Deadly Undertaking by Allen Gregory (love books to read txt) 📕

Here’s a brief breakdown of the characters featured in this novelette. The story takes place at some point after Flint begins his career at Linchpin. It is a complete standalone story and other than the characters and settings, has no tie-in to the series and story arcs currently being developed. Hopefully this will keep you from wandering through the pages, dazed and confused. The descriptions that follow, while brief, will give you at least enough information to navigate the story and not be clueless.

Linchpin - A highly secretive, ‘off-the-books’ organization designed to ferret out and deal with threats to domestic U.S. security that fall outside the purview of the government and military. It operates as a private entity securing its funding from private sources – ‘concerned’ individuals and organizations with deep pockets.

Flint Stryker – Young(ish) (Imagine taking six-plus years to graduate college and add a couple of years for training on top of that) neophyte operative for Linchpin who was brought along with the goal of joining Linchpin after a too-long and less than stellar collegiate career. Although not considered one the ‘brightest and best’, Flint does have some attributes that make him a valuable asset for Linchpin. He is tenacious and has a dogged determination to see things through after while enduring some hard blows and challenges along the way.

Precog - Flint also has a unique physical gift. Flint is a developing Acquired Savant, possessing a precognitive ability that serves him well under duress. Think of a silent mental Early Warning System that alerts at opportune (and sometimes inopportune) times.

Dr. Morris Malloy – One of the principals serving in the leadership triumvirate** of Linchpin. Dr. Malloy’s skill set is all things scientific – especially the areas considered by many to be ‘fringe science’. Brilliant, quirky, and unflinchingly loyal to Flint, he works behind the scenes to ensure Flint has every opportunity to succeed. **(Consisting of the organization’s acknowledged leader known only as Seven, and Serafina Ferrari, a mysterious, beautiful operative who is also one of the world’s deadliest assassins. They are not featured in this novelette. That’s a story for another day.)

Cho-Soon Jeong (CJ) – A young female operative of Korean descent who was in the same training class as Flint. The two of them have shared many of the same missions, experiences, and have an unmistakable chemistry between them in spite of Flint’s often boorish behavior. With her cool, calm demeanor, she provides the perfect counterbalance to Flint’s sometimes impetuous, impulsive nature.

Earl ‘Cinder’ Porterhouse - Linchpin’s resident expert on all things