Armed Assault Wiki
« Cole: And who, in your view, gave them that push?
Kerry: Isn't that supposed to be your job to find out?
Cole: Oh, believe me, Sergeant Kerry, I'm trying...
Mark Cole questions Sergeant Ben Kerry
»


Mark Cole is a minor character in several of ArmA 3's campaigns.

Background[]

A journalist and field reporter/foreign correspondent working for AAN News, Cole has been actively involved with reporting on the situation in the Republic of Altis and Stratis.[1][2]

Beginning in 2026 with the outbreak of full-scale civil war between Loyalist government troops and coup forces led by Georgious Akhanteros[3], Cole followed the overall war situation until the official declaration of a ceasefire in 2030.[1]

He later reported on the rise of the Freedom and Independence Army (FIA) rebel group that had formed in the aftermath of the civil war, as well as the bloody years-long insurgency that followed in the wake of its formation.[1]

Apex Protocol (2035)[]

« I've been based in Georgetown, Tanoa, for a number of days now. Although this remote province avoided the type of destruction seen elsewhere in the region, there has been an almost complete breakdown in the rule of law.

Terrorised by a criminal gang known colloquially as 'Syndikat', the Horizon Islands' under-equipped Gendarmerie have long been at breaking point. Driven by a hardened 'inner circle' of paramilitary rebels, Syndikat have seized upon the chaos to expand their separatist agenda with brute force.
Cole reports on the on-going situation in the Horizon Islands
»

After the South Pacific Disaster devastated large portions the island nation[3], Cole was temporarily reassigned to the Horizon Islands. Here, he began reporting on the aftermath of the crisis, as well as on the activities of the growing anti-government Syndikat insurgency.[4]

Days later, Cole and the AAN team on Tanoa were escorted by U.S.-led Pacific NATO troops to Sosovu Island.[3] They were told of the existence of "black sites" being used by CSAT black ops. As one of the first foreign journalists to arrive at the scene, Cole was amongst the many other media crews that scoured the sites for evidence. Their search leads to the uncovering of the "Apex Protocol Papers", a series of thoroughly-detailed strategic, globally-run CSAT operations aimed at destabilising countries with friendly relations to the West.[5]

« Evidence of a deliberate, sustained, high-level effort to incite death and chaos, has brought into question the continued viability of the Canton Protocol Strategic Alliance itself. Leaders from across the world have united in a call for action, seeking to bring those responsible to justice swiftly.

CSAT member states are due to convene for an emergency session in the coming days, exposing fault-lines within the alliance itself, and calling into question a decade of CSAT's soft power expansionism across Eurasia, Africa, and the Pacific region.
Cole's revelations of CSAT's so-called "Apex Protocol"
»

Cole reports on the shocking revelations in a breaking news report that sparks outrage in the international community. The exposition leads to the launch of an inquiry by the United Nations into CSAT's unchecked expansionism over the past decade.[3][5]

Post-Apex Protocol[]

Six weeks later[6], Cole travelled back to the Republic of Altis and Stratis where he intended to interview the favoured presidential candidate, Nikos Panagopoulos, as the latter formally announced the start of his political campaign tour.[7][8]

Cole was greeted and escorted to the town of Athira by a U.S. Army Sergeant named Ben Kerry.[9] On the way there, Cole repeatedly tries to glean information out of the American soldier;[2] specifically, regarding the true cause of the Stratis Incident and the loss of NATO's Task Force Aegis.[10][11]

« Cole: Just one last question then, Sergeant.
Kerry: Shoot.
Cole: Did British forces play any part in this incident?
Kerry: ...what do you mean? They shipped out long before the flashpoint started.
Cole: Yeah, that's what the UK government keeps saying - hell, they almost seem to believe it.
Kerry: ...I'm not sure I follow here.
Cole: Tell me, Sergeant, have you ever met Kostas Stavrou?
Kerry: Yeah.
Cole: Then why don't you ask him?
Cole questions Kerry during the drive to Athira
»

He also brings up the name of the guerilla organisation's leader, as well as the possible involvement of British special operations. Nonetheless, SGT Kerry mostly refused to comment on the matter for security reasons.[10][11]

As they neared the interview site, Cole gave SGT Kerry his phone number and told the soldier that if he wanted to discuss further details about the Stratis Incident, Cole would be more than happy to oblige.[12] He then disembarked from the vehicle and began his planned interview with Nikos.[13]

Personality and Appearance[]

A Caucasian male with short, neatly trimmed brown hair, Cole's attire consisted of a dark poloshirt with short sleeves, cream-coloured pants, a set of black shades and a black Press cap. When travelling to war zones, Cole always donned a high-visibility blue ballistic vest to signify his status as a non-combatant.

« Dutton: Who's the journalist?
Miller: Mark Cole.
Dutton: He asks a lot of questions.
Miller: Yes, he does...
CTRG commanders Major A.J. Dutton and Captain Scott Miller commenting on Cole's inquisitive nature
»

As part of his job, Cole was naturally inquisitive, and constantly bombarded his interviewees with questions (much to the annoyance of people like Kerry).[14] More often than not, Cole would throw out keywords or "hints" in an attempt to fish out "off-the-record" statements and other slips of the tongue from his interviewees.[2][10]

Trivia[]

  • It is possibly implied that Cole may have met Kostas Stavrou in the past either at some point during or prior to the outbreak of fighting between the AAF and the FIA, as he knows of the latter's name and potential ties to the British government.[11]
  • Cole also appears to write reviews for novels and non-fiction works. He is referred to directly by name as one of the reviewers of Howard Drake's Checkmate: The Untold Story Of Operation Arrowhead, a critically-acclaimed book that was produced into motion picture format.[15]

Gallery[]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 ARMA 3: Laws of War 2017 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Remnants of War, Oreokastro Memory, "MACDADE: Do y'know a 'Mark Cole', Kate? BISHOP: Our foreign correspondent? Yes - of course. MACDADE: I met him out here, just before the ceasefire failed. BISHOP: That sounds about right. Mark's been to-ing and fro-ing since the coup back in twenty-six."
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 ARMA 3 2014 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., The East Wind, Status Quo, "COLE: Okay, then. Change of topic. I was told that Mr. Panagopoulos was involved with guerrillas during the flashpoint. Is that correct? KERRY: Sure. I thought that was a public knowledge. COLE: It is but, c'mon, I'd like to know what he's actually done for the FIA. KERRY: Why don't you ask him when we get there?"
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Mořický, K et al. 2011, Armaverse Timeline, Bohemia Interactive Community Wiki, viewed 14 September 2024, <https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/Armaverse_Timeline>.
  4. ARMA 3: Apex 2016 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Apex Protocol, Heart of Darkness, \a3\missions_f_exp\video\exp_m04_vin.ogv, 00:01, "I've been based in Georgetown, Tanoa, for a number of days now. Although this remote province avoided the type of destruction seen elsewhere in the region, there has been an almost complete breakdown in the rule of law. Terrorised by a criminal gang known colloquially as 'Syndikat', the Horizon Islands' under-equipped Gendarmerie have long been at breaking point. Driven by a hardened 'inner circle' of paramilitary rebels, Syndikat have seized upon the chaos to expand their separatist agenda with brute force.", AAN News
  5. 5.0 5.1 ARMA 3: Apex 2016 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Apex Protocol, End Game, \a3\missions_f_exp_video\exp_m07_vout.ogv, 00:01, "Barely two months on from the Pacific Disaster, new revelations have shocked the international community. Documents seen by AAN investigative journalists - the so-called 'Apex Protocol Papers' - have exposed a global network of illegal CSAT operations. [...] Evidence of a deliberate, sustained, high-level effort to incite death and chaos, has brought into question the continued viability of the Canton Protocol Strategic Alliance itself. Leaders from across the world have united in a call for action, seeking to bring those responsible to justice swiftly.", AAN News
  6. ARMA 3 2014 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., The East Wind, Status Quo, "Six weeks have passed since the AAF's capitulation. The FIA, under the leadership of Nikos Panagopoulos, have transitioned from a military opposition to a political body and, alongside our forces, are working hard to restore their homeland. Although it will take time for this country to recover from war, the new government has the confidence of the people of Altis. However, NATO's invasion - albeit swift and, ultimately, successful - has stirred a new round of debates over the funding of military forces in this region. The conclusion was clear: there is no way NATO can maintain their position here while tensions in the pacific region rise. The decommissioning will continue and NATO will abandon this region."
  7. ARMA 3 2014 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., The East Wind, Status Quo, "Await the arrival of an AAN reporter and deliver him to his interview with Nikos Panagopoulos."
  8. ARMA 3 2014 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., The East Wind, Status Quo, "Breaking news from the Republic of Altis and Stratis. Today, the Altis minister of defense, Nikos Panagopoulos, announced his presidential candidacy. Panagopoulos, a former merchant, had strong ties with the FIA during the recent flashpoint. The capitulation of the AAF to NATO forces opened up a new wave of negotiation between the FIA and the government in Pyrgos. In recent weeks, Panagopoulos has established himself as a skillful diplomat, and is a central figure in the post-conflict reconstruction. This is Paul Goddard, reporting for AAN.", AAN News
  9. ARMA 3 2014 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., The East Wind, Status Quo, "KERRY: Mr. Cole? COLE: Yes. Mark Cole, AAN Network. Are you my ride? KERRY: Seems so. Sergeant Ben Kerry. Welcome to Altis. I'm supposed to take you to Nikos. I mean Mr. Panagopoulos. Let's get going."
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 ARMA 3 2014 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., The East Wind, Status Quo, "COLE: So, tell me, sergeant. Have you been here from the start? I mean the start of the flashpoint. KERRY: Uh, yeah. Actually few months before the first AAF attack. COLE: And? KERRY: I don't follow... COLE: What caused it? The public's waiting for an explanation. KERRY: I'm not really at liberty to talk about that. But, speaking off the record ... they still don't really know for sure. I mean, Christ, sure, it's easy to blame CSAT. But the greenbacks - sorry, the AAF - they definitely needed a push. COLE: And who, in your view, gave them that push? KERRY: Isn't that supposed to be your job to find out? COLE: Oh, believe me, Sergeant Kerry, I'm trying."
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 ARMA 3 2014 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., The East Wind, Status Quo, "COLE: Just one last question then, sergeant. KERRY: Shoot. COLE: Did British forces play any part in this incident? KERRY: What do you mean? They shipped out long before the flashpoint started. COLE: Yeah, that's what the UK government keeps saying - hell, they almost seem to believe it. KERRY: I'm not sure I follow here. COLE: Tell me, Sergeant, have you ever met Kostas Stavrou? KERRY: Yeah. COLE: Then why don't you ask him?"
  12. ARMA 3 2014 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., The East Wind, Status Quo, "KERRY: Okay, we're here. Nikos - uh, Mr. Panagopoulos - is that guy in the shirt over there. Take care. COLE: Thanks for the ride, sergeant. Listen, if you ever want to talk some more, just give me a call. KERRY: Copy that, Mr. Cole. Take it easy."
  13. ARMA 3 2014 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., The East Wind, Status Quo, "COLE: Good afternoon, Mr. Panagopoulos. I'm Mark Cole from AAN. Do you have a second? PANAGOPOULOS: Oh, yes, of course. My thanks, Ben. Welcome to my homeland, Mr. Cole. There is much to discuss."
  14. ARMA 3: Apex 2016 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Apex Protocol, End Game, \a3\missions_f_exp_video\exp_m07_vout.ogv, 00:27, "DUTTON: Who's the journalist? MILLER: Mark Cole. DUTTON: He asks a lot of questions. MILLER: Yes, he does.", AAN News
  15. ARMA 3: Contact 2019 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Checkmate: The Untold Story of Operation Arrowhead, \a3\props_f_enoch\items\documents\data\book_04_co.paa, "Gripping. Checkmate is a true tour de force.", Acropolis Books

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