I've been writing full-time for only nine years, but in that time, I've published over eight million words in novels, short stories, novellas, and collaborations. I've sold over a million books. I think my strength is dialogue and character interactions which are based on over twenty years in the Marine Corps as an Intelligence professional followed by a short, but lucrative career as a lawyer. I retired relatively young (twice), started writing, and never looked back.

Veracity of Failure by Craig Martelle and Scott Sakatch

It takes failure to achieve innovation. Billionaires understand. Governments do not.

Ego doesn't pay. Success does. Mars is the prize. It is the future. The one who gets there will be rewarded. Not everyone believes it should be done. Spend the money where it can do the most good.

How about ensuring the survival of all humanity? The teams are created and the production facilities are running in high gear. Let nothing stand in the way of progress. Not death. Certainly not failure.

No one will remember second place. The race is on. Fail faster. Learn and do better.

 

REVIEWS

  • "I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The billionaire contestants make me think of their real world counterparts. However there are plots and counterplots, mystery and intrigue. Craig Martelle, Scott Sakatch have crafted a great thriller."

    – J. Budd
  • "Wow. just wow. A real and thoughtful book on real problems getting to mars, including the problems engendered by the presence of a psychopath."

    – C. Thomas
 

BOOK PREVIEW

Excerpt

Mars showed on the widescreen with an allure that belied the extremes of the red planet. The view cut to the President of the United States. "Life is not welcome here," he intoned, "but that is exactly where we must go. As John F. Kennedy once said, we must do this, not because it is easy, but because it is hard!" The small crowd on the White House's South Lawn cheered. "I'm asking Congress to support our vision, and through trial and contest, we will persevere. We will put humanity on Mars, as the first step in our reach to the stars."

***

"Let's cut the shit. What are we doing here?" With his Long Island twang, Peroni could easily have been an extra on The Sopranos. "Ennis said your girl wouldn't give him any details, just that it was important and top secret."

"She kept Gideon in the dark, too," Smythe said. "Why the cloak and dagger? I mean, it's fun and all, but this trip's eaten up a week of my life. And to be honest, Phil-o, I don't trust ya." She grinned. "No offense."

Barnhart bristled inwardly. First, Salima Patel, his chief of staff, was far more than his girl, she was an MIT-trained polymath with near-genius intellect. Second, Peroni's right-hand man, Ennis Wright, was a pedant with no imagination. Finally, Smythe's head honcho, Gideon Wagner, was a duplicitous snake whom Barnhart wouldn't trust with his lunch order, let alone a secret like this one.

All of this went through his head, but none of it showed on his face. Instead, he answered Smythe with a chuckle and a shake of his head. "The feeling is mutual," he said. "To be honest, I don't think people like us should trust each other. It could be dangerous if we did."

"We wouldn't be here right now if we didn't trust each other at least a little," Peroni pointed out.

"You don't believe that any more than I do," Barnhart said, still grinning. "You two are here because your curiosity wouldn't let you pass it up. And, let's face it, neither of you could stomach the thought of the other being in on something that you weren't."

Peroni's expression soured, but Smythe beamed and raised her glass. "You got our numbers, mate!" She laughed. "I always told Al you were a genius."

Barnhart's observation was hardly a stroke of genius. He may have topped the list of the world's wealthiest this year, but he knew better than most that the rankings went up and down with every tremor in the markets. Smythe would never catch him, he was sure, but Peroni very well could. In any case, the three of them hadn't gotten where they were by letting their rivals eat their lunch. Indeed, that was the basis of the meeting.

He motioned for his companions to take a seat in one of the sumptuous armchairs circling the table. "Salima didn't offer your people any details because she doesn't have any details to give," he said. "The information I'm about to share is as privileged as privileged gets."

"Then get to the point," Peroni said testily. "We're wasting daylight, and Johnna and I have better things to do than sit here sweating."

"Speak for yourself," Smythe said, raising her face to the blazing sun.

Barnhart settled back into his chair and crossed his legs, savoring the moment. "All right," he replied. "Here it is. I have it on good authority that NASA as we know it will cease to exist within the next year, quite possibly as early as eight months."