Merida Island Base

Andrei Sergeivich Kalinin was born in Leningrad, December 2, 1956. Kalinin joined the military academy and then the Spetsnaz. Because of his linguistic and analytical skills, he became an officer on board the nuclear-powered hunter-killer submarine K-244, also known as Project 671RTM ‘Shuka.' The K-244 ran covert patrol missions near American waters to intercept communications and report back on their findings. While on one such patrol, the crew caught the transmissions of a crashing passenger jet a few miles outside of their patrol route.

Disobeying orders to remain dark, the captain ordered that they check things out, and deviated from their course to search for survivors. Kalinin was one of the men sent out on the search, and they discovered a Japanese woman and her young son huddling in the wreckage. While trying to help the two to safety, the ice and plane beneath them gave way, giving Kalinin no choice but to rescue only the boy and another officer who stood a better chance of survival. Kalinin took the boy back with him, handing him over to the medical officer on the sub to be treated for frostbite and hypothermia. While inspecting the boy’s personal items, he found ‘Sagara Sousuke’ written in childish hiragana on the inside of his pants.

Kalinin visited Sousuke often while on the sub’s patrol, bidding him farewell when he was turned over to the KGB upon their return. Kalinin continued on with his military career, eventually being stationed on the front lines in their war against the Afghan guerrilla forces. An Arm Slave was stolen from their forces, and the person piloting became a menace, doing enough damage to warrant personally leading a strike force to take him down. To his surprise, the pilot turned out to be Sousuke Sagara, now a ruthless child soldier. He had Sousuke put into solitary confinement, surprising him when Kalinin was aware of his name.

During his time in captivity at the Soviet camp, Kalinin visited frequently with Sousuke, speaking with him on many things, including his wife Irina back in Leningrad, and the child she was expecting. Kalinin tried offering to adopt Sousuke a few times, but each time he rebuffed the offer, seemingly confused as to why he should supposedly want a life other than fighting. A few months after his capture, the Mujahideen attacked the Soviet camp, their escape possible thanks to Kalinin as he released Sousuke from his cell and turned his back on his country. Kalinin made this decision because the doctor on duty during Irina's labor had been drunk, and it resulted in Both Irina's and the infant’s death.

Kalinin travelled with the guerrillas for a while, following Sousuke and teaching him Japanese over the years. They became separated during a battle in South Asia, finding only Sousuke’s helmet at the end, which had the kanji of his name which Kalinin had chosen for him. Continuing on his way, Kalinin was eventually scouted by Mithril a year before Sousuke, and was given the rank Lieutenant Commander, stationed on Merida Island Base and the Tuatha De Danaan. He later was reunited with Sousuke, this time as his superior.