Combat

In a world where cheap Chinese cars and Soviet‑priced gasoline are reshaping the economy, veteran field operative Hank Kuran is called back to Washington for a meeting that feels more like a summons than a briefing. He’s ushered through identical, sterile corridors to a hidden office where the enigmatic Sheridan Hennessey runs a secretive brain‑trust that has its fingers in every corner of the Cold War’s trade battlefield. As Hank navigates the murky politics of undercutting prices, rival scientific programs, and the looming threat of an alien visitor, the story asks whether the real danger lies in economics, ideology, or a perspective no one has yet considered.

The narrative balances witty, hard‑boiled dialogue with a subtle undercurrent of speculative intrigue, letting listeners feel the tension of a world on the brink of technological upheaval. With sharp observations about global competition and a protagonist who knows both the battlefield and the boardroom, the first act sets up a tense, thought‑provoking mission that promises to challenge who—or what—is truly in control.