Counterstrike

Mystery, Thriller & Suspense

synopsis

Synopsis

One lonely day in Kansas farm country, a college professor is en route to a new job. Then, she encounters her biggest surprise ever. He is a handsome, intelligent, and faithful FBI agent.
He is also battered and mangled with his equally battered and mangled government car at the side of the road. Kate soon finds herself mixed up in the dark world of Agent Gareth McFadyn. That is full of spies, terrorists, hackers, and corrupt bureaucracies. Her planned road trip, and career move, are ultimately derailed. But in the middle of this unforeseen mess and intrigue. Kate and Gareth together discover their similarities. And not their starkly different class backgrounds and upbringings. Together, the unlikely pair find a deep and lasting companionship. A binding faith in their God. A passion for fun and adventure. And more importantly than not, a burning will. It is to survive against all odds. That is when the evil machinations of Third Wave terrorist leader Klaus Vogle. These, along with some bad scummy office politics.
And the selfish and greedy scheming of the industrial tycoon Father of Gareth, Andrew McFadyn. All of this seems to be conspiring against them. Thus, begins the modern-day fairy tale of a chivalrous knight and his fair and wise maiden. Follow agent Gareth Dru McFadyn and his random traveling companion, Kate Greenwood, on their odyssey of love, adventure, faith, morality, and patriotism in “Counterstrike: Heaven Sent.” “Counterstrike: Heaven Sent, Book 3: A Shining Blade.” Thus concludes the bloody Scotland adventure, followed by a legal misunderstanding in New York. And then, some more awful career melodrama back in Washington. Book 3 then continues with a horseback ride turned hunting trip in the Appalachian mountains.
Then, a nighttime creeping and stalking showdown at the most famous lighthouse park in the nation. It then follows up with further deep and dark intrigues. Thus finally, it leads to a fabulous Episcopal wedding near the San Francisco harbor. And, ultimately, reaching the thrilling and exciting climax of “Counterstrike: Heaven Sent.” Note: This is the minibook trilogy of “Counterstrike: Heaven Sent,” split into smaller pieces for better reader satisfaction and enjoyment. These, with books 1, 2, and 3, account for the main story. And the optional “Gareth File.” It is a documentary of the making of “Counterstrike: Heaven Sent.” And the optional “Misadventures of Jan and Travis.” It is a triple biography and memoir of the two authors. They are the late Janet C. Smyth, 1950-2014. And her son and editor, Travis L. Salisbury, 1980-????.

bio

Author Biography

So, I was born in Eugene, OR, on Feb 07, 1980. My parents are Jeffrey Salisbury And Janet Smyth (she died in 2014). They divorced in 1982. So, I grew up as a poor kid in Coos Bay, OR. Then, I had two years of community college. And my previous employment was as a caretaker for Grandfather Norman and Mother Janet. That was for 14 years.
Then, I thought that I would give a stab at copyediting. The editor had the honored and cherished privilege of closely assisting the author, Mother Janet Smyth, through copyediting. That was for four years before her passing in 2014. The editor has now had an ample opportunity to become acquainted with the story of “Counterstrike: Heaven Sent.” The editor also happens to be the second grandson of Ralph Salisbury, Legendary Poet, 1926-2017. So, how about them apples?

website

Author Insight

Lighthouse At The End Of The Land

A recap of a harrowing and deadly mountain sniper duel between Agent Gareth McFadyn and Disgruntled Former Army Ranger Orrin Calhoun in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.

Book Excerpt

Counterstrike

Then, once more, Kate got racked by the very sound Miss Greenwood dreaded. Since now, the deafening silence of the forest cracked wide open with a whining ping, and her heart was already up in her throat. So, they were nearing their truck and horse trailer. But were they close enough to make it before their sniper got off a lucky shot? So, their sniper most likely aimed for McFadyn. Now, however, their sniper could easily hit either one of them or one of their horses. That, assuming their sniper had ample time and opportunity to line up a clean shot. So, Madam Katherine hoped the gunman would get forced to stop his ATV for at least one second for each shot the gunman fired from his rifle. And perhaps, with two forward-lurching targets. Then, it would take longer than usual to line up his sights.

Then, the horses thundered the last one-hundred yards back to the horse trailer. So now, the sides of both horses heaved, and their necks became wet with sweat. So, they had two sweat-shiny horses. Then, they quickly swung themselves and both horses behind their horse trailer. And now, into dubious and very temporary safety. But if their sniper fired at them from down the trail, or up the mountain, depending on how one looked at it. Then, the bullet must pierce through both of the two-inch thick metal sides of the horse trailer. Although it could get done, assuming their sniper still had ample time and opportunity to get off a good shot. And, of course, their rifle was pre-loaded with illegal-to-own armor-piercing rounds. So, Lord Greystoke was right on the heels of Firefly.

Then, Gareth readily flung himself from the back of Lord Greystoke as if the Big Grey were no more than an oversized pony. And Drew threw Kate the reins to the saddle of the big stallion. So, McFadyn trusted Madam Katherine to keep a hold of both horses.

20.2: LIGHTHOUSE AT THE END OF THE LAND:

Then, Gareth plunged headfirst into the tack area at the front of the horse trailer and returned a few seconds later with two scoped target rifles. And two boxes of the appropriate caliber rifle ammo in .308 Winchester.

Also known in international military circles as 7.62x51mm NATO. So undoubtedly, for “target shooting.” So, Drew ensured both weapons were cocked and fully loaded for combat. Since this is what it was. Then, McFadyn moved to the front of the truck, crouching real low, as Gareth laid the rifle barrel carefully across the hood. So, Drew only lifted his head into the danger zone for only a second to sight in the scope. But it was just barely long enough for the enemy sniper to whizz a bullet past his head. So obviously, their sniper was no longer on the ATV. But instead, their sniper took cover somewhere up the mountain from them. So, their sniper could keep them pinned down for an indefinite period. Then, McFadyn muttered something foul-sounding but not obscene under his breath.

Then, Drew threw himself flat on the ground and crawled to where Gareth could get a decent shot from around the front of the truck. Next, McFadyn waited patiently for an opportunity to turn the tables on their sniper. Next, everything suddenly became silent. Although, Miss Greenwood could still hear the horses continuing to pant as they finally cooled down from their long exasperated run down the mountain trail. Then, Madam Katherine sensed her ragged breath and the droning buzz of a far-off bee. However, Kate could not even hear McFadyn breathe as time stood still. And there was an invisible tendril of wind that played with her hair and annoyingly dumped it back into her eyes. So then, the little birds began to sing again, and the wind whiffled the leaves with a sighing sound.

So, the leaves in the forest were every possible shade of, and even a few impossible shades of green. So, two deadly human predators were now hard at work, desperately trying to be the first to eliminate the other one. Meanwhile, Mother Nature still blithely ignored them. By now, the sun had gone up in the sky by another half-inch. But unfortunately, it made the high-noon light conditions all the more blinding. However, Gareth remained stone-still while Drew patiently sighted in the rifle scope. So, Miss Greenwood figured the sweat likely ran in his eyes. But even if it was, McFadyn was blithely ignoring it. Madam Katherine tried to keep the two horses as quiet as possible. Also, Kate waited patiently, as Gareth waited patiently to get a fix on his opponent and take their sniper out clean.

Or else they would both be going home in body bags. So definitely, it was down to us versus them scenario. Then, finally, Miss Greenwood heard Drew draw a sharp breath as McFadyn fired twice, a shot, the merest blink of a pause, followed by a second ringing repercussion. CRACK! CRACK! Then, Madam Katherine rubbed her stinging ears and massaged her jaw. Since it mysteriously became stiff and tense from their harrowing encounter with the enemy sniper. And in death, their sniper deserved due credit for his persistence. So, thankfully, it was now over, or at least Kate thought so, as Miss Greenwood tried to make the thundering echoes leave her ears. She said, “Well, I must say, we could have used ear protection for this outing.”

While sighing, Gareth said, “Well, Madam Katherine, there was no time, as there was no time for me to change my shirt back in Scotland.” Gareth paused. “You know, I am still sorry about it, and for the record, I did like the shirt. However, I think the shirt was pretty well beyond saving.”

She said, “Yes, and the miscreants too.”