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NOTE: This article is about the leader of the FIA rebel group in ArmA 3. For the commander of the Attidan Guerrillas faction in ArmA: Mobile Ops, see General Kostas.


« This is both a great risk and a great opportunity. Let us not waste it.
Kostas Stavrou
»


Kostas Stavou was a main character in ArmA 3's The East Wind campaign.

Background[]

The former, de-facto leader of the Freedom and Independence Army rebel group, otherwise simply known as the FIA. Stavrou served as the commander of Group North, one of the many cells of the FIA that were scattered throughout Altis.

Known by his callsign Slingshot, he coordinated all of the guerilla organisation's movements and operations at a hidden base in the north-west of the island, and also acted as the groups' liaison for foreign forces assisting the group.

Prior to joining the organisation, Stavrou was also a trooper in the Altis Armed Forces, though it's not known what status or rank he held during his tenure in the military.

Prologue (2034)[]

Sometime in 2030-2031, Stavrou was fundamental in helping to establish the resistance movement in light of Georgious Akhanteros becoming recognised as the legitimate ruler of the country following the end of the civil war.

For more than four years, Stavrou slowly rose through the ranks of the FIA and built up its strength, which was formed from the ashes of its government Loyalist predecessors. While the FIA weren't as powerful as the Loyalists were, the rebels held the popular support of the Altian people.

« Y'see... the guerrillas there, they'd found themselves a new leader. Charismatic. Ex-military.
Nathan MacDade comments on Stavrou's first appearance
»

Eventually, Stavrou rose high enough to become the leader of the group and used this opportunity to stage mass anti-government protests throughout the country. Many towns, villages, and even the larger cities such as the old capital of Kavala were prodded into open rebellion.

At this point, the FIA had become a powerful threat that could no longer be ignored by the government. Though they never quite managed to challenge the AAF directly, the constant skirmishes and uprisings caused by Stavrou put an immense drain on the government's resources.

Remnants of War (2034)[]

« For him, this was no 'time to surrender' - far from it. In fact, he used that time to rally his people - encouraged them to resist, build defenses.
MacDade on the cause of Oreokastro's uprising
»

Stavrou's most notable accomplishment at this time however, was causing the uprising at the mountain village of Oreokastro. After convincing its residents to overthrow the local AAF garrison, he turned the village into a fortress that resulted in a two-week long siege by government forces.

Although Oreokastro was ultimately destroyed by the AAF, Stavrou's brazen act of defiance spurred even more popular support from the citizens of Altis.

Defections by government forces to the rebel group were a common occurrence under his leadership. Through subterfuge, he was even able to turn the city of Kavala into a major FIA-influenced outpost after several uprisings (though many of the attempts were crushed by government forces).

The East Wind (2035)[]

Even so, pressure was beginning to mount on Stavrou and the FIA, as CSAT slowly stepped up its efforts in aiding the government's counterinsurgency efforts against the rebel group. Coordinating with his supposedly British government-endorsed foreign "advisers" led by a special forces operative called Captain Scott Miller, Stavrou gradually retook the initiative from government forces.

Months after the uprising at Oreokastro, the FIA would be dealt a heavy blow on July 9th, 2035, after Kavala would be raided in a CSAT-AAF counterinsurgency operation. The raid had cost the FIA several of its weapons caches and many fighters had also been captured or killed in the process. Stavrou and a team of fighters who were accompanying him could only stay behind on the outskirts of the city and wait for darkness, as Lieutenant James' team had not yet left the city.

As night fell, he would soon be given news from Lt. James that an American soldier was going to be joining their ranks; U.S. Army Corporal Ben Kerry, a survivor from the ill-fated Task Force Aegis. Lt. James told Stavrou to wait for them to arrive, but Stavrou was growing nervous given that CSAT patrols were nearby.

Eventually, one of the CSAT patrols spots Lt. James' team and begins to drop off troops to intercept them. Stavrou loses his patience and tells James that they had to leave now, but James angrily reminds him about their deal and demands that he stay. Reluctantly, Stavrou agrees and not long after, James finally arrives with CPL Kerry in tow.

James gives Stavrou the task of escorting the wayward Corporal to meet up with Capt. Miller. James would not be accompanying them as he had to go back and assist his team members in driving off the patrol. Stavrou orders the American to hop into the driver's seat and to begin driving north towards Capt. Miller's rendezvous point at the Kore factory.

« Kerry: Remind me again why I'm the one driving?
Stavrou: You are the one they will shoot first.
Kerry: Oh. Great. I'm "honored".
Stavrou and Kerry while en-route to the FIA base camp
»

Along the way, Stavrou runs into an AAF checkpoint. Fortunately, the checkpoint was manned by a known pro-FIA collaborator by the name of "Orestes". Stavrou told Kerry to wait in the vehicle while he personally got out to negotiate with the officer. After a brief discussion, Orestes agrees to let them pass and they continue towards the rendezvous.

After Stavrou has Kerry stop at Negades to let his men dismount, they run into another checkpoint at the factory. This time, there were no familiar faces that Stavrou could recognise amongst the checkpoint's guards. Nonetheless, he got out and began to talk with the officer in charge. The officer refused to let them pass and ordered Stavrou to divert north instead. As he got back into the car, CPL Kerry told him that Miller had changed their rendezvous point to an isolated cabin in the woods to the north due to CSAT's presence.

Kerry began driving along the route but Stavrou was getting suspicious of the path, as it was too conveniently aligned with where the officer had directed them to divert and where Miller had told them to meet. Fearing that they were heading straight into an ambush, Stavrou immediately called for backup. A guerilla near the area responded to his request and set up an overwatch position overlooking the rendezvous. Once they were less than 300 metres away, Stavrou told Kerry to stop and meet up with Miller on foot. Meanwhile, he would be staying behind with the car and wait for the all-clear to move in.

Just as he had suspected, the rendezvous was indeed a trap. An MRAP ferrying a team of CSAT soldiers had gotten out and were heading straight for the cabin. Stavrou had his man provide cover fire while Kerry moved in to back up Miller.

« Goddammit, Falcon, our truck is wrecked - CSAT will be all over this area in no time. We must split up. Head north. Stick to the forests. Meet at our camp. And, Falcon, you people owe us for saving your life again today! Slingshot out.
Having narrowly dodged death at the hands of CSAT, Stavrou tells Miller to return to the camp on their own
»

However, another batch of CSAT soldiers had also noticed his vehicle and began opening fire on his position. Stavrou narrowly got out and fled into the woods. The soldiers had managed to destroy his car. Annoyed with the loss, Stavrou seethingly reminded Miller that they owed him and the FIA once more for risking their lives to save him and Kerry. He then returned to the camp at Bomos alone.

Over the course of ten days, the FIA gradually licked its wounds and count its losses from the Kavala raid. It had indeed hurt them badly, and the FIA were starting to run dangerously low on ammunition and supplies. He formulated a plan with the help of Capt. Miller's team and on the morning of July 20th, Stavrou held a briefing with all the guerillas gathered at Bomos - including CPL Kerry. If they were going to have any chance of continuing the fight, they first had to rebuild their ammunition stocks. To that end, they would be intercepting a CSAT convoy that regularly travelled along a fixed route to one of their remote outposts at Fotia. Miller's team, led by Lt. James, would be left responsible with handling the initial ambush.

However, Miller needed to divert James' team on a more crucial task. Rather than abort the operation however, Miller suggested that CPL Kerry be placed in charge of the ambush instead. Stavrou agreed and let the other guerillas involved in the operation know about the change. They were initially hesitant but reluctantly acceded to Stavrou's change of plans. He then assigned Kerry's team their own unique callsign of Omega.

The American Corporal proved to be more resourceful than Stavrou had initially anticipated. The operation was a success and Kerry's team were on their way back with the ammo truck. However, all of a sudden, CSAT helicopters begin strafing their position and ground troops even launch an assault against Bomos itself.

« Omega, are you still alive? Our camp here is under threat too - this offensive is a fucking extermination! We're falling back. The new RV is in an old factory not far from you, at grid 054-179. Godspeed!
Bomos is overrun, forcing Stavrou to order the survivors to retreat to Gori
»

Surrounded on almost all sides, Stavrou had no choice but to order Kerry to abandon the truck and flee back into the woods. They would instead meet up at the old abandoned factory to the north. For the time being, the new camp at Gori would serve as Group North's new base of operations in the region.

Kerry and the other survivors of the first operation gathered at Gori in one piece. However, since they were still running low on supplies and had not yet recouped Kavala's losses, Stavrou readied them for another operation - this time, it would be a raid against a lightly-defended FOB that the AAF had established on the outskirts of Frini. In the early hours of July 21st, Stavrou moved his fighters into position around the FOB and had Omega, still under the command of CPL Kerry, initiate the attack.

Omega swiftly neutralised the guards manning the FOB's watchtower. With the defenders still unaware of the impending attack, Stavrou gave the green-light for their raid and they struck the unaware defenders with full force. Once the FOB was secured, a truck, callsign Kappa, then moved in to begin loading up on supplies. While they waited for Kappa to finish salvaging everything, they were attacked by mortars somewhere in Frini. Stavrou had Omega hunt down the mortars, and they quickly succeeded before the mortars could inflict any serious damage.

However, Capt. Miller relayed information back to Stavrou that a mechanised force of both CSAT and AAF were rapidly closing in onto the FOB. Kappa were not finished loading up on everything however, so Stavrou had Omega and the others dig in to buy time. After several minutes of what seemed to be an endless tide of enemy reinforcements, Kappa let Stavrou know that they were finished. Stavrou then ordered everyone to retreat immediately from the FOB. They were not a moment too soon as mere seconds after the last guerilla stepped off the FOB, AAF jets and CSAT tanks pummelled the base with bombs and cannon fire.

Despite their success at Frini, the FIA were still in the red with regards to their fuel supply. The AAF had managed to capture several of their fuel trucks and without them, their options for getting around the island would be greatly limited. Luckily, the depot where their trucks had been brought t; an old factory on the outskirts of Agios Dionysios, was well within reach of Group North. Hours later, Stavrou approved yet another operation to retake their fuel supplies. Once again, Kerry's Omega team - with support from other cells, would be tasked with leading the operation. Omega made its way towards the depot but would report back that all of their fuel trucks were empty.

« Kerry: Slingshot, update. The cistern's empty, I say again, no fuel left in the cistern, over.
Stavrou: Ah, Goddammit! This was always a risk!
Omega relays bad news back to Stavrou
»

However, their setback was short-lived as Capt. Miller chimed in to report that another fuel truck, filled to the brim with petroleum, was parked inside a compound at Alikampos. Since the compound was being protected by a garrison of CSAT soldiers, Stavrou assigned Kappa to provide backup for Omega. Omega quickly moved into position and with Kappa's help managed to capture the fuel truck in one piece.

Several more days would come to pass and Stavrou would receive word that "Orestes" and some of his men were ready to defect to the FIA. Confident in the American's skills, Stavrou would place Omega in charge with helping to bring back Orestes and for good measure, inflict damage upon CSAT as revenge for Kavala. Once the deed had been done, Stavrou commended the American for his efforts and also "congratulated" Orestes for his decision to defect. Orestes dryly responded to his subtle criticism and returned back to the camp with Omega (and Lt. James' team) in tow.

Once they returned, Orestes revealed vital information that Nikos Panagopoulos, their principal arms supplier, was still alive but was being held in CSAT custody back on Stratis at Camp Tempest. They didn't have much time to retrieve him, however, as CSAT was planning to transfer the smuggler elsewhere. To that end, Stavrou devised another plan with the assistance of Miller's men and CPL Kerry. They would infiltrate the island and split into two teams. Kerry's team would be creating a diversion in the south of the island, drawing away defenders from Camp Tempest, and create an opening for Miller's team to get in and extract Nikos.

More than a week later on August 2nd, Stavrou would give the operation the green-light. In the meantime, he would relocate Group North's main camp to Topolia instead.

Upon their return with Nikos, Miller would inform Stavrou that NATO was planning to launch a counterinvasion of Altis. Heartened by news of NATO's impending invasion, Stavrou would gather everyone and announce that they would be planning for a major offensive of their own in anticipation of NATO's arrival. They would be targeting the towns of Poliakko and Therisa, as well as the AAC airfield to its south. Their end goal was to lure as many AAF troops to their sector, thereby leaving NATO forces free to deal with the bulk of CSAT troops at the main airport and Neochori.

Death[]

« This is where the tides turn, brothers. We are stronger than ever before.
Stavrou rallies the guerillas
»

On August 8th, 2035, the operation begins in full swing. Though they encountered heavy resistance from the garrisoned AAF troops, they managed to easily seize both locations, buying enough time for Kerry and the rest of Omega to attack the CSAT artillery battery at Poliakko.

However, CSAT quickly responds by dispatching elite recon teams to retake Poliakko. In response, Stavrou sends extra backup to reinforce Omega's position. They ultimately proved to be no match for Omega and Kerry reports back to Stavrou about their victory. Since Stavrou's men had also succeeded in capturing the AAC airfield on their end, Stavrou simply ordered Kerry to hold his ground and to wait for further orders.

Moments later, NATO helicopters are suddenly spotted flying overhead towards the AAC airfield. Thinking that Miller had managed to call for air support, Stavrou allows them to pass through while continuing to mop up the last of the AAF.

« Omega, we are being engaged by NATO at the airfield! I repeat, NATO are-
Stavrou's last transmission moments before his apparent death
»

To his shock, the gunships open fire on the guerillas instead. Stavrou relays one final radio message to a bewildered Kerry but is cut off halfway, and is presumed to have perished in the attack.

Post-The East Wind[]

Several weeks later, Stavrou is later mentioned in passing by AAN News reporter Mark Cole during an interview with (now ranked Sergeant) Kerry, though no further mention of his background and possible ties to the British government are elaborated on.

Personality and Appearance[]

A middle-aged Altian male, Stavrou had a moderately bearded face and a short, black head of hair that was tied into a knot. Both of his arms were heavily tattooed as well. His standard attire always consisted of a worn-out pale/mud brown undershirt with black pants. When deployed into battle, Stavrou also wore a unique woodland-camouflaged tactical vest for protection.

Stavrou was a charismatic person who resorted to words as much as he did weapons to fight against his enemies. He made heavy use of propaganda and other non-violent means to achieve ends. His extensive contact list ranged from arms smugglers throughout the Mediterranean, local citizens, and even corrupt civilian and military officials inside Akhanteros' government.

Unlike his loyalist predecessor who was more military-minded, Stavrou focused on utilising soft power to foster good relations with the people of Altis.

« Listen to me: I am certain. The American is familiar with this mission - Falcon has vouched for his ability. There is no room for further discussion, understood?
Stavrou's flat response to questions over Kerry being selected as leader of Omega
»

That being said, Stavrou was by no means a lenient leader. He was fairly strict with his subordinates and always acted with conviction. This didn't mean that he wasn't open to suggestions if there were valid concerns but at the same time, he didn't allow for any questions to be posed over his decisions once he regarded them as being final.

Though he held an intense mistrust of Americans initially (justified by NATO's anti-rebel stance prior to the events of The East Wind), he places a greater emphasis on the value of skill and reliability. Over time, he overlooked Kerry's background and gradually accepted him as someone who could be confidently trusted.

He was good friends with Nikos Panagopoulos, a well-known associate and arms smuggler working for the organisation. Along with a few other of his trusted advisers, the men often formulated plans together.

Trivia[]

  • A possible (earlier) rendition of Stavrou's model can be seen on wanted leaflets scattered throughout Altis in the main campaign. This model shows him with bushier and longer hair as opposed to his short and tied knot hairstyle in the final game.
  • To date, it remains unclear if Stavrou ever knew or was told by Miller about the true objective of their operation on Altis.

Gallery[]

See also[]

Characters of ArmA 3
NATO TF Aegis Andrew MacKinnon† • Ben KerryConway† • Lacey† • Martinez† • Mitchell† • Thomas Adams
7th MBCT, 111th ID David Armstrong
21st BCT, 111th ID Adam GrantCarl OwenJared SpenderJeremy CollinsJohn SturrockLouis BarklemStephen KulanskyTerry Simpson
Pacific Vince Broadale
CTRG A.J. DuttonDonald SnoweGrimmHardy† • JamesMcKayNorthgateO'ConnorRadcliffe† • RikerRoberts† • Robinson† • SalvoScott Miller* • Smith† • Truck
Exercise Electron Aiden RudwellDon Homewood† • Jack StypeJed DillonJohn KingslyKurt Spender† • Max BakerRichard LaneRichter
CSAT Abdul-Wahhab FahimVahid NamdarXu Haifeng
Russian Spetsnaz Boris KrupinIvan Severov
Loyalists Hektor Anastas* • Kael Mavros* • Loukas Thanos* • Rouvin Carras*
FIA Alexis Kouris† • Kostas Stavrou† • Nikos PanagopoulosOrestes
AAF Georgious AkhanterosKostas DimitriouKyros Kalogeros* • Thanos Gavras
LDF Aleksy NowakZbigniew Stolarski
Syndikat Solomon Maru
L'Ensemble Oringo MadakiSamjo

IDAP

Andy PatersonNathan MacDade

Civilians

Arthur* • Benjamin HopeDrábek* • Howard* • Ian KessonJohn* • Katherine BishopLucas* • Mark ColeMarkos Kouris† • Renly* • "Santiago"Šimon Čapek
indicates deceased characters | * indicates character status is unknown
DLCs that the character was first introduced in:
Marksmen DLC | Apex DLC | Laws of War DLC | Tac-Ops DLC | Tanks DLC | Contact DLC
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