Name: Maxim Yakov Vasilievich
Rank: Leytenant (Lieutenant)
Age: Early 60's/Late 50's
Nationality: Argyotska, Voskad
Appearance: Maxim's face is that of a veteran. Lined, grey, and wizened.
Maxim's combat chassis resembles a warrior more than it does a soldier. It was to be more than just an effective platform, it was meant as a symbol of pride and hope for the Slovak people. Its immense size allows him to carry and fire enormous weapons such as rail guns, shoulder mounted artillery cannons, aircraft mounted gatling guns, and yes, even an giant ax. The ax is more for symbolic appearance than anything else, but it
is still a weapon, and Maxim will resort to it if enemies get close enough. The armor for his combat chassis is flashy, but still effective and stopping most forms of weapons fire. Maxim's strategy is usually to overwhelm enemies with sheer strength, unflinching courage, and steadfast determination.
Outside of battle, Maxim is still very large without the armor. Most of his body, save for part of his torso and his head, is cybernetic. He isn't partial to any particular sense of fashion, though he
does always dress like it's a particularly warm summer. He's the kind of person to wear a muscle shirt in a white-out, and one to go outside and breath in that fresh air.
History: Maxim was born in the nation of Slovak, in the Argyotska region. Once prized for its majestic mountain range, glistening frozen lakes, and vast white forests, Agyotska was one of the many regions lost during the early days of the invasion. Like the thousands of displaced Slovak people, Maxim grew up alongside other struggling refugees with only his inheritance coming in the form of memories of home. Like all others in Voskad, Maxim had only the words of the Voskayan government. Work hard, trust in us, we will prevail. He grew up on the self sacrificial dogma of the Voskayan government, living for his fellow Voskayan and trusting them to live for him. Always diligently looking to the future with a hopeful heart and hardworking hands. As soon as he came of age, he did what every young man in Voskad does when he's eager to serve his country. He enlisted.
The early days of the Voskad conflict was famous for the sheer loss of both ground and lives. He was one of thousands of troops against the oncoming horde, and in the beginning, it was always a losing battle. He and his comrades could only try to hold the front lines with their weapons, their determination, and their desire to protect what little was left of home. Those early days of the war were called "The Red Winters", because it was said that so many were lost during those battles that the snow was more red than white. More often than not, Voskad forces were pushed back. The few times they won, it was by the skin of their teeth, and victory was always short-lived; they all knew another attack would come in a few hours. According to historians, Voskad forces fired more munitions during those early battles than they had in the last three wars combined. They say that if you go to the sites of any of those early battles and dip your hand anywhere in the snow, you will always come up with spent shells.
Maxim was not a special soldier. He was a burly, large young man, (one doesn't just grow up as the son of a logger without something to show for it) and so he was made a machine gunner. He wasn't some special forces operative or some highly trained specialist. Like the thousands and thousands of other young men, he was given a gun, a helmet and a purpose. But to a young man determined to protect home, family, and country, it was enough. Maxim saw fierce fighting. They say ground infantry always took the heaviest losses, and it was true. Maxim was among one of those losses. It was his third month on the front lines, and it happened fast. He lost both legs, his right arm, and took a severe amount of shrapnel.
He was, however, lucky enough to take that artillery shell around the same time the Voskad government began planning to roll out a very select group of cyborgs. It was called Project Bogatyr, and naming the project after fabled heroes of legend was no coincidence. Maxim was selected, as were many others, based on blood type, physical constitution, genetic qualities, and most importantly, a proven sense of patriotic love for Slovak. The Bogatyr soldiers were more than just another group of cybernetic warriors. Slovak was losing hope. Its people grew more desperate and afraid with each passing day. They didn't need another soldier; they needed a symbol of pride. Each Bogatyr was made large, like a walking tank. Insurmountable, immovable. Their armor resembled that of a warrior, like the heroes of Slovak fables. They were given state of the art augmentations and training. They were once soldiers, but now, they needed to be heroes. They were more than a force against the horde, they were a source of hope and pride for a nation who'd lost everything. Maxim still remembers walking out with the other Bogatyrs in a Slovak government demonstration and watching people see, not machines or men, but walking heroes of old for the first time. It's a pleasant memory he still fights for.
It's been decades now, and the war doesn't seem to be ending. A few Bogatyr warriors have been lost over the years, but Maxim doesn't plan on giving up. In person, Maxim seems larger than life, and despite the years of war and battle, his demeanor has remained optimistic, cheerful, and actually quite friendly. Battle has taught him that life can be short, and time spent alone is time wasted. He's loud, and boisterous, he likes merry drinking and a good drinking song to go with it. When he's on a team, he often tries to be the one to bring the team together. Some might find him intrusive, but it's his way of getting the most out of his time outside the field of battle. He's got a soft spot for children and animals (and has broken regulation a few times for sneaking candy and treats in pouches that are better suited for storing ammunition), and has a deep love for his fellow human being. He wants to save his people and country more than anything; but he wants to save the world with them as well. This fight against an invading horde has shown him that in times like this, unity is what brings us the most strength.