Who is Charles Abbott?

Charles Abbott was born as Vasiliev Masalski on May 23, 1968, in Moscow, Russia. His father was a senior member of the Communist Party. His mother was a research scientist and part of the top tier of the Russian intelligentsia. Together, Charles’s parents were a power couple living a wealthy, high-society lifestyle.

Vasiliev was sent off to England for schooling starting at the tender age of twelve. He enrolled at the University of Cambridge (also known as Oxbridge) in 1985 and changed his name to Charles Abbott, hoping to better fit in with his adoptive home and classmates.

After graduating with honors, Charles was recruited by the KGB as a counterintelligence specialist. In 2014, he was assigned to infiltrate the emerging paramilitary Wagner Group. Disillusioned with the KGB’s transition into the FSB (Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation) and the direction of the Wagner Group, Charles left government service in 2016 to become an independent paramilitary contractor.

Being a Gemini, Charles is a multifaceted individual. Geminis, the third sign of the zodiac, are known for their intellectual curiosity, adaptability, and communication skills. They are often described as quick-witted, versatile, and social, thriving on mental stimulation and varied experiences. Geminis are also called the chameleons of the Zodiac, skilled at blending into different groups based on the vibe and energy they perceive. Charles Abbott displays all the traits of his astrological sign, with a notable appreciation for the dark side, thanks to his years of service in the Russian secret service and paramilitary organizations.

While Charles was a slowly developing character in Collective Vengeance, he rose to capture the reader’s attention as the story progressed. The story highlighted his Gemini traits and his love of playing a hateful antagonist.

A lingering question at the conclusion of Collective Vengeance left readers questioning what happened to Charles. The Sequel story, Counter Vengeance, answers that question in rapid fashion.

See the July 2025 Story Insights for a taste of Charles’s resurgence in Counter Vengeance (due to be published in 2026).