Orlok the Eternal

Orlok the Eternal

"I am Orlok, Commander of the Hierarchy battalions, General of the galactic fleet, Annihilator of a thousand worlds..."-Orlok to Prince Zessus.

Orlok was a renowned Hierarchy commander known as "The Eternal" for how many battles he had fought in and emerged victorious from.

General

Many years prior to Earth Assault, Orlok was mortally wounded in a fierce battle against a particularly difficult enemy. The Hierarchy Overseers realized that if he died morale would be crushed, so they burned Orlok's consciousness into an armored battle platform. Orlok embraced this honor and led his troops to victory. On earth, he was the chief of the security forces of Kamal Re'x's mining fleet.

The numerous battles Orlok has fought have altered his view of the Hierarchy's conquests. Unlike the others, he has become aware of the immorality in the Hierarchy's conquests and feels shame for what his race has done. In addition, he shows disgust for the Overseers and Kamal's use of soldiers as tools of ambition.

Campaign

Orlok is the main character in the Hierarchy campaign and is the only controllable hero.

Assault On Novus

" I'll keep Novus engaged while you ready the Purifier. Work quickly, we have..masters to impress." -Orlok

Orlok first appears accompanying Kamal in the remnants of Novus' Middle East base. After Orlok questions what they have gained from the Novus Graveyard, Kamal comments that they gain "Another glorious apocalypse" and that Orlok "grows more cynical with each passing battle". After Orlok assure his loyalty to the Hierarchy, Kamal tells him to remember that he exists to serve the Hierarchy and then orders him to ready his troops.

After Kamal leaves, Orlok asks Nufai what he felt when the Hierarchy invaded his world, Nufia informs him that he saw "much opportunity",earning Orlok's scorn as a traitor. Nufia simply replies he is still alive to speak while the rest of his race dead. Orlok then sarcastically tells Nufai that he sure his race is proud of him for that before sending him off to prepare the Purifier while Orlok keeps Novus busy.

During Orlok's assault on a Novus base in Egypt, Kamal denies Orlok the use of a Habitat Walker, feeling the infantry he gave him would be enough to handle such a minor outpost. Without it, Orlok has difficulty breaking through the Novus resistance and takes longer than had he had it, causing Kamal to get impatient. Orlok again requests a walker, and Kamal is angered at Orlok making requests, and only relents after Orlok informs him that "higher casualties here means fewer troops tomorrow."

During the assault, one of the Grunts complains to Orlok and asks "why are we always the ones to die first?" Orlok informs him that "It is our nature soldier, we are part of the Hierarchy. War is nourished by death and you and I are here to feed it".

As Orlok and his men wipe out the remains of the Novus presence in the area, the Habitat walker accidently misses its target and blasts the Great Pyramid with a plasma blast, triggering a signal that causes most of the Hierarchy machinery to pull back. After Orlok inquires Hierarchy command about it, he is informed that the signal is issuing a retreat order. Despite protests from Kamal, Orlok pulls his forces out.

Kamal is outraged that Orlok disobeyed him, but Orlok defensively states he wouldn't put his men in any danger until it is understood what happened. Kamal exclaims that the soldiers under Orlok's command exists only for expansion of the Hierarchy and are doing the task if they die. Orlok reprimands Kamal saying that if the Purifier had been deployed earlier like it would have been normally then they wouldn't have suffered the casualties they were currently. Kamal states that he deemed a chance to wipe out Novus worth taking, though Orlok rhetorically questions if that's what Kamal wants, or is really trying to impress the Overseers, and then asks how lives Kamal is willing to sacrifice for his ambitions.

Durring the entire argument, the ships Research Officer attempted to gain the two bickering aliens attention, but then forcefully interrupts with "Sir! Brace for impact!" before the ship is struck by a nuclear missile.

Kamal assumes the missile came from Novus and berates Orlok for it, saying it wouldn't have happened if he hadn't retreated, but the Tactical Officer on the ship informs them that "primitives" (humans) fired it. Orlok compliments that the humans are more advanced they originally thought and admires that are still able to fight, naturally leading to Kamal's scorn.

Turning point

Commander if I may seek your indulgence, perhaps the time to, "change our path" is now.

"What are you suggesting Nufai?"

-Nufai and Orlok.

Kamal then orders Orlok to deal with the "primitives radiation weapons", sending him to the territory where the initial missile was launched from. After setting up a base, Orlok launches his attack. During the attack Nufai questions why are the Hierarchy's enemies still fighting if they're doomed to lose. Orlok says that a race being faced with it's own destruction causes it to fight back with greater tenacity, but then states that something of that sort is beyond the Hierarchy's understanding.

Orlok somberly says the Hierarchy has destroyed civilizations greater then themselves, and corrects himself and says that the Hierarchy is a disease, not a civilization. Nufai warns Orlok that he is speaking dangerous words, but Orlok insists it's the truth, and that the Hierarchy has no future on it's current path. Orlok threatens to kill Nufia if he ever tells anyone what he said. Despite interference from the remains of Novus, the nuclear missiles are destroyed. As Orlok finishes off the last bits of resistance, Nufai then presents Orlok with the plan of rebelling, saying that he never really joined the Hierarchy but rather was secretly fighting it from within. Orlok toys with the idea of getting rid of Kamal, but wants to wait until the right moment.

As Orlok's transport flies out over the ocean, the signal returns and theMasari ship Atlatea rises from the sea. Kamal displays the most surprise, stating it is impossible for any Masari to be left alive after they where all but destroyed by the Hierarchy's ancestors. After the Research Officer annouces massive lifeform readings from the ship, Kamal orders it destroyed. Despite all the Hierarchy ships emptying all of their weapons on Atlatea, the ship remains mostly intact. Kamal then decides to destroy it with the Purifier, but Nufai reports the ship's signal is disabling it. Orlok is again sent into combat and disables the signal coming from Atletea, but retreats against orders when he finds that staying and fighting on the ship is suicidal.

Kamal by this point has enough of Orlok disobedience and informs him he's ordered his execution. Orlok tries to save his life by informing playing on Kamal's ambitions and saying that delivering the Masari Queen as a trophy to the Overseers would likely bring great rewards. The two are interrupted when they are informed that the Purifier has come under attack by Novus, and Kamal sends Orlok defend it. Despite the heavy Novus presence in the area, Orlok manages to move the Purifier out and has Nufai move it to a secrete location, which he tells him to even let him know about.

Kamal seems quite pleased and praises Orlok for doing his job correctly for once, then tells him that his plan of abducting the Masari queen appeals to him. An officer on the ship informs them both that a large amount of Masari air cover is detected in a particular territory flying escort for someone. Kamal sends Orlok to go after the Masari leader after a pair of Defilers wipes out the weaker defenses in the area. Orlok, however, hides that he really intends to ally with the Masari against Kamal. Orlok arrives and finds that not the Masari queen, but her son Prince Zessus instead. Though Orlok tries to explain he didn't come to fight him, Zessus doesn't listen and teleports himself, Orlok, and his soldiers into right into a cluster of Guardian Turrets, which they manage to escape from.

Rebellion

"What treachery is this?"

"That was my question for you Commander Orlok. These noble intentions of ending bloodshed, an alliance with a fallen enemy, all very ambitious of you, and if we where a race of FLOWERS it would be rewarded!

"My only reward will be seeing your rein come to an end."

-Zessus, Kamal Re'x, and Orlok.

After a long chase, Orlok manages to catch Zessus. Orlok then presents his plan of alliance and a plan to send a surrender signal from a transmission site on the planet. The idea of a Hierarchy general longing for peace utterly shocks Zessus, but he agrees and considers the plan. Orlok then goes to the transmission site and gives a speech the soldiers loyal to him:

"The battle that lies before us is for the Grunt, for the Brute, for the Glyph Carver! It is your blood that Kamal, and the Overseers spill in the name of expansion. It is your sacrifice that cultivates their power! We are but the minions of their ambition, well today, the minions shall fight back! Today, the Hierarchy will have a new level at the top, and the Overseers will hurt their necks, staring up into the sky to see us! To Battle!"

Joined by Zessus and some Masari forces, Orlok manages to reach the instillation, but Transports soon arrive and Kamal Re'x himself is beamed down. Kamal displays full awareness of Orlok's plan and intent, and mocks that thought of the Hierarchy making peace with anything. Orlok proclaims that history will scorn Kamal's name, but Kamal boasts that it is unlikely since he will be writing it. Orlok and Kamal face-off, and Orlok is initially winning the fire-fight. However, when he tries crush Kamal with his crusher arm, Kamals blasts it off along with much Orlok's armor. Orlok requests Nufai's aid, but Nufai instead slashes the wounded commander, knocking him over. Kamal gloats and says "your spy was always my spy". Nufai then adds that he "saw much opportunity" and that he could become commander once the old one was dead. As Nufai walks away all the Grunts and Defilers around Orlok open fire on the remains of once mighty commander, presumably killing him.

Unit

Orlok the Eternal is the Assault hero for the Hierarchy, unlocked by the Assault Branch. Orlok's armor is considered a vehicle and thus may be repaired by a Saucer's repair orbs, but not by radiation. Orlok is armed with an auto-tracking plasma turret and a "Crusher" device built into his right arm. This crusher device will convert resources and units into ammunition for Orlok's siege mode, which allows him to bombard anywhere on the map that is revealed, though it grows less accurate the greater the distance. Orlok is also able to call in even more armor at the expense of his plasma cannon and ability to use Siege mode. In any mode, Orlok may trample light vehicles and almost any infantry (barring heros and Brutes).

Stats

Type: Large Piloted Hero
Movement: Infantry
Max. Speed: 1.1
Health: 1,200
Armor: Alien Hero
Sight: 245
Crush Defense: 99
Crush Power: 35

Weaponry

Type: Gatling Plasma
Range: 0-220
Damage: 30
Shots per burst: 3
Shot Delay: 0.3 seconds
Recharge: 1.2 seconds
DPS: 42.9

Type: Crush Attack
Range: 0-90
Damage: 150 per second

Assault Mode

Orlok has a plasma cannon that attacks air and ground. It is strong against almost all targets. He can also activate Siege Mode to pound enemies into the ground with artillery.

Endure Mode

Orlok loses his plasma cannon but gains health and improved armor that significantly reduces damage from most sources. He regenerates 1% health per second and increases defense against all weapon types except those that stick or burn Orlok.

Stats

Type: Large Piloted Hero
Movement: Infantry
Max. Speed: 1.1
Health: 1,400
Armor: Alien Endure
Sight: 170
Crush Defense: 99
Crush Power: 35

Weaponry

Type: Crush Attack
Range: 0-90
Damage: 150 per second

Production

Method: Built by Arrival Site

Prerequisites: Assault Branch Suite 2

Cost: 2,000

Time: 0:55

Pop: 10

Special Abilities

Assault Mode/Endure Mode

Effect: Toggles between modes

Cooldown: 0:10

Siege Mode

Effect: Fires siege cannon at targeted area anywhere in sight range, though accuracy decreases with range

Damage: 90

Splash Radius: 80

Cooldown: None

Special: Requires siege ammo

Upgrades

Gamma Radiation

Effect: Radiation damage increased to 10 per second

Method: Research Mutagen Branch Suite 3

Irradiated Shots

Effect: Plasma bolts are irradiated, inflicting radiation damage over time

Method: Research Mutagen Branch Suite 1

Damage: 5 per second

Duration: 10 seconds

Quantum Ordnance

Effect: Plasma attacks explode for an additional 5 damage

Method: Research Quantum Branch Suite 3

Volatile Reactors

Effect: Creates radioactive cloud when destroyed

Method: Research Mutagen Branch Suite 1

Trivia

• Orlok is the only controllable hero in the Hierarchy campaign.
• Orlok's crusher attack was at one time going to literally draw units into the arm to be crushed, but this was cut due to unknown reasons. Some lines of code remain in his XML file though.
• Orlok shares his voice actor with General Moore.
• In a fan poll on the developers forms, Orlok scored first place as the best character (but not unit) in the game.

Unit Quotes

Some quotes may not be used ingame
- I am the Eternal.
- There is only honor in battle.
- I am the one with the gun.
- I serve the Hierarchy.
- I compensate for nothing.
- All I see are corpses.
- Open season.
- Leave them to me.
- Everybody dies.
- I will bring the battle to them.
- As good as dead.
- Any last words?
- I will stamp it out.
- It will not live another day.
- I've been looking forward to this.
- Clear my way.
- Here comes trouble.
- With honor.
- Get ready to fight.
- I enforce the Hierarchy's will.
- One thing at a time.
- We will get there above all else.
- No time to lose.
- Carrying out orders.
- I move with purpose.
- Mobile artillery activated.
- Positioning for launch.
- Bringing in the big guns.
- Powering up for bombardment.
- Encasement activated.
- Nobody touches me.
- Armor. Now.
- Get through this.
- Perhaps you are too frightened to engage me.
- Do you not know death when you see it?
- Curse me in vain as you breath your last.
- Let's get to the pain.
- Why do you continue to rebuild?
- Tactics. I use them to my advantage.
- There is nothing you possess that we cannot take away.
- That is something I cannot allow to happen.
- Choose how you will die.
- Put down the cattle and back away slowly.
- I have taken damage.
- I could use some repairs.
- This is more than a flesh wound.
- My damage is growing, but so is my anger.
- My survival is in doubt.
- My damage has reached critical levels.
- My death is almost certain.