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"Blackmail can buy my silence, but not the lives of my men."
―Gen. Rykov (from Aliens versus Predator 2)

General Vasili Rykov was a former Colonial Marine and leader of the private military contractors known as the Iron Bears. He serves as one of the main antagonists in the 2001 video game Aliens versus Predator 2. He is voiced by Jeff Steitzer.

Biography[]

"Come, Hunter. Let us finish this."
Rykov, confronting Prince

In 2211, Rykov was a Colonial Marine stationed at a Weyland-Yutani bio-weapons facility on the planet Korari when it was attacked by the Yautja known as Prince and his clan. During the ensuing hunt, Prince stalked Rykov and used his Shoulder Cannon to blast Rykov off of his feet and send him plummeting into a deep ravine, presumably to his death. However, Rykov survived Prince's attack and was rescued, but not without sustaining severe spinal injuries due to his fall and becoming paralyzed.

As a result of his injuries, Rykov was honorably discharged from the Colonial Marines. He then underwent an experimental procedure which replaced his spinal column with a synthetic equivalent. The treatment was only partially successful; Rykov was constantly in intense pain and had to take powerful black-market narcotics in order to function. He henceforward harbored a hatred of and desire for vengeance against the Predators.

In 2230, Rykov, now the leader of a team of mercenaries named the Iron Bears, handled security at the Weyland-Yutani facility on LV-1201. At this time, Prince and his clan arrived on the planet to partake in a hunt. Rykov spotted Prince's ship, which was detected by the facility's sensors. Hatching a plan of revenge against his old enemies, Rykov dispatched a containment team which was able to capture several of Prince's clanmates and bring them back to the Forward Observation Pods to be lethally and gruesomely experimented on by a team of scientists. Prince attempted to rescue his clanmates but was ambushed and captured by Rykov, who took Prince's mask as a keepsake. He would also have some dealings with both Arnaud Eisenberg as well as deal with the arrivals of Colonial Marines sent to bring order to the situation.

As a result of the experiments on Prince and his clanmates, Rykov was able to obtain a detailed biological analysis of Predator physiology, which he intended to use to create a deadly bioweapon and commit an act of genocide on the entire Predator species. In possession of the biological data, Rykov and his team prepared to leave LV-1201 and take the data to a suitable facility where the bioweapon could be constructed. However, by tracking a signal emitted from his old mask, Prince--who had escaped, intercepted Rykov and his team before they could depart the planet.

In order to save the lives of his team as well as his hope for revenge, Rykov, piloting an Exosuit, stayed behind with the mask and staged a diversion by luring Prince into a Xenomorph hive. After fighting through hordes of Xenomorphs and even slaying a Xenomorph Queen, Rykov and Prince faced off against one another in the heart of the hive for a climactic one-on-one duel. Unfortunately for Rykov, he was slain by Prince, who reclaimed his mask and took Rykov's artificial spine as a trophy. H

Now led by Dunya, the remainder of the Iron Bears were able to successfully escape LV-1201 with the biological data due to Rykov's brave sacrifice. It was now up to Dunya to follow Rykov's final orders: construct the bioweapon and exact vengence on the Predators.

On July 12, 2231, half a year after the destruction of W-Y's facilities on LV-1201, Dunya and several other Iron Bears kidnapped Weyland-Yutani's top biological weapons scientist from his quarters on Gateway Station. Several more W-Y officials, including the lead researcher at the New Brazil WD plant, were reported missing during the day.[2]

Personality and Traits[]

"For twenty years in my nightmares. You'll have much to repay."
Rykov, after capturing Prince

Vasili Rykov appeared to be a 50 to 60-year-old man with a strong Russian accent. He held an intense hatred for the Predators after one of them shot him with a Plasma Caster, which forced him to have major surgery to replace the spine. His synthetic spine caused him great pain and he needed to take medication regularly, though he preferred not to so he could keep his mind sharp.

As a leader, Rykov commanded genuine respect and loyalty from his men, who were willing to put their lives on the line for him and even went to great lengths to carry out his final orders after his death. That loyalty is also mutual on his part, showing great concern and trust for his soldiers, even genuinely mourning his dead.

Although Rykov was loyal to his men, other actions taken by he and the Iron Bears were less than noble. For example, the Iron Bears were engaged in an illegal smuggling operation to smuggle Engineer artifacts and biological specimens (including Xenomorph eggs) off of LV-1201 and sell them for a profit.

Rykov and the Iron Bears also became at odds with the Colonial Marines from the Verloc after the marines disabled the Forward Observation Pods' security system upon their arrival at the facility, leading to the deaths of six Iron Bears. In response, Rykov and Dr. Eisenberg concocted a plan to orchestrate the deaths of all of the marines and falsify records to cover up the betrayal, in order to exact vengeance for the deaths of their men and to cover up corruption at the Weyland-Yutani facility.

Relationships[]

Prince[]

A high-ranking Predator who was the leader of a clan of hunters who first hunted Rykov when he was a soldier in 2211. Rykov survived, and Prince and his clan would encounter him again in 2230. This time Rykov captured Prince, but he escaped and eventually went on to slay Rykov in a one-on-one duel.

Ivan Hushvatov[]

Rykov's right hand man, who saw to it that all of Rykov's orders were followed. He was also Rykov's medical advisor, as he was often seen talking about the general's medication.

Dunya[]

One of his most cloest and trusted subordinates. A high-ranking member of the Iron Bears who later assumed leadership of the band of mercenaries after the deaths of Rykov and Ivan. As his dying wish, Rykov entrusted Dunya with his plan of revenge against the Predators as well as the survival of his soldiers.

Dr. Arnaud Eisenberg[]

The director of the Weyland-Yutani Corporation research facility on planet LV-1201, which Rykov and his team were hired to protect. Therefore, Dr. Eisenberg held some measure of authority over Rykov. Rykov, however, regarded Dr. Eisenberg as a coward and a fool, and followed his own agenda when it suited him. Whereas Rykov was obsessed with getting revenge against the Predators, Dr. Eisenberg was equally obsessed with gaining control over and dominating the Xenomorphs due to his all-consuming fear of them.

Equipment[]

Rykov would use a variety of weapons. His primary weapon is the M41A pulse rifle and the M92 grenade launcher. He also uses M4A4 pistol and an shotgun. When Vasili went up against the prince he wield the exo-suit.

Journal Entries[]

Entry 1[]

I have seen enough. The Zeta site is not Pilot technology. The scientists have dated the artifacts found there. They are young - hundreds of years old at most. I recognize the carvings. It is my enemy. Returned.

I should have anticipated as much. This land is too rich with trophies; it is perfect for their kind. Still, I will not fail this time. Although the scientists do not understand the full technology, they have already begun to unravel the strange gear. Given time, we will find their weakness. Given time.

Entry 2[]

The attack has begun. Our modified EMP grenades work. It is fitting that we use their own technologies against them.

We have taken two of the creatures - I shall call them Predators. With surprise gone, I have ordered the teams to withdraw. It is one matter to sacrifice a scientist team as bait; it is another to throw my soldiers carelessly into the Predator's path. We must not underestimate the killing power of these beasts.

Entry 3[]

The teams have returned. I should say that some have returned. We have lost many. What else could I do though? They would have found us soon - I am certain - just as they may have found the POC. Eisenberg will not hear of this possibility - he insists that the Aliens alone possessed the power to destroy the POC. His imagination is too small. It will be his undoing. I will not make the same mistake; more creatures will come for their brethren. We must be ready.

Entry 4[]

So, we have not taken them all. One comes for me. On my terms, now. We track it through our cameras and sensors. I have studied some of the footage. Something about the mask draws my attention. Under magnification, I can just make out the markings. They are different than the masks on the other two - more ornamental. Different and yet familiar. I feel I am staring into my past - into the face of my would-be killer. Does this mean I have found him - my attacker from so many years ago? Or more likely, his friend, his brother - ha, perhaps it is no more than a brand like a logo on a shoe. No matter. I will think of him as my nemesis - and enjoy his undoing all the more.

Entry 5[]

Perhaps I was wrong on Eisenberg. Perhaps the captured Predators can open the door to a final solution. After all, their physiology is not magical - they have hemoglobin - they require oxygen - they can die. One sickness, one contagion, one carrier.

If I kill this one, they will return. Perhaps, there are other options.

Entry 6[]

Damn Eisenberg. I should have killed the creature when I could. Between him and the clumsy Marines, I am surrounded by fools.

No, that is not fair. I could have fought Eisenberg harder. I gambled that we could learn from the creature. Perhaps we can. With the creature's blood physiology, a good team could fashion a proper solution. I imagine something similar to Anthrax 9. Without the risk of human infection, we could make it much more contagious and long lasting. If we can just catch it again, I will even have a host to carry home the death of its people.

Entry 7[]

It has escaped from the Pods, hijacking a dropship in flight. No human could have survived the crash, but it is hardly human. I pray the Xenomorphs will finish it, or failing that, Dropship 2 should finish it if we detect it trying to reach its mates.

Still, I cannot be too sure. I have ordered the team to prepare evacuations - the medical data must survive.

Entry 8[]

Ivan is dead; the artificial Hive has been breached. The creature has escaped; I have lost my carrier. Enough sadness. I have the report on the third Predator's mask. It is unique - much older and more complex than the others. The scientists speculate the creature was either rich or royal or both. Given its youthfulness, I'd guess, a prince. With no ordinary crown. It is speculation, but I believe that the mask tracks their hunts - a tribal record book. If so, the mask may lead me to their homeland.

Let me return the prince's crown draped in a fabric made of death.

Entry 9[]

I have the mask. I am certain that the creature knows. Fifteen minutes ago, the mask became active - most likely in response to some signal. Excellent. Let the creature come. Dunya and the team have copies of the blood work; they understand our stakes. One of us will survive. This fight will not end with me.

Entry 10[]

Dunya! Dunya! It is here. I have entered the Hive and it follows. If I kill it, I will head for the surface and the old Access Point #3. If I don't radio again, get out. You have my codes - the funds are yours. They are covered in the blood of the POC, but you can wash away the stain. Create the weapon! Finish my battle.

Trivia[]

Appearances[]

Gallery[]

References[]

  1. Aliens versus Predator 2, Microsoft Windows version, Monolith Productions, 2001.
  2. Aliens versus Predator 2, Predator Mission VII ("Trophy")
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