“Shadow of the Motherland” follows Serj Romanov, an elite operative of Russia’s secretive Special Purpose Centre, as he navigates the treacherous world of covert operations in post-Soviet Russia. Known for his methodical precision and perfect execution record, Serj has spent fifteen years as the Centre’s most reliable asset, never questioning his assignments or the chain of command. His controlled detachment and tactical brilliance have made him the perfect weapon – until an assignment targeting an economist’s family forces him to confront the corrupted system he serves.
When Serj is ordered to eliminate an entire family, including two young children, he makes the unprecedented decision to refuse the mission, instead rescuing the children and going rogue. This act of principle rather than emotion sets him on a collision course with his former commanders, who have been using the Centre’s resources for personal gain rather than national security. What follows is a methodical dismantling of the corrupt network that weaponised him, as Serj turns his exceptional skills against those who betrayed Russia’s true interests.
As Serj systematically exposes the corruption within Russia’s security apparatus, he encounters both unexpected allies and a formidable adversary whose capabilities rival his own. The novel explores themes of loyalty, principle, and what it means to truly serve one’s country, all set against the backdrop of modern Russia’s complex political landscape. Through Serj’s tactical precision and growing understanding of the human cost of his work, “Shadow of the Motherland” examines how even the most controlled operative can find redemption not through emotional transformation but through unwavering adherence to core principles.