, Los Angeles, New York, Dallas and Atlanta of similar protest marches underway. TJ hit the mute button, looked over at Don and simply said, What the hell?

Don Ladner was already on his feet and heading toward the door. I will find out what’s going on sir; just give me a few minutes.

As Don left the office, TJ was still stunned and he needed more information. He missed Angela and wished she was here with him right now, but it was still not safe for her to be at the White House, especially considering what he had just witnessed. He decided the first thing he needed to do was to establish what had caused this massive reaction by so many. He picked up the phone and called FBI Director Michael McLaren’s office.

Good afternoon, this is Director McLaren’s office. How can I help you?

This is President Samuels. Put Mike on the phone please.

There was an uncomfortable pause of about twenty seconds and then Director McLaren answered the phone.

Good afternoon Mr. President, what can I do for you?

I’m surprised you have to ask. I’m witnessing massive protests in at least a half dozen cities, and I would like to know what’s going on.

Actually, sir there are demonstrations in at least ten major cities that we know of currently--all seemingly focused on you being a war criminal and calling for your impeachment. They base the charge on the use of nuclear weapons over the past year. This was a complete surprise to us as well. Several Democratic Party leaders, including your predecessor, President Wharton, and several senators gave speeches last night complaining that you caused the takeover by your incompetence, and then your use of nukes just increased your guilt. They referred to you as a mass murderer. I have never seen such organization though in forming these protests so quickly.

TJ took a deep breath and thought about the situation for a minute. So you are telling me that Mildred Wharton, who screwed up so much in four years, blames me for the terrorism and the war and has the ability to organize nationwide protests in a few hours?

Well sir, I certainly don’t believe she’s doing this without a great deal of help from other members of her party. I know I don’t have to remind you that there are a number of influential people in the Democratic Party and a number in the Republican Party that want to see you fail. I believe that once they felt secure that the country was under our control again, they seized the opportunity to attempt pushing you over the edge so that your administration would collapse.

So what can we do to put a stop to this?

Sir, I believe it may be hard to swallow, but I would suggest you do nothing right now. I think the best course of action is to allow them to protest for the time being. It is the constitutionally right thing to allow and any reaction that you show will undoubtedly be used against you in the future. In the meantime, we will continue to investigate and try to determine if this is a front for some type of criminal activity and who is pushing these demonstrations. I have to stress, sir that any response at this time could be disastrous, and the best response right now is no response at all. Give them some time and space until we know for sure who is behind this activity.

This was not the guidance that TJ wanted, but he agreed to comply and thanked Director McLaren before hanging up. The president just sat at his desk looking across the room at the television film showing other protests going on. He remembered all the remorse he’d been feeling for a long time now over the death of so many people. He knew they were serving in a military that was attempting to destroy and take over the United States, but it did feel wrong to him that so many sons and daughters, fathers and mothers, had to be killed to resolve the issues between the United States and the nations who began this insidious war. He had difficulty sleeping because of all the people that had died as a result of decisions he made in the best interest of the country. Part of him wanted to just quit and save the taxpayers the cost of an impeachment, but he knew he couldn’t do that either. He wasn’t sure what he would do over the coming weeks, but he knew he needed help right now. TJ reached across the desk and picked up his Bible. He knew that when he was in doubt he could always find help in resolving the issue in the pages of this book. Now he wondered if the worst was behind him or still to come.

June 16, 2018

The Kremlin

President Gryzlovski was nervous as he headed down the hall to the special meeting to which he had been summoned with Emperor Vladimir Lenoidivic. The past few weeks had been tense as it appeared the alliance had broken down completely. Iran and the Islamic Caliphate were actively attacking Russian forces on a regular basis in Israel and in the Balkan states. China had amassed a large force just east of Kazakhstan, and intelligence reports all indicated an attack was eminent. Dmitry always felt uncomfortable when he didn’t have the right answers prepared for Vladimir, and right now he was just not sure how to proceed. At least he knew that General Stanski would be attending this meeting as well.

As the president entered the outer office he noted that the door to Vladimir’s private office was partially open, and Ivan, the emperor’s personal assistant, motioned for him to go in. Vladimir had his back to the door as he gazed out a window, and he could see General Stanski was standing to the right of the desk.

Ivan shut the office door and Dmitry walked toward Vladimir’s desk. As the door shut, Vladimir turned around motioning both of the men to sit down. He walked to the rear of his desk and did the same. General, please begin your report.

General Stanski rose to his feet and pulled a map from the briefcase that was located next to his chair. He quietly opened the map and laid it across the emperor’s desk. Your Excellency and Mr. President, this is a map showing our most immediate threat. China has amassed a large and capable force inside their borders along the Almainskaya Oblast, and our intelligence indicates they will move across a number of crossing points within the next several days. We are confident their primary target will initially be Almaty. From there they will move by highway, air, and rail into the interior regions with an overall target of Baikonur Cosmodrome. If they are able to seize it, they will control our most advanced space port. We have deployed 15,000 troops at Baikonur and 25,000 at Almaty. We have established the three most likely highways these Chinese forces will use to approach the City of Almaty and have assigned units to choke points in the mountains north and east of Almaty. It is our intention to eliminate the threat before they reach Almaty. At the same time sir, we will deploy 25,000 additional troops through Bulgaria and into Turkey to strike the Islamist radicals and also to serve as a backup in case there are difficulties in Kazakhstan. With that, the general moved back to his chair and sat down.

Vladimir’s expression remained unchanged during the entire presentation and as the general sat down, Vladimir looked to President Gryzlovski and asked for his opinion.

The president leaned forward in his chair and said, I believe General Stanski has developed an acceptable strategy, and my only question is regarding manpower.

Stanski quickly replied, We have taken the initiative to recall reserve troops that had been on stand-down status, and additionally we have recalled a number of regular troops who have been released over the past two years. While many of the reserves will be used in these operations the recalled released troops are being sent for retraining; and we will use them for a second wave attack if necessary.

Vladimir’s face now showed a slight smile as he nodded his head affirmatively, You have my approval, General Stanski. Now let us show the world who holds the real power.

As the meeting broke up, Vladimir was very proud of himself and was positive that this would be the push that changed the momentum of the war.

June 18, 2018

Lyobovichi, Russia

Nicolay decided not to go in to the farm today, but to spend some time with Anton. Later today he would be leaving for the Gagarin Military Academy near Moscow to learn electronic warfare. Nicolay hoped that, after graduating, Anton would never be sent to the front lines, but would always be assigned to a safe location to do his fighting from a computer. Nicolay was crushed to hear that Anton had been recalled to service; but considering he would learn a skill that may keep him in a safe location, he’d reconsidered.

Nicolay flashed a big smile across his face and asked his son with anticipation, So Anton, when you finish your school where do expect to be assigned?

Anton looked uneasily toward the floor and took a deep breath. "Papa, you know I cannot tell you where I will be going even if I knew. I will be at the academy for at least six months, and then I only know that I will be assigned to