Mitchell's Guide to Villains entry 1: The Void

Mitchell's Guide to Villains entry 1.

Subject: (The) Void. 

Civilian identity: Unknown. 

Birthdate: Unknown. Estimated early 80's.

Birthplace: Unknown. Accent suggests California.

Height: 5'4"/165 cm.

Weight: Unknown. Reputedly less than seems natural for the body type.

Classification: Alpha level boost. Possibly multiple boosting occasions, or else there is a connective thread between the disparate powers that I am missing. So far, there have been confirmed sightings of: Punching their fist through reinforced armor (and the body inside). A personal force field resistant to military-grade munitions. A field (the infamous void-field) capable of trapping victims inside. The ability to teleport short distances, reportedly between shadows.

Status: Presumed dead after their defeat in 2012. However, no body was found, though that could be due to the strange nature of their powers and the nature of their demise.

Notes: There are many unconfirmed reports of other strange effects within the void-field. I have included some witness testimonies and some speculation about the possible nature of the powers. I hesitate to close the file, but as we now have complete control of Void's former territory, they have become irrelevant. 

---

Testimony 19

Date: June 12, 2011

Subject: Grigori Varga, retired mercenary.

Interviewer: Imani Bloom.

GV - Just so we got this clear. I tell you what happened, and you pay for an overhaul of my mods? And my medical bills?

IB - And therapy if you require it. We have an excellent specialist on staff.

GV - You saying I need therapy?

IB - Calm down, Sir. All I said is that it is included in the medical package. Whether you accept is up to you.

GV - I don't need that shit. It's the pain that gives me trouble sleeping, not... that.

IB - I am sad to say, it is exactly "that" we will need information about. And in as much detail as you're able to remember.

GV - Remember. Hah. I can't forget. Ask away, I suppose.

IB - How long ago was it that you were captured, Sir??

GV - 2005. In August, I think, it was hot as hell. You probably have a better date in your file. This was back when Void had moved their headquarters to the outskirts of Santa Ana. Too close to Los Diablos for some, and I was part of the force hired to... discourage them.

IB - That was when Vertigo was killed, right?

GV - Yeah. Didn't see it happen, so don't expect details.

IB -  Most people involved in the operation died. It's the survivors we are interested in.

GV - Nothing special about my survival if that's what you're angling for. Pure luck. An earthquake at the right time cracked the wall of that hellhole. Not sure if I have your organization to thank for that. I was one of the ones alive that could still move, so I climbed out and ran.

IB - How were you captured?

GV - Outmatched. We didn't know what we were in for. We expected those damn cultists, or henchmen at worst. Didn't plan on squaring off with the Void right then and there. Most of my squad...

IB - It's fine. You can take a moment.

GV - The thing is... their power doesn't... it doesn't kill. Not like some boosted freaks. Not fire or plasma or any of that shit. The world just... shifts. Changes.

IB - Changes how? Please be specific. The nature of their powers makes them hard to record. We think they affect the electromagnetic spectrum as well.

GV - You ever done any deep-sea diving? The pressure is like that. Everything turns slow, like being encased in kinetic jelly. I tried to run, but my body...

IB - It's fine. Take a moment if you need to.

GV - Your brain still works, but it's like running in a nightmare. Even the ground felt less solid, like it sucked at my boots, like hairs on a band-aid. The light... went green? Dark? None of us could move right, and the Void... they just walked over to us. Distance was weird. Same with the perspective. None of us could shoot.

IB - Were you paralyzed? 

GV - No. Maybe. It's like I said. Too slow to make a difference. And the armor, in that light... it didn't look like armor, you know? Soft-looking. Almost organic. Like something squeezed out of... Limbs too long. And then the Void started killing us.

IB - Just like that?

GV - No. It felt like it took forever. We just couldn't do anything about it. They started cutting up my sergeant right in front of me. Bit by bit. Just removing...

IB - We've seen pictures of the victims. 

GV - But you don't get it from the pictures. Do you know how long it takes someone to die in one of those damn fields? The blood will hardly run. Cut someone's throat, and they'll know they are dead, but it will take minutes for the body to drop. And you'll be aware the entire time. 

IB - Do you know why they kept some of you alive?

GV - For later entertainment, I suppose. Never saw their face, but the Void is a sick bastard. I've worked for a lot of psychos; it happens out here. But this was different. Could have just shot us all when we were incapacitated, but I guess that was too quick. They've got cages, you know? At their base?

IB - The Tesseract. Yes, I've heard rumors. The Cult of the Green Sky is banned for a reason. But that's not what we...

GV - Gotcha. Information. Powers. The void-field glitched up my mods, you know. Not my hand, but I've got audio implants since I got too close to an explosion. Couldn't hear a thing once the field blew them. I think that's why they saved me for the end. Probably figured I was stunned or traumatized since I didn't react to them speaking. Or the screams. Wanted to give me a chance to collect myself to appreciate what they'd do to me.

IB - Did you find out what had gone wrong with them?

GV - The batteries got fucked up. Was easy to fix once I had got out. Not sure how. Guess that's what you're trying to find out?

IB - Yes. With the Void in Los Diablos, we need information.

GV - The field looks like it's centered on them. It's more like an aura, I think. I never saw them project it anywhere. And it affects friend and foe both. Not that the Void cares. Since it's not destructive, allies won't be hurt.

IB - Still not a pleasant experience, I assume.

GV - No. Not unless you're into breathplay.

IB - I don't understand.

GV - Your body slows down, so you don't really breathe. But your brain wants to. So you feel like you're drowning even though you're not. A bit like waterboarding, I suppose.

IB - How far did you see them extend the field?

GV - Maybe... ten yards? 20? I didn't spot them before the field hit us, so I can't be sure. 

IB - And how long could they hold it?

GV - Haven't you been listening? Time gets weird in there. It felt like forever.

IB - Anything else you can think of?

GV - There was... afterward. When we were captives. When they were killing us. The Void... they dripped some of their blood in the mouth of whoever they were planning to kill. The screams. Sounded more painful than their knives. Maybe they have acid blood, like that Ranger. And then... afterward, the cultists drew blood from the victim and drank it. Like some damn cannibal ritual.

IB - Did they remove the armor then?

GV - Just the glove. I don't know if it was more horrifying that it was just a normal hand under there. I could have sworn the fingers were a foot long when we fought. Not large either. Pale. 

IB - Did you drink any?

GV - Hell no. They only did that to the people slated to die. Wouldn't be here if I did.

IB - A lucky escape.

GV - Like I said, lucky earthquake. Think they had too much to think about after that to bother with me. I wasn't important, just another useful body. You're going to take the bastard down, right?

IB - That is the idea. 

GV - Good. Hope this helped.

IB - We will see. Thank you for your cooperation, Mr. Varga.

---

Excerpt of an audio recording placed within the cell of "Blake Montgomery," a member of the Cult of the Green Sky. Recorded July 12, 2011.

Comment: Since the subject was unresponsive to even advanced questioning, this is the limited intel we could get. We need to attempt to capture another one of them alive and keep them that way.

[scraping sounds]

Oh bringer of the green sky, oh child of the great black eye. May the yawning mouth of the void swallow our breaths and make us whole. Make us one. 

[scraping sounds]

Oh destroyer of the old, oh bringer of the new. 

[scraping sounds]

Time everlasting. Time unmoving. 

[a faint gurgle]

Apostle of the world's end. Purifier of humanity.

[heavy breathing]

Your blood, our sacrament. Our blood, your offering. 

[muffled voice]

... we will be... as... one... long live... the new... flesh.

---

Asset 7 - 21 January 2012

A - Are you sure you weren't followed?

IB - Of course. We have as much interest in secrecy as you do. Neither of us wants our collaboration to leak to... certain interested parties.

A - I do detest having to trust your professionalism.

IB - As do I, yours.

A - Fine. I suppose the end justifies the means in this particular case. Speaking of which...

IB - The money has been transferred into your account. Feel free to confirm, or let your partner...

A - My partner is not involved in this. Nor will he be.

IB - As, so the rumors are true. You are retiring.

A - I like to see it as getting to work. This villainy thing was never more than a means to an end.

IB - And now we have given you the means. And will keep giving if this collaboration proves fruitful.

A - Enough with the glib remarks. I don't appreciate being doubted. You were looking for insight into the so-called void-field, no?

IB - The question is whether you have something more than rumors?

A - Of course I do. You knew that when you approached me, despite my former partner's... associations.

IB - It was a risk on our part as well. People connected to the Green Sky tend to be... particular.

A - One way to put it. He was never a member, but all their talk about bringing forth humanity's greatest potential must have struck a chord.

IB - It doesn't sound like you parted amicably.

A - No. We did not. I'm lucky I'm still alive.

IB - I take it that he is not?

A - Take it as you wish. It's my private business.

IB - Then let's talk about ours.

A - I won't bother you with the science behind it. I know your type. You want workable solutions. A countermeasure.

IB - So you found one?

A - Perhaps. As you are undoubtedly aware, there are several separate manifestations of the Void's powers. The first is dimensional in nature. My theory is that the Void is capable of seeing and interacting with more dimensions than we normally account for. If we disregard the theory that time is the fourth dimension, they have access to at least four physical ones plus time. And, what's more troubling, they can bring other people in contact with them, which explains the spatial and time distortion experienced by the victims. We cannot perceive and interact with the source; we only see the effects on our three-dimensional world. To Void, their power might look as simple and logical as throwing a ball looks to us. 

IB - How does that help us?

A - It does not, but it's a fascinating subject worth further study. As is the time aspect. The field only affects physical entities, not minds. That might mean that minds work on an even higher dimension than the Void can manipulate. But that's unfortunately not helpful. As far as I know, telepaths have reported that the Void is exactly that, to their powers. An empty space. 

IB - And direct attack is a problem. I've seen the Void stop bullets. They seem impervious to harm, even when the attack is unexpected.

A - Ah, not impervious. I would think they are simply avoiding the impact. Imagine someone drawing a line on a paper towards your finger. It would be easy to avoid it by lifting your hand in the third dimension. Or blocking it with your fingertip, but only the fingerprint would be visible.

The green sky...

A - Possibly an aftereffect, yes. Distorted light.

IB - So what is the third aspect then? Presumably something we can use?

A - Now, this is partial conjecture on my part and partially based on some rather... rambling conversations from my ex-partner. You are aware of the Void's penchant for inflicting pain, right?

IB - Yes, they're not the first villain wanting to terrorize others.

A - I am sure the terror is handy, but there might be more to it than that. To their blood sacrament in particular. The Void feeds their blood to their closest followers.

IB - Not the first cult to go into cannibalism.

A - It's more than symbolic. The sacrament is apparently excruciatingly painful to a debilitating extent. And yet their followers crave it.

IB - Addictive blood?

A - No. Not in the physical sense. It seems that they can connect to what the Void experiences and sees for a brief time. And, technically, gain limited use of their powers during that time. It is said that the higher acolytes can work miracles of their own by withstanding the pain.

IB - No wonder the cult is obsessed with suffering for a higher purpose.

A - What the Void gains from it, I do not know. Perhaps they simply like to see people suffer. Or enjoy the power of having people crave their gifts.

IB - So what is your suggestion then?

A - It's simple. Gain access to Void's blood, and have an operator digest it. They should then be able to work on the same spatial network as the Void, and it will be easy to kill them.

IB - A strange definition of the word easy.

A - My partner gained access to a sample. Sadly it's no longer viable. Your organization has a long reach. You should be able to groom an operator for that kind of mission.

IB - That is for my superiors to decide. There are no other physical countermeasures?

A - None that can be produced quickly. Perhaps after a few years of research and materials to do so with. Neither of which we have. I did get the impression this is a pressing matter.

IB - It is. 

A - Then, I would recommend finding an asset willing and able to take that risk. 

IB - Any recommendations?

A - No. I work with sensible people, not heroes willing to sacrifice themselves for the greater good.

IB - Neither do we. But I am sure my superiors can find a suitable assassin.

A - I hope so. For all our sake.

---

Final debriefing notes, HG's eyes only.

Fine, I admit it, I lost the bet. Getting the Rangers involved worked. No casualties even, though from the look it was touch and go for Charge. Nine lives. You are aware that this has lost us any access to possibly weaponize Void's powers? Dr. M. won't be happy about that. Though I suppose we are in a position where we don't have to worry about that now.

I've been pouring over what was left of the Tesseract. Not sure if we want to keep that lair, I'm not the only one getting bad vibes from it. My advice is to burn it to the ground and raze the ashes. That way, we won't have to deal with any stray followers returning to the scene. I doubt all of them were taken in. The Rangers are sloppy like that. They rarely bother to finish a job properly. Not their job, I suppose. Speaking of which, if you want Charge taken out for good, now would be a good time. Still not sure why you haven't done so already. I keep telling you, Charge is smarter than people think.

It's your call.

---

Debriefing notes, personal copy.

No body. Again. Third time a major villain got taken down and the body disappeared. Every time a plausible reason. Fire. Volatile powers. Landslide. I don't like it. Putting a pin in it, if someone's collecting boosted corpses, three's got to be a reason. And if there is a reason, we need to know.