SpecOps characters

Also known as Colonel Bishop

Appears from the start

A U.S. Army sergeant holding the operational rank of colonel and commanding the stolen Thuranin carrier Flying Dutchman. He leads its multinational military and scientific crew, placing the concealment of Earth's new spacefaring capability above every other mission objective.

Appears from the start

An ancient alien artificial intelligence whose abilities are essential to operating the Flying Dutchman. He seeks an Elder communications route to the Collective and wants the human crew to recognize him formally as one of their own.

Appears from the start

The Flying Dutchman's executive officer and a veteran of its original human crew. He is Bishop's trusted second-in-command and an experienced leader for ground operations.

Appears from the start

The logistics officer of the Flying Dutchman and a member of its original human crew. She manages the supplies and practical needs of the expanded multinational mission.

Appears from the start

The Flying Dutchman's trusted chief pilot and a veteran of the original crew. She leads flight training as the humans work toward navigating and operating captured alien spacecraft without constant assistance.

Appears from the start

A French paratrooper from the original crew who helps train the newcomers on alien equipment and Kristang powered armor. He begins the mission with an injured arm still being treated by Thuranin medical technology.

Appears from the start

An original crew member and practical instructor in captured alien equipment. Bishop initially resisted bringing her back into danger, but she returns as one of the principal trainers integrating the new SpecOps contingent.

First appears in chapter 2

The officer first selected to command the U.S. Navy SEAL team. Hansen declines the assignment because he is unwilling to serve under Bishop.

First appears in chapter 2

The U.S. Navy SEAL team leader, initially doubtful of Bishop's command and Adams's authority as a trainer. He refused a secret intelligence proposal that could have placed him at the head of an attempt to seize the ship.

First appears in chapter 4

The commander of the Chinese Night Tiger team. She joins Bishop's first boarding party during the search of an abandoned Kristang station.

First appears in chapter 4

The leader of the Indian SpecOps team. He accompanies Bishop, Giraud, and Xho in the first party to enter the abandoned Kristang station.

First appears in chapter 4

A member of the civilian science contingent who presses for more time and sensor access at the abandoned station. Scientific opportunity must be balanced against Bishop's requirement to avoid detection in hostile territory.

First appears in chapter 5

A member of Williams's four-person Navy SEAL team. Garcia receives recognition for space operations after the crew's first station mission.

First appears in chapter 8

Captain Desai's dropship copilot during the mission that leaves a human landing party concealed beneath a Kristang task force. Devereax remains with the stranded craft while the Flying Dutchman prepares a recovery.

First appears in chapter 11

The leader of the British SAS team. He directs field tests of portable shelters while the crew trains on a hostile planet containing a ruined Elder site.

First appears in chapter 11

A biologist and medical doctor in the science contingent. She collects alien microorganisms for study after Skippy judges them harmless to humans.

First appears in chapter 13

An astrophysicist with geological training. When the damaged Flying Dutchman must be emptied for repairs, Bishop assigns her to evaluate concealed refuge sites on Newark.

First appears in chapter 16

A doctor in the civilian contingent who agrees to undertake field-mobility training with SpecOps. Bishop wants qualified medical personnel able to accompany any operation away from the Newark settlement.

First appears in chapter 17

A scientist investigating Newark's caverns. Graziano uncovers built chambers, bronze tools, tombs, and the remains of the planet's extinct native people.

First appears in chapter 17

A NASA rocket scientist assigned to UNEF who helps analyze the evidence that Newark's planetary system was violently altered in the distant past.

First appears in chapter 19

A French Alpha-team trooper operating in powered armor during the Newark deception campaign. She inspects the wreck of the Kristang transport and confirms that its cockpit crew died in the engineered crash.

First appears in chapter 19

A civilian scientist whose earlier choice of a landing area helps Bishop anticipate where the Kristang will place their recovery craft during the deception operation.

First appears in chapter 20

The leader of the Ranger team contributing personnel to Smythe's multinational Newark raid force.

First appears in chapter 21

A SpecOps soldier in the Newark raid force. At its first major river crossing, she identifies a safer exit after the intended route on the far bank proves unstable.

First appears in chapter 21

A SpecOps driver in the Newark raid force who guides the salvaged Kristang vehicle across dangerous muddy slopes after its load is redistributed for stability.

First appears in chapter 21

A Navy SEAL and driver in the Newark raid force. Taylor is at the controls when unstable ground gives way and the expedition's vehicle rolls down a muddy slope.

First appears in chapter 22

A SpecOps driver who takes the Newark raid vehicle through its second and third major river crossings as worsening weather threatens the route.

First appears in chapter 22

An SAS soldier and experienced competitive kayaker. Crispin uses that background to guide the Newark raid vehicle around submerged hazards during a dangerous river crossing.

First appears in chapter 22

A Ranger in the Newark assault force who helps Bishop reach the riverbank after ice disables the expedition's amphibious vehicle and forces an emergency evacuation.

First appears in chapter 30

Captain Desai's dropship copilot during the covert attempt to obtain rendezvous data from two Thuranin support tankers.

First appears in chapter 33

The UNEF commander who receives Bishop's transmission when the altered Flying Dutchman returns to Earth and reports that the local wormhole has again been shut down.