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Team Psi #2
Implacable Alpha
New York Times bestselling author Gear continues the thrilling sci-fi mystery of Prisoner Alpha in book two of the Team Psi novels.Called the 'Ennoia,' the woman who came within a heartbeat of killing prisoner Alpha in the Grantham parking garage is back. This time she's snatched Dr. Timothy Ryan. The Psi Team find themselves caught in a battle that has been raging across timelines for 2000 years. But, can they trust the Ennoia? Or is she using our timeline for her own purposes? Meanwhile, Bill Stevens has his own agenda, and his goons have already crossed blades with Psi Team. Now they are coming for Alpha, and all the revenge they can get. Because just as things seemed like they could get no worse, Alpha is back. And this time, she's coming for blood.
- GenresScience FictionThriller
398 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 14, 2022
10 people are currently reading
94 people want to read
About the author
W. Michael Gear
181 books730 followersW. Michael Gear was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on the twentieth of May, 1955. A fourth generation Colorado native, his family had been involved in hard-rock mining, cattle ranching, and journalism. After his father's death in 1959, Michael's mother received her Master's degree in journalism and began teaching. In 1962 she married Joseph J. Cook, who taught tool and die making, and the family lived in Lakewood, Colorado, until 1968. At that time they moved to Fort Collins so that Joe could pursue his Ph.D.. During those years the family lived in the foothills above Horsetooth Reservoir.
It was there that Mike developed a love of history, anthropology, and motorcycles. They would color his future and fill his imagination for the rest of his life. During summers he volunteered labor on local ranches or at the farm east of Greeley and landed his first real job: picking up trash at the lake and cleaning outhouses. It has been said that his exposure to trash led him into archaeology. We will not speculate about what cleaning the outhouses might have led him to. On his first dig as a professional archaeologist in 1976 he discovered that two thousand year old human trash isn't nearly as obnoxious as the new stuff.
Michael graduated from Fort Collins High School in 1972 and pursued both his Bachelor's (1976) and Master's (1979) degrees at Colorado State University. Upon completion of his Master's - his specialty was in physical anthropology - he went to work for Western Wyoming College in Rock Springs as a field archaeologist.
It was in the winter of 1978 that he wrote his first novel. Irritated by historical inaccuracies in Western fiction, he swore he could do better. He was "taking retirement in installments," archaeology being a seasonal career, in the cabin his great uncle Aubrey had built. One cold January night he read a Western novel about a trail drive in which steers (castrated males) had calves. The historical inaccuracies of the story bothered him all night. The next morning, still incensed, he chunked wood into the stove and hunkered over the typewriter. There, on the mining claim, at nine thousand feet outside of Empire, Colorado he hammered out his first five hundred and fifty page novel. Yes, that first manuscript still exists, but if there is justice in the universe, no one will ever see it. It reads wretchedly - but the historical facts are correct!
Beginning in 1981, Michael, along with two partners, put together his own archaeological consulting company. Pronghorn Anthropological Associates began doing cultural resource management studies in 1982, and, although Michael sold his interest in 1984, to this day the company remains in business in Casper, Wyoming. During the years, Michael has worked throughout the western United States doing archaeological surveys, testing, and mitigation for pipelines, oil wells, power lines, timber sales, and highway construction. He learned the value of strong black coffee, developed a palate for chocolate donuts, and ferreted out every quality Mexican restaurant in eight states. He spent nine months of the year traveling from project to project with his trowel and dig kit, a clapped-out '72 Wonder Blazer, and his boon companion, Tedi, a noble tri-color Sheltie.
That fateful day in November, 1981, was delightfully clear, cold, and still in Laramie, Wyoming. Archaeologists from all over the state had arrived at the University of Wyoming for the annual meetings of the Wyoming Association of Professional Archaeologists. It was there, in the meeting room, way too early after a much too long night, that Mike first laid eyes on the most beautiful woman in the world: Kathleen O'Neal Gear. The BLM State Archaeologist, Ray Leicht, introduced him to the pretty anthropologist and historian, and best of all, Ray invited Mike to lunch with Kathleen. It was the perfect beginning for a long and wondrous relationship.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/wmicha...
It was there that Mike developed a love of history, anthropology, and motorcycles. They would color his future and fill his imagination for the rest of his life. During summers he volunteered labor on local ranches or at the farm east of Greeley and landed his first real job: picking up trash at the lake and cleaning outhouses. It has been said that his exposure to trash led him into archaeology. We will not speculate about what cleaning the outhouses might have led him to. On his first dig as a professional archaeologist in 1976 he discovered that two thousand year old human trash isn't nearly as obnoxious as the new stuff.
Michael graduated from Fort Collins High School in 1972 and pursued both his Bachelor's (1976) and Master's (1979) degrees at Colorado State University. Upon completion of his Master's - his specialty was in physical anthropology - he went to work for Western Wyoming College in Rock Springs as a field archaeologist.
It was in the winter of 1978 that he wrote his first novel. Irritated by historical inaccuracies in Western fiction, he swore he could do better. He was "taking retirement in installments," archaeology being a seasonal career, in the cabin his great uncle Aubrey had built. One cold January night he read a Western novel about a trail drive in which steers (castrated males) had calves. The historical inaccuracies of the story bothered him all night. The next morning, still incensed, he chunked wood into the stove and hunkered over the typewriter. There, on the mining claim, at nine thousand feet outside of Empire, Colorado he hammered out his first five hundred and fifty page novel. Yes, that first manuscript still exists, but if there is justice in the universe, no one will ever see it. It reads wretchedly - but the historical facts are correct!
Beginning in 1981, Michael, along with two partners, put together his own archaeological consulting company. Pronghorn Anthropological Associates began doing cultural resource management studies in 1982, and, although Michael sold his interest in 1984, to this day the company remains in business in Casper, Wyoming. During the years, Michael has worked throughout the western United States doing archaeological surveys, testing, and mitigation for pipelines, oil wells, power lines, timber sales, and highway construction. He learned the value of strong black coffee, developed a palate for chocolate donuts, and ferreted out every quality Mexican restaurant in eight states. He spent nine months of the year traveling from project to project with his trowel and dig kit, a clapped-out '72 Wonder Blazer, and his boon companion, Tedi, a noble tri-color Sheltie.
That fateful day in November, 1981, was delightfully clear, cold, and still in Laramie, Wyoming. Archaeologists from all over the state had arrived at the University of Wyoming for the annual meetings of the Wyoming Association of Professional Archaeologists. It was there, in the meeting room, way too early after a much too long night, that Mike first laid eyes on the most beautiful woman in the world: Kathleen O'Neal Gear. The BLM State Archaeologist, Ray Leicht, introduced him to the pretty anthropologist and historian, and best of all, Ray invited Mike to lunch with Kathleen. It was the perfect beginning for a long and wondrous relationship.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/wmicha...
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 21, 2022
Implacable Alpha (Team Psi Book, #2)
by W. Michael Gear
I have been off for five days in the world of Alpha, and the Psi group. Like an adventure movie, the reader or listener will be screaming at the book, for some event that needs to happen to save the characters we love. Most of mine were "wake up", "please wake up", "come on... Wake! Up! already!" Yes even I can get over connected to a story, and the roller coaster of this book had me struggling to win the story for my side of the story so much (TEAM PSI). Yet, is that not the blessing of a good writer, to get the reader, audience to connect to the book. I read this book both with the kindle version and listened to the audible version at the same time. It's one of the benefits of technology and with the books by the Gears, it's remarkably beneficial that you can listen and read the story. Implacable Alpha, creates an atmosphere of the deepest psychological thriller, with the out of this world science, anthropology, and psychology mixed in as a kaleidoscope of form and matter. As a reader you come to accept both advanced scientific theory, and psychological practices as just part of the story. I have looked up the google sites that Michael Gear suggested, I have searched the terms he out lines. His writing always brings out the need in me to understand his source materials, and explain them to the next reader, just incase they are like me and go, "what does that mean?" You learn so much, but it does not stop the rollercoaster of the book drawing you into the personal stories of the characters. I know how hard this book and its predecessor were for Michael to write. The difficulties with editing and the worldview on publication have not only affected him but publishing in general. As a reader I thank him for bringing this story into my life. I learned about string theory, conceptions of time travel, the diverse idea of what if, and psychological practices that need to be in our everyday consciousness . I hope that he knows how valuable it's that he writes of this great diversity of characters that his readers can connect to. He broadens the borders of human compassion. Opens the door ways of understanding. And most of all reminds us not to pass that little bit of vocabulary, or scientific terminology without looking at it with open eyes. He reminds his readers that we can always learn more, understand more, and to never just take someone else's word for it. You are the one that can make the world better, by accepting more, understanding more, and standing up with both heart and soul for the right things. Karla Raven is a badass, and she can teach the world about loyalty, and marine core values. Skipper teaches us acceptance, and the willingness to trust people to know their limits, and know when they need help. His compassion drives his team. Et, is the character that reminds you a book is not defined by its cover, or even where it came from, but what you find when you connect to it, and grow, and learn on your own journey. Cat and Murphy, never give up. And most of all Alpha, the cruelty of people who are in power to those they label or view lesser than themselves. What a great adventure, I hope that the world can have another PSI team adventure.
by W. Michael Gear
I have been off for five days in the world of Alpha, and the Psi group. Like an adventure movie, the reader or listener will be screaming at the book, for some event that needs to happen to save the characters we love. Most of mine were "wake up", "please wake up", "come on... Wake! Up! already!" Yes even I can get over connected to a story, and the roller coaster of this book had me struggling to win the story for my side of the story so much (TEAM PSI). Yet, is that not the blessing of a good writer, to get the reader, audience to connect to the book. I read this book both with the kindle version and listened to the audible version at the same time. It's one of the benefits of technology and with the books by the Gears, it's remarkably beneficial that you can listen and read the story. Implacable Alpha, creates an atmosphere of the deepest psychological thriller, with the out of this world science, anthropology, and psychology mixed in as a kaleidoscope of form and matter. As a reader you come to accept both advanced scientific theory, and psychological practices as just part of the story. I have looked up the google sites that Michael Gear suggested, I have searched the terms he out lines. His writing always brings out the need in me to understand his source materials, and explain them to the next reader, just incase they are like me and go, "what does that mean?" You learn so much, but it does not stop the rollercoaster of the book drawing you into the personal stories of the characters. I know how hard this book and its predecessor were for Michael to write. The difficulties with editing and the worldview on publication have not only affected him but publishing in general. As a reader I thank him for bringing this story into my life. I learned about string theory, conceptions of time travel, the diverse idea of what if, and psychological practices that need to be in our everyday consciousness . I hope that he knows how valuable it's that he writes of this great diversity of characters that his readers can connect to. He broadens the borders of human compassion. Opens the door ways of understanding. And most of all reminds us not to pass that little bit of vocabulary, or scientific terminology without looking at it with open eyes. He reminds his readers that we can always learn more, understand more, and to never just take someone else's word for it. You are the one that can make the world better, by accepting more, understanding more, and standing up with both heart and soul for the right things. Karla Raven is a badass, and she can teach the world about loyalty, and marine core values. Skipper teaches us acceptance, and the willingness to trust people to know their limits, and know when they need help. His compassion drives his team. Et, is the character that reminds you a book is not defined by its cover, or even where it came from, but what you find when you connect to it, and grow, and learn on your own journey. Cat and Murphy, never give up. And most of all Alpha, the cruelty of people who are in power to those they label or view lesser than themselves. What a great adventure, I hope that the world can have another PSI team adventure.
June 19, 2022
Well crafted action sci-fi with a couple of problems. Author is a professed libertarian, which is fine. However, he promotes the view through a character that democracy is doomed to perish. I don't think a Masters degree in archaeology gains him such an insight. Moreover, he's a secular archaeologist and dreams up a woke variant of the old gnostic Christian heresy,. In this varient souls are incomplete unless male and female auras are somehow entwined, and he urinates on Christianity and especially the Catholic Church by averring that St Peter murdered the high priest of the woke gnosticism. Truly silly stuff. Could be the author is just another aggressive athiest (50s and 60s kids - there are a lot of them) trying to shock spiritual people with something outrageous, without realizing that the only thing that truly shocks spiritual people is meeting people who are not trying to shock them. This sort of thing is invariably childish.... a secular hissy fit.
By abusing the voice of a character who he paints as a protagonist, a sophisticate, for whom we are all supposed to have the hots, he renders her as repulsive as any character in the novel. She deserved better. She and her woke-ganostic wisdom will surely feature strongly in the third book in this series. I'll be sure to miss it.
I liked the first novel in this series. This is clearly intended to lead to a third novel, which I believe I will skip. I don't know if this is a 50s/60s kid venting his spleen, or caving into editors who want woke, but the wokism and antireligiosity is more than distracting, completely irrelevant to his story, and the author has lost this reader as a reader. I also have strong libertarian impulses, and the author is entitled to whatever "artistic license" he wishes to take, and we are entitled to ignore him.
By abusing the voice of a character who he paints as a protagonist, a sophisticate, for whom we are all supposed to have the hots, he renders her as repulsive as any character in the novel. She deserved better. She and her woke-ganostic wisdom will surely feature strongly in the third book in this series. I'll be sure to miss it.
I liked the first novel in this series. This is clearly intended to lead to a third novel, which I believe I will skip. I don't know if this is a 50s/60s kid venting his spleen, or caving into editors who want woke, but the wokism and antireligiosity is more than distracting, completely irrelevant to his story, and the author has lost this reader as a reader. I also have strong libertarian impulses, and the author is entitled to whatever "artistic license" he wishes to take, and we are entitled to ignore him.
July 1, 2023
I really enjoyed this read. This is one of the first science fiction novels I’ve read and it was fascinating. The author did a great job detailing how those from other timelines looked and lived. It was interesting to read from the different perspectives of the characters while also mixing in some psychology. Going to have to go back and read the first book in the series as I didn’t originally realize that this was part of a series.
July 15, 2024
Sequel to Alpha Enigma. Alpha, a woman from an alternative timeline, returns to get her hand held computer to navigate back to the past to get her partner. Unfortunately, people from this timeline are systematically destroying civilizations that have any capability of producing like technology and plan to wipe out Earth in ancient Egypt. The PSI team, a motley collection of ex military soldiers with psychiatric problems must face the enemy and out smart them.
August 26, 2025
7.8 out of 10.
Quick, fun ride.
W. Michael Gear scratches a particular itch for me. He is really good at super interesting Sci-Fi concepts and then putting them into a great ready for cable viewing B-movie action. The books in this series could have easily be in the turn on TNT/TBS on 7pm on a weekend and watch type cable movies. Or old straight to DVD action classics in the best way.
The ending is also satisfying.
Quick, fun ride.
W. Michael Gear scratches a particular itch for me. He is really good at super interesting Sci-Fi concepts and then putting them into a great ready for cable viewing B-movie action. The books in this series could have easily be in the turn on TNT/TBS on 7pm on a weekend and watch type cable movies. Or old straight to DVD action classics in the best way.
The ending is also satisfying.
August 15, 2022
Ultimately unsatisfying. The ending is spoiled by the rules of the narrative that Gear establishes. Given that the nature of the threat is time-traveling, the mere fact that the protagonists exist to attempt to defeat Domina and the Imperator means that they must have succeeded.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 4, 2022
As if there aren't enough national security threats in existence today, W. Michael Gear has created a new one to think about. Fighting across timelines may be the stuff of science fiction, but given where technology is taking us in the twenty-first century is it really so hard to imagine? I would say, yes and no.
Yes: there is some pretty far out imagination going on in this story. Jumping in and out of timelines is quantum physics on steroids. We haven't even figured out how to power electric cars efficiently or the airline industry to get us somewhere on time. No: we don't know what we don't know. Unlocking the future is happening as we speak. Anyone remember how cutting edge DVR players seemed at the time?
It really doesn't matter. As always Gear excels in mind bending science fiction that incorporates a lot of known science as well as speculation. He uses his extensive knowledge of archeology and human history to make his work exciting and educational. He rarely sticks to conformity in his opinions, choosing instead to challenge his readers and take them into places where new understanding is possible.
Implacable Alpha, Team Psi #2, blends ancient Roman and Mayan cultures with the twenty-first century and far into the future. Or is it really only the future when you can move backwards and forward in time by centuries or seconds? Eliminate entire worlds and histories at will, or follow particle trails into other timelines and dimensions?
It seems impossible, yet weirdly like a possible future. In this series our first line of defense is a team cobbled together from a military psychiatric hospital which in Gear's fictional world includes a quirky group of least likely heroes, strong women warriors and a good, if not dark, sense of humor. As good as our military is, and as advanced as we think our arsenal of weapons has become, will it be enough to counter a threat from an alien civilization with not of this world technology?
Book two is Gear firing on all cylinders as he further explores mind bending tech, religious history, physics and the sad state of our world as seen by others including the horrible fracturing and divisions in American culture and society.
Yes: there is some pretty far out imagination going on in this story. Jumping in and out of timelines is quantum physics on steroids. We haven't even figured out how to power electric cars efficiently or the airline industry to get us somewhere on time. No: we don't know what we don't know. Unlocking the future is happening as we speak. Anyone remember how cutting edge DVR players seemed at the time?
It really doesn't matter. As always Gear excels in mind bending science fiction that incorporates a lot of known science as well as speculation. He uses his extensive knowledge of archeology and human history to make his work exciting and educational. He rarely sticks to conformity in his opinions, choosing instead to challenge his readers and take them into places where new understanding is possible.
Implacable Alpha, Team Psi #2, blends ancient Roman and Mayan cultures with the twenty-first century and far into the future. Or is it really only the future when you can move backwards and forward in time by centuries or seconds? Eliminate entire worlds and histories at will, or follow particle trails into other timelines and dimensions?
It seems impossible, yet weirdly like a possible future. In this series our first line of defense is a team cobbled together from a military psychiatric hospital which in Gear's fictional world includes a quirky group of least likely heroes, strong women warriors and a good, if not dark, sense of humor. As good as our military is, and as advanced as we think our arsenal of weapons has become, will it be enough to counter a threat from an alien civilization with not of this world technology?
Book two is Gear firing on all cylinders as he further explores mind bending tech, religious history, physics and the sad state of our world as seen by others including the horrible fracturing and divisions in American culture and society.
July 22, 2022
5/5 Stars
April 20, 2023
I think I preferred this to the first in the series. Less focus on the improbable plot device of the psychotic team and more just regular plot. 3.5
March 30, 2025
Good sf slop
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews