The Ballot and The Bullet

Political Fiction Future Thriller-Short Story

In the heat of the 2028 presidential race, a shadowy organization known as "The Ballot and the Bullet" threatens to disrupt the democratic process. The group, disillusioned with the political establishment, believes that only extreme measures can bring about true change. Their strategy? A series of high-profile assassinations and cyberattacks aimed at key figures in both major parties.

FBI Special Agent Anya Petrova, a rising star in the Bureau's counterterrorism unit, is assigned to the case. She soon uncovers a web of conspiracy that reaches the highest levels of power, with potential links to foreign intelligence agencies. As the election draws closer, Anya races against time to expose the plot and prevent a national catastrophe.

Her investigation leads her to a charismatic political operative named Marcus Bellwether, a key figure in the presidential campaign. Bellwether's charm and intelligence conceal a dark secret: he is the mastermind behind The Ballot and the Bullet.