The watch I gave my protagonist is the watch I stood. Twenty years in the Submarine Force. Senior Chief Sonar Technician. I made twenty SSBN deterrent patrols, including a 127-day run around Cape Horn and through the Drake Passage. Qualified Sonar Supervisor, Diving Officer of the Watch, and Contact Coordinator. I served twice aboard USS Ohio, including her 2002 conversion overhaul to SSGN. After the Navy I earned my MBA and managed the Seahorse satellite-imagery program for PMW-120, supporting the NRO, NGA, and ONI. The overhead intelligence tip that opens the novel runs on the kind of system I ran for a living. BELOW THE LAYER is my first novel. BELOW THE LAYER is the first book in a planned five-part Silent Service series continuing through SILENCE BELOW, LAYERS OF SILENCE, SILENT CRUCIBLE, SILENCE BY FIRE. Each stands alone while carrying the larger US-China and US-Russia undersea conflict forward. Terry can be reached at SubVetOne@yahoo.com