Showing results by author "Alex Ryan" in All Categories

Former Navy SEAL Nick Foley reluctantly agrees to help investigate when American CIA operative Peter Yu goes missing in China. But when Yu's mutilated body washes up on a beach near Hong Kong along with dozens of other victims, the case takes a macabre turn. Suddenly Nick finds himself embroiled in another bioterrorism investigation being conducted by China's elite Snow Leopard counterterrorism unit and the Chinese CDC, this time involving illegally harvested organs for an unknown and nefarious end.

When ex-Navy SEAL Nick Foley travels to China to find purpose and escape the demons of his past, he instead stumbles into a conspiracy his Special Forces training never prepared him for. A mysterious and deadly outbreak ravages a remote area of western China, and Nick finds himself the lead suspect in a bioterrorism investigation being conducted by China's elite Snow Leopard counter-terrorism unit.

Turns out, I'm not on Earth. Not on another planet, either. Everything is much worse. We ended up in an inhabited Circle of an ancient Dyson sphere that replaced the Solar System six galactic turns ago. There is no moon and no stars, and giant Ygg-Trees play the role of the sun. How can this be? Nobody knows. The locals call this place Unity, and it's governed by strict laws. Here, there are ordinary people and Ascendants capable of performing miracles with the aid of Slates and Runes. There are Watchers and the legacy of the ancient Kel civilization, celestial islands and mysterious Domains.

When the ark began emergency jettisoning the colonists, I got unlucky three times. The first occurred when the runic defenses of the Kel shot down my capsule above a forbidden Circle. The second was when it crashed next to the White Devil's tomb. And the third time, when I climbed into a wounded noxwolf's lair and discovered Starblood. Other Ascendants would call it good fortune, but I'll put it this way: had I left it alone, I might have remained a normal person.

Eternity consumed the local sun three galactic turns ago. In its place is an accretion disk, people cast two shadows, and life can only exist in Circles formed by gigantic light-bearing Trees. Beyond them are icy chill and Darkness, and on the border between them, Shadow, the land of everlasting sunset. It is the domain of strange creatures and unusual plants that have never seen light, a place teeming with Worms whose only purpose is to devour every living thing, while the few sentients only care about putting you into slave's shackles.

A tragic shooting occurs in Alexandria, Virginia, yielding three fatalities, including a United States senator. A senior intelligence officer fears the worst - that the crime may have been organized by his own subordinate agent. Bruce Highland is quietly and discreetly pulled in to track down the rogue agent James Malone and sort out a tangled web of lies and deception, which traces back to a private military contractor in Afghanistan.

The Earth freehold has received a new Ascendant, pilot, and warrior, yet the colony is still in danger, as its enemies haven't abandoned their sinister plans. Everything will be decided at the big moot under the luminous Ygg-Tree, the gathering of the people of our Circle. Another threat is looming—the one twinkling in the night sky, controlling the relativistic jets of the accretion disk, and overseeing the change of Signs in the celestial calendar. The lords of Eternity must not learn who shares my body with me. But who is he, really?

The Earth freehold received a young Ygg-Tree, and I a golden prize and Petal-in-the-Wind, who is worth more than any gold. Now I am an Ascendant, the leader of a battle spear, and the freehold's first pilot. I am also all but immortal. That secret was revealed to me by the ancient voice who had shared my body for a long time. But why? What had happened to make me like this? And why can't I remember anything?

Earth is just a fleeting memory. In the inhabited Circles of the Dyson Sphere the natives call Unity, everything is different. Time here is measured in cycles that change with the signs of the celestial calendar. The lords of the Skythrone set the new rules, and all Nations of the Circle gather for the moot to discuss how to live on. The moot. This is what the neurolinguistic system calls the gathering of representatives in the sacred place at the foot of the radiant Ygg-Tree. Here, new Ascendants are announced, disputes are resolved, alliances are forged, and wars are declared.

The natives call the astroengineering contraption built around the black hole the Skythrone. Within it lies Eternity, an afterlife of sorts where chosen Ascendants travel after their death to gain immortality. Yet unlike the heaven and hell of Earth, it is absolutely real, and sometimes, guests who call themselves the emissaries of Eternity come down from there. But are they guests or are they masters?

Political discourse with a midwest twist

Alex, Chad and Ryan tackle the deep rabbit holes of the internet to bring you a unique grouping of well-researched topics. Dive into conspiracy theories, paranormal stories, true crime, and everything in between. Hear both sides of history’s most controversial topics as they break them down beginning to end, but not without giving their brutally-honest and sometimes outrageous opinions on them first.

A discussion of tech industry news from around the internet.

As financial planners and business owners, we will discuss many topics. Our goal is to educate listeners on specific financial topics as well as conducting interviews of other business professionals. We hope you learn from their insight, stories, and experiences.Financial Advisor offering securities and advisory services through Cetera Advisor Networks LLC, member FINRA/SIPC, a broker/dealer, and a Registered Investment Adviser. Horizon Advisers is not a subsidiary of nor controlled by Cetera. Tax services are provided by Horizon Advisers. Cetera Advisor Networks does not provide tax services....

Thank you for tuning into Holistic Finance. Where we promote financial balance and financial health. Our mission is to simplify your finances so you can focus on your practice and enjoy life. Your hosts, Ryan Burklo and Alex Collins are financial advisors based out of Seattle, Washington. These podcasts are for informational purposes only and are not to be construed as tax, legal or investment advice. Although the information has been gathered from sources believed to be reliable, please note that individual sources can vary. Therefore, the information should be relied upon only when ...

Welcome to Beer and Money, a financial fireside chat for business professionals. We work to simplify your finances so that you can enjoy your life. Your hosts, Ryan Burklo and Alex Collins are financial advisors based out of Seattle, Washington. This material is intended for general public use. By providing this material, we are not undertaking to provide investment advice for any specific individual or situation, or to otherwise act in a fiduciary capacity. Please contact one of our financial professionals for guidance and information specific to your individual situation. Guardian, its ...

We go where the force wills us. Sometimes that’s covering a Star Wars show, other times that’s watching movies like The Most Dangerous Game or Clifford. Roll the dice and find out what you get this week!

Fun, that's what we're all about! If you're ready to have a good time and hate FOMO, click that play button!! When you find out you like us be sure to hit that follow button and click for post notifications....welcome to the Good Times gang! Check us on...... https://linktr.ee/goodtimeswithalexandryan

A podcast covering the highs, lows, and hot-takes of education through the eyes of two quirky educators.

Welcome to From the Sidelines, the ultimate sports podcast hosted by two lifelong friends with a passion for the game. From hard-hitting analysis to hilarious banter, Ryan and Alex break down all things sports, including basketball, football, baseball, and more. Each episode dives into the hottest topics, iconic moments, and unforgettable stories from the world of sports.With segments like Top 5, where they rank the best and worst of the week, Hat of Shame, calling out epic fails, and Cash or Trash, debating what’s worth the hype, and what's not, there’s never a dull moment. Whether you’...