Alexei Sokolov was the Russian minister for Lunar affairs during the Second Formic War. He was first introduced in The Hive.
History[]
Sokolov became known as a major critic of Ukko Jukes' decisions as Hegemon, and was suspected by Lem Jukes of planning to replace Ukko as Hegemon after progressively damaging Ukko's reputation, with the support of Russian intelligence and most of Eastern Europe.
At a refugee fundraiser on Luna, Sokolov told Lem that Ukko would likely be stepping down as Hegemon soon. Sokolov also suggested that Lem himself would be a good candidate to become the next Hegemon; Lem found this remark highly suspicious. During Wila's speech in support of housing for the Lunar refugees, Sokolov and one of his junior ministers staged a disruptive argument in which Wila was accused of being a "Formic sympathizer" because of her theories and poetry about the Hive Queen. Sokolov enacted this stunt on orders from Oliver Crowe, director of ASH.
Later, Lem made a deal with Crowe in which he demanded that Sokolov be discredited, sent back to Russia, and removed from any association with ASH.[1]
Personality[]
Sokolov was perceived as friendly and gentlemanly, but with an air of insincerity. He used heavy flattery to manipulate others.
Appearance[]
Sokolov was described as "a large man, a good ten to fifteen centimeters taller than Lem, with a generous double chin and a sculpted head of white hair that looked thicker in photos than it did in person." He was also described as having a "trimmed white beard."[1]
Quotes[]
- ""I, shamefully, suffer from what you might call a scarcity of humility, as my critics will tell you. I’m a child of privilege, you see. Fed with a silver spoon all my life, leading me to believe that I can achieve anything I set my mind to. I’m sure you can relate, Lem, having had every privilege and opportunity laid conveniently in your lap. It makes men like you and me somewhat blind and naive to the threats around us, for we think ourselves indestructible.”"
- — Alexei Sokolov