Ethereals: Dossier
Nebulan
"We are liars."
- Ethereal Nebulan, Imperial Illusionist of the Division of Shadows
Intergalactic CODEX-Encrypted Messages between the Imperator and Ethereal Nebulan Concerning Deep-Penetration Operation 2
Subject: Initial Report
High Imperator,
Per the initial Gateway established by the previous operation, I have arrived in the designated alien clusters, and as expected, the Imperial Sanctum is now under the direct control of two as of yet unidentified alien species, who have managed to establish what appears to be some form of governance.
Little is known, but I will begin penetration of their current capabilities. What I can ascertain immediately is that they have already succumbed to the Trap and are tainted. They cannot be salvaged when we move forward, but I suspect these are not the only advanced aliens in this galaxy.
Additional documentation will be sent shortly.
Nebulan
Re: Subject: Initial Report
Noted. You know what I want confirmation of. Find it and return.
The Imperator of the Ethereal Collective
-X-
Subject: Initial Documentation 4
High Imperator,
I have successfully confirmed that these aliens are indeed susceptible to the Gift, and have extracted highly useful information from their minds which I have already sent previously, along with what I was able to learn of the species itself. As of yet there has yet to be a non-bipedal species discovered, which is curious, but slightly unsurprising.
What is interesting is that both species have been artificially altered, and especially with those is the so-called Union, this is exceptionally prominent. Both species are far more dangerous than initially assumed, and although tainted…they are indeed far more advanced than they should be. I have established myself among the Guard, and they are still unaware.
A risk, but there is likely no other way to accomplish my mission. Infiltrating the former Imperial Sanctum or their respective homeworlds is an impossible task.
Sioriah T'Carral, Soldier of the Republican Army
Re: Subject: Initial Documentation 4
The tampering does not necessarily imply what you might imagine. The intervention of lesser alien species over millions of years is a distinct possibility, before they fell to the Synthesized. I suspect we have emerged at exactly the right time, as of now the Imperial Sanctum is still relatively empty.
Continue, but be wary. We do not know the stakes of what we are toying with.
The Imperator of the Ethereal Collective
-X-
Subject: The Keys to the Puzzle
High Imperator,
The amphibians are unimportant. The Republic is the one who holds the major power in this galaxy, and I will focus on them. More aliens have appeared, but I have yet to determine anything substantive. Their entrance in the Imperial Sanctum was certainly amusing. Isolated creatures and masters of alien machinery. Unfortunately tainted as well, but it is best to assume they are lost unless we intervene first.
I believe that my actions may have caught the attention of the ones who can answer this question for me once and for all. The Shadows are the keys to this, and I have as of now been able to avoid them. Their reputation is self-explanatory, as you are likely aware from previous reports, and it becomes more apparent that both the Shadows and the Church itself are highly connected.
I have seen the White Shadow several times before, but never acted. Doing so would be a foolish risk. However, the lesser Shadows are ones I should be able to probe to determine what their secrets are.
Asaru
-X-
Subject: Retreat
High Imperator,
Investigating the Shadows was a mistake. Unlike the others of their kind they can detect telepathy, and were immediately put on guard. How they are able to detect this without the Gift is a mystery, but one I am unable to solve, and likely will not for some time due to the need to leave their territory immediately.
But I did confirm the reason why. Even in that brief time I touched their minds, I felt the Mark.
Your suspicions were correct.
Worse is that they now know that I found out. I do not know if they communicate via this telepathy or something else, but they are somehow tracking me. The Black Shadow herself is following, and while I had assumed she could be defeated, if she is a mere conduit, even I could not fight and emerge victorious.
Furthermore, even if the opposite were true, we cannot risk exposure now. It is too early, and our presence would instigate a search that would lead them to us. Should the situation become untenable, I will direct them to the Rim and bring the Herald down upon them, assuming it is not already watching.
The next time we speak, it will be in person. There are other things to be said that cannot be risked falling into the wrong hands.
Mendaxa, Imperial Watcher of the Division of Shadows
Re: Subject: Retreat
Excellent. The information you gathered will make it easier for future penetration operations. Sicarius will take the next one. Much time was focused on one species, but now that we have confirmation, we can determine exactly how dominated the others are.
You have proven your worth, Illusionist, I will not forget it.
The Imperator of the Ethereal Collective.
CODEX File ****
Subject: The Evolution of Telepathy
Location: Blacksite [ERROR! Scrambled!]
Author: Nebulan, Illusionist of the Imperator
The idea of illusions is portrayed as a simple application, one of the earliest tricks taught to the young who are learning to master the Gift. One which they expect to grow out of and move into the tired and predictable routines of the domination of minds. Few did not follow this path, and the decision to do so was challenged every step of the way.
The Empire, for all the power it wielded, became static in the end. It ceased to be innovative and simply relied on the power the Gift bestowed upon us. There was no reason, no challenge, no point to evolve until it was too late. Would we have lost had we continued to push the barriers of what psionics was able to accomplish?
Perhaps, perhaps not. It is impossible to know.
But such a mistake cannot be made in the future again. Too much of the old blood of the Empire has been brought with us. They are powerful, but they are stagnant, arrogant, and unwilling. Their understanding of the Gift is still shackled by their own self-imposed limitations. But even if they refuse to continue to evolve, I will make no such mistake.
Telepathy is what we all learn, but few master beyond the simple domination of the lesser. Illusions are learned, but it was barely more than an introduction. What shockingly few realized is that illusions are perhaps the most potent form of telepathy there is. They speak about invading the mind and shaping it to their will, but to do so is tiring and rarely accomplishes anything worth the effort, nor is it generally permanent on the ones who prepare for such.
Illusions, in contrast, provide the same benefits for relatively little effort. All who were in the Division of Shadows are liars, I am no exception. We deceive, spy, and manipulate others unknowingly. The art of illusions is the art of shaping the perception of reality itself. Lesser beings rely on their senses to interpret the world, so what is the result when what they see is only what someone else allows them to?
The result is whatever the artist desires. The world is not a permanent fixture to the blinded beings, and they will believe whatever is put before them. Replace the poison with water and they will willingly drink from it. Allow them to see only one path and they will follow, even if it leads to their death. Create their nightmare before them, and drive them to madness.
All without the unnecessary and complex techniques of dominating the mind.
Beings, those Gifted or no, wish to see only what they want, even at the expense of their better judgement. That is where the illusion becomes more subtle, some nudges, some extra additions or removals that they wouldn't notice. The mind is powerful, it will rationalize and adapt quickly, and with enough careful work, can be turned against the person itself. Voices, mannerisms, touch, feeling, once the mind is conditioned to the illusion, it will do everything in its power to maintain it.
Why this phenomenon works exceptionally well is something I am still determining. It requires dedicated study and experimentation, of which I can certainly begin to apply now. Yet this revelation should not be isolated. The Imperator must press the need for us to innovate and develop further, else we will fall into the same trap as the Empire did.
XCOM Profile 0099
Authorization Level: Internal Council
Subject: Nebulan
Threat Level: High
Assessment Author: Aegis
Approved by: The Commander of XCOM, Psionic Overseer Patricia Trask
SECTION 1: Physical Characteristics
Hair: None (Ethereal)
Eye color: Solid orange
Skin color: Purple
Height: 8'5"-8'11" (Observed multiple heights)
Weight: Unknown
Age: 500-700 Years (Exact age unknown – Not including cryogenic suspension)
Scars or markings: Unknown. Unlikely, but they could be easily covered.
Physical condition: While her exact physical capabilities are not known exactly, she definitely retains the same Ethereal strength, stamina, and conditioning. Her skin is not hardened, and she dislikes heavy armor, preferring movement over protection (This is unlikely to be because of strength). Her senses are likely enhanced as well, due to her position in the Division of Shadows.
SECTION 2: Assessment
I can say that Nebulan, should that even be her name, is unfortunately one of the few I do not have much hard information on. Her capabilities are apparent, as are her current goals and motivations. But much will be informed speculation. The hard facts are that she was originally an Imperial Illusionist from the Division of Shadows, one of the rarer specializations, and every Illusionist was the best the Division had to offer.
Specifically, Nebulan was used primarily as an infiltrator, though in what capacity I was unable to determine. However, it is fairly clear why the Imperator felt she would be worth preserving for his plans. Supposedly she was able to force thralls of the Synthesized, even those only partially modified, to succumb to her illusions, which was something only skilled telepaths could manage.
Curiously, Nebulan was something of a critic of the Empire, which isn't entirely unusual from the Division of Shadows, but as one of the few with constant criticism, she got more attention and she was often sent on missions to simply remove her from potentially bringing the Guardians down on her. Why this is relevant is that her criticisms were focused on the treatment of alien species, and the supposed 'stagnation' of psionic research.
However, once the War began, she quickly fell in line and devoted herself to the defense of the Empire, and was apparently essential in tracking the fleet movements of the Synthesized and served as the default observer for several Imperators in the final stages of the war, which is likely how the current Imperator managed to find her in the first place.
Upon emerging from our suspension, Nebulan has largely been left to her own devices after the establishment of the Ethereal Collective, though doing what I do not know. I believe the Imperator has used her for scouting operations of the inner galaxy, but this is not confirmed, even though it is likely.
She has an apparent marked disinterest in the affairs of the Collective, but at the same time is likely fine with how it is currently being run, otherwise she would almost certainly be vocal about it. I cannot say what her plans for your species are, or what she would think of this conflict. With that said, it is unlikely she would interfere unless ordered to.
SECTION 3: Psychological Assessment
Artificial. Truthfully, Commander, it is nearly impossible to put together a cohesive profile on what a being like Nebulan is. There are only a few things that remain consistent, but I have no indication if what she has said previously is actually what she believes. Members of the Division of Shadows are harder to quantify than most Ethereals, but very rarely do they adapt the polymorphic personality Nebulan exhibits.
As an example, I doubt "Nebulan" is her actual name. With no access to the Imperial Records, it is impossible to confirm. She frequently utilizes other names: "Asaru", "Mendaxa", "Lethath", "Tailion", and just as many different positions. Why I have continued to refer to her as Nebulan is because that is how she presents herself to us, Ethereals. All others she has interacted with have been under different names.
If these names have any meaning, I do not know it. I have never heard Ethereal names like that before, and many of them sound like combinations of multiple names. Perhaps they are a homage to someone, perhaps she devised them herself, it is impossible to know for sure. What is more relevant is that it marks Nebulan as an infiltrator.
Quisilia, Macula, Sicarius, these are all spies. They watch, observe, but rarely intervene unless forced. They can, of course, but they rarely see it as the preferable option. Nebulan will willingly undertake deep cover operations, creating, maintaining, and exploiting a persona she creates over periods as short as a day, to as long as years.
Nebulan appears to enjoy taking advantage of biases and preconceptions. While she won't necessarily give the target what they don't expect, she will do what she can to build a persona specifically designed to appeal to them. At the same time, she'll lull them into complacency through distraction and guile. Those expecting an assassin will not expect an infiltrator; those expecting an illusionist are then surprised with her telepathic might; those suspicious of her are put at ease when she begins speaking, and they realize that she isn't as dangerous as they suspected.
She always is playing a part, but always for specific goals. She is not Quisilia, who will do things for seemingly no reason at all. Nebulan does not do anything by accident, and is one of the most dangerous opponents an arrogant challenger can face. Or any challenger, for that matter.
There are two more topics I wish to bring up. The first is that I believe her view of psionics is indeed genuine, and she believes that Ethereals have stagnated, though I am skeptical there is more than can be done beyond increasing our power. We are likely to have found the primary applications of psionics, but it is possible Nebulan has been working to develop new methods, as that was a common criticism she leveled at the Empire.
The second is her view of aliens, which even if not exactly aligning with her true views, is likely close. She is likely to consider aliens not much differently than everything else. Everything is an opportunity, tool, or opening to manipulate. She does not appear to look down on aliens, especially those with the Gift, nor does she really believe in uplifting them. The Imperial policy of isolation she felt was a waste, and if there is any true interest she shows to aliens, it will be their psionic abilities.
You would do well to avoid attracting her attention.
SECTION 4: Concerns and Abilities
Based on the general description of Nebulan as an "illusionist", you might consider that a worthless skill. That is not an uncommon opinion. Illusionists were not generally, or entirely respected or understood by those outside the Division of Shadows, believing it to be both an odd and weak usage of psionic power, as creating an illusion was one of the first abilities taught to young Ethereals.
That, Commander, is exactly what Nebulan wants you to think.
One of the most insidious effects such lines of thinking result in, is the separation of Illusions and Telepathy as two different things. That is wrong. The art of creating illusions is not simply creating an image in the middle of the air in front of people. Such a manipulation of your Psionosphere would be an impossible task.
No, illusions require the psion to forge a small and weak telepathic link with the target, and then simply project what they want to see. An illusion is generally useless unless more than one target can see it, so then apply this to a small group. Now apply it to an army, and then add additional illusions of various complexity. Have the illusions move, talk, interact, create psionic shields under them to give the feeling of solidity.
You understand the sheer power a psion has to call upon to create, maintain, and use such a scenario, correct? Furthermore, Nebulan does not create illusions that are clearly such. Each and every one appears real, and she prides herself on authenticity. She is perfectly capable of making a target have a full conversation with an illusion, or making them see the entire landscape differently, allowing them to hide behind non-existent cover, or fall into traps hidden to them.
Her abilities are dangerous to psions as well, although once discovered, it is fairly easy to block her telepathy, and others from it as well. But don't assume that psions are immune. Also do not assume that illusions are her only weapon. She has some skill with telekinesis, and is an expert telepath, but simply disdains traditional methods of telepathic domination.
Her weaknesses are similar to Quisilia's, in that her illusions and telepathy do not work on electronics, and cameras will be able to detect where she is and what is real or fake. Unfortunately, like Quisilia, this will not apply to soldier cameras as Nebulan bypasses that to target the mind itself, and positions everything the target sees from their own point of view.
A potential counter is superimposing an image from a different angle, as that might be able to at minimum shake the target from the illusion, but also risks disorienting the target entirely. Or Nebulan could simply superimpose what she wants over it. The most effective weapons against her are automated systems. That she can do little about.
But above all else, never underestimate her. She is likely more dangerous than either of us are assuming now.