Fallen is 99 cents on Kindle this week. Additionally, if you are looking for something in the horror/action realm that is free for a limited time only, let me recommend Body and Blood by Michael Gallagher.
Artwork
For all the recent subscribers, I wish to share some old and new artwork. First, we have drawings by Sofi who created images of the main character Brendan Sean Murphy, as well as the Sabia doctor Esfirs and pilot Berina. Brendan’s image captures his determined but worn veteran’s soul, while Esfirs assumes the Sabia’s facade of stoicism when dealing with others, and Berina has the slight playful smile of one who is enjoying encountering the uniqueness that are Earth’s many cultures.



Additionally, there are the commissioned sketches from “Heartspowl" showing the Sabia senior leader Sainas’ keen scene of observation and determination. Heartspowl also drew a humorous gift giving scene from Risen. Additionally, Ian drew Brendan discussing matters with two Sabia council members. The last pieces shows Brendan and Esfirs hugging next to a Sabia prayer urn, their religion being inspired by real life Zoroastrianism.




It’s a great feeling to have commissioned artwork, and an even greater one to get fan-made pieces. Thank you, everyone!
Abandoned Plot Line
Initially, when I was madly sketching out the story idea for Fallen, I envisioned a plot line involving Majestic 12, the purported conspiracy theory organization President Truman allegedly set up to study alien spacecraft. In my initial idea, Majestic 12 would be a clandestine organization that Brendan would encounter. While its exact role in Fallen was never determined, the organization would have been a highly capable operation that would be hostile to the Sabia.
The Majestic 12 plot line was dropped pretty quickly, though, as it did not fit into the themes of Fallen. In part, I wanted to capture the feel of the Afghanistan War. The disconnect between those on the ground, those at headquarters, and the seniors in Washington, DC, was titanic. For example, a colleague was working with a tribe on orders to keep the district he was in quiet. One day, he received word that he should prepare the local Afghan Territorial Force (tribal militia) to raid bordering districts. When he asked why he should risk counterraids that would attract Taliban to his district, he was told the general and a senator wanted to show the militia could “stir things up a bit.” It was war for war's sake. This is the sort of leadership those we send to war encounter, not the manipulative hidden hand that controls all.
Having a competent human organization would ruin the theme of a near future with countries slowly declining into civil violence as governments struggle to adjust to a seemingly friendly alien race that freely involves itself with affairs on Earth.
Sadly, the themes I envisioned in 2020 continue as partisanship and conflict have only increased in our own world.
Thank you for reading this newsletter update. Next time, I intend to share how Brendan’s experiences with the Sabia is based on what Iraqi and Afghan soldiers told me about their interactions with the American military.