cover image Strike of the Cobra

Strike of the Cobra

Timothy Rizzi. Dutton Books, $22.95 (448pp) ISBN 978-1-55611-359-8

Rizzi zooms past his debut Nightstalker to rival Tom Clancy in this space-based techno-thriller. Solid data for technophiles is salted through the most visceral air battles since CNN's coverage of Desert Storm. When the Russian government requests the aid of the U.S. space shuttle Atlantis to lasso the out-of-orbit satellite Kosmos , it neglects to mention the nuclear warheads aboard. General Duke James and his astronaut crew tuck the renegade bird into their cargo bay. Enter General Popivich, an old Soviet warhorse who once controlled Kosmos , who hijacks the Atlantis and activates the satellite's reentry boosters with the intent to destroy both ships and thus keep his nuclear secret. But Atlantis survives reentry with good luck (Duke spots a runway in Chad) and bad luck (the airstrip belongs to Libyan supported terrorist Abu Ajami). When the U.S. Air Force identifies the nuclear warhead parts, the Cobra Special Operations Team--a crack squadron stationed in the area--moves into action to retrieve the warheads and rescue the astronauts. Rizzi converts satellite and military data into speed-readable action with an appealing cast of men and women on both sides of the conflict. Rescue maneuvers, Pentagon planning and Libyan/terrorist interaction are equally engrossing right up to the cinematic ending. (Aug.)