Retribution

Prologue – BESDE HOZANT, the female antagonist, is introduced during her formative experience. She flees her hometown from Saddam Hussein’s army in 1990 when she was eight years old. CIA Director George H.W. Bush encourages the Kurdish people to revolt against Saddam over the radio. Besde loses her family and is adopted by Abdullah Ochoan, leader of the terrorist organization known as the PKK.

Chapter 1 (Theme Stated) – Dr. OCTAVIIUS VELENTINE CATTO, the Protagonist, is guest lecturing. He introduces the theme of American imperialism and the risk of terrorism. The reader sees a cross-section of Octavius. His brilliance and passion for truth are on display, but so is his anxiety and self-doubt.

Chapter 2 (Intro of side characters and subplots) – The love interest, OLIVIA DAUGHERTY, is introduced. She is a popular cable news journalist, willing to manipulate anyone to get the truth and the scoop. During this chapter we see her interviewing one Senator and discussing another. The purpose of these senators is to create a false lead to the mystery of “who the inside man is” later. SENATOR TRADD is introduced as a red herring (possible accomplice to the attack). Kurdish terrorists infiltrate a BMW plant on the railway.

Chapter 3 (Character Arc set-up) – In chapter 3 we see Octavius’ life as it currently is and it cannot go on this way. Despite success and respect for his published works and well-paid speeches around the world, he feels like a fraud. For this reason, he took a job in his hometown as a lowly emergency manager where he can prove his theories in the streets. But so far, he has only demonstrated a lack of backbone and an inability to make any real changes. Worse yet, Octavius is lonely and the only woman in his life is his schizophrenic mother. SENATOR MCKINSLEY is introduced as an honest man, but a rare glass of wine he offers Olivia is inserted. Russia first mentioned as working with Besde.

Chapter 4 (Story Set-up) – I attempt to immerse the reader into the world of “Retribution” in chapter 4. The characters interact with each other and allow us deeper views into their souls. Octavius demonstrates compassion when he feeds a pregnant homeless woman and her two young children. Besde prepares for her attack aboard the Leopold, with her soldiers and hackers. The SYRIAN is introduced. KAMROUN is introduced. AZAD, Besde’s brother whom she believed dead, is introduced. Senator Tradd is further pushed as a suspect to the reader. Senator McKinley is portrayed as anti-Russian.

Chapter 5 (Catalyst) – An explosion at Kinder Morgan’s oil and gas tank farm in the “neck” of Charleston sets the sky ablaze with thick black soot. Due to the magnitude of the fire, Octavius’ best friend Matt McLeod calls for additional units to help fight the oil and gas fed fire. Firefighters fight the flames when a secondary explosion of chlorine rail tankers extinguishes the firefighters. The explosion also wipes out the roads and bridges leading into town from the mainland. In simultaneous attacks, the bridges leading into Charleston are destroyed by a variety of clever attacks. The small city of Charleston is burning, and no one is coming to the rescue – not by road at least. Besde and her hacker take control of the computer system at PhosCorp chemical plant and insert a virus that will release dozens of dangerous chemicals in an explosion. Octavius must race against the clock to prevent the explosion and evacuate a poor black neighborhood in the shadow of PhosCorp. Kamroun’s evil shows and Azad realizes he may not be the same as the childhood friend he remembers.

Chapter 6 (Hero’s Debate) – Octavius struggles with his emotions as he loses communication with the emergency response units on scene, including his best friend. He shoulders the blame for the situation and allows his anxiety to overtake him. When he needs it most, Olivia Daugherty, his one and only love and now ex-girlfriend, calls him. She feeds him the courage he needs to deal with the situation. But then he remembers how she never answers his calls. He reasons that she must be calling him now for an insider’s perspective on the biggest breaking story in the nation. His dread regains its gravity. Nevertheless, all eyes are on him and doubt is a luxury Charleston can’t afford. Kamroun and the Syrian seem to be bonding, much to the ire of Besde and Azad.

Chapter 7 (Fun and Games) – This is the “promise of the premise” chapter. The confluence of the rivers of love, hate, and fear. The stakes rise as PhosCorp’s literal clock continues to count down to a chemical disaster that will kill thousands and ruin the ecology of Charleston for decades. Octavius chooses to cross the Rubicon and risk everything to save his city. Several action-packed scenes unfold, including the saving of PhosCorp (the chemical plant). The Syrian’s backstory lore is revealed.

Chapter 8 (More Fun and Games) – Octavius and Olivia join up to fight the dark forces of the terrorists. The excitement continues to escalate as we learn that there is more to Besde than hate. Meanwhile, Octavius learns that his strength is deeper than he ever knew. Hope for the city returns as the Director of Homeland Security, DIRECTOR WHITE, promises aid. Foreshadowing of Senator McKinsley suspension is planted. Besde and Azad argue about their plan and what must be done.

Chapter 9 (Midpoint) – The new improved Octavius begins to emerge. Besde Hozant appears to desire a limited attack on Charleston. The city is her bargaining chip to force America to heed her warning; imperialism is a boomerang. She has read Octavius’ response plans for an attack on Charleston and believes she can both exploit his plans, as well as use him to help prevent a larger attack. RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR ARONOV is introduced. He and Senator McKinley have a revealing discussion.

Chapter 10 (Bad Guys Close-in) – Hope for the city dissipates as Besde posts a recording of herself announcing that nuclear devices are hidden in containers in the ports of America’s most populated cities. She threatens to detonate every bomb if military aid enters Charleston via water (the roads are still cut off and the bridges are destroyed). Director White informs the mayor of Charleston that the cavalry is not coming. Onboard the chlorine tanker, Leopold, Besde loses control over a mercenary from Syria. The Syrian threatens to go too far with their attack – far enough to ensure American retribution upon her people. The Emergency Operations Center (EOC), led by the chief of police and mentor to Octavius, RUEBEN GREENBERG, attempt to locate and deactivate the nuclear device hidden in their shipyard. The Syrian worries the Kurdish terrorists. Kamroun’s anger boils over.

Chapter 11 (All is Lost) – Olivia is invited to interview Besde aboard the Leopold. Octavius volunteers to be her cameraman. Besde Hozant is killed by the Syrian during the interview when she admits that there is only one dirty bomb and that it is in Charleston. Octavius is knocked out with the butt of a rifle, the camera is shut off, and Olivia is grabbed. Olivia and Octavius are taken hostage and separated. Kamroun (Besde’s childhood friend and right-hand man) and the Syrian take control of the next steps of the attack: blowing up a chlorine tanker and the single nuclear weapon. The Syrian was directed by his government to make America bleed and for the Kurds to take the blame. Greenberg is shot dead at the ports by a Kurdish sniper protecting the bomb. Kamroun takes the Syrian’s side.

Chapter 12 (Gathering the Team) – Besde’s like-minded brother, Azad, hatches a dangerous plan with Octavius to stop the attack. Asad knows that further casualties will guarantee the death of his family along the Syrian-Iraqi border. Octavius reaches the EOC by a ham radio (foreshadowed early in the story). He gives the EOC details of his captors, tells them to send in a SEAL team on his signal, and learns how to disarm the bombs in the chlorine holds. An American sniper and his spotter sneak onto the destroyed Ravenel bridge and shoot the Kurdish sniper protecting the dirty bomb in the ports. The Syrian and Azad at odds.

Chapter 13 (Act Three) –The Kurdish sniper is taken out and the dirty bomb is secured.  Kamroun and the Syrian unwittingly send the signal for the SEAL team to storm the ship. Azad frees Octavius, they kill some bad guys, and disarm the chlorine bombs. Kamroun kills his childhood friend Azad and nearly kills Octavius, but our hero triumphs just before blacking out. Olivia escapes with tears in her eyes, assuming Octavius is dead. The Syrian escapes.

Chapter 14 (Mirror Image) – Back on dry land, we see that Octavius has gained the confidence to stand up to the mayor and has control over his anxiety and OCD. Olivia finally does the right thing by choosing the safety of the nation over a big story. The reader finally gets the kiss between our male and female lead they have been rooting for.

Chapter 15 (Final Image – the reveal) – In a two-page teaser epilogue, the reader learns the motives of Ambassador Aronov and Senator McKinsley. The rare glass of wine Senator McKinsley offered Olivia in chapter 3 reappears in the hands of the Russian PM and another American diplomat.