Legitimate Power

On the outskirts of Jerusalem, a person digs up two ossuaries and finds a strange yellow crystal the size of a smartphone able to repair itself when scratched, and turns into a perfect mirror under laser light. Needing money, he sells it to a local merchant, who puts it on the shadow gems market. Suspecting that it is not natural, Dr. Morrison, a part-time mineral collector, purchases the crystal and discovers that he has a quantum computer device that could revolutionize the information technology industry—if it could be made to work.

A Chinese official, also indulging a hobby in rare minerals, thwarted that his bid failed, realizing the crystal’s special nature, sends a Second Bureau operative to get the crystal from Dr. Morrison using whatever means necessary. A trail of murder leads Israeli authorities to the crystal…and they send a Mossad agent to retrieve a national treasure. Learning of the crystal’s existence and its potential, the American government becomes involved, resulting in a collision of conflicting interests, leaving Dr. Morrison to pick up the pieces of his shattered life. A political drama so real, it will make you wonder if it isn’t already happening.

Legitimate Power (Thriller)

By Stefan Vucak

Independent Publishing Platform

ISBN #978-0987533685

Price $12.99 (Paperback)

340 Pages

Rating 5-Stars

“International Thrills & Intrigue!”

Cheber Shaken was merely digging a garden spot for his wife when he discovered an underground cavity containing two ossuaries (stone caskets) containing ancient bones 2,700 years old. There is strange writing not familiar to experts, plus the bones were also an oddity; not human DNA, and the heads were elongated with huge eye sockets, indicating an alien species of unknown origin. If this wasn’t enough, there is a strange gem that appears machined, not natural.

The story follows the sale of the discovery from Shaken as it goes to higher levels, each time the value increasing, until the gem finally goes on an open auction to the highest bidder. This is where things get deadly. The winning bid of four hundred thousand dollars goes to an American industrialist. Although no one is sure what the gem is, he believes it is a quantum computer, an alien device that could revolutionize world technology. Other countries are also aware of its potential, and Israel wants it back, under its national treasure tag, and their Mossad unit is activated. China also wants it, and sends their Second Bureau assassins after it.

This was an exciting and interesting tale of what the discovery of new technology could mean for the world, as well as the world problems it also creates. From a simple husband digging a garden to world governments approaching world war over something no one actually understands, and modern scientists won’t for hundreds of years or more. A minor gripe with the story involved the American industrialist, a billionaire most likely; who quietly pays four hundred thousand dollars for a small gemstone, then hires the worst security to keep him and his family safe. Gads, they did nothing right. Yes, they were up against professionals, but they were also supposed to be professionals.  The private security aside, this was an intriguing story, well written with an interesting plot set some time in our near future (though we’re not sure how far or near). The pace is good, but could have been tightened. Too much detail is given to each character, regardless of how small or large their part. This is usually a sign that the author isn’t sure if the character is going to die on the next page, or become a major player by the end of the story. The detail is good, as it gets the reader invested in the characters, but the next page they get their brains splattered across the wall, and our investment falls flat. It kept me turning the pages, however, and that’s what matters in the end. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy intrigue and thrills on an international level.

Tom Johnson

Author of COLD WAR HEROES