Michael, Taylor, Ostin, and the rest of the Electroclan go on their most dangerous mission yet as the thrilling action continues in this electrifying fifth installment of the New York Times bestselling series! The Electroclan is on the run. The resistance movement has been compromised. The safe house has been destroyed. The voice is in hiding, and they have no idea if their families are alive…or dead. Meanwhile, the Elgen are on the move. They’ve launched a new assault on the small island nation of Tuvalu. If they are successful, it will be the first domino to fall as part of Hatch’s master plan to take over the rest of the world. But cracks are beginning to appear in the ranks of the Elgen elite, and while Hatch still rules with an iron fist, there are signs of dissent. If the Elgen are beginning to turn against each other, can the Electroclan find an opportunity to use this to their advantage? Or is it just a trap to destroy them once and for all? The stakes have never been higher, and Michael and his friends are about to be tested in ways they never imagined. Richard Paul Evans is the #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of more than forty novels. There are currently more than thirty-five million copies of his books in print worldwide, translated into more than twenty-four languages. Richard is the recipient of numerous awards, including two first place Storytelling World Awards, the Romantic Times Best Women’s Novel of the Year Award, and five Religion Communicators Council’s Wilbur Awards. Seven of Richard’s books have been produced as television movies. His first feature film, The Noel Diary , starring Justin Hartley ( This Is Us ) and acclaimed film director, Charles Shyer ( Private Benjamin , Father of the Bride ), premiered in 2022. In 2011 Richard began writing Michael Vey, a #1 New York Times bestselling young adult series which has won more than a dozen awards. Richard is the founder of The Christmas Box International, an organization devoted to maintaining emergency children’s shelters and providing services and resources for abused, neglected, or homeless children and young adults. To date, more than 125,000 youths have been helped by the charity. For his humanitarian work, Richard has received the Washington Times Humanitarian of the Century Award and the Volunteers of America National Empathy Award. Richard lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, with his wife, Keri, and their five children and two grandchildren. You can learn more about Richard on his website RichardPaulEvans.com. Michael Vey 5 1 Old Friends Admiral-General Hatch’s office Taiwan Starxource plant It was nearly midnight, and Elite Global Guard Welch stood at attention, his back to the door of Admiral-General Hatch’s office. “Sir, we’ve destroyed the terrorists’ home base. The resistance’s ranch has been annihilated.” Hatch nodded but continued reading his book. “What have you done with the prisoners?” “There were no prisoners taken. There were no survivors.” Hatch looked up from his book. “No survivors?” “We killed every last one of them. After our barrage of missiles, we dropped napalm. I’ve reviewed the footage. The compound looked like Dresden after World War II. I can provide the video for you if you wish.” Hatch was quiet for a moment. “No, I’ll take your word for it.” He set down his book, stood, and walked to the side of the room, avoiding eye contact with Welch. “What is the status of the Electroclan? Are they still in Taiwan?” Hatch spoke in a low, threatening voice. Welch stiffened before replying. “They’ve escaped, sir.” “Every one of them?” “Yes, Admiral-General.” “With the Chinese girl?” “Yes, sir. We believe they have Jade Dragon.” Hatch appeared thoughtful for a moment, then said softly, “You failed me.” Welch swallowed. “Yes, sir.” Hatch said nothing, just slowly nodded. Welch looked at him quizzically. He had expected Hatch to rage, to explode. Instead Hatch’s voice was almost mournful, like a jilted lover’s. “Is that all you have to report? That you failed?” Welch did his best to remain stoic. “Yes, sir.” Hatch stared at the ground for a moment, then said, “Okay. You’ve given me your report.” Okay? Welch was as baffled as he was nervous. He wondered if Hatch were drunk. He had never seen him behave so calmly in the face of failure. “What is the word on Schema?” Hatch asked. “Has he been captured yet?” “No, sir. He’s vanished.” “Vanished?” “Even before you left Switzerland. One of our men had him for a while, but he disappeared.” Hatch’s brow furrowed. “Who disappeared? Schema or our man?” “Both, sir.” Again, Hatch seemed unmoved. “It doesn’t matter. Schema’s inconsequential.” He poured himself a drink from a crystal decanter, then downed a shot and poured another. “Would you care for a drink, EGG Welch?” “Yes, sir. Thank you, sir,” Welch said, his confusion growing. He had expected Hatch’s fury. Not a drink. Hatch poured anot