Shadow Rising: Controlled Chaos: Book 1: The silence in the storm

By Brahim Khlil

In the shadows of Azalia's gleaming skyscrapers, a sinister force manipulates the nation's fate. When a cryptic message from a whistleblower sets off a chain reaction, Kai Thompson and Adeola Okafor find themselves at the forefront of a deadly conspiracy.
As they delve deeper into the treacherous landscape of corruption and deceit, they must navigate a complex web of power brokers, corrupt officials, and international tycoons who will stop at nothing to maintain their grip on the country.
With each step, Kai and Adeola realize that the truth they seek is far more explosive than they ever imagined. The stakes are raised when they discover that the conspiracy goes beyond Azalia's borders, ensnaring global players in a deadly game of power and profit.
As the body count rises and the danger draws closer, Kai and Adeola must race against time to expose the truth before it's too late. But in a world where loyalty is a luxury and trust is a liability, can they truly rely on their allies - or will they become the next victims of the conspiracy?
Dive into a heart-pounding, pulse-racing thrill ride that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. Will Kai and Adeola succeed in their quest for justice, or will the forces of corruption silence them forever?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: May 1, 2024
• ISBN: 9781304391032

Book preview

Chapter 1: Discovery

Kai Thompson, a retired professor in his early seventies, had devoted his life to educating others on the complexities of global politics. His apartment was a living museum of his academic and travel exploits, each artifact and memento a testament to a life spent in the service of knowledge. Despite his retirement, Kai’s mind remained as active as ever, his curiosity undimmed by the years.

The walls of his study were a testament to his travels, adorned with faded maps, yellowed newspaper clippings, and dusty artifacts that told stories of far-flung places and pivotal moments in history.

One afternoon, while sorting through the stacks of papers and books that cluttered his study, a thought struck him.

They say retirement should be about relaxation, he mused, the twinkle in his eyes betraying his inner amusement.

But for a mind seasoned by decades of wrestling with global affairs, curiosity weaves its threads through every idle moment. Pausing, a sheet of paper in hand, Kai lost himself momentarily in a labyrinth of thoughts.

As he returned a pile of books to the shelf, a small, dusty object fell from between the pages and landed softly on the floor.

Bending down, he picked it up, his brow furrowing slightly. He didn’t recognize the object among his collected items. Each piece in his study told stories of far-flung places and pivotal moments in history, but this envelope was an anomaly, an untold story sandwiched between the well-thumbed pages of his past.

Kai chuckled softly, the sound filling the quiet room with a sense of intimate discovery. He looked down at the small, dusty envelope, its presence amidst the clutter of his travels a mystery yet to be unraveled.

Kai noticed a hastily scribbled note on the back of the envelope:

‘For those who will not let the truth be buried - M.J.

Holding the envelope brought a rush of nostalgia; it transported him back to a cramped, overheated conference room at the United Nations where he had once met Dr. Maya Jenkins. She had been a formidable advocate for the rights of those in forgotten regions like Azalia.

The world often forgets places like Azalia until it’s too late, she had said, her voice heavy with urgency.

That memory now sharpened his resolve. This forgotten envelope was not just a relic of the past; it was a call to action, echoing with Maya’s unyielded passion.

As his fingers brushed the rough texture of the envelope, each beat of his heart seemed to amplify in the silent room, magnifying the significance of his find.

It’s rather curious, Kai spoke aloud to himself, tracing the envelope’s aged edges with a thoughtful finger.

How from the simplest of objects might unfold the most intricate of mysteries.

With reverence, he carefully opened the envelope, each movement deliberate, as if awakening secrets long dormant.

Kai's fingers traced the edges of the envelope, his mind racing with possibilities.

Why here? And what secrets might it hold?

Inside, he found a sheaf of papers, each one potentially laden with information that could illuminate or further deepen the shadows of history.

Dr. Maya Jenkins, what have you left behind? he murmured, a mix of trepidation and anticipation building within him as he began to unfold the papers.

Chapter 2: Echoes of the Past

Several years earlier, within the stark, functional walls of a United Nations office, Dr. Maya Jenkins was locked in a tense negotiation.

The relentless tapping of rain against the windows mirrored Maya's own anxious heartbeat, each drop a reminder of the stormy discussions within

Leaning forward, her voice barely above a whisper, Maya shared a grave insight with the diplomat across from her.

"Mr Price,