Page 25 of Code Name: Reaper
“I’m sorry, but I had to stay dark. Too many people were looking for me, and I wasn’t sure who to trust.”
“But you trust us.” Delfino phrased it as a statement, not a question.
“With my life.”
The simple words struck me harder than they should have. I found myself studying the easy way she interacted with them—the genuine warmth, the dropped barriers, the way her whole body language changed from defensive to open. It was a side of her I’d glimpsed but never seen fully displayed, and it stung. She hadn’t known them longer than me, and she appreciated them. When I arrived in Berlin, she wasn’t happy to see me; she was pissed.
I was about to walk away when Nemesis entered the room. Her presence immediately commanded the attention of all those present. “Sorry to interrupt everyone, but now that Reaper and Amaryllis have arrived, there will be a full-team briefing in fifteen.”
After making the announcement, she approached us.
“Nemesis,” said Wren. “I don’t believe you’ve met Amaryllis.”
They shook hands, and Nem welcomed her, saying she was looking forward to her Aldrich debrief. “As we’ll also be discussing Mercury, your insight will be invaluable.”
“Amaryllis will need a secure cell and tablet, along with a laptop,” I interjected.
“I do?” she asked.
“In case you’re being tracked,” I reminded her quietly.
“Shall we get started?” Nemesis walked to the front of the room. “Prior to proceeding with individual debriefings and assignment distribution, I’d like to do a review of where we are, so everyone is on the same page.”
She gestured toward the holographic display behind her. “As this mission moves from prelim to full throttle, I want everyone aware of what we’re facing.” Those around the room nodded in acknowledgment. “As most of you know, OperationArgead was a global corruption network that infiltrated international intelligence agencies and laundered millions while systematically murdering anyone who threatened to expose them. Any questions?” She glanced around, but no one spoke up.
The display shifted, showing a new organizational structure overlaid with Russian state symbols. “SMO Romanov picked up where Argead left off, but this is not like any other criminal network. Russia’s FSB recognized an opportunity to evolve Argead’s remnants into something more formidable.”
She clicked on the surveillance footage of diplomatic convoys. “Unlike the previous network’s reliance on individual corrupt officials, Romanov operates with full protection from the Kremlin, including diplomatic immunity. They have a centralized command structure directed from Moscow and can leverage FSB’s sophisticated counterintelligence capabilities.”
Nemesis’ expression darkened. “But instead of laundering money, they’re trafficking intelligence assets—scientists, diplomats, military personnel—staging disappearances and extracting sensitive information before either eliminating the targets or converting them into long-term assets. We, the coalition, were assigned this mission because they’re systematically trafficking these assets across international borders.”
I glanced at Amaryllis, whose spine was perfectly straight as she absorbed every detail.
“Which brings us to our current situation,” she continued. “We have two high-priority targets—Dr. Eleanor Aldrich, code name Prism and founder of Minerva Protocol, who has been collaborating with the Russians, and Dr. Lyra Carrington, code name Mercury, who disappeared while allegedly investigating an NSA security breach.”
She clicked on a new display showing mission parameters. “Our objectives are threefold. First is to take down SMORomanov and rescue the missing diplomats and operatives they’ve trafficked.
“Second, to locate Dr. Aldrich. Based on surveillance evidence gathered by Agent Beaudoin, we know Aldrich met with Nikolai Vasiliev and has been feeding him sensitive intelligence. Our hope is that, if we can bring her in, she might be willing to turn state’s evidence against the network in exchange for consideration.”
When a new set of mission parameters appeared, Amaryllis’ focus intensified.
“Third, locate Dr. Carrington, code name Mercury. She disappeared seven months ago during an op in Montenegro. At present, we’re unsure whether she’s in hiding, captured, working with Romanov, or deceased. What we do know is that she possesses critical information that we cannot allow to fall into enemy hands. Previous but unconfirmed intelligence suggests she might be at the Western Naval Base in Odesa.”
Nemesis’s expression hardened. “These objectives are interconnected. Finding one may lead us to the others. And time is not on our side.”
When what was on the screen changed again, she looked between Wren and Amaryllis.
“The two of you will lead the team searching for Mercury. Amaryllis, you’re the best person to craft the mission, based on your past experience as well as the intel you gathered on Prism.”
“Roger that, ma’am,” she responded.
“Delfino and Hornet, you’re responsible for deepening the investigation into Minerva Protocol. The specific objective will be to gather intelligence on their structure, identify any other compromised members, as well as determine if locating Prism should be a joint mission.”
She turned to me. “You and Blackjack will be in charge of the team focusing on Romanov’s operational network—trackingVasiliev’s movements, mapping their trafficking routes, and coordinating rescue ops for the missing assets.
“Any questions at this time?” Nemesis asked. After no one spoke up, she continued. “I’ll repeat that time is not on our side. The other thing we need to take into consideration is that there are people in this room who may already be on the FSB’s radar, which will impact active deployment.”
Several people murmured their agreement.
