Ethereals: Dossier

The Battlemaster

"You cannot kill the Battlemaster, you can only slow him down."

- Zar'nartha'intha

Analysis Record: "The Battlemaster" (Real name unknown)

Current Role: Commander of the Ethereal Collective Military

Current Interference Level: Low

Threat Level: Low

Usage Level: Low

Brief Assessment: The Battlemaster, as his title states, is in fact surprisingly public for an Ethereal. If there is one of their kind most know about, it is him. He very rarely interacts with non-military personnel, but does not make any attempt whatsoever to hide himself and is frequently seen, especially within the specific division he commands.

But despite his publicity, there is very little we know about him personally. His name is completely unknown, and as far as we know, he hasn't shared it with anyone. He keeps professional relationships with his command staff, who we have identified as J'Loran, Lura'irinena'borelia of the Lurainian, and most recently, the Sargon identified as Disciple-7. He has also acquainted himself with virtually every single prominent military figure in the Runianarch, Lurainian, Zararch, Andromedon Federation Military and most, if not all, Hive Commanders.

It would not be a stretch to assume he knows not just the Collective Military, but all militaries inside and out. Interviews with those who have worked under him reveal a tactician and strategist that is unmatched in just how much he knows. I understand that this does not necessarily translate into results, but anyone who memorizes every single Collective Division, troop movements and favored training regiments is someone worth watching.

Of all the Ethereals, the Battlemaster has shown the most initiative in openly working with outside species and does not seem to have any issues working with them, provided they follow his orders. His willingness to work with does not necessarily mean he holds positive views on the species. While it isn't said openly, it is suspected that he dislikes the Sectoids and does not entirely trust the Andromedons. But this is rumor I am unable to confirm.

In terms of his actual strategies and tactics, that is something we are still unsure on. The only recorded instance of the Battlemaster performing a sanctioned military operation was against the Muton species shortly after their discovery. Of course, we know this 'operation' was the Battlemaster going down onto the planet and personally subjugating the species. We can make some theories regarding his mindset, but without more neutral data, it is impossible to accurately predict his strategies and tactics.

First: The Battlemaster is methodical. It took nearly six months for him to fully subjugate the Mutons, when it could have been accomplished in perhaps half the time, especially if we had utilized more traditional propaganda methods and used the destruction of larger tribes to intimidate smaller ones into submission. But no, the Battlemaster wanted to personally subjugate every tribe on his own, and he did so. The length of a campaign appears to mean nothing to him, but his victory is absolute.

Second: The Battlemaster is honorable. A trait that I was surprised to actually observe. He may be at a gross advantage, but he made an attempt at giving the Mutons a fair fight. There was no reason to plant caches of advanced technology near the appropriate tribes, but he did so anyway, and allowed them time to experiment. A questionable decision, but I cannot dispute that he didn't give them a chance. This implies that he may be…less amenable to the more underhanded tactics employed in war, and instead insist that it be waged on within his own rigid ruleset. I suppose it largely depends on if he outranks other Ethereals who might take issue with his straightforward approach. He also does not seem to care about civilian casualties, but will avoid targeting heavily populated areas, and specifically orders that civilians not be killed unless they attack or assist those against him or his forces.

Third: The Battlemaster is powerful. You might feel that is obvious, but feel I need to once again state that he subjugated an entire species on his own. Such a feat should be impossible, yet the Battlemaster did it with ease. I assume you have seen the footage of him during the Muton subjugation and how he took on armies of thousands on his own. You cannot simply dismiss it because it was against "primitives" as he fights with only his sword and psionics. Why he handicaps himself so is a mystery, but it appears not to have hindered him in the least.

Now imagine what he could do with an entire army at his command.

I do not exaggerate when I say that the Battlemaster alone may be more powerful than the Vitakara, Andromedon and Sectoid armies combined. He is also exceptionally loyal to the Collective, and I can only imagine he deals with traitors like he does with enemies: Termination with absolute prejudice. Be careful when dealing with the Battlemaster, Zar'Chon, because while he will never stab you in the back, he will execute you for all to see.

But stay on his good side and you have the key to defeating any enemy.

- Zar'sargin'mattis

REPORT: 001011000101

TARGET OF INTEREST: ETHEREAL 03 (THE BATTLEMASTER)

KNOWN ALIASES: "THE BATTLEMASTER"; "COMMANDER OF THE ETHEREAL COLLECTIVE MILITARY"; "BATTLEMASTER"

CURRENT POSITION: COMMANDER OF THE ETHEREAL COLLECTIVE MILITARY; COMMANDER OF THE DIVISION OF THE BATTLEMASTER

SPECIES: ETHEREAL

INFORMATION OF NOTE: MASTER TACTICIAN

INFORMATION OF NOTE: MASTER SWORDSMAN

INFORMATION OF NOTE: SUBJUGATED MUTON SPECIES WITH NO OUTSIDE HELP

INFORMATION OF NOTE: PSION

PSIONIC SPECIALIZATION: TELEKINESIS; UNIDENTIFIED PERFORMANCE ENHANCING ABILITIES

THREAT LEVEL TO ANDROMEDON FEDERATION (ALLIED): LOW

THREAT LEVEL TO ANDROMEDON FEDERATION (ENEMY): OMEGA

ADDITIONAL MANUAL COMMENT: The Battlemaster has been identified as one of the most prominent Ethereals in the entire Collective, and is heavily involved in the Collective military and all relations with Collective species militaries. The Battlemaster appears entirely focused on securing and improving the defenses of the Ethereal Collective, and appears to hold no political or social stances, at least not publically.

Observations and interactions with this Ethereal are straightforward. The Battlemaster expects loyalty and obedience and rewards subordinates with the same loyalty and respect afforded to him. This has resulted in many of the subordinates under him, including Andromedons assigned specifically to his division, being heavily loyal to the Ethereal Collective and the Battlemaster personally.

This may be possibly due to psionic influence, although the Battlemaster has not been observed performing feats of telepathy, but it may also be simply due to how involved the Battlemaster is, to a degree that it is not hard to imagine why he is afforded such respect, even among those who do not fully trust the Ethereals.

Observation of limited combat footage of the Battlemaster reveals an archaic fighting style using a physical greatsword in conjunction with telekinesis and psionically-induced physical feats that would not be possible normally. The fighting style appeared at first to be random, but further analysis indicates that the Battlemaster used techniques that seem to specifically target Muton weaknesses.

Simulations and further analysis reveal that fighting style applied to other species would not be nearly as effective, which produces a theory that the Battlemaster developed the style himself, and quite possibly has dozens that he can switch to at will, and we cannot discount that he has prepared for the possibility of facing Andromedon soldiers.

The Battlemaster is also suspected of being genetically modified to a degree, though it is estimated that the modifications are internal, perhaps to enhance stamina and speed. His height is likely also a product of genetic engineering, though this cannot be proven.

The Battlemaster presents a clear and present threat to the Andromedon Federation, should he become an enemy. It is difficult to produce accurate contingencies without additional combat data, but all analysis indicates very few weaknesses that can be exploited. The metal his armor and sword are forged from is not on any records, and is significantly stronger than any that is being produced within the Collective. It is unlikely that Andromedon suits will be able to reliably stand up against a direct assault.

However, the Battlemaster is predictable and can be manipulated. He has a clear set of internal guidelines centered around traditional "honorable" combat. These can be subverted to our advantage, and we can use this to control where and when combat occurs. He will also not employ subterfuge, allowing us to exploit it with our own operatives.

Speed is a major contributor to his battlefield presence, so anything that can be used to counter or slow him down will assist in his ultimate termination. Cooling agents would be exceptionally useful in this regard, and it is worth considering converting a portion of Contamination Operatives to utilize this, as well as standard Soldiers.

Despite this, as of this moment, the Battlemaster does not pose a threat, and this is not expected to change unless intentionally provoked or given reason to change his mind. Exercise caution when dealing with him

RECOMMENDATION: IDENTIFY USEFUL COOLING OR FLASH-FREEZING AGENTS AND BEGIN RESEARCH FOR INCORPORATION INTO SUIT SYSTEMS; DO NOT ANTAGONIZE ETHEREAL COLLECTIVE UNTIL THIS TASK IS COMPLETE

REPORT COMPILER: SPECIAL OPERATOR 101; ANDROMEDON FEDERATION; [ERROR! DATA NOT FOUND]

END REPORT

AWAITING REASSIGNMENT

Recorded Conversation between the Battlemaster and Sargon Desolan-7

The Battlemaster: "Do you know why you're here?"

Desolan-7: "Based on this Sargon's actions, casualties, and involvement of yourself; all probability points to execution or reassignment."

TB: "I have not decided your fate yet. But this situation warranted my attention."

D7: "I await your instructions, Battlemaster."

TB: "I will recount the events as I was informed, inform me of their accuracy. Andromedon C'Tran constructed a war game scenario and placed you as the opposing force commander."

D7: "That is correct. I obeyed as was required."

TB: "Why did he want to participate against a Sargon?"

D7: "He did not provide a reason. I speculate it was because he had little knowledge as to my intellectual capabilities, and assumed the intelligence of a Sargon was equivalent to a Centurion or Soldier. I attempted to inform him of my enhanced capabilities, but he either did not believe me or ignored me. I had no choice but to follow his orders."

TB: "I see. And with an inferior force, you managed to kill him and his entire team, including a Berserker Mongo not to mention a functioning Contamination Operative."

D7: "Correct. He ordered a fight to the death and I obeyed."

TB: "Curious. Is that common?"

D7: "Extremely, Battlemaster. Mutons are expendable and can easily be replaced, and it allows commanding Vitakara and Andromedons hone their skills utilizing Muton forces. However, my estimates conclude that baseline Muton intellect does not provide enough of a challenge to allow for significant improvement and serves little practical purpose other than to boost the self-esteem of officers. However, some officers do specify to not kill them should they lose the war game, but that rarely happens and as a result I am not surprised that Andromedon C'Tran neglected to clarify his orders."

TB: "Explain how you managed to take down his own army."

D7: "Muton soldiers are easily outmaneuvered and focus on one target at the exclusion of all else, with a substandard leader. After Andromedon C'Tran issued the order, I briefly recalled all previous war games with him and noted his strategies. He had a tendency to rapidly advance if winning, so I set up a trap and initially sent out an inferior force to face his squads of soldiers, then quickly retreated and lured him into a grenade crossfire with my own Grenadiers."

TB: "Clever. You sacrificed your soldiers to exploit his weakness."

D7: "I deemed the cost acceptable. I neutralized the Mongo next, ordering my soldiers to target its legs and joints to put it out of commission. Once that was accomplished, anti-personnel grenades inserted into the mouth made short work of the Berserker. At this point my force outnumbered his own and I moved to flank his remaining forces, pulling back and switching targets for my soldiers to confuse his own."

TB: "And you took down C'Tran."

D7: "Andromedon Contamination Operative suits have approximately six weak points, as identified by your own analysis. I ordered his chemical tanks targeted, neutralizing his primary weapons and next targeted the joints with high-explosive plasma grenades. Concentrated fire on the helmet broke it and killed the Andromedon, and with his movement disabled, there was little the suit could do when the computer systems took over. Suit control was destroyed with a surgically planted high-explosive plasma grenade."

TB: "How much combat experience do you have?"

D7: "My purpose is administrative duties of War Camp Desolan-7, and I have had no formal combat experience before this incident. However, I have attempted to study all war games that take place under my jurisdiction and have observed your own tactics when you neutralized the Muton species."

TB: "C'Tran was a fool and the Collective will not suffer from his loss. However, it would be a waste for you to remain here when your skills are arguably superior to many of my own subordinates."

D7: "I am ordered to remain here, Battlemaster. No Sargon has ever been given a different position."

TB: "Consider that changed. You will transfer to my command effective immediately. Another Sargon can take your place."

D7: "Understood, Battlemaster. Then I must request a designation change, as it no longer reflects my current position."

TB: "If you insist. You will be working and learning from me. Is there a word that you would ascribe to that?"

D7: "Several, Battlemaster. Recalling now…Disciple is an appropriate description."

TB: "Disciple-7 then. Make your arrangements to leave and report to my overseer as soon as possible. Dismissed."

Disciple-7: "Yes, Battlemaster."

XCOM Profile 100

Authorization Level: Internal Council

Subject: The Battlemaster

Threat Level: Artemis

Assessment Author: Aegis

Approved by: The Commander of XCOM, XCOM Psychologist Haley Yates

SECTION 1: Physical Characteristics

Hair color: None (Ethereal)

Eye color: Solid orange

Skin color: Dark purple

Height: 12'3"

Weight: 301 lbs. (Estimated)

Distinguishing Features: Completely armored in silver battle armor that covers arms, torso, legs and head. Wears red cape from shoulders. Only carries a greatsword into battle.

Physical Condition: Exceptional

SECTION 2: Assessment

The Battlemaster is one that I have, and still do to an extent, consider a friend. During the height of the Ethereal Empire, and especially during the War against the Synthesized, the combination of an Aegis and Battlemaster was a combination that was very nearly impossible to beat. I personally worked very closely with the Battlemaster of the Sigma Sector, who is now the Battlemaster of the Ethereal Collective.

Even among the Battlemasters he was something of a prodigy, despite not being a natural birth, but he was one of the last to reach the rank itself. He made it his personal goal to be the best that he could, and I would agree that he succeeded in that regard. The Imperator ultimately chose him because before the Synthesized, he'd known that the Battlemaster of the Sigma Sector was up for consideration to become the Grandmaster of the Battlemasters should the current one retire.

I am unaware as to how the Imperator convinced him to join, but the Imperator convinced him after I approved of the choice. Right now he is completely focused on preparing for the return of the Synthesized and as a result is heavily involved in almost every aspect of the Ethereal Collective, as well as being exceptionally loyal to the Imperator, but more importantly, the mission for which he was recruited.

The Battlemaster has a very personal stake in the future war, because he told me once that part of his motivation is vengeance for the deaths of two Battlemasters who had once been his Disciples. I know nothing about them, aside from the fact that the Battlemaster cared enough about them to ultimately plan to avenge them. I do not know if he had more disciples than that, but I suspect not.

SECTION 3: Psychological Assessment

The Battlemaster is…straightforward. Were circumstances different, I would imagine that you would get along well with him, Commander. You are similar in many aspects. You expect loyalty and give it in return, you respect and make an effort to ensure your soldiers are taken care of and you are fiercely protective of the ones you care about.

However, the Battlemaster does not have your subtlety, nor harsh practicality. I would not say that the Battlemaster is incapable of lying, but on pure principle he disliked the underhanded and deceptive work of intelligence gathering and utterly despises political machinations, even if he can understand them. He will grudgingly accept information from people like Quisilia and the Zar'Chon, but whenever he has the opportunity, he will do what he wants.

He does not approve of the concept of "surprise attacks" or "ambushes". When the Battlemaster attacks, everyone knows about it, by design. He sees no honor in beating a foe that was unfairly weakened, and will automatically dismiss any kind of information that gives him personally an advantage.

He also has a tendency to take far longer with operations than some feel is necessary. He desires complete and utter victory, and that includes the subjugation of every city, town, base and farm that he sees on a map. He will not advance until all previous territory is fully secured, which often times gives opportunity for his enemies to prepare, which is something he approves of.

It might surprise you to know that the Battlemaster does not approve of telepathy. Physical psionic abilities are permitted in his mindset because the opponent has a chance, no matter how small, to fight back. Powerful telepathic psions cannot be stopped by ordinary people and thus he does not approve. He will accept help and knows the roles such powers play, but he will generally not appoint telepaths in division military, even if they are arguably needed.

The Battlemaster also will make an attempt to avoid civilian casualties. Or at the very least, he will not order their intentional deaths. Children in particular he will go to some lengths to avoid, and I have some suspicions as to why, though it may be simply the cultural remnants of our Empire where children were precious beyond compare.

He has actually developed some concern for Human children soon after he arrived at Earth. The concept of orphans is one he doesn't fully grasp, I believe, and has not been seen in any other race. Andromedons barely have a period of childhood and all are raised communally. Vitakara orphans are rare and always quickly adopted by another family within days. Mutons are not considered sentient enough for him to care and Sectoids have no children whatsoever. So the knowledge that there are millions of Human children without parents or anyone who cares about them, and that most Humans don't seem to care either way, is something he finds hard to grasp. He considers your entire process of child adoption akin to slave trading and finds the idea of paying money to legally adopt barbaric.

I of course can see the reasons behind your adoption process, even if there are significant drawbacks. But beside that, what you might be able to take away from that is that the Battlemaster, in many ways, is an idealist. He believes he is doing the right thing, and tends to always assume the best of both Ethereals and his subordinates. If shown otherwise he will take violent steps, but otherwise he will attempt to investigate the problem himself before assuming the worst.

It then says something that he despises the Hive Commanders, as he sees very little of value in what they offer, but will not do anything because the Imperator has declared them more useful alive than extinct. But if you will notice, he will rarely allow Sectoids or their technology into his personal Division, even if other Divisions employ them frequently. He is also suspicious of the Andromedons, and even the Vitakara to an extent due to their own espionage activities, but not nearly enough for him to ignore their loyal soldiers.

As for your own species…he developed a grudging respect for you since you've survived so long. This is likely why he's taken a personal interest, since he now sees an opponent that is worth his time to subdue. He is not simply doing it because of the Imperator's orders, but because he wants someone to challenge him. He respects you personally, Commander, even if he finds your methods distasteful.

SECTION 4: Concerns and Abilities

I am afraid that the Battlemaster is impossible to kill with what weapons you have now. Battlemasters were created to be invincible, and for most purposes, they are. During the War with the Synthesized, it often took multiple Director Flagships and their forces to just kill one. Battlemasters have hardened skin similar to mine, an immunity to diseases and toxins (Your stinger modification will likely be ineffective), an internal regeneration modification to fix internal injuries in minutes, bone and muscle modifications that make him faster and stronger than a MEC, and eyesight that can see clearly across a battlefield.

That is assuming that you manage to pierce his armor, which was forged in a process that was known only to the Battlemasters. He has not allowed me, or perhaps anyone, to know the composition of metals. Perhaps because it would be impossible to remake, or because there is a weakness he does not wish known. Regardless, the metal both his armor and sword are forged out of is harder than any in existence.

In practical terms, this means that every single ballistic weapon, regardless of power, will not be able to pierce it. Explosives will likely have the same effect. It might be weakened over time, but likely not quickly enough to stop him. This will also allow his greatsword to cut through weak armor with ease since his sword does not dull and is honed to a razor edge.

Psionically, his powers are rather limited, but still significant. He is a master of telekinesis and incorporates it into his style, and it is a common sight to see him throw his sword into enemies or targets while he kills enemies with his hands before recalling it to his hand. His telekinesis is not nearly as powerful as Caelior's, but the ability to crush the skulls of fifteen soldiers simultaneously is not to be scoffed at.

His more devastating ability is a psionic charge, which is I believe an application of telekinesis and psionic waves. No one else has been able to master it, and as far as I know, only the Battlemasters knew the technique. But it allows him to nearly teleport from one point to another. It is not true teleportation of course, but rather him psionically enhancing his speed to give that illusion. Because of this it is almost impossible to outflank, shoot, or trap him.

His weaknesses are few, if any. Slowing him down by employing cooling agents might delay him temporarily, as would the application of stasis fields. But they would not hold him forever, and the Battlemaster is not helpless even in stasis. Psionic attacks are likely the best form of attack, but the effect of even those is not known. He is immune to telepathy altogether, although is not capable of utilizing it himself.

I wish I could convey better news, Commander, but this is the hard truth. The chances of XCOM, or any Human, managing to kill the Battlemaster is very small. Thus, there will need to be additional strategies in place when he is confronted.