The Collapse: Grand Illusion

-Captivating. Action-Packed Intrigue-
Domestic terrorist attacks on green energy producers in Rik Ryan’s high-octane new release create a crisis that puts Dakotans on a collision course with the Federal government. This adrenaline-fueled thriller is jam-packed with deception, conspiracies and intrigue. A chance meeting between Dakota Security lead investigator TJ Erikson and USAF fighter pilot Major Tracy Black launches them on a quest for answers. One seeking justice, the other, vengeance. A roller coaster of plot twists and turns escalate into an electrifying crescendo as brutal truths, betrayals and conspiracies are uncovered, and the country is pushed to the brink of civil war.

Praise for The Collapse: Grand Illusion
"Great book. Mind-blowing ending!"
"Speculative fiction that's not all that speculative: Secession, conspiracies and political drama all woven together in a story that could be true!"
"A must read that should be made into a movie. 5+ stars."
"Rik Ryan said the quiet part out loud!"

Synopsis
General Magnus Thorson’s grandson is killed in a catastrophic explosion at the ethanol plant where he worked. Shortly after Dakota Security assigns TJ Erikson to investigate, a second plant suffers a similar explosion. And then a third. Someone has declared war on renewable energy producers in the Dakotas, threatening multi-billion dollar industries and thousands of jobs. Utility and fuel prices are being driven higher, and commodity prices lower. Who’s to blame remains a mystery. Fossil fuel companies? Terrorists? Or something even more nefarious?

The people of the Dakotas want answers, but their pleas for help are being ignored by Washington. A chance meeting between TJ and USAF fighter pilot Major Tracy Black, just back from the Middle East, sets them off on a quest to find answers. One seeking justice, the other vengeance. In his effort to ferret out the truth, TJ quickly comes to the conclusion that someone at Dakota Security is providing inside information to whoever is behind the attacks. But who, and why? TJ digs deep for the truth, fearful of what he will uncover, but the attacks continue unchecked.

Left to fend for themselves, and unable to stop the malicious destruction, the Governors of North- and South Dakota are forced to take matters into their own hands. By the time the President finally offers to intervene, the ‘Dakota Joint Task Force’ has heard loud-and-clear that their constituents are fed up with Washington. Unsympathetic to the events unfolding in the Dakotas, the President castigates both Governors, accusing them of sedition threatening to martyr them. Undeterred, James and Charlie forge ahead, fanning the flames of rebellion and pushing the country to the brink of civil war.

Excerpt
Five thousand two hundred and forty-seven feet away Colonel ‘Double D’ Davison sat in the bed of a late model black Dodge Ram® pickup. Not quite a mile, but damn close. Close enough for government work, not that he was working for the government tonight. No, tonight he was on his own. No orders, no spotter, no backup. This was destined to be a solo mission from the time he planned it. If anything went wrong he was toast. He knew it, but didn’t give a damn. Some things you had to do yourself. And this mission was well worth the risk. Muscular and lean the 175-pound Colonel was otherwise unremarkable. There was nothing about his physical attributes that would stand out in a crowd. Unless he purposefully made eye contact. His steel blue eyes could instantly transmit fear and trepidation into the souls of all but the toughest men on the planet. Even some of them weren’t immune to his icy cold stare. Tonight that talent was on the back burner, however. Tonight he needed to stay off the radar which was why he was dressed completely in black.