ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 21, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- When a highly decorated officer is considered for a presidential position, an investigation of his past reveals a dark secret. Plateau of Chains (now available through AuthorHouse), by Capt. George P. Sotos, is a provoking novel of power, politics and prestige.
Navy Capt. John Lucas has been given a position by the president himself, a reward for a career of excellent service. Before he can move into his new office, Lucas must endure an aggressive background investigation by the Naval Investigative Service (NIS). The information they uncover is shocking and prevents him from getting the security clearance he needs. Finding himself in an unenviable situation, the Chief of Naval Operations is forced to personally review the findings.
Plateau of Chains exposes the misdeeds and crimes that Lucas has committed. His devious behavior stretches back to his time at the Naval War College in the late 1950s, where a routine war game erupts into all out nuclear war between the Soviet Union and the United States. The world is pushed to the nuclear brink without the consent of either established civilian leader. However, Lucas, leader of the war games, and his friend, future Air Force Lt. General Dick Williams, convince the large student body that the command and control system is defective and his decision to launch nuclear weapons without permission of the nation's civilian leader is correct. The Rear Admiral of the school, Adelide Lord, is infuriated by Lucas and horrified at his mutinous conduct, but commits to silence when an investigation at the school implicates him and Lucas in the wrongful death of a naval officer. With this information, the Chief of Naval Operations has no choice but to deny Lucas his security clearance. However, a visit from Lt. General Williams changes his mind.
Plateau of Chains is a gripping novel of corruption and skewed ideals that reflect the networking and inner workings of the military and government during the Cold War.
Sotos is a retired captain. He served extensively on a number of destroyers, was the first commanding officer of the massive underground Fleet Operations Control Center and the head of planning and design of the command and control systems for the Joint Chiefs of Staff. A graduate of the Naval War College and former director of the Department of Defense Computer Institute, he has a bachelor's degree in business administration and a master's degree in business administration. A decorated officer, Sotos now focuses his attention on writing. Plateau of Chains is his first novel.
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