Don't bother; it is not worth the Time At first, the deaths thought to be insignificant. Then a pattern is recognized. Someone is killing the top Russian specialists in every Western intelligence agency--England's MI6, Germany's BND, France's DGSE and our CIA.
A special virus, Hydra constructed directly with the intended victim's DNA, is the cause. Throw in a few disgruntled Soviet dinosaurs who want to return Russia to its Communist glory days and you have the foundation for a clichéd, predictable tale.
I finished it, but found myself wishing I had left this book on the library shelf.
Another Covert-One Novel Author Patrick Larking has done an excellent job in continuing Robert Ludlum's acclaimed Covert-One series. Not only does Larking manage to present a well-written story, but also present an amazing execution of the English language, describing everything in great detail from the battles to HYDRA.
In this book, a new weapon is introduced. But this time it isn't a computerized or biochemical weapon. It's a special virus, constructed directly with the intended victim's DNA. To describe the virus in short medical terms, HYDRA is a mutated human cell constructed using a single-stranded virus and altered cDNA, a replica of the victim's DNA. When in the intended victim, this cell would lodge itself in the gut and multiply rapidly, shutting down the intricate process of cell division and reproduction, causing death. Not only that, but no doctor would think to look at the supposedly harmless E.coli in the gut that has suddenly become life threatening. But even if a doctor did find out, the victim cannot be cured once the HYDRA variant has taken hold.
At the beginning of the book, we get an idea of just how important this disease is. Dr. Kiryanov had stolen a number of tissue and blood samples of the first few victims, as well as photocopied important documents concerning the victims. He was on his way to see Fiona Devin, an American journalist, also a Covert-One agent. Kiryanov was on his way with the paperwork so that American medical researchers could study the disease, but was killed with a Hydra variant before he was able to hand over the paperwork.
Somewhere else in Moscow, Dr. Petrenko was meeting with Lieutenant Colonel Jon Smith, both an accomplished molecular biologist and Covert-One agent. Petrenko is concerned about the same disease, and also has paperwork, tissue and blood samples for Smith. But before Petrenko can hand over the information, a group of mysterious men attack. The mysterious men are obviously a group of experienced gunmen, and kill Petrenko. His notes and medical samples are lost, and Smith barely escapes with his life.
As the story unfolds, more HYDRA variants are delivered to their intended target - President Castilla among them. But before that variant begins work, Smith sends info to Klein, allowing him to stop the Hydra variant. In the meantime, Russia seems to be ready to reclaim the lands of the former Soviet Union.
What will happen? Will Russia reclaim the lands of the Soviet Union? What will become of the HYDRA disease?Another Covert-One Novel Author Patrick Larking has done an excellent job in continuing Robert Ludlum's acclaimed Covert-One series. Not only does Larking manage to present a well-written story, but also present an amazing execution of the English language, describing everything in great detail from the battles to HYDRA.
In this book, a new weapon is introduced. But this time it isn't a computerized or biochemical weapon. It's a special virus, constructed directly with the intended victim's DNA. To describe the virus in short medical terms, HYDRA is a mutated human cell constructed using a single-stranded virus and altered cDNA, a replica of the victim's DNA. When in the intended victim, this cell would lodge itself in the gut and multiply rapidly, shutting down the intricate process of cell division and reproduction, causing death. Not only that, but no doctor would think to look at the supposedly harmless E.coli in the gut that has suddenly become life threatening. But even if a doctor did find out, the victim cannot be cured once the HYDRA variant has taken hold.
At the beginning of the book, we get an idea of just how important this disease is. Dr. Kiryanov had stolen a number of tissue and blood samples of the first few victims, as well as photocopied important documents concerning the victims. He was on his way to see Fiona Devin, an American journalist, also a Covert-One agent. Kiryanov was on his way with the paperwork so that American medical researchers could study the disease, but was killed with a Hydra variant before he was able to hand over the paperwork.
Somewhere else in Moscow, Dr. Petrenko was meeting with Lieutenant Colonel Jon Smith, both an accomplished molecular biologist and Covert-One agent. Petrenko is concerned about the same disease, and also has paperwork, tissue and blood samples for Smith. But before Petrenko can hand over the information, a group of mysterious men attack. The mysterious men are obviously a group of experienced gunmen, and kill Petrenko. His notes and medical samples are lost, and Smith barely escapes with his life.
As the story unfolds, more HYDRA variants are delivered to their intended target - President Castilla among them. But before that variant begins work, Smith sends info to Klein, allowing him to stop the Hydra variant. In the meantime, Russia seems to be ready to reclaim the lands of the former Soviet Union.
What will happen? Will Russia reclaim the lands of the Soviet Union? And what will become of the deadly HYDRA disease?
