Brooks File: Nikolai Almuff

Editor note: This one has been requested for a long time. I severely apologize for this. I needed the perfect opprotunity to see Nikolai in person and interview him for me to understand what his problem is. Given my job is to evaluate their psychology, everyone outside of the Popeyes can be hard to trick into an interview if they have a schedule going on, which a lot of these members tend to be busy.

## BROOKS FILE: NIKOLAI ALMUFF

### Identified Issues: Psychosis, narcissism, Brain damage

REPORT: One of the few Syndicate members who had prior experience in the RUC, albeit as a foot soldier. It's unknown if he was truly getting that promotion he gloats about before his accident. After an incident with the Resistance lead by Donnel leaving him barely clinging alive from an explosion, the Republic took him in. His injuries seemed to be perfect for the cybernetic implants they were inventing at the time. According to Republic records, Nikolai's implants were considered a major success, albeit they didn't put him to sleep or numb his pain during the procedure for unknown reasons.

But let's turn back the clock before the Radioactive Uber Clan even became a thing and talk about a young Nikolai. His father was a general respected by The Republic. This inspired Nikolai to do anything to become a soldier just like his father. I don't know if General Almuff is still alive or still working for the Republic or not but according to my reports, Nikolai kept failing his military exams, much to his fathers disappointment. Years later, when Nikolai was an adult and the Radioactive Uber Clan was slowly emerging, General Almuff had an idea for his son: Rise up the ranks of the RUC and if he is successful, it'll be enough to pass this test and allow him to join the Republic.

One can presume that if he truly cared about his son and he is still alive now, he'd be horrified at what happened to him. Or alternatively, possibly proud to see the Republic gave him attention to save his life with new machinery. There's rumors that Dr. Eugene Krauser was the one who personally designed Nikolai's suit. If I ever find time to interview Eugene, I am sure he would gladly gloat about this if he was the one who did it.

In many ways, Nikolai's life mirrors that of Popeyes: Both were inspired by family members to join an occupation they were in, both were failing during times they were genuinely trying to study for it, and it affected them as a result. The only difference is you can argue Nikolai may have been only slightly more successful. By slightly I mean at least he knows basic math unlike Popeye.

When word got around about Nikolai surviving, this gave Popeye shortly before his death the chance to send him to his sons Syndicate as a general. Lazlo had mixed feelings over this: On one hand, Lazlo was confident that Nikolai's mechanical implants would bring a combat edge as well as the intimidation factor to the Syndicate. On the other hand, Nikolai's training to other soldiers has been mediocre at best, causing the two to frequently clash heads with one another.

Due to both the implants and the sudden jump in ranks, this got over Nikolai's head. He kept gloating about his military expertise and how he felt invincible. In truth, while his armor is extremely durable and his weapons, particularly his modified, mechanical hammer is strong, it isn't invincible. With enough effort, one can likely break the armor. It's just that you have to put a bit more effort into actually hurting him than other armored units.

It seemed like the mechanical implants weren't enough to fix his brain damage. According to him, they implanted some plating on what was left of his brain that can help him control his suit easily. It's unknown if it was the explosion or the cybernetics that damaged his brain but it was clear that it made him even more violent than he already was. He is a lot more sadistic and violent, not giving his enemies a quick death. This was the case with the man named Boris or "Boris Pork" as the RUC called him. A long time enemy of the RUC that Popeye held a grudge on him for unknown reasons that ended with Nikolai creating a new style of execution to murder him. And I do not want to get into the incident with Sunset Hill and the CYPHER Drones he sent out.

This makes him a very feared member of the Syndicate: Less so because he is actually terrifying to fight against but more if he gets his hands on you, he'll use what is left of his creative mind to think how he can kill you. Lazlo actually wrote a document called the "Almuff Torture documents" to basically document every way Nikolai has murdered someone, mostly as a means to keep track of him and to call him out if he goes too far. If you truly want to ruin what little reputation he has left, try and snatch it and publicly announce it.

CONCLUSION: He is very easy to outsmart and any smart people could defeat him with enough brains and strength to crack open that suit of his but he is still dangerous. He may be slow and reckless but all it'll take is one unlucky swing from his hammer to leave you a broken mess. His life events and his already narcissitic need to become a high ranking member in the military drove his dwindling mind into that of a violent psychopath. He may not be intelligent but he is still formidable and taking him out would be a huge blow to the Syndicate.

## Further Notes

This is a bit of a small request I have to members of the Resistance: I wanna know the fate of Nikolai's father, General Almuff. Given how he was responsible for a lot of Nikolais issues, albeit indirectly, I want to know if he is alive or dead and if he is alive, still in the Republic or if he retired. I am sure if he is still alive, capturing him could prove quite useful.