Black Ops cover

Black Ops

Expeditionary Force • Book 4

by Craig Alanson

Narrated by R.C. Bray

4.61 ABR Score (58.2K ratings)
★ 4.34 Goodreads (16.5K) ★ 4.8 Audible (41.7K)
16h 44m Released 2017 Sci-Fi

Why Listen to This Audiobook?

R.C. Bray makes a foul-mouthed ancient AI feel like your favorite podcast co-host — 16 hours vanish.

  • Great if you want: military sci-fi with irreverent humor and tight ensemble banter
  • Listening experience: fast and funny, light on tension — more sitcom than thriller
  • Narration: Bray's comic timing for Skippy is why this series has a cult following
  • Skip if: you haven't started from Book 1 — the payoffs won't land

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About This Audiobook

Deep in hostile alien territory, the crew of the pirate ship UNS Flying Dutchman faces their most dangerous mission yet. What began as reconnaissance to assess threats against Earth has evolved into something far more complex and perilous. Colonel Joe Bishop and his team must navigate treacherous political waters while their AI companion Skippy provides his usual mix of brilliant tactical advice and insufferable commentary. As the stakes escalate beyond anything they've previously encountered, the crew discovers that protecting humanity requires making impossible choices that could doom them all.

R.C. Bray delivers another masterful performance, seamlessly shifting between Joe's dry military pragmatism and Skippy's arrogant alien wit with perfect comedic timing. His narration captures both the high-stakes tension of space combat and the clever banter that defines the series' appeal. Bray's consistent character voices and natural pacing make the complex military jargon and alien technology discussions effortlessly digestible. The audio format particularly enhances Skippy's sarcastic interjections and the crew's realistic dialogue, creating an immersive experience that feels like eavesdropping on actual conversations between battle-hardened soldiers and their enigmatic AI ally.