Alik Fedorov

A Russian bear heading the CORE. Considers Lee to be his nephew. Had an altercation with Advisor Harding resulting in the loss of a large part of his head via revolver. Also has CORE implants allowing him to use the same "telepathy" wetware interface as Julian's team.

In exchange for giving **Fedorov**/the CORE information on the Anarchists' weapon, Cook requests the use of a remote outpost where he can conduct one of his experiments. When Fedorov agrees, Cook explains his theory on how the Tower of Babel works, albeit with certain doubts. Fedorov also speculates that, based on his understanding of the Anarchists, the tower is phallic in design.

Fedorov is furious upon hearing of America signing a non-aggression treaty with the Anarchists and withdrawing payments to the CORE. At first he is upset at the idea that the Americans could be scared into submission, until he realises they are being bribed instead. He is also upset when First Advisor Woodgrove reveals the existence of the tower, since it means that the CORE has to take action against it.

After the compromised Central deploys Julian's team to the Britannia, Fedorov drops in on them in the middle of Corporal Grey shouting a remark about the top brass. He chews out Grey, to Tessa's amusement, but he overhears her laughing and turns on her instead. Lee jumps to her defence, openly insulting Fedorov in front of everyone. Fedorov responds by giving him a noogie and scolding him for not addressing him appropriately. He remarks at how proud he is of Lee standing up for Tessa, and how he likes proving Lee's father wrong. In closing, Fedorov informs the squad that they and their technology will be made public, but not every detail, so they should not speak to anyone about them(selves).

After Julian's team saves the Britannia from a fission reactor meltdown, Central (still possessed by the Oracle) informs Fedorov of the findings, that the Inlays now have superior active camouflage systems. Fedorov is disturbed that the Anarchist technology is so much greater than theirs. Secretly, the Oracle (or this particular node of the Oracle) is also surprised by the advancements.

Lock claims it suspicious that the ship would be attacked by an Inlay as soon as the CORE team arrived, but Fedorov points out that the Anarchists had already planted Merlin there as the Britannia's workings that protect its glacier would protect it from the Tower of Babel. The CORE showing up just meant the attack no longer had to look like an accident, plus the Britannia became a CORE-adjacent political target. Then Lock admits being offended when Fedorov just barges in like he owns the Britannia, but Fedorov asserts that the terms of the contract say that he can do exactly that, in fact, due to the CORE's evil fine print.

Fedorov brings Captain Lock to Julian's team to commend them. Lock is offended to discover that Tessa is part of the team who saved the ship. Fedorov points out that she was the one who discovered Merlin in the first place, even fighting while Merlin was cloaked. Lock reluctantly rewards her along with the rest of the team with green cards: essentially passes for free reign of the ship.

As the team fawns over the cards, Fedorov interrupts their radio chatter with chatter of his own, pointing out that his "screw-top skull" makes it easy to play with R&D's new toys and they shouldn't assume that their channel is private. He then reminds them (verbally) that they will get much more media coverage on the Britannia, overtly threatening them if they make the CORE look bad before telling them to ♪go have fun!♫

Lee asks for permission to speak and asks Fedorov what happened to Merlin, but Fedorov defers answering. Lee remarks "you lost it then." Fedorov retorts that he could be covering it up, but in either case Lee should shut up about it.

Julian's team is sent along with Lieutenant Ramsey's squadron to Fabrication Plant 12 to secure the facility as well as recover an atom stitcher, and Fedorov is particularly angry when Ramsey wastes his time trying to exaggerate his accomplishments.