I was able to visit this facility outside Bridgeport, California, and while most of the details are accurate, I did take a few liberties on minor issues (sorry, guys, I owe you some ribs from Bodie Mike’s Barbecue). But the base does indeed have a V/STOL airfield used for training, including working with the tiltrotor Ospreys. And the “Son of Osprey,” the Bell V-280 Valor featured in this book, is currently in development.
Mono Lake and Ghost Towns
Likewise, I visited Mono Lake several times and I hope I did the place and its people justice. Also if you’re ever up there, do check out the local ghost towns. Just watch out for helicopters full of commandos.
ONE LAST HISTORICAL NOTE
I hope you enjoyed this book. It’s the tenth novel in the Sigma series, debuting on the tenth anniversary of the first (Sandstorm, 2004). Knowing that milestone was upon us, I thought I’d use this opportunity to tease a bit to the past. Like seeing the return of Ashley Carter and Ben Brust, those stalwart Antarctic explorers, who along with Jason, found themselves in much trouble in my very first novel, Subterranean. Additionally, in this new book, I also wanted to acknowledge what’s to come, with some big changes hinted at in these same pages — because Sigma’s greatest and boldest adventures are still on the horizon.
So I hope to see you out there!
Jim Rollins
PS: Bring sunscreen (and extra ammunition).
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
JAMES ROLLINS is the New York Times bestselling author of international thrillers that have been translated into more than forty languages. In each novel, acclaimed for its originality, Rollins unveils unseen worlds, scientific breakthroughs, and historical secrets— and he does it all at breakneck speed and with stunning insight. He lives in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.