Aleksei Tallow

*"Don't piss off the Major."*
― Aleksei Tallow**Aleksei Tallow** was a Dorusian fighter pilot and member of the 101st Tactical Fighter Squadron during the South Osean Continental War where he served as the leader of *Morena*, a mercenary unit created by the Dorusian Air Force.

## Biography

### Early Life

Born in the northern regions of Dorusia, Aleksei Tallow was the youngest of two sons. His parents, a farmhand and seamstress, worked hard to provide for their children, and though life was difficult at times the small family found happiness. Aleksei was a model student, bright and willing to work hard for what little he wanted. By the age of eight he and his brother were already toiling alongside their father, simple work for children but enough so for a modest pay.

Within a few years the political climate would change drastically within the country. Heavily influenced by Yuktobania, a new government system would seize control of Kirovsk, the capital, after the controversial elections of 1974, plunging the nation into a short but brutal civil war. Aleksei grew fascinated with the various warplanes flying overhead, his hometown being a crossroads far from the conflict, and its people generally apathetic to both ideologies. The war was a distant thought that mattered little then. That was until the Rebels took control. Claiming themselves to be freedom fighters, the Rebels were harsh and little better than the Communist government which they opposed. Within weeks the air campaign to root out the Rebels would intensify. Aleksei and his family would be caught in one such bombing raid, he being the only survivor. The very next day the Federal Army would take control of the town and the war would end soon thereafter.

Aleksei never held responsible the new government for his lost, he, like many others, laying blame against the Rebels for the needless bloodshed. He would move close to the capital to live with relatives, and at age 18 would join the air force.

### Verusean War (1984-1990)

The invasion of Central Sotoa in June 1986 would mark the beginning of Dorusian involvement in the war as a co-belligerent of Valga and Verusa. Aleksei, now a lieutenant in the DAF, would see combat for the first time during the First Battle of Manbasa (the first major offensive against the country of South Sotoa), and though performing admirably his squadron would suffer heavy losses. The battle was ultimately a defeat for the DAF. This event would serve to shape Aleksei's view on warfare, the lieutenant no longer seeing conflict as a form of national advancement but as a struggle to serve your fellow soldier, victory or defeat being entirely dependent on one's willingness to pull his countrymen through the flames of war. Dorusia would capture the city during the Second Battle of Manbasa three weeks later.

For his performance Aleksei was transferred into the 101st Tactical Fighter Squadron, a premier unit of some of the best pilots within the DAF and headed by Dorian Graves, perhaps the most skilled airman to serve in the war. In December 1986 the 101st would intercept South Sotoan fighter jets crossing the Bay of Dorusia. Aleksei would claim his fifth kill during the battle, thus earning himself the title of Ace. The conflict with South Sotoa would stagnate from here on out.

With the entrance of Yuktobania into the war against Valga and Verusa the following year Dorusia would cease all offensive operations, specially those on the Verusean Peninsula, and a ceasefire would be enacted soon thereafter. No official peace treaty would emerge until 1990.

Following the war Aleksei would be made second-in-command of his flight and would continue with peacekeeping operations to maintain the territory gained during the conflict, and though a few incidents are noted to have occurred it was otherwise a period of peace for the DAF. During this time the 101st would practically double in size, recruiting veterans and new blood alike. Aleksei would meet his future wingman Mitsuko Kimura during a mock engagement when he successfully "shot down" her trainer during a training exercise over Vostok Air Force Base. The outgoing Mitsuko has been a close friend of the reserved Aleksei ever since.

### South Osean Continental War (1992-)

The 13th Mercenary Air Squadron was formed in mid-1992 as a way for Dorusia to assist its economic ally Seian in an ongoing border dispute without committing DAF assets. On the recommendation of his flight leader Aleksei and Mitsuko were temporarily transferred into the mercenary unit.