Blood in the Creek

Nate Romanowski, driven by grief and rage over his wife Liv's murder, tracks Axel Soledad to a remote Wyoming lodge. Nate's calculated assault leaves three dead, including a woman who nearly kills him, but Soledad escapes. Nate, wracked with guilt and self-loathing, burns the evidence and vanishes into the wilderness, haunted by his failure and the violence he's unleashed. The FBI, led by Special Agent Rick Orr, investigates the carnage, but the trail is cold. Nate's descent into isolation marks the beginning of a personal and national reckoning.

The Mountain Ambush

Months later, elk-hunting guides Spike Rankin and Mark Eisele (the governor's son-in-law) scout Battle Mountain, Wyoming. They unexpectedly encounter a camouflaged, heavily armed group surveilling a luxury ranch below. The encounter turns violent—both guides are shot, Rankin critically. Eisele is taken captive. The attackers, a mix of military-trained and activist types, are clearly preparing for something far bigger than poaching or hunting. Their precision and secrecy hint at a looming threat with national implications.

Nate's Exile and Return

Nate, broken and living off the grid in outlaw country, is found by his old friend Geronimo Jones, whose own family was nearly killed in an arson attack linked to Soledad. Both men, master falconers and ex-special forces, realize Soledad is orchestrating something catastrophic. Geronimo's home was targeted by professionals, and the falconer underground is abuzz with rumors of Soledad recruiting for a major operation. Nate, still seeking redemption and revenge, agrees to join Geronimo in tracking Soledad, setting the stage for a collision of personal vendettas and national security.

The Governor's Dilemma

Governor Rulon, a larger-than-life Wyoming politician, privately enlists game warden Joe Pickett to find his missing son-in-law, Mark Eisele, without alerting law enforcement or the press. Joe, with rookie warden Susan Kany, investigates Rankin's camp and uncovers the guides' disappearance. The search is complicated by local politics, the secretive Centurions gathering at a nearby luxury ranch, and the governor's insistence on secrecy. As Joe digs deeper, he senses the missing men are caught in something far more sinister than a wilderness accident.

Kidnapped in Soledad City

Eisele, wounded and restrained in a dark room, realizes he and Rankin are prisoners in a ghost town repurposed as "Soledad City." Rankin is executed by Soledad, who is revealed as a charismatic, ruthless leader orchestrating a paramilitary operation. Eisele's captors are a mix of disaffected veterans and radicalized activists, all being prepared for a violent mission. Eisele's only hope is Double-A, a conflicted female vet embedded both in the group and, later, as a waitress at the Centurions' ranch. The lines between captor and captive blur as the true scale of the plot emerges.

The Centurions Gather

The B-Lazy-U Ranch hosts the annual Centurions gathering—a secretive, exclusive club of military, political, and defense industry elites. Security is tight, the guest list is secret, and the staff is carefully vetted. Among the new hires is Allison (Double-A), Soledad's inside woman, who navigates the staff hierarchy while preparing for her role in the coming attack. The Centurions' rituals, power plays, and obliviousness to the threat gathering in the mountains set the stage for a catastrophic confrontation.

Allies and Enemies

Nate and Geronimo, following leads from the falconer underground and a rogue lawyer, Cheryl Tuck-Smith, piece together Soledad's network. They discover Soledad is recruiting both radical activists and embittered veterans, using personal grievances to fuel his cause. The FBI's Rick Orr, a veteran of domestic extremism cases, shadows their investigation, torn between protocol and the urgent need to stop Soledad. Meanwhile, Joe and Kany, after tense encounters with local law enforcement, realize the missing guides are pawns in a much larger game.

The Infiltrator Waitress

Allison, aka Double-A, works as a waitress at the Centurions' ranch, gathering intelligence and preparing for the attack. She is torn between her loyalty to Soledad, her own trauma from military betrayal, and the kindness shown by some staff and guests. Her role as inside woman is critical—she smuggles in weapons, monitors the Centurions' routines, and coordinates with Soledad's team. Her internal conflict foreshadows the chaos to come, as she questions whether violence will bring justice or only more pain.

The FBI Closes In

Special Agent Orr, operating with little support from D.C., tries to piece together Soledad's plan. He interviews Marybeth Pickett and others, sensing the convergence of personal vendettas and national security threats. Orr's own history with government overreach and domestic extremism makes him both a skeptic and a believer in the looming danger. As Nate and Geronimo close in on Soledad's location, Orr must decide whether to trust them or try to stop them, knowing the official response will be too slow.

The Ghost Town's Secret

Joe, following Eisele's escape from Soledad City, discovers the ghost town's role as a staging ground for the attack. The town is abandoned, but evidence of recent occupation, weapons, and a detailed battle plan targeting the Centurions is found. Joe and Eisele race to warn authorities, but communications are limited. The scale and precision of Soledad's plan become clear: a coordinated assault on the Centurions, using both inside and outside teams, with the goal of decapitating the nation's military-industrial leadership.

The Assault on Battle Mountain

Soledad's force—veterans and activists—move over Battle Mountain toward the ranch. Nate and Geronimo, using falconer instincts and military tactics, intercept the attackers on the ridge above the ranch. A brutal firefight ensues: the activists, poorly trained, are slaughtered; the veterans, more skilled, are confronted and ultimately surrender. Soledad, ever the survivor, flees, leaving his followers to die. Meanwhile, Allison prepares to unleash carnage inside the ranch, but is confronted by Nate, who persuades her to walk away, breaking the cycle of violence.

The Final Hunt

As fireworks and gunfire blend over the ranch, Soledad attempts to escape, killing his own followers to cover his tracks. Joe, alone in the woods, confronts Soledad, who tries to run him down with an ATV. Joe wounds him, but Soledad survives thanks to body armor—until Nate arrives and delivers the final, fatal shot. The threat is ended, but not without cost: bodies litter the mountain, and the trauma of violence lingers for all involved.

Sheridan's Stand

Back in Saddlestring, Soledad's last gambit is to have corrupt Sheriff Bishop kidnap Kestrel, Nate's daughter, to distract and neutralize Nate. Sheridan Pickett, Joe's daughter, intervenes, holding Bishop at gunpoint and saving Kestrel. The family's resilience and quick thinking prevent further tragedy, and Sheridan's actions echo the courage and resourcefulness of her father and Nate.

The Fall of Soledad

With Soledad dead and the attack foiled, the authorities move in. The Centurions' power ensures the incident is buried—activists and veterans disappear into the "black hole" of federal custody, and the public never learns how close the nation came to disaster. The survivors—Nate, Geronimo, Joe, and their families—grapple with the aftermath, the moral ambiguity of their actions, and the knowledge that justice is often messy, incomplete, and hidden from view.

Aftermath and Black Holes

In the days following the battle, the main characters are debriefed, thanked, and quietly dismissed by the governor and federal authorities. The Centurions' gathering continues, their power unshaken. Geronimo returns to his family, Joe to Marybeth, and Nate to his daughter, each changed by what they've endured. The story ends with a sense of hard-won survival, lingering trauma, and the knowledge that the cycle of violence and secrecy will continue—unless someone, someday, breaks it for good.

Characters

Nate Romanowski

Nate is a former special forces operative and master falconer, driven by the murder of his wife Liv and the need to protect his daughter Kestrel. His psyche is fractured by guilt, grief, and a sense of predatory purpose—he seeks both justice and redemption, often blurring the line between the two. Nate's isolation is both a punishment and a crucible, sharpening his instincts to a near-supernatural level. His relationships—with Joe, Geronimo, and his falcons—are marked by loyalty, intensity, and a deep sense of responsibility. Nate's journey is one of self-forgiveness, as he learns that violence, even in the name of justice, leaves scars that may never fully heal.

Joe Pickett

Joe is a Wyoming game warden, known for his integrity, stubbornness, and deep sense of duty. He is often caught between the demands of powerful figures (like Governor Rulon) and his own ethical code. Joe's relationships—with his wife Marybeth, his daughters, and Nate—anchor him, but also expose him to danger and moral compromise. He is a steadying force amid chaos, but not immune to doubt or error. Joe's development is marked by increasing awareness of the limits of law, the pervasiveness of corruption, and the necessity of personal courage in the face of institutional failure.

Geronimo Jones

Geronimo is a master falconer and ex-special forces operator, whose family narrowly escapes death in an arson attack orchestrated by Soledad. His humor and warmth contrast with his lethal skills. Geronimo's loyalty to Nate and commitment to justice drive him to risk everything, even as he grapples with the trauma of violence and the desire to protect his own family. He serves as both a partner and a conscience for Nate, reminding him of the costs of vengeance and the possibility of healing.

Axel Soledad

Soledad is a former military operator turned domestic terrorist, driven by betrayal, rage, and a messianic sense of purpose. He recruits both radical activists and disaffected veterans, exploiting their grievances for his own ends. Soledad's charisma masks a deep sociopathy—he is willing to sacrifice anyone, including his followers, to achieve his goals. His psychological complexity lies in his ability to inspire loyalty and fear, his capacity for violence, and his ultimate cowardice when confronted with failure. Soledad embodies the dangers of unchecked grievance and the seductive power of radicalization.

Mark Eisele

Mark is the governor's son-in-law, a tech worker thrust into violence and captivity. His ordeal in Soledad City tests his resilience, resourcefulness, and moral clarity. Mark's psychological journey is one from passivity to agency—he survives not through heroics, but through endurance, luck, and the help of others (notably Double-A). His experience exposes the vulnerability of ordinary people to extraordinary evil, and the thin line between victim and survivor.

Allison Anthony (Double-A)

Allison is a former Marine sniper, haunted by her inability to prevent the Abbey Gate bombing in Afghanistan. Recruited by Soledad, she becomes both his inside woman at the Centurions' ranch and a potential assassin. Her loyalty is torn between her trauma, her sense of justice, and the manipulations of Soledad. Allison's development is marked by increasing doubt, culminating in her decision to walk away from violence at Nate's urging. She represents the psychological toll of betrayal, the search for meaning after trauma, and the possibility of redemption.

Governor Rulon

Rulon is a shrewd, larger-than-life politician who manipulates events to protect his family and his own interests. His relationship with Joe is both paternal and exploitative—he relies on Joe's integrity while using him as a tool. Rulon's psychological complexity lies in his ability to compartmentalize, to see both the personal and the political, and to accept the necessity of secrecy and compromise. He is both grateful and calculating, embodying the ambiguities of power.

Marybeth Pickett

Marybeth is Joe's wife, a librarian with a sharp mind and a fierce protective instinct. She navigates the dangers posed by Soledad, the FBI, and corrupt local law enforcement, all while caring for Kestrel. Marybeth's psychological strength lies in her ability to remain calm under pressure, to see through deception, and to act decisively when her family is threatened. She is the emotional center of the Pickett family, and her actions are crucial in preventing further tragedy.

Sheridan Pickett

Sheridan, Joe's eldest daughter, steps up when Sheriff Bishop attempts to kidnap Kestrel. Her quick thinking and courage save the day, echoing the strengths of both her father and Nate. Sheridan's development is marked by increasing confidence, moral clarity, and a willingness to act when others hesitate. She represents the next generation's capacity for resilience and leadership.

Special Agent Rick Orr

Orr is an aging FBI agent with a long history of involvement in domestic extremism cases. Disillusioned by government overreach and bureaucratic inertia, he operates on the margins, seeking justice even as he is sidelined by his own agency. Orr's psychological complexity lies in his skepticism, his empathy for the "good guys," and his willingness to bend rules for the greater good. He serves as both a warning and a guide, illustrating the costs of fighting evil within a flawed system.

Plot Devices

Dual Timelines and Converging Threads

The novel weaves together multiple timelines and perspectives: Nate's personal vendetta, Joe's official investigation, Geronimo's quest for justice, and the unfolding plot against the Centurions. These threads converge on Battle Mountain, creating a sense of inevitability and escalating tension. The use of parallel narratives allows for deep psychological exploration of each character, while also building suspense as the true nature of Soledad's plan is revealed.

Infiltration and Betrayal

The plot hinges on infiltration—Allison as the waitress inside the ranch, Bissett as a fake security guard, Bishop as a corrupt sheriff. These betrayals create uncertainty and paranoia, forcing the protagonists to question whom they can trust. The device also allows for dramatic reversals, as characters like Allison and Sheridan choose to break with their assigned roles and act for the greater good.

Psychological Warfare and Manipulation

Soledad's recruitment of both activists and veterans is a study in psychological manipulation—he exploits personal grievances, trauma, and the desire for meaning. The novel explores how individuals can be radicalized, how trauma can be weaponized, and how charismatic leaders can inspire both loyalty and destruction. The psychological tension is heightened by the characters' internal conflicts, especially Nate, Allison, and Eisele.

Foreshadowing and Symbolism

The recurring imagery of falcons, predation, and the natural world serves as both foreshadowing and metaphor. Nate's connection to his falcons symbolizes his struggle to balance instinct and morality, violence and restraint. Battle Mountain itself is both a literal and symbolic battleground, representing the clash between old and new, order and chaos. The cycles of violence—personal, political, and historical—are mirrored in the characters' journeys and the novel's structure.

Moral Ambiguity and Institutional Failure

The novel repeatedly questions the efficacy of institutions—law enforcement, government, the military-industrial complex. Justice is often achieved outside official channels, and the truth is buried for political convenience. The "black hole" of federal custody, the cover-up of the Centurions' near-destruction, and the ambiguous fates of the survivors all underscore the theme that justice is messy, incomplete, and often hidden from view.

Analysis

Battle Mountain is both a propulsive action novel and a meditation on the psychological scars left by violence—personal, political, and institutional. Through its interwoven narratives, the book explores how trauma and grievance can be manipulated by charismatic leaders, how institutions often fail those they are meant to protect, and how ordinary people are caught in the crossfire of larger forces. The characters' struggles—with guilt, loyalty, and the search for meaning—reflect broader questions about justice, accountability, and the possibility of redemption. The novel's ultimate lesson is that true heroism lies not in violence or secrecy, but in the courage to break cycles of harm, to protect the vulnerable, and to seek truth even when it is inconvenient or dangerous. In a world where the powerful cover up their own near-destruction and the "good guys" are left to pick up the pieces, Battle Mountain asks whether survival is enough—or whether we must demand something more from ourselves and our society.

Last updated: May 23, 2025