Ufo.......: The Night Of a Thousand Cries (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9798258837387)

The story begins with a spectacular meteor shower over upstate New York, initially perceived as a wondrous celestial event. However, these falling objects are revealed to be biological pods carrying the Varkhesh, an ancient, predatory reptilian alien species that harvests sentient life across the galaxy. The Varkhesh, utilizing advanced bio-organic technology and operating with chilling efficiency, descend upon rural towns, causing them to vanish without a trace, leaving only macabre evidence like bloodstains in the snow and colossal tracks. The U.S. government, misinterpreting the threat as a biological or terrorist attack, deploys the elite 10th Mountain Division, specializing in extreme cold warfare. Captain Elias Rourke, a seasoned officer, leads his unit into this unfolding crisis, only to face a horrifying massacre during their initial contact with the Varkhesh, highlighting the enemy's terrifying adaptability and predatory nature.

As the Varkhesh establish underground bio-processing nests and their numbers grow, military containment efforts prove futile against the creatures' advanced tactics and the isolating effects of brutal winter storms. Dr. Lena Vázquez, a xenobiologist, confirms the extraterrestrial origin of the Varkhesh and realizes humanity is not facing a first contact scenario but a galactic "farm collection cycle." Sergeant Malik Turner, a survivor of the initial attack, becomes consumed with finding a way to defeat the Varkhesh, while local hunter Daniel Harper, with his intimate knowledge of the Adirondack terrain, becomes an invaluable, albeit reluctant, guide for the beleaguered military forces. The situation escalates as the Varkhesh push towards more populated areas, forcing the U.S. government to consider drastic measures like nuclear sterilization. Rourke leads a desperate, final assault on a massive Varkhesh hive beneath the frozen mountains, where they discover thousands of humans being held captive and processed. The climax involves a desperate battle within the alien hive, forcing Rourke into an agonizing choice: destroy the hive and the captured humans to potentially save the rest of humanity, or risk everything to save the captives, which could lead to the Varkhesh's further propagation. The story concludes with a dark, uncertain outlook for humanity, depending on Rourke's choice and the Varkhesh's ultimate success.