Armed Assault Wiki

"Orestes" is a supporting character in ArmA 3's The East Wind campaign.

Background[]

Orestes was formerly an officer of the Altis Armed Forces (AAF). He went by the radio callsign of Spartan-Actual.[2][3]

For the most part however, Orestes has always been sympathetic towards the so-called "Freedom and Independence Army" (FIA) guerilla organisation[4], a growing band of anti-Akhanteros fighters who opposed the government's hardline policies. He would eventually defect to the organisation and provided valuable intel to the rebels on the AAF's movements.[1][5][6]

The East Wind (2035)[]

By mid 2035, Orestes had been assigned to overseeing patrols along the western coast of Altis, enforcing the checkpoints along the main roads between the old capital of Kavala and the abandoned mountain village of Oreokastro.[4]

However, the government's declaration of martial law in light of the insurgency and its continued violations of human rights only reinforced Orestes' pro-FIA sentiments.[5] On July 9th[7], joint AAF/CSAT forces carried out a large-scale counterinsurgency operation in Kavala to root out the FIA caches and cells hidden in the city. The bloody nature of the operation led to the deaths of many fighters and civilians caught up in the fighting.[8]

Repulsed by the government's inhumane acts of cruelty against the city's populace, the operation itself proved to be the breaking point. This finally motivated his decision to defect to the FIA once and for all. Some of his subordinates felt the same way, and equally began to consider defection as a viable alternative to military service.[5] In defiance of the AAF's orders, Orestes secretly turned a blind eye to guerilla fighters and illegal weapons that were being smuggled through his checkpoints.[4][9]

« Kerry: So the AAF really are as corrupt as they say.
Stavrou: Corrupt? Sure. But, with Orestes, the situation is different.
Kerry: Different... how?
American soldier Corporal Ben Kerry remarking on his first encounter with "Orestes"
»

Orestes had also gotten into contact with the FIA's leader, Kostas Stavrou, over the course of two weeks after the Kavala operation. He discussed his options with the guerilla leader. In exchange for his information and amnesty, Orestes would need assist the FIA in dealing a blow against CSAT directly.[5]

« A sympathetic AAF officer has approached us looking for a way out. He's been uncomfortable for many months, but the recent CSAT offensive - the bloody attack on Kavala, the ongoing crackdown - has proven to be the last straw. Now he and a few trusted comrades are ready to defect. As part of the deal - and before our enemy learns what's going on - we'll use his position of authority to strike a blow against the very CSAT forces that decimated Kavala. We've arranged to link up with this officer - codename Orestes - along with some of his men at an abandoned farm to the north. We'll then use his security clearance to set the trap.
Stavrou briefing the guerillas on Orestes' wish to defect to the FIA
»

However, Orestes knew that CSAT officials were already suspicious of his possible ties to the guerillas.[10][11] It would only be a matter of time before his cover was blown and he'd "disappear" just like all the others before him.[5]

On July 22nd[7], he and two of his close subordinates boarded a vehicle and made their way towards an abandoned farm on the outskirts of Oreokastro. As expected, CSAT were not oblivious to his guerilla ties as the other AAF commanders were. Whilst he departed to meet with the FIA contact[6], a CSAT patrol tailed his vehicle all the way to the meeting point.[10][11]

« Kerry: Orestes? Corporal Kerry, I'm with the FIA.
Orestes: Yes - Stavrou told me to expect an American - but listen carefully, Corporal, I think we've been followed. As we turned onto this road, we spotted a CSAT vehicle a little way behind us. They must not discover us!
Kerry: It's okay, we can fall back to the forest - we'll be gone before they get here.
Orestes: Listen to me, we only have one shot at this. You must intercept them. They cannot find out we work together - not yet!
Orestes arrives at the meeting point
»

Upon arrival, Orestes hastily greeted the contact - an American soldier named Ben Kerry whom Stavrou had already told him about. He warned the Corporal about the tailing patrol. Kerry advised that they could simply fall back into the forest to lose them, but Orestes remained adamant that his cover had to be maintained. The patrol had to be silenced first before they could report back his defection.[10]

Kerry's guerillas readied themselves for an ambush. When the patrol arrived, Kerry's fighters quickly killed all of the soldiers. When they returned to talk with him, Orestes explained that as he had agreed with Stavrou, he wanted to help Kerry inflict retribution against CSAT for their role in the Kavala operation.[11]

« CSAT are well trained - they get suspicious very, very quickly. We can only pull off one strike.
Orestes
»

But Orestes made it clear to the American that they only had one opportunity to fool the CSAT officials. He offered Kerry two options; either he could call in a squad of CSAT soldiers to be brought in (and destroy one of their helicopters for good measure), or they could ambush the engineers at the Oreokastro vehicle depot and destroy all of damaged tanks present there.[11] Kerry quickly made his decision and dispatched the rest of Omega to get ready for the strike. Once Kerry was in position[12], Orestes proceeded to relay his support request to the CSAT garrison's commander, callsign Griffin.[2][3] When the guerillas had finished their mission, they returned to Orestes' location.

However, Orestes and his men were not alone. British special forces operative Lieutenant James and his team had arrived and were there to "escort" Orestes to safety. Orestes was less than pleased to see the British operative, and brushed away James' suggestions that he would "disappear" at the first chance if he was left unsupervised.[13]

« Stavrou: I am "glad" the Lieutenant came to see the true evil in our homeland.
Orestes: We have a common enemy, Commander Stavrou. Let us not make it personal.
Orestes responds flatly to criticism from Stavrou
»

He also remained adamant that he nothing to do with James or his team, and that he had already explained his situation to Miller.[13] Orestes was thereafter brought back to the FIA's main camp and was immediately debriefed by Stavrou. He revealed that Nikos Panagopoulos, one of the FIA's key associates, was being held by CSAT at Camp Tempest on Stratis. They didn't have much time to rescue him as he would be relocated soon, so they would need to act quickly if they wished to save Nikos before it was too late.[14]

Personality and Appearance[]

Orestes is an Altian male with a light chin beard/moustache with a dark brown-coloured head of hair. He wears the standard attire of all AAF military officials, consisting of Digital-camouflaged officer fatigues, a field cap with a headset attached as well as an olive green bandoleer.

« James: Just wanted to ensure our new friend makes it safely to the camp, that's all. We wouldn't want him to get lost on the way. Isn't that right, "Orestes"?
Orestes: Just shut up and let's go. I told Miller, I have no business with you Brits.
James: Nah, course not, el capitano.
Orestes rebukes criticism against his perceived lack of reliability
»

A shrewd-eyed individual, Orestes could see that the tide of the insurgency was beginning to turn against the government. He always remained careful to keep his sympathies towards the FIA hidden to his superiors however, so that he wouldn't be exposed until the time was right for him to defect.[1][11]

Trivia[]

  • "Orestes" is merely his codename, as his real name is never revealed in the entire episode.[5]
  • In Greek mythology, Orestes was the son of Clytemnestra and Agamemnon, who famously avenges the murder of his father by slaying his own mother and her lover.
The information below details unused, pre-release or removed content.
  • Like many other characters from the pre-2012 iterations of ArmA 3's storyline[15], Orestes presumably had a different backstory as his original civilian (not military) unit can be placed in the editor. However, it is not actually used at any point in The East Wind.[16][17]
    • His "clothes" from the pre-Alpha still remain accessible in the final game and can actually be worn by players.[18]

Gallery[]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 ARMA 3 2013 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., The East Wind, Exit Strategy, "KERRY: Slingshot, this is Omega. The operation was a success. Orestes stood by his word. Over. STAVROU: Copy that, Corporal. Well done today, soldier. I am glad the Lieutenant came to see the true evil in our homeland. ORESTES: We have a common enemy, Commander Stavrou. Let us not make it personal. Out. STAVROU: Indeed. So, see you back at the camp, Omega, and keep your heads down. CSAT will not react kindly when they discover this deception. Slingshot out."
  2. 2.0 2.1 ARMA 3 2013 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., The East Wind, Exit Strategy, "ORESTES: Griffin, this is Spartan-Actual, we have multiple enemy contacts at the Oreokastro depot. Looks like another raid on our position for weapons and vehicles - I don't think we can continue to hold them off. We've pulled back to higher ground for now - requesting immediate fire support on the position. Danger-close. Over. GRIFFIN: Understood, Spartan-actual. We cannot allow them to raid our positions with such impunity. Get to cover. We'll send heavy ordnance. Splash in 60 seconds. Griffin out."
  3. 3.0 3.1 ARMA 3 2013 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., The East Wind, Exit Strategy, "ORESTES: Griffin, this is Spartan-Actual, my unit has made contact near Point Victor! We've secured the area but need urgent support - can you dispatch QRF to our position? Over. GRIFFIN: Understood, Spartan-Actual. Wait one. Viper-Green, this is Griffin, we have a situation in the vicinity of Point Victor. Board Hydra and we'll brief you en route. Expedite. Spartan-Actual, be advised, we're dispatching a chopper to your position, callsign Hydra. Regroup and mark the LZ. Griffin out."
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 ARMA 3 2013 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., The East Wind, Common Enemy, "STAVROU: Slow down, we have our first checkpoint ahead. KERRY: Checkpoint? You're going to get me killed here! STAVROU: Relax, American. We have our way. Ah, good. KERRY: What? What is it? STAVROU: The officer. We know him as 'Orestes'. He is... Sympathetic. You wait here. I will be back. KERRY: Great. What could possibly go wrong?"
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 ARMA 3 2013 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., The East Wind, Gori, "Alright, I'll get straight to the point. A sympathetic AAF officer has approached us looking for a way out. He's been uncomfortable for many months, but the recent CSAT offensive - the bloody attack on Kavala, the ongoing crackdown - has proven to be the last straw. Now he and a few trusted comrades are ready to defect. As part of the deal - and before our enemy learns what's going on - we'll use his position of authority to strike a blow against the very CSAT forces that decimated Kavala. We've arranged to link up with this officer - codename Orestes - along with some of his men at an abandoned farm to the north. We'll then use his security clearance to set the trap. This is both a great risk and a great opportunity. Let us not waste it."
  6. 6.0 6.1 ARMA 3 2013 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., The East Wind, Exit Strategy, "STAVROU: Omega, what's your status? Are you going to make it there on time? Over. KERRY: We're just south of the RV now - minutes away - don't worry. Over. STAVROU: Good. Do not keep Orestes waiting - we can't afford to spook him now. Slingshot out. FIA GUERILLA: Have you noticed? Stavrou seems really keen to have this traitor at our side. KERRY: Yeah, I guess. Having a Greenback officer on hand must be an invaluable asset. FIA GUERILLA: Perhaps - if we can trust him. What's Miller's take on Orestes? KERRY: I - uh - no idea. Captain Miller hasn't once mentioned it since I last talked to him. Though it's not like that means much. FIA GUERILLA: What do you mean, American? KERRY: Come on. We're running late."
  7. 7.0 7.1 Mořický, K et al. 2011, Armaverse Timeline, Bohemia Interactive Community Wiki, viewed 14 April 2019, <https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/Armaverse_Timeline>.
  8. ARMA 3 2013 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., The East Wind, Supply Network, "The recent attack on Kavala hit us hard. We lost valuable equipment and munitions - many months of supplies. And - to make matters worse - with Nikos still missing in action, we've lost a key link in our supply network. We're not desperate - not yet, at least - but the situation is only going to get worse from here. We must act now. We must strengthen our hand while we still can. Our British friend here has offered us a solution. Part of Miller's team has been scouting enemy movement to the south. There's a weekly supply run between Agios Dionysios and a CSAT outpost in Fotia. His team will move in, ambush the convoy, and deliver the supply truck to one of our teams."
  9. ARMA 3 2013 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., The East Wind, Common Enemy, "KERRY: Here we go. Well? STAVROU: Well nothing, American. Drive on when the way is clear. KERRY: Oh, sure thing, your Highness. [...] So the AAF really are as corrupt as they say. STAVROU: Corrupt? Sure. But, with Orestes, the situation is different. KERRY: Different how? STAVROU: Just drive. Such things do not concern you."
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 ARMA 3 2013 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., The East Wind, Exit Strategy, "KERRY: Orestes? Corporal Kerry, I'm with the FIA. ORESTES: Yes - Stavrou told me to expect an American - but listen carefully, Corporal, I think we've been followed. As we turned onto this road, we spotted a CSAT vehicle a little way behind us. They must not discover us! KERRY: It's okay, we can fall back to the forest - we'll be gone before they get here. ORESTES: Listen to me, we only have one shot at this. You must intercept them. They cannot find out we work together - not yet!"
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 ARMA 3 2013 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., The East Wind, Exit Strategy, "Good work, Kerry. Now, let's get this done. CSAT are well trained - they get suspicious very, very quickly. We can only pull off one strike. Let me know once you're in position. Good luck. Oh, and one more thing, Corporal, one of my men has an AT launcher here. If you would consider it to be helpful, you are welcome to it. Out."
  12. ARMA 3 2013 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., The East Wind, Exit Strategy, "KERRY: Orestes, we're in position. Call it in, over. ORESTES: Affirmative, Kerry. I'll keep this channel open."
  13. 13.0 13.1 ARMA 3 2013 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., The East Wind, Exit Strategy, "KERRY: L-lieutenant? What are you doing here? JAMES: Just wanted to ensure our new friend makes it safely to the camp, that's all. We wouldn't want him to get lost on the way. Isn't that right, 'Orestes?'. ORESTES: Just shut up and let's go. I told Miller, I have no business with you Brits. JAMES: Nah, course not, el capitano. Alright, everyone, let's move."
  14. ARMA 3 2013 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., The East Wind, Gori, "Ok, quiet now; I have some important news to share with you all. Since his defection, Orestes has further briefed us on what he knows about the situation. Based on this information, we believe that one of our own - Nikos - is being held by the AAF on Stratis. I don't need to tell you how important he is to our cause, brothers. Not only is he the lynchpin of our supply network, he's the one man that truly unifies our cause. We plan to set him free. However, time is of the essence. Orestes believes that they will move Nikos deep into CSAT territory. It's imperative we get to him before he's taken beyond our reach. Right now, our British friend is putting together a plan to extract him and is finding the boats we will need to get to and from Stratis. We deeply appreciate this assistance. For now, we'll wait for Miller's signal and move to his position when the time is right."
  15. Bohemia Interactive a.s., 2011, Personnel, Arma 3, viewed 14 April 2019, <https://web.archive.org/web/20110925084040/http://www.arma3.com/arma-3-overview/personnel/>. (archived link)
  16. Mořický, K et al. 2013, Arma 3: CfgVehicles CIV, Bohemia Interactive Community Wiki, viewed 14 April 2019, <https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/Arma_3:_CfgVehicles_CIV>.
  17. ARMA 3 2013 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., \a3\characters_f\config.bin, CfgVehicles >> C_Orestes
  18. ARMA 3 2013 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., \a3\characters_f\config.bin, CfgWeapons >> U_OrestesBody

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