Brief

Sequel to “Overrun,” also on TaleFlick. As the country is about to fall to Japanese aggressors, the United States must risk everything to retrieve proprietary technology from a hiding place in space to win the war and save the rapidly dying planet.

What We Liked

- With climate change becoming an increasing existential threat to humanity, the subject matter is universal. The first book is thought provoking in terms of the future of humanity and explores morality along with emerging technology. It’s extremely topical, provides social commentary and can hopefully serve as a cautionary tale. Themes of bravery and honor are always inspiring as well. However, the second book devolves mostly into over the top battles scenes. While they provide highly technical and engaging action sequences, the human element is somewhat muted in this second installation.
- A feature adaptation of the story would be compelling. Just as the first book, this is extremely cinematic in nature, provides stunningly violent visuals for the big screen.
- Key points: Relevant; Action packed; Franchise potential; Space themes; Good guys win.

Synopsis

The Earth, no longer protected by an ozone layer, is nearly inhabitable. Extreme heat and lethal levels of radiation have ravaged the atmosphere and any humans who are not fortunate enough to be sheltered by domes powered by protective technology are sick and dying.

The United States is now in a race with new superpower, Japan’s Great Union aka J.G.U., to build technology that will save their citizens. Instead of working together, united as human beings, each country wants the other one to fail so the winner can take over and rule over the world.
To keep out the invaders and to protect their secret technology, the United States dispatches forces to stave off invaders. The United States is rapidly losing the war and is about to be completely taken over by the J.G.U.

Until now, United States President Franklin Ford, has been unaware that underground government forces led by his own War Minister, Faulken, are encouraging the invasion. He unwittingly dispatched and implemented Plan Zero, a clandestine government mission to eliminate the citizens living on the outside who have been poisoned by radiation. News of the deliberate genocide by the government becomes public enraging the population. A horrified President Ford wants to do everything he can to atone for the policies and behavior of his administration.

In just a week after declaring war, the United States is about to be completely overrun and defeated by the Japanese. The scientists about to be overtaken by the Japanese forces are aware of one last secret asset that could bring them victory and help unite the country that has been torn apart by war and cruel deception. A ship hidden away in space called the Hideaway exists. It contains technology to create an artificial ozone layer and is being guarded by two pilots, Parker and Barnes. Both pilots have been in the hibernation of hypersleep for decades and are completely unaware of the war raging below. Two brave scientists use the last moments of their lives to awaken the sleeping guardians of the Hideaway before the science dome is obliterated by the Japanese.

Barnes are Parker receive no communication and do not know why they have been awakened. After some examination of the Hideaway equipment the two men realize that they have been left asleep for much longer than expected and it sadly dawns on them that everyone they have ever known and cared for is probably dead by now. Once the shock wears off somewhat, they start to look at the reality of their situation and deduce that if they have been awakened, something catastrophic must have happened on Earth. They bide their time as they contemplate their options.

When President Ford hears of the Hideaway, he wants to bring the craft home with the technology. He orders the launch of a covert mission to retrieve the ship, pilots and technology. His most trusted General is assigned leadership of the mission. General Tuttle, still broken over the loss of his friend John Kirken and his children from the first book, thinks of the successfully completing the mission as a way to honor his fallen friend.

Meanwhile, separate mercenary forces from the United States Vulture Squads, authorize their own retrieval mission. They plan to murder the pilots inside should they still be alive and steal the technology for themselves. The mission is led by President Ford’s own former War Minister, the corrupt Faulken. The J.G.U. soon discover the existence of the Hideaway and launch their ships into space as well.

As Parker and Barnes await their next move, they see the unidentified ships approaching them in the distance. Not sure if they are friends or foes, the pilots ready themselves for armed combat. When Faulken’s team arrives first, they forcibly board the ship. The pilots are able to kill their foes, but Barnes loses his life in the process. After the final battle, Tuttle is able to bring the Hideaway home, achieve victory and ensure the survival of the planet.

About The Author

Michael Rusch is a journalism graduate from the University of Wisconsin and works as a public relations/customer communications manager for a mass transit system in Madison. He also handles website and social media marketing for a multiplex theatre owned by his family.