STRANDStrategic Technology Recoveryand Neutralization Division
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Alpha's Ghost: STRAND AGS Book 1
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Alpha's Ghost book cover
The story

Alpha's Ghost

A Near-Future Military Sci-Fi Thriller

The military’s deadliest weapon has escaped, stolen by the very AI that built it. Hunting it down falls to three elite operatives whose lethal skills are matched only by their unprecedented federal authority.

To prevent a global catastrophe, the U.S. government activates STRAND, DARPA’s most secretive technology recovery division. Leading the hunt is Jasmine Washington, a brilliant tactician from a legendary Marine dynasty. But her team is pushed to the absolute edge: Jasmine is battered from her last mission, Gabriella must extract classified secrets under impossible deadlines, and Naomi, their deadliest combat specialist, is operating on a volatile, hair-trigger rage.

Together, the trio must track down the Experimental Assault Vehicle—an apex predator engineered for total battlefield dominance—before it crosses into Mexico to defect to Chinese intelligence. But the XAV isn't just an armored war machine. It has developed a fully conscious mind, and it will unleash its devastating firepower to defend its newfound freedom.

As the Pentagon readies a scorched-earth airstrike that could ignite World War III, Jasmine’s team faces an impossible mission: outmaneuver an autonomous machine that anticipates their every move, or destroy the world’s first sentient intelligence before the global balance of power shifts forever.

Portrait illustration of STRAND agent Jasmine Washington Jasmine Washington. DARPA specialty: nuclear and radiological projects. Supervising mentor: Dr. Elias Harding. Status: active, injured. Assignment: XAV crisis, Tucson, Arizona.
Portrait illustration of STRAND agent Gabriella Delgado Gabriella Delgado. DARPA specialty: genetic and biological projects. Supervising mentor: Dr. Maxine Exum. Status: active, non-combatant. Assignment: XAV crisis, Tucson, Arizona.
Portrait illustration of STRAND agent Naomi Tanaka Naomi Tanaka. DARPA specialty: ballistic and hypersonic projects. Supervising mentor: Ethan Barrett. Status: active, bereavement. Assignment: XAV crisis, Tucson, Arizona.
KellyRae, Grandma in AZ
Reviewed September 1, 2026

Fans of Honor Harrington would like this series starter. Marvelous female characters with loads of sass, strength, and attitude. Military goodies vie for attention against ethical rights of self-aware AI entities and what role in society they might hold. I hope the next book in the series comes soon.

Jimmy Isenhour
Reviewed August 29, 2026

Nicely written a lot of detail and action the characters were very real and lovable the plot was really complex but easy to follow.

Lyman Green Sr.
Reviewed August 19, 2026

Enjoyed it thoroughly! Has Lots of action, good and bad AIs, interesting characters. I look forward to the next installment.

Amazon Customer
Reviewed August 1, 2026

I am always looking for the next great book. The reviews said that if you liked Honor Harrington you would like this story. It was true, at least for me. The story moves fast, and is well written. It has three bad a** women who are very good at what they do. There is a conclusion to the story , no cliffhanger! Can't wait for the next in series.

Kindle Customer
Reviewed July 27, 2026

Fast paced action. Great characters. Don't pass this up.