Main Characters from Green Power

Both the protagonist and antagonist are introduced to the reader

With the concern over global warming, our nation is thinking about “going green”. Also bioterrorism has become a concern of most people in this country. My medical thriller, Green Power, uses both of these issues in creating the plot for this novel. [More info: http://www.freewebs.com/vrooman ]   

(Synopsis): After the renowned Microbiologist Dr. Ray Pendleton leads a demonstration to close down Rancho Seco Nuclear Power Plant, Ray is assaulted by two of Dirk Hendrickson’s fellow Delta Valley Militiamen. Ray survives the beating and is changed not only outwardly but it gives him the incentive to set up Methane Digesters as an alternative source of electrical power for Lodi dairies.

Dirk’s continued attacks on the professor and his projects results in a death threatening epidemic pointing to one of Ray’s methane lagoons as the cause. The infected patients are admitted to UC Davis Medical Center. Linda McCord, a lab tech at the hospital and former student of Dr. Pendleton, works with Ray to prove that the methane power source is not the cause of this spreading disease. Both Ray and Linda develop a romantic relationship while working together. Linda is devastated when Ray develops a serious infection from the bacterium causing the epidemic.

 

(Main Characters): Professor Ray Pendleton led the restless mob of approximately fifty demonstrators toward the colossal twin cooling towers of Rancho Seco Nuclear Power Plant.  The stirring delta breezes tousled Ray’s long brown hair and full beard into a wild mess giving him the appearance of a Viking leading a raiding party. Two giant chain link gates separated the impending confrontation.

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With an explosive volcano about to erupt, the towering blond headed six-foot-five figure of Dirk Hendrickson rounded the corner of the cinder block guard house to the left of the gates. As head of security, Dirk knew that it was his responsibility to take control of this situation. As he approached the gates, the two baffled guards joined him, one on each side. Dirk unsnapped his long, heavy night stick and held it high with his right muscular arm, pointing it toward Ray.

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As he returned to the guard house, Dirk Hendrickson’s thoughts brought back the memories of the peace marches of the late sixties. After his final tour in Viet Nam, he was appalled to return home and hear anti-war protesters shouting, “Baby killer!”

Dirk remembered his time in Viet Nam. At first he had been just a regular grunt enlisted man. He had excelled in firefights and killed numerous enemies and received medals of valor. He soon found himself promoted to sergeant status. Because of his leadership abilities he was accepted into Officer Candidate School. He signed up for a second tour in Viet Nam as an officer. Again he stood out and soon found himself promoted to First Lieutenant.

                But the war had changed Dirk. As a lieutenant, he had led reconnaissance patrols into enemy territory searching out villages that harbored Vietcong. At times he had to resort to cruel tactics in order to obtain information proving that certain villages were supporting the Vietcong.

            Viet Nam  Nam had hardened Dirk, and he had become a trained warrior.

Still, he felt upon his return home that his government had let him down. What had he been fighting for? Feeling like a foreigner in his own country, he had searched for those like himself. He found them in the Delta Valley Militia and became a member.

            Today’s demonstration paralleled yesterday’s anti-war protest. Rancho Seco and his job were both worth battling for. This Ray Pendleton b*****d had to be stopped. Sure, someone else would do it for him, but he’d be the one with the knowledge of how to handle it. He had no lack of self-assurance; none at all. That’s why he had placed a call briefly stating his needs to fellow militiaman, Victor Rosio, asking to meet him at the Sportsmen’s Bar in Lodi. Vic’s reply was, “No problem, I’ll bring Gordon Lynch along. How’s six o’clock sound?”

                “Great!  Gordon’s the muscle we need to take care of this hippie a*****e.”

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The following day, Ray rode his ten-speed bike along Old River Road below the levee bordering the Sacramento River. He often took this route out of Woodland for his weekend endurance exercise. His mind was on the previous day’s demonstration and the upcoming primary election with the ballot measure to close Rancho Seco. His thoughts jumped back to the month of March, the month Rancho Seco came close to a nuclear disaster. And he also remembered that on March 24^th, there had been the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska. He wanted to clear his mind as he took in a deep breath needing only to inhale the beauty of the day. Then he recalled the explosion on March 25^th of this year at the Tosco Oil Refinery in the Bay Area that had killed one worker. He tightened his grip on the handlebars of his bike. That event triggered the painful memory of the loss of his father in a similar accident in 1965 at another Bay Area refinery.

Ray was only eleven years old when he saw his mother, Sarah open the front door to a uniformed police officer who said, “I’m Reverend John Kingston, chaplain for the Martinez Police Department. May I please come in? There’s been an accident involving your husband.”

As both Ray and his older brother, Eric, stood by their mother’s side, she froze and was speechless. Finally, Eric responded. “Is my dad okay?”

The chaplain could see that Sarah was in shock and knew from experience that it would be best for all of them to be seated before he let them know of the tragic accident. Again, he asked. “If I may please come in, I think it will be easier to tell you all what occurred today at the refinery where Mr. Pendleton works?”

Sarah still didn’t respond as Eric opened the door and led the chaplain into the living room where they all took seats. Ray sensed something terrible had happened, but his father had to be all right. The chaplain took in a deep breath and said, “I’m so sorry to have to come with bad news.” He was looking directly at Sarah. “Your husband died in the refinery explosion today.”

Ray recalled hearing the screams of his mother that day. He remembered his first thought after the announcement. It can’t be true. His father couldn’t die.

The only one coping with this tragedy was Eric. He was embracing their mother who was sobbing uncontrollably.

The chaplain reached out and had a hand on both Eric’s and the mother’s shoulders as he asked, “Is there a close relative I can call to come over?”

Eric again was the one keeping his cool as he turned to Ray and said. “Ray, get Aunt Jenny’s phone number. It’s in the card file by the phone.”

As Ray tried to find his aunt’s index card, the reality of his father’s death finally sunk in and he began to cry. With tears flowing down his cheeks, he could barely read the names on the cards. Eventually he found the number and wiped away any sign of weeping from his face. Ray returned and handed the information to the chaplain. The chaplain placed the call and compassionately explained the situation to their aunt.

When Aunt Jenny arrived, she immediately went over to Sarah and embraced her. Ray realized that his mother needed her sister at this dreadful moment. But he couldn’t help but remember how strong his brother had been that day and how much he looked up to Eric.

Ray wasn’t aware that he’d stopped his bike on the side of Old River Road. The vision he had just experienced was as vivid now as it had been back then. He missed his father, but the loss of his brother ended the family he once knew. He shook his head, as if he could ever erase those memories. Making sure his helmet was secure; he took off with a burst of speed. Suddenly, his helmet mirror focused in on a large black pickup truck bearing down on him. It was driving into the bike lane and closing in on him at a high speed. Ray recognized the dirt road leading up to the top of the levee and made a sharp left turn up the road. He watched as the truck went further down the road. He heard the brakes of the truck squeal to an abrupt stop. As he looked down, he saw the truck turn around and head back. It climbed up the dirt road after him. He headed along the dirt road that ran along the top of the levee. The truck was gaining on him. He jumped off his bike and started to run down the side of the levee back toward the road below. Again, the truck made a quick stop right beside his abandoned bike, as a dust cloud surrounded it. He was able to make out two ski-masked figures emerge from the stirring dirt. One was running down the levee to cut off his escape back down the main road, while the other ran down at an angle in the opposite direction so as to cut him off from advancing up the road. Ray was trapped.

 

Author's Note

How do you feel about these characters? Do they seem real?