Extinction

“Mark Alpert’s novels just keep getting better and better. He is truly the heir to Michael Crichton, writing cutting-edge science-based thrillers that will keep you obsessively turning the pages. Extinction is brilliant, a believable premise that not only feels plausible but will probably come true in one form or another. Which is terrifying. I highly recommend it.”

—Douglas Preston, #1 bestselling author of Impact and Blasphemy

“Mark Alpert’s novel Extinction is an amazing ride through a very possible near future.”

—Vernor Vinge, author of A Fire Upon the Deep

“Mark Alpert’s latest thriller, Extinction, is as intelligent as it is frightening, a riveting journey to the next stage of evolution, where man and machine merge, and something new is born. Here is a cautionary tale for the new millennium, fraught with suspense and political intrigue. A chilling punch to the gut.”

—James Rollins, New York Times-bestselling author of Bloodline

“One part 24, one part Six Million Dollar Man, and one part Terminator, Alpert’s AI thriller is executed with inventiveness and skill. …. Extinction is a book which will have a wide appeal to many fans of different authors, whether they like Daniel Wilson, Tom Clancy, or Ray Kurzweil.”

—Wired.com

“Alpert does a superb job of balancing the action and the science. He’s delivered his best book to date, and comparisons to Michael Crichton are warranted.”

—Associated Press

'Scientific hubris leads to an apocalyptic threat in this strong near-future thriller.”

—Publishers Weekly

“I read Extinction by flashlight during a power outage. The experience reminded me of the time as a boy when I read H. G. Wells’s War of the Worlds under similar circumstances—that’s a high compliment! Each short chapter flows into the next as naturally as water cascades down rapids. It’s quite a ride, exploring unforeseen consequences of bio-computer technologies even now coming within our grasp. Alpert’s best writing yet!”

—J. Richard Gott, author of Time Travel in Einstein’s Universe

“A scary, sophisticated thriller that will give survivalists plenty to think about.”

—Kirkus Reviews

“Among the writers jostling for position at the top of the technothriller ladder since the passing of Michael Crichton, Alpert is edging closer and closer to the lead. An exciting and highly imaginative story.”

—Booklist

“What really makes this thriller outstanding is the fact that all the technologies described in Extinction are real on some level.”

—Neurogadget.com

“Michael Crichton was a master of the genre. *Extinction*, by Mark Alpert, is almost as good.”

—The Globe and Mail

Copyright Notice

The author and publisher have provided this e-book to you for your personal use only. You may not make this e-book publicly available in any way. Copyright infringement is against the law. If you believe the copy of this e-book you are reading infringes on the author’s copyright, please notify the publisher at: us.macmillanusa.com/piracy.

Copyright

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

EXTINCTION. Copyright © 2013 by Mark Alpert. All rights reserved. For information, address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.

THOMAS DUNNE BOOKS.

An imprint of St. Martin’s Press.

www.thomasdunnebooks.com

www.stmartins.com

Cover design by Steve Snider

Jacket rendering by Ociacia/Shutterstock.com

The Library of Congress has cataloged the print edition as follows:

Alpert, Mark, 1961–

Extinction: a thriller / Mark Alpert.

pages   cm

ISBN 978-1-250-02134-2 (hardcover)

ISBN 978-1-250-02276-9 (e-book)

1. Computer hackers—Fiction. 2. Defense information, Classified—China—Fiction. 3. Artificial intelligence— Fiction. 4. Terrorism—Prevention—China—Fiction. 5. Suspense fiction. 6. Science fiction. I. Title.

PS3601.L67E97 2013

813’.6—dc23

2012042089

eISBN 9781250022769