Two questions about Empire's Legacy

[Kami-sama]

I doubt anyone here is or knows Russian and played Empire's Legacy, but just in case someone did I'm curious about two things.

Did Hero and Ace die in the storyline since they don't appear in Star Wolves 3? As you know the story carries on from Empire's Legacy and the events of Star Wolves 2 didn't happen.

What happened between Heretic and the old team? You know how he lies he's working for the New Empire and that you're carrying weapons just so that he gets Phantom's equipment early in the game.