Step into the suspenseful world of Ashiel Hammond

Ashiel Hammond is the Private Op, an international man of mystery who offers his dangerous skills to those in need. Blending the best of detective noir and spy fiction, these short stories pack a punch - and a pistol too! In every Private Op adventure, you can expect unique locales, taught action sequences, and a hero you'll be rooting for every step of the way.

Ashiel Hammond is the son of popular movie stars Zack Hammond and Jillian Howe. Due to his parents’ whirlwind acting careers and a desire to keep their child with them as much as possible, Ashiel spent much of his youth traveling around the world on movie sets, being educated by tutors. When his parents were killed performing a dangerous stunt, Ashiel was taken in and raised by his paternal grandparents, James and Virginia Hammond. The Hammonds wanted nothing more than to protect their grandson from the world his parents lived in and the media that longed for his attention. James and Virginia used the family’s money to keep Ashiel in relative seclusion, raising him in Hillsboro, Oregon.

Seeking to walk his own path, Ashiel joined the Marines at 18. In the Marines, Ashiel was a standout marksman and attended the Scout Sniper School in Quantico, Va. After re-enlisting for another four years, the young sniper was sent on operations for the CIA and NATO, working with CIA agent Gabriel Sexton twice. The old spook took an interest in the young sharpshooter and attempted to recruit him into the Company. Having seen enough military action by the age of 26, Ashiel retired from the Corps.

Several years later, he is a prominent photo journalist, known for his ability to get pictures and stories that few others are willing to pursue. Ashiel has little contact with people outside his circle of editors, journalists, travel guides, and interpreters. It is at this point when Gabriel Sexton, now retired, enters Ashiel’s life again. Gabriel has found a way to make a positive impact on the world without the problem of political red-tape as a Private Op through his own company, Archangel Security Consultants. He was nearly killed on his last job, though escaped with his life “thanks to a little cunning and a lot of luck.” Now, feeling his age, the old spy wants someone to take over for him as the next Private Op. Gabriel offers to train Ashiel in the ways of espionage while managing Archangel SC clients. Intrigued, Ashiel agrees. Using some of his contacts with the CIA, Gabriel creates the alias “Anderson Howe” for Ashiel to work under. Gabriel plays many roles - principal/mentor/advisor but remains a mystery to his protégé. He operates within his own code of ethics and sometimes his choices of work seem questionable, leaving Ashiel to wonder what machinations Gabriel truly has for him.

Read a Private Op adventure

For as long as I can remember, all I've ever wanted to do is tell stories. From movie scripts, to comic books, to traditional prose; no matter the format, regardless of the genre, creating is the thing that I enjoy most.

These Private Op stories are particularly dear to me and I'm so excited about what this can be. Creating a new genre and reviving a format from yesteryear feels so apprepriate for today's audiences. Short stories are easy to read and using the serial concept means readers get a chance to really get to know these characters.

Derek Hall

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