NIGHT DROP( A Eric the Red thriller: Book 1)

Chapter 22

Upon his return to the shooting range, Eric climbed off the motorcycle and entered the shop behind the counter. Before heading into the operations center, where Holiday awaited his arrival, his eyes narrowed as he saw Callan Flynn shaking hands with General Mikhail Grigorevich Sokolov in Moscow. The image of their meeting, captured prior to the invasion of Ukraine, puzzled Eric, and a furrow creased his brow as he pondered the significance of Flynn's encounter with a Russian general.

Holiday explained that General Sokolov is the head of GRU counterintelligence and serves as Valentina Petrov's handler. Valentina, also known as Emlin Medusa, is a Russian Intelligence Service asset used as a sparrow and now works as an assassin for the Headshot organization.

Eric, intrigued by the revelation, asked if General Sokolov could be behind Headshot, considering his high-ranking position in GRU counterintelligence and his connection to Valentina.

Holiday responded, "I don't believe General Sokolov is directly behind Headshot. However, the Assassin organization may have ties to Russian intelligence or the Kremlin. We need to dig deeper to uncover the genuine connection to Huntley."

Eric was curious when he found out that the security chief of Huntley's met with GRU counterintelligence before the invasion of Ukraine. The primary question is: why? Why would Headshot, an assassin organization, be interested in an invasion?

Eric couldn't shake the feeling that there had to be more to their involvement than just financial gain. While it was true that Headshot could potentially make billions from such a situation, Eric couldn't help but think that there must be a deeper motive behind their actions. He resolved to delve further into the matter and uncover the true intentions of Headshot and their connection to the invasion.

"Eric asked if their target was connected to the invasion of Ukraine."

"Absolutely," Holiday replied. "Considering the timing of the security chief's meeting with GRU counterintelligence and the subsequent invasion of Ukraine, it's highly likely that Headshot's target is directly connected to the events unfolding in Ukraine."

"President Roberts has given us your full support from her administration. She wants Huntley and his assassin organization stopped for good."Holiday said, walking over to the keyboard on the desk and typing in Achillion Palace. An area view flashed onto the screen of Corfu.

Eric's eyes widened as Holiday revealed the extent of President Roberts' support. The weight of the task at hand felt even heavier, but he knew they had the backing they needed to succeed. As Holiday brought up the area view of Corfu and displayed Achillion Palace on the screen, Eric leaned in, studying the image. The palace stood grand and imposing, surrounded by lush gardens and overlooking the sparkling sea.

"Achillion Palace," Eric mused. "An intriguing choice for a base of operations. Its historical significance and secluded location could provide Huntley and his organization with the perfect cover."

Holiday nodded in agreement. "Exactly. We should thoroughly investigate the palace and its surroundings. There might be hidden entrances, underground tunnels, or other secret locations that Headshot is utilizing."

"Eric, you'll be portraying a Ukrainian oligarch. Holiday remarked, "You get to determine the name of your tale.

Eric considered Holiday's suggestion carefully. As he would be assuming the role of a Ukrainian oligarch, it was crucial to select a legendary name that would blend seamlessly into the world of high-stakes business and politics. After a moment of thought, he replied, "I'll go by the name Viktor Kovalenko. It sounds suitably powerful and carries an air of authority."

Holiday nodded approvingly. "Viktor Kovalenko it is. Now, we'll need to create a convincing backstory for your character, including a detailed history, business interests, and connections within the Ukrainian oligarchy. It should be a persona that aligns with the kind of targets Huntley and his organization may be interested in."

Eric agreed, realizing the importance of crafting a believable legend. "I'll work on developing Viktor Kovalenko's background, ensuring that it aligns with the current political and business landscape in Ukraine. It should also provide me with the necessary access and influence to navigate through the circles that Huntley operates in."

Holiday smiled. "Excellent. Once we have your legend solidified, we can start establishing your presence and connections within the Ukrainian oligarchy. This will be crucial in gaining the trust of potential informants and getting closer to Huntley's organization."

Eric nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and anticipation. The role of Viktor Kovalenko presented a unique opportunity to infiltrate the world of the oligarchs and gather critical information on Huntley and his assassin organization. He was determined to utilize every resource at his disposal to bring an end to their reign of terror. With their plan taking shape, Eric and Holiday set out to create the legend of Viktor Kovalenko, ensuring that every detail was meticulously crafted to withstand scrutiny. They knew that the success of their mission relied on their ability to convince others of Eric's new identity, and in doing so, they would be one step closer to dismantling Huntley's organization once and for all.

What about Petrov? She will be on the lookout for me there. I'll need Maizie as a backup if things become heated, he warned Holiday.Eric's concern for Petrov's presence at Achillion Palace was valid. Petrov, a skilled operative and a potential threat, could complicate their mission to gather information on Huntley's organization. Eric knew that having a trusted backup like Maizie would be essential in case things escalated.

"I agree, Maizie would be a valuable asset to have by our side," Holiday said, his voice filled with determination. "Her expertise in handling high-pressure situations and her quick thinking could prove crucial if things get heated at Achillion Palace."He nodded, understanding the need for backup. "I'll reach out to Maizie and fill her in on the details. We'll ensure she's ready to join you at Achillion Palace when the time comes."

"Once Maizie is on board, we'll need to coordinate our plan of action," Eric said. "We should gather as much intelligence as possible before our arrival at the palace. This will help us anticipate any potential obstacles and devise strategies to overcome them."