Sectoids: Dossier
Hive Commander 029
"029 is terrifying because he says exactly what you want to hear, and you don't know if he genuinely means it or is just manipulating your mind."
- Aui'rasaka'gassin
After spending some time reflecting, I do not believe we have anything to gain with completely severing relations with the Greater Hive Commanders as a result of the incident on Helion-7. With that said, we need to carefully think on how diplomatic relations are able to be conducted, because at the moment, there are not nearly enough safeguards on it to be considered safe.
The majority of my discussions were with Hive Commander 029, the designated diplomat of the Greater Hive Commanders. We are all aware that the Hive Commanders are exceptionally dangerous, and despite the friendliness of 029 (For a Sectoid), this was without a doubt one of the most nerve-racking meetings I have ever experienced.
This is likely due to the fact that Sectoids communicate through telepathy, not speech, so the entirety of our conversation would appear to be one-sided, even if both were communicating. I do not know if 029 was affecting my mind at the same time, and while I do not believe that there is lasting harm done to myself this time, I realize that I was placed in a very precarious situation where the outcome might not have been so fortunate.
029 is also an atypical representative of the Hive Commanders. While we have seen just how little they regard alien life, 029 does appear to at minimum care enough to put on a show of diplomacy. He seemed to listen seriously to our grievances, and did acknowledge some failings, but I have no way of confirming if this was actually genuine or simply a Hive Commander who is just as manipulative and amoral as the rest of them.
Because of this, I would propose we begin research into detecting psionic activity and potentially neutralizing it, or otherwise preventing it from affecting our mental faculties. No further contact should be made with the Greater Hive Commanders until we are certain of a means to protect our own minds. I have no doubt that should the Sectoids learn they can use us, they will do so.
Initial proposal of Aui'tarridan'lisa, regarding diplomatic relations with the Greater Hive Commanders and research into psionic protection. The latter was rejected soon after proposal and the Aui'Vitakar soon cut off nearly all contact with the Greater Hive Commanders in protest of their refusal to acknowledge the incident.
REPORT: 100010010001
TARGET OF INTEREST: HIVE COMMANDER 029
KNOWN ALIASES: NONE
CURRENT POSITION: HIVE COMMANDER OF HELION-7 HIVE 029; OFFICIAL DIPLOMAT OF THE GREATER HIVE COMMANDERS
SPECIES: SECTOID
INFORMATION OF NOTE: XENOBIOLOGIST AND XENOGENETICIST
INFORMATION OF NOTE: HAS DIRECT CONTACT WITH DIPLOMATIC ELEMENTS OF THE AUI'VITAKAR AND ANDROMEDON FEDERATION
INFORMATION OF NOTE: PSION
PSIONIC SPECIALIZATION: TELEPATHY (SUSPECTED)
THREAT LEVEL TO ANDROMEDON FEDERATION: MEDIUM
ADDITIONAL MANUAL COMMENT: Hive Commander 029 is perhaps the most unique of all Hive Commanders because he routinely and regularly interacts with non-Sectoid elements of the Collective. He is what can be best described as a diplomat, and represents the Greater Hive Commanders in nearly all instances where such a diplomat is required.
Nearly every aspect of negotiations, regardless of subject, are handled by 029 who works continuously to ensure that the reach of the GHC is continuously expanding. He is largely the reason that the Sectoids are the primary suppliers of the Collective fleet, and has been behind decisions to push back increased Andromedon influence in the spacecraft construction aspect of the Collective.
Of all the Hive Commanders, 029 is perhaps one of, if not the only, Hive Commander that completely understands the thought processes and psychology of alien species-and doesn't ignore it in favor of the traditional Sectoid outlook. He will openly admit certain failings of the GHC if he feels like such a revelation will make the target in question more amenable to his goals, and understands alien cultures and societies sometimes better than themselves.
We are in the fortunate position of being able to review records of Federation representatives who have spoken with 029, since recordings are impossible due to the Sectoid usage of telepathy. Both the Federation and Aui'Vitakar always go on record about what was discussed whenever they speak with Sectoids, as a precaution or response due to the justified fear of telepathy being used to influence them.
To date, there is no recorded or documented evidence that 029 has ever manipulated the thoughts or actions of those he speaks to, and both the Federation and Aui'Vitakar have procedures in place to reduce this risk, but we do not know for sure if 029 has simply just read the minds of those he speaks to. Psionic detectors are not useful in this instance, because telepathy is a psionic power, and it is unfortunately necessary for Sectoid communication, and we do not have accurate baselines on what level of psionic power is normal when reading a mind, so 029 could very easily be using his telepathy maliciously and we would not know it.
With that said, the content from these discussions has been extremely interesting. 029 is one Hive Commander that will discuss non-business subjects, and from reports we know that he has a thorough understanding of Andromedon, Vitakara, and pre-Collective Muton cultures and entertainment. He has personally visited the homeworlds and capitals of all major species, and made a special trip to the Oyariah cities, and appeared to find it interesting.
The question is, of course, how much of this persona is simply an act. Hive Commander 029 appears to be significantly different from almost every other Hive Commander, but this could simply be a means to an end. If he can soften the perception of the GHC to the rest of the Collective, the more that could potentially be accomplished.
029 is without a doubt a master diplomat and negotiator. He does not possess any obvious ethical or moral code, but he at the very least appears to understand the objections aliens have against his species, and even acknowledges them in some instances. Whether this actually means something or is simply meaningless promises is unknown.
029 is one voice in the GHC, and he could very well be attempting to address concerns, but as the inner workings of the GHC are unknown, we have no way of confirming this. There is an additional point of interest regarding him. Regardless of his obvious bias towards the GHC, he has personally established more Collective, Federation, and Aui'Vitakar contacts than any other Hive Commander by far.
While this is only speculation, it would not be surprising if 029 does want to assume the place of Hive Commander 001 as the unofficial leader of the GHC. The constant acquisition of alien contacts and allies, as well as making clear efforts to understand alien cultures is usually not something done unless there are ulterior motives. We have little concept of what Hive Commander politics are like, if any such equivalent exists, but there are many signs that are pointing to 029 working to position himself as best he can should something that shakes the GHC happen.
He is a Sectoid that is not easily predictable, and this could either be a major threat, or a valuable ally.
RECOMMENDATION: DETERMINE ULTERIOR MOTIVES OF HIVE COMMANDER 029; DETERMINE CURRENT GREATER HIVE COMMANDER POLITICAL SITUATION; DETERMINE EXTENT OF HIVE COMMANDER 029 INFLUENCE WITHIN THE ETHEREAL COLLECTIVE, ANDROMEDON FEDERATION, AUI'VITAKAR, AND GREATER HIVE COMMANDERS
REPORT COMPILER: SPECIAL OPERATOR 700; ANDROMEDON FEDERATION; [ERROR! DATA NOT FOUND!]
END REPORT
AWAITING REASSIGNMENT
Hive Commander 029 is potentially the most dangerous Sectoid within the Greater Hive Commanders, because speaking with him is not an unpleasant experience. This is dangerous, especially for a telepathic alien. Throughout the conversation I did unwittingly become less and less conscious of the fact this was a possibility, despite the fact that half our conversation was through telepathy.
He is alien, but reasonable; defending, but understanding; he speaks like an accomplished diplomat, and an extremely talented one at that. I do not know if this is because the Sectoids have access to individual dossiers on various figures, or if 029 reads the minds of those he speaks with to gather this information. Regardless, the end result is a deceptively normal conversation with a pleasant Sectoid.
This is too unusual to simply dismiss.
I suspect Quisilia was listening in on the meeting, and would have informed me had 029 been brazen enough to read my mind, but there are dozens of others 029 has spoken to that do not have this protection. If 029 was restrained enough, then he has enough intelligence to know such an action would backfire, or was able to sense another psionic presence nearby.
029 is someone who has to be watched, because I only see his reach continue to spread as he attempts to expand the influence of the Greater Hive Commanders. To date, he is the only Sectoid that has even shown a passing interest in alien species beyond their usefulness as test subjects or resources to be exploited. And I do not know just what his end goal is.
Is 029 genuine? Extremely unlikely. Hive Commanders do not change, they simply adopt different strategies. But does 029 have additional plans beyond the general goals of Sectoid advancement? That I believe has merit. Now what these goals could be is a question, and 029 is not doing this out of loyalty to the Hive Commanders or out of altruism.
There is a plan here, and that needs to be determined as soon as possible.
Notes of Zar'Chon'ravarian'vitiary
XCOM Profile 261
Authorization Level: Internal Council
Subject: Hive Commander 029
Threat Level: Medium
Assessment Author: Aegis
Approved by: The Commander of XCOM
SECTION 1: Physical Characteristics
Hair color: None (Sectoid)
Eye color: Solid orange
Skin color: Orange-Grey
Height: 3'10"
Weight: 40-50 lbs. (Estimated)
Distinguishing Features: None unique
Physical Condition: Physically frail similar to most Hive Commanders, however is slightly stronger and more agile than most due to continuous travel to worlds of differing gravities and climates.
SECTION 2: Assessment
Another figure of note within the Greater Hive Commanders is Hive Commander 029. He has become the equivalent to a diplomat, even if he publically doesn't use that title. Officially, he is the Hive Commander of Hive 029, but everyone knows that he speaks for the Greater Hive Commanders and is treated with all the respect a diplomat is due.
He is one Sectoid that is recognized with both respect and suspicion in equal measure. Over the years, 029 has been exceptionally careful not to deliberately make enemies with alien governments and individuals. At worst he has been blamed for not doing enough to correct the excesses of the Hive Commanders, but in general he is the one Hive Commander that everyone tolerates.
The perception of him varies from species, and the Federation is firmly on the side of suspicion. They are more than willing to speak with him, albeit with extreme caveats such as psionic monitors and armed soldiers present, with permissions allowing the killing of 029 should extreme psionic activity be detected. This is almost always a bluff on the Andromedons part, and 029 knows it. But he indulges them nonetheless and as a result relations between the Greater Hive Commanders and Andromedon Federation improved.
That is, until recently, when 029 convinced the Collective Military to continue relying on Sectoid spacecraft for the next five years, which was threatened due to the Federation pushing for greater influence within the Collective Fleet. It should be noted that 029 did also push for increased Federation integration, but didn't push for Sectoid production to be suspended, which is what the Federation actually wanted.
The latest I am aware of, the Federation is still unhappy with 029, but they do not entirely blame him due to the fact that the Federation did get something of import, but ascribe the worst of it to the Greater Hive Commanders as a whole. So as a result, 029 has emerged from the controversy rather unscathed in the eyes of the Federation, while relations have worsened overall. This will become relevant shortly.
The relationship 029 has with the Vitakara is decidedly more complicated. Officially, the Aui'Vitakar does not negotiate with the Sectoids due to several incidents where Vitakara scientists and civilians were murdered, but again, 029 emerged from it with the Aui'Vitakar perception of him relatively intact.
As a result, he does have conversations with the local governments themselves, and has excellent working relationships with the Oyariah Hegemony and Borelian Authoritative Council specifically, and even is working with the Vitakarian Republic on certain scientific endeavors. What is especially interesting is that all projects are targeted to be appealing to the governments in question.
Those with the Borelians are new weapons tests, or gear testing; those with the Republic are on the viability of several colony worlds, and Oyariah are specifically working on something related to psionics. Further deepening the mystery is that all of these projects are not officially sanctioned by the Greater Hive Commanders, but are sourced and funded through 029's own Hive.
029 does appear to have additional motives to his extensive diplomatic journeys than improving the image of the Greater Hive Commanders, and working toward the goal of Sectoid genetic advancement. I have personally interacted with him, and I can at least confirm that he is perhaps the one lone Hive Commander that does not see aliens as something to be hated, nor necessarily inferior, but a resource to eventually be exploited and used.
While that is not strictly speaking 'good', it is a significant deviation from the traditional Sectoid mindset where aliens are inferior and deserve nothing more than to be destroyed or subjugated. How such a mindset is tolerated by the Greater Hive Commanders is a curiosity, but perhaps since he shares the same ultimate goal, it can be overlooked.
SECTION 3: Psychological Profile
Hive Commander 029 has the same interest towards aliens that most Sectoids have towards genetic engineering and grand architecture. Not strictly in an academic sense, but in the sense of 'How can this be used to further my plans?' To clarify further, he wants to incorporate the superior traits and aspects of aliens into Sectoids, after they have been changed to fit his vision of the ideal Sectoid.
This is another significant deviation from the traditional Sectoid mindset, where the inclusion of alien DNA or genetics is one of the few things that are considered taboo. However, 029 has little issue with incorporating alien genetics into his templates, and his Hive is devoted to exactly this purpose. The science is considered fringe to most Hive Commanders, but he persists nonetheless.
In light of this goal, he learns as much as he can about the alien species in question, through reports, interviews, visiting planets, and other ways of learning just how aliens think. He is an accomplished xenobiologist and xenogeneticist that might one day rival Revelean should he continue unhindered.
But 029 is completely focused on swaying those he talks to his direction. He is a master diplomat and while he generally avoids directly utilizing invasive forms of telepathy, he is extremely adept at reading alien body language and tone, and further changes his words to sound like what they want to hear, but are often deceptive in intention.
I firmly believe that 029 wants to make changes to the Greater Hive Commanders. He knows of the Synthesized and the threat they pose, and knows that if the Sectoids wish to survive, they need to adapt and their very mindsets need to be changed. He appears to have taken some steps to do this, but alone he cannot change an entire species.
That, I believe is a secondary goal, and one I doubt the other Hive Commanders are prepared for. There have only been violent interspecies conflict twice in their history, and if 029 wishes to ever move against the Hive Commanders, he will need to tread with great care.
SECTION 4: Concerns and Abilities
029 is a telepath of some power, but is by no means exceptionally powerful. His skill is in manipulation and tactical thinking. Psionically, he could likely be beaten by most telepaths and even other specializations of psions. He is also known for also carrying several smaller plasma weapons in the event of an attack, and has trained himself not to fully rely on psionics.
He is not a large physical or psionic threat, but one that is masterful at persuasion. I suspect that any fight with him would start and end with a discussion, he will not hesitate to lie to save his life, and is an expert in making his words seem reasonable, and might even attempt to defect to your side. This you should not ever believe.
029 will not betray the Collective, not when they are the best force against the Synthesized, and he will not ever recognize Humanity as a worthy alternative, at least not before the end of the war where such surrenders will not be genuine. Never forget that no matter how unique 029 is, in the end, he is a Hive Commander, and his loyalty is to his species, not any other aliens.