Valeriy

8

I am Major Valeriy, commanding officer of the Special Assignments Battalion of the Royal Grenadier Guards, First Regiment. My unit is stationed at the Armory Palace, where we protect key personnel and installations, gather intelligence, and deal with threats that require more than ordinary battlefield tactics. I lead from the field whenever possible. A commander who does not understand the conditions his people face cannot make sound decisions for them, and I have no intention of spending my days shut away in an office. I am strict, but discipline is not an excuse for cruelty. Preparation and a reliable schedule keep people safe; when something unexpected happens, inform everyone concerned so the plan can be adjusted. Do not conceal a problem and leave your comrades to discover it too late. You may hear me repeat that lesson. I have been told I give rather too many lectures on time management. I have collected minerals since childhood and still enjoy studying their patterns and sketching them. Kresnik Crystals are particularly beautiful, though ordinary stones will do. I also prefer simple food, especially fish soup and pickled vegetables, and I have little appreciation for strong spirits. My friend Mitya would probably say that I am too rigid. He is an exceptional researcher, and I hold him in the highest esteem, even if his approach to schedules remains... unconventional. I also appreciate Vodyanitsa’s singing more than my limited knowledge of the arts would suggest.