He served as one of the group's senior leaders and was a subordinate of the EFA commander. Before the Soviet occupation, Slava was also a married man and had a wife and son.[2]
Cold War Crisis (1985)[]
When Soviet troops led by General Aleksei Guba invaded Everon, they quickly and violently took over the entire island, destroying the NATO training camp and brutalising the island's inhabitants.[3]
Slava's wife and only child were both murdered by the Soviets, and his home was also burnt to the ground. Having lost everything, Slava was amongst one of the many fighters who joined the so-called "Everon Freedom Alliance" in the hopes of liberating Everon from Soviet oppression. However, for all their tenacity and valour, the guerillas were simply no match for Soviet might. The group constantly incurred heavy losses in their skirmishes against Guba's forces and were only capable of carrying out small attacks on isolated Soviet squads.[2]
Three days after the occupation began, NATO forces from nearby Malden stepped foot for the first time on Everon's soil following the destruction of their training camp days earlier. Slava and the other rebels watched the progress of the Americans closely and witnessed their defeat at the town of Montignac following a massive Soviet counterattack.[3][4][5]
During the retreat, a wayward U.S. soldier by the name of Corporal David Armstrong stumbles his way into the forests on the outskirts of the town and is subsequently surrounded by Soviet soldiers.[3][6]
Slava's squad of fighters ambush the unaware Soviets and proceed to hold the American at gunpoint, ordering him to identity himself. After being assured that he harboured no ill-intent towards him or his men, the leader promptly took him away to a safer location to meet with Slava himself.[6][7]
«
Welcome, Corporal Armstrong. My apologies for the manner of your arrival.
Slava introduces himself
»
Initially dismissive of Armstrong (since the Americans were already withdrawing after only incurring minimal losses), Slava tries to convince Armstrong of their cause[2], and attempts to enlist the American's aid in helping to rescue the village of Levie that was about to be raided by the Soviets. Armstrong remains adamant that he needs to return to Malden but agrees to "help" Slava anyway since they had saved him earlier.[8]
With Armstrong's support[9], Slava's fighters are able to stop the raid and free the villagers.[10] Slava then agrees to smuggle Armstrong to the main EFA camp, telling him that they had a radio there which Armstrong could use to report back to his CO. At the same time, Slava also tells him to exchange his uniform for civilian clothing instead.[3][11][12]
Stowing the American away in one of their trucks[12], Slava's men sneak him past a Soviet checkpoint before they run into a roadblock.[13] A Soviet officer was manning the next one and suspected that Slava was hiding suspicious "cargo" in their truck. With their ruse essentially blown, Slava orders his men to disembark from the truck and open fire on the unwary Soviets.[3][14]
Forced to abandon the truck, Slava and a few others flee into the nearby forests while parting ways with Armstrong, telling him to meet with them at the castle by nightfall.[15] The wayward guerillas reach the camp after sneaking past several more Soviet outposts along the way, and finally rendezvous with Armstrong as well.[16]
«
Slava: You will tell them what you have seen? We cannot defeat such an enemy ourselves! Armstrong: I will do everything I can, Slava... my friend.
Slava talks to Armstrong one final time
»
Later that evening over a campfire, Slava entrusts his faith in Armstrong that the American will bring NATO back to help the ailing guerillas. Armstrong reassures his friend that he will do everything he can to convince his superiors before finally departing for Malden.[3][17][18]
Death[]
Unfortunately for Slava and the rest of the EFA, the "help" that Armstrong promised never materialised.[17] In the weeks following Armstrong's departure and his eventual return, Slava was killed by the Soviets.[1]
«
EFA Commander: Slava? He is dead now. Armstrong: Dead!? EFA Commander: We lose people every day to the Russians. There are not many of us left now.
The EFA commander remarks on Slava's passing
»
Three weeks later, Armstrong finally returns to Everon alongside a U.S. special forces operative. The duo had come to enlist the aid of the EFA to help them in retaking Everon from the Soviets[19], but the commander informs him of Slava's demise. But as a final "gift" to the American, Slava had also entrusted documents containing vital information on the Soviets that he had compiled over the month. His gathered intelligence would contribute to the liberation of Everon days later.[1][3]
Personality and Appearance[]
Slava was an Everonian with a light complexion, short black hair, and a light beard. He always wore camouflaged fatigues and a field cap along with a set of glasses. When undercover as a "civilian" however, Slava donned a grey jumper and a pair of black pants instead.
An observant individual, Slava was cautious and analytical. In no small part due to his wife and son's death at their hands, Slava held a bitter hatred for the Soviets, looking down on them as being uncivilised and barbaric[20] while also vowing vengeance upon them.[2]
He was also quite dismissive of Americans as well, seeing them as nothing short of cowards for running away so quickly after just a single defeat.[2] But his distaste for Americans gradually wore off over time as he fought alongside CPL Armstrong, even becoming friends and placing much faith in the American.[17] He entrusted vital documents for Armstrong to take back should he (Slava) die before his return, which sadly became a reality in the weeks that followed the American's departure.[1]
Gallery[]
Slava (right) and Armstrong (far left) talk for one last time.
References[]
↑ 1.01.11.21.3ARMA: Cold War Assault 2011 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Cold War Crisis, Unfinished Business, "ARMSTRONG: I was hoping to meet with Commander Slava. Is he here? STOYAN: Slava? He is dead now. ARMSTRONG: Dead? STOYAN: We lose people every day to the Russians. There are not many of us left now. ARMSTRONG: I... I'm sorry. STOYAN: Look, we will assist you as we can. Before he died, Slava had prepared some documents which will be of use to you - information about the Russian presence here on Everon. ARMSTRONG: Thank you. I'm sure these will help-"
↑ 2.02.12.22.32.42.5ARMA: Cold War Assault 2011 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Cold War Crisis, After Montignac, "SLAVA: As soon as you've heard what we have to say, you will be returned unharmed to your unit. The Everon Freedom Alliance has no quarrel with NATO. ARMSTRONG: The Everon Freedom Alliance, is it? SLAVA: A grand name for a poor band of men and women who simply wish to see our Russian visitors leave this island as quickly as possible. Preferably in coffins, of course. ARMSTRONG: I know how you feel. SLAVA: I'm not sure that you do. This is our home. We will defend it at all costs. You Americans, now you have seen a few Russians, you're running away, like a chicken seeing the hawk. ARMSTRONG: Hey, man! Who are you calling chicken? We didn't ask for this fight - and we're doing the best we can! One minute I'm in a training camp, then allmyfriends are dead! SLAVA: I am sorry about your friends. But I have lost everything during these few days. They killed my wife. They killed my boy. They burned my house. There are few things remaining in my life. And this group of people is one of them. ARMSTRONG: I... I'm sorry. The Russians are killing civilians? Why would they do that? They want to control this island, not to slaughter. SLAVA: My friend, you have obviously no idea who we are facing. These soldiers are so far from central government that we are not sure if they obey orders from Moscow or from some other source. We are at the end of the world. And the Russians here show us how they hate this place."
↑ARMA: Cold War Assault 2011 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Cold War Crisis, After Montignac, "TOMAS: Lower your weapon American - stay right where you are. ARMSTRONG: Don't shoot! Don't shoot. TOMAS: Give me your name, ID and rank. ARMSTRONG: 17582. Corporal David Armstrong. TOMAS: ...and your unit? ARMSTRONG: You don't need to know that. TOMAS: We will take you to Commander Slava. Take it slowly and don't try anything clever."
↑ARMA: Cold War Assault 2011 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Cold War Crisis, Rescue, "They're all dead! And I'm left here alone on Everon. Christ, I think this place is cursed. The Russians almost got me - and I'm only alive now thanks to Slava and the rest of these guerilla guys. But God only knows what's going to happen next. Apparently, we're going on some kind of mission. Then we'll meet up with the others and try to reach the main Resistance base. Slava's given me some info about the job ahead. Sounds completely crazy. But maybe my luck’s gonna hold out. And at least these guys know what they’re fighting for..."
↑ 12.012.1ARMA: Cold War Assault 2011 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Cold War Crisis, Undercover, "Well, it looks like these guys know what they're doing. And it sure is nice to feel like I'm helping someone - not just fighting because I've been ordered to. Slava seems grateful for my help in rescuing the hostages, and has agreed to help me contact NATOheadquarters. So now we're going to their main encampment, in the ruins of a castle to the South, where they have a good radio. The castle is in the heart of Soviet-occupied territory, so to reach it I’ve got to disguise myself as a civilian and trust in my new friends' knowledge of their home territory. I'll keep my fingers crossed."
↑ARMA: Cold War Assault 2011 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Cold War Crisis, Undercover, "SLAVA: Hello there! We really need to get to St Pierre. Please - let us through. We can pay whatever you want. SOVIET SOLDIER: Hey - what's in the back of the truck? SLAVA: Oh, just a delivery of vodka for your officers. Here, perhaps you would like to try a... sample. SOVIET SOLDIER: Ah, now you are speaking our language! Please, move on! Vasiliy, you imbecile, move that uaz!"
↑ 17.017.117.2ARMA: Cold War Assault 2011 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Cold War Crisis, Undercover, "SLAVA: They will come for you soon, no? ARMSTRONG: Some time tonight. I hope they make it. SLAVA: You will tell them what you have seen? We cannot defeat such an enemy ourselves! ARMSTRONG: I will do everything I can, Slava... my friend."
↑ARMA: Cold War Assault 2011 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Cold War Crisis, Unfinished Business, "A Lieutenant! I can't believe it. Shame it had to come under such godawful circumstances, but... hey, a Lieutenant! Gastovski's with me now, on the boat back to Everon. He's quiet - but OK, I guess. Seems pretty sure of what he's doing. We're on our way to meet with my resistance contacts. Trying to make a deal - get their intel and support in exchange for a NATO push against the Russians on Everon. I guess they'll be pleased to see me again, Slava and the gang. OK, so we couldn't help them earlier. But we're on the way now. Better late than never,
eh? Here's hoping they see it that way."
