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Pike Logan #0.5

The Callsign

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In the first ever short story by Retired Delta Force officer Brad Taylor, the stakes couldn't be higher as operator Pike Logan goes after the first Taskforce target leading a team he can't fully trust.
Includes an exclusive preview of Brad Taylor's hotly anticipated third Pike Logan novel, "Enemy of Mine," coming January 15, 2013.
Commissioned at the highest level of the U.S. government, and designed to operate outside the bounds of U.S. law, a new counter-terrorist unit known as the Taskforce has just been formed, but not fully tested. Until now. Pike Logan has been given a team of operators drawn from the CIA's National Clandestine Service and the military's Special Operations Forces without any say in selecting the men on which he must depend. While executing a full mission profile exercise on U.S. soil, a target of opportunity appears before the Taskforce is deemed mission capable. Forced to execute, Pike and his team are sent to Yemen to track their first real target. The future of the Taskforce depends on their success, but when Pike is challenged by one of his own, their clear-cut mission teeters on the brink of disaster. The price of failure will reverberate much deeper than the loss of the target - straight into the presidency itself.
Propulsive, compelling, and told with unparalleled realism, "The Callsign "brings readers new insight into the origins of the Taskforce as they execute the first Omega operation in a relentless and action-packed short story.

80 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 20, 2012

249 people are currently reading
1340 people want to read

About the author

Brad Taylor

48 books2,543 followers
Brad Taylor served for more than twenty-one years in the U.S. Army, retiring in 2010 as a Special Forces Lieutenant colonel. During that time he held numerous infantry and special operations positions, including eight years in 1st Special Forces Operations Detachment—Delta, popularly known as the Delta Force, where he commanded multiple troops and a squadron.

He has conducted operations in support of U.S. national interests in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other classified locations. His final military post was as Assistant Professor of Military Science at The Citadel. He holds a master's of science in defense analysis with a concentration in irregular warfare from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA.

When not writing, Brad serves as a security consultant on asymmetric threats to various agencies. He currently lives in Charleston, SC, with his wife and two daughters.

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5 stars
911 (38%)
4 stars
907 (38%)
3 stars
433 (18%)
2 stars
79 (3%)
1 star
19 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
Profile Image for Jade Saul.
Author 3 books91 followers
January 9, 2022
In Brad Taylor The Callsign Pike, Logan and new formed Taskforce are training on mission for Yemen but not all the members are ready I really liked it giving us insight on how the Pike and team
It was awesome audiobook to listen too
Profile Image for Kay.
2,212 reviews1,204 followers
February 2, 2021
The first Taskforce mission and it was a bit of a train wreck. Initially I was thinking of giving a three star rating as it was so short and there wasn't much to it until I understood the “callsign” at the end...yes, YES!
Profile Image for Dianne.
6,815 reviews631 followers
February 13, 2013
As the story begins, Pike Logan's newly formed Taskforce, is on a training exercise in Charleston. The training involves committing an actual burglary and avoiding arrest. All without any sanction from the 'authorities'-because they are an off the record group.

The new Taskforce is called upon for an urgent mission in Yemen, ready to go, or not to perform. Not all members were 'ready' and the mission goes south.

I know this was a short story to give a little background on the Taskforce, but it was too short to do justice to the author's talent. A bonus at the end is an excerpt from the next full size novel, Enemy of Mine!

This copy was provided by NetGalley and the Penguin Group in exchange for an honest review!
Profile Image for Scott A. Miller.
631 reviews27 followers
June 24, 2019
These .5 novellas are great for background so I read them. This one provided a nice little blurb that filled in a few blanks. That’s all you can ask for.
Profile Image for Tommy.
2 reviews
November 20, 2012
True to color of Brad Taylor's style. Sets the stage well by providing more insight into the development of the Taskforce, Pike Logan, and the other operators. Great flow for a short story, but one that is a MUST READ if you are a Pike Logan fan!
Profile Image for Marc Harris.
145 reviews2 followers
January 20, 2024
Another really good novella! Takes us back to the start of The Taskforce, and we get the backstory about how a favorite character of mine got his nickname
Profile Image for Joshua.
291 reviews
November 8, 2018
Pike, Koko, Retro... and now Knuckles. Nice. Thanks @BradTaylorBooks
Profile Image for wally.
3,642 reviews5 followers
March 10, 2023
started finished 10th march 2023 good read three stars i liked it kindle library loaner pike logan #2.5 this one is when the task force is forming growing pains questions and answers story involves an exercise...something about role players that i think i understand--actors in the exercise though unknown to the task force. now all they need do is figure out how to infiltrate the mass of former politicians and current wealthy techno-geeks all chasing the dollars by helping the communist chinese party...that and the in-office tribe who exhibit truly bipartisan activity engaged in same...wonder if that long-dead chinese guy covered those bases in the art of war? maybe...but i'll hazard he had no idea of the current mechanics of that game. and it'll likely take as long as the tome is old to develop a strategy to combat...unless some metal a.i. arrives there first. my guess.
Profile Image for Jo-Ann Fitzgerald.
753 reviews2 followers
July 15, 2021
This is a book which could be earlier in the series. It’s a short book.

This flashes back to the start of the task force and how one of the major characters got his call sign which is how this book got its name.

Most of the book is getting history of the group, it it’s the last paragraphs which makes sense and will make you smile.
Profile Image for Andrew.
816 reviews9 followers
January 15, 2018
In another short-story look back at events before 'One Rough Man', 'The Callsign' details the first mission for Pike Logan and his Taskforce, who are after an Al Qaeda sympathiser in Yemen, and, specifically, how Knuckles got his call-sign.
Profile Image for Asterope.
790 reviews10 followers
July 17, 2025
Meh. Honestly, can be skipped. Nothing too revelatory in this. This is just a shit-show of a mission before the events in book 1. Only thing is we see why Knuckles got his name. But that's not really important in the scheme of things.
Profile Image for Ron Garcia.
10 reviews2 followers
June 15, 2017
I really enjoyed this story.

Great story! Reaper? Knuckles? Who knew? So cool to get a safe glimpse into a world you could never stand in. Much appreciation for those that can.
Profile Image for Drew Widney.
106 reviews1 follower
January 15, 2018
Love authors who publish short stories. Excited to read the novels and the short stories that fit in between. Very very excited
Profile Image for Ian.
53 reviews2 followers
March 14, 2018
Great novella. Loved it!
831 reviews10 followers
May 12, 2018
I really like this story!

It's been a few years since I've read Brad Taylor Taskforce series and after this short story. I'm going to catch up. A fan!
23 reviews1 follower
September 1, 2018
Too short

If you like military books this is a good introduction to the series. I look forward to the next book.
1 review
October 5, 2018
Poor

I am glad he kept writing to really show his talent. I see now why this effort is not listed in his list of books in his later novels.
5 reviews
October 30, 2018
Gets better

Another great story can not wait to start the next one in this series of the Pike Logan and his team
87 reviews
September 13, 2019
To short

The storyline was good but the development of a full story is missing. This book i# more like a prequel to an untold story.
Disappointed jus as it got interesting.
Profile Image for Michael.
69 reviews
February 15, 2020
Great story

These .5 books are great. I enjoy the background and character development. If you enjoy the concept of the Prometheus project, read the .5 books.
4,416 reviews28 followers
October 8, 2020
The Callsign review

The Callsign is a short action novella ( # 2.5 ) in the Taskforce series written by author Brad Taylor.
Profile Image for Marsha.
1,781 reviews
December 18, 2020
I enjoyed this short story about some of the teams history. I'm now looking for a longer book to keep reading of their adventures.
804 reviews8 followers
May 11, 2021
Good intro into this series. But don’t judge the series by this one it is a good back story that fills in some gaps for people who like this series
995 reviews4 followers
August 18, 2021
1 hour audiobook as a transition between books. Imtroducted knuckles and have he got his call sign
Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews

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