#commander thaddeus

He then asked about the implants. Again, nothing much had changed on that subject. They were still stumped. All attempts to draw force open the hidden ports and draw out the tendrils failed. Any attempts to cut into them also failed. Seemed the areas would react and reinforce the skin and underlying muscle leading to several broken scalpels. 

The same could be said about the golden implants and their ports. The only thing they had discovered so far was least 80% of the materials used were wholly alien in origin. A mixture of what they knew the aliens brought to earth — Elerium — and some completely unknown.

Still nothing great, but it was something for them to keep an eye out for. He shared with them that the Void Walkers were still looking into it. It looked like it would be one of their “long” investigations.

As they were continuing their discussions, slowly shifting over to what information Bradford would share with Thaddeus once he was awake, something a worker said caught their attention. 

“He’s waking up!” 

Music to everyone’s ears. Bradford was fairly annoyed when they told him to stay back, but relented when they said it was best not to overwhelm him. So he watched from a distance.

———————————————

Thaddeus was slowly coming to. A grunt here. A moan there. He shifted about in the medical bed. His whole body felt heavy to him. His ears twitched as he picked up the increased chatter from the doctors and workers. Another grunt and hiss escaped him.

I’m still alive? Guess they worked quickly enough. Dammit. He wasn’t thrilled by that. But he noticed something.

My mind’s more clear. Less of that oppressive fog. My limbs are heavy but I feel like I’m not sedated… Protocols are still being missed.

He wasn’t sure what that meant, but part of his mind felt like he could take advantage of it. It was a subtle, cold prod at that bottled-up rage.

He grimaced as he felt something touch his face, specifically one of his eyes, and forced it open. It was like a flash-bang went off as a blinding light was shone into it. As quickly as it happened, the same thing occurred with his other eye.

“Pupils are dilating normally.” Dr. Tyler said. 

As soon as the other eye was released, Thaddeus’ eyes scrunched together tightly before opening them once more.  It took a few blinks to make the after images disappear. As his vision evened out, his eyes darted back and forth to take in the new location when a face wasn’t in the way.

Hm… The aesthetic looks off. But don’t They have numerous facilities They ship me to?

He spotted some familiar faces. Dr. Tygan and Dr. Tyler. Well, familiar glasses for her. All the other faces were foreign to him. 

Their clothes also look… off. Hm, more tricks. That simulation. They want me to feel comfortable. Make me slip up. I’ll make them regret it. Cause some damage. Maybe even take my o—

He winced. He wasn’t sure if it was in response to his blood being drawn, or some tender area being poked, but something was slowly prodding at his brain. It felt like an ice-cold vice was slowly being wound around his skull. As suddenly as the pain grew, it began to fade as a faint hum tickled the inside of his mind. That coldness never left.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right… Because their words had forked no lightning they…

A voice spoke. Or was it two? It sounded like it was two speaking in unison with a faint echo and warble to it. One, honeyed and silvery. The other was taunt and brittle.

Where did that voice come from? It didn’t sound human. His eyes darted around, left to right. No one’s mouth matched the words. Nothing looked out of place. No one new had entered the room.

He slowly swallowed. His fingers twitched, trying to curl. Mind games… Putting me on edge. Possibly stress testing me too?

Do not go gentle into that good night.

Those eyes darted around again. Still no source. He didn’t like it. Something about these voices he didn’t like. Especially the words spoken. There was something at the back of his mind that told him he had heard those words before but couldn’t recall when.

Another glint of pain made him close his eyes. Blood roared in his ears, muffling everything around him for a moment. As it all came back to calm, he heard it again. That cold feeling grew around him.

Ah! The honeyed voice spoke, excited.

Aw… The taunt one spoke, saddened.

You survived your awakening. These humans did well. Both spoke in unison.

His eyes snapped open. What the hell… He saw it. Or some abstraction of it. 

Over at the entrance of the cordoned-off room. Just by the curtains as a set of workers were entering and leaving, there looked to be a shadow. A mass the shifted and wafted like smoke hung in the air. Those that came and went passed through, disturbing the mass, but did not react to it. 

What the hell… Thaddeus’ mind struggled to comprehend what he was seeing. For a moment, he felt like some part of it was taking shape. Was it a head? Hand? Torso? But as it would coalesce, it would fall back into that shifting smoke. This was entirely new to him. But whatever it was, he didn’t like it. It didn’t feel like how the Elders or their psions would touch his brain, but he could sense something was wrong with it.

These people are… fascinating. Near unquestionable dedication to saving you. The shifting mass spoke. As it did, it started to move. A faint humanoid shape came to. Or was it serpentine? It didn’t matter. Whatever it was, it moved with the grace of a dancer. It weaved back and forth between each person like a winding, swift stream. As it reached someone, hands would form — long, delicate, wrinkled things — and those hands touch and stroke each face. No one reacted.

You are saved by familiar hands. Or is it all lies? Another trick? Another trial to break you?

Thaddeus wearily watched the wretched thing. Why was no one noticing it? He wanted to say something, call it out, but his throat and mouth of his barely worked. A croaked grunt came out. Dammit… He didn’t like it. Its presence was just wrong and something about it was prodding a part of him that needed to stay bottled up.

You’ve been getting testy again. Affecting Their Children’s work. That ichor of my deliverer can be… dangerous. Such a risk He took, but it brought you(all) more time. And finally, it has borne fruit. Here… you… are!

For a moment, Thaddeus lost sight of it as someone blocked his vision, but as soon as he blinked, a wisp of smoke whipped from the left side of his face. Then he felt it. A cold embrace, many arms wrapping around his whole being. Then a single finger touched the underside of his chin before slowly stroking all the way down his neck. Then he felt something set down on top of his head. He went stiff. His heart raced; someone made note of that. It felt like the world was slowing.

What the hell is this thing? A twisted freak of an Elder? Something worse? He forced his eyes to move, to try to see what this thing was. His eyes froze. It was still a shifting distorted mass, but something began to take shape. The lower half of a face; skin twisted and taught. One with a rictus grin revealing needle-sharp teeth.

So what do you think? The mouth matched the words. The honeyed tone was stronger. Are these people, this XCOM, potential allies? Ghosts from that age-old past risen anew in this era of deceit?

Thaddeus blinked. The face and wisps were gone. But one for a second. He felt a shift. A hand grabbed his chin and held it firm, while a finger traced its way down the side of his face. It was on his right and now this half of the face looked… sad. Like a tragedy mask.

Or is it a trial? That lie again? The bittersweet dream of freedom to break your spirit? Again? To break this World? The sad tone was stronger.

He tried to ignore it, but there was a strange allure to its words. It was clouding his mind, pulling at those negative thoughts. Drawing forth that unbridled hate, that rage he had for the Elders. His eyes darted around the room, eying each person. Another… trick?

Ah! Shifting back to his left, it licked its lips. Yes, yes, yes! Let it grow! Let it fester! That honeyed tone took over before shifting back to the sad one. Lose yourself to that rage.

With that firm hand holding his chin, the being shifted his head back and forth so he could get a better view of the room and all in it. Someone noted the movement.

Who shall be struck first? Who’s the weakest link? The cascade to the floodgates?

There were so many to choose from. Who first indeed? Thaddeus’ fingers twitched.

Oh! The thing playfully gasped again. The fingers dug into his chin before gently moving his view to the left. He looks important.

Over to the left were Bradford, Dr. Tygan, and Dr. Tyler.

Perhaps drawing him over here by striking a lackey? It suggested. 

“Hm…” Thaddeus let out a grunt. Maybe… 

 He has a knife. That can cause some… damage.

 If he could have, he would have grinned. He liked the suggestion. It was suicide, but he liked it. 

For now, he just carefully studied the doctors and workers as they tended to him. He barely acknowledged them as they moved, poked, and prodded him. He was looking for the slightest slip-up in the charade he could take advantage of. 

Some time later, the bed was raised, and they readjusted him. 

As all of this was happening, he started concentrating on his limbs. A twitch here. A finger curl there. With some effort, he could move his hand. 

Not too high. Want to catch them off guard. He noticed how they noticed his movement. They said something about muscle atrophy. He paid no attention. Can I move my legs? Can I make a fist?

———————————————

“So?” Bradford asked as Tyler came over. His eyes occasionally glanced over at Thaddeus. The man looked both distant and annoyed.

“He’s aware of his surroundings, but is not speaking.” She said. 

“Any clue why?”

“There is the possibility his mind is struggling to process his surroundings.” She suggested. “New surroundings, new faces, new smells,” she gestured all around him, “new everything, really.”

“I get it, I get it.” He shook his head.

“Additionally, it has been 20 years since he’s been in the ‘care’ of the Elders. It is possible, They have tampered with his mind.” Tygan said as he came over.

A sharp exhale left Bradford’s nose. Not something he wanted to think about. That was something they learned about the First Generation ADVENT soldiers, specifically the humans converted into Hybrids. The Elders had a process that could break minds, and remove and rewrite memories. Hell, they did to the non-Hybrids. A few of their former ADVENT personnel reported having blanks in their memories or false ones implanted. Could They have done that to Thaddeus?

“You guys tested for any of that?” Bradford asked.

“That’s not really something we can ‘test’ for, especially when he was unconscious.” Tyler said. “Besides, that would be more Veer’s area.”

“We did notice edited markers pertaining to his synaptic connections and nervous system.” Tygan said.

“English, doctor.”

“What he means is either the Elders did some psionic tampering to his mind or Thaddeus is a latent psionic. Or both!” Tyler said.

“Hm.” He wasn’t sure what to make of that. He was hoping for more of the latter than the former, but the latter could be worrisome too. “Don’t recall him…” He paused, his mind was recalling a faint memory. Raising a hand to his chin, his nails picked at the stubble. “Actually no. Towards the end of the War… I think Dr. Vahlen had been pestering him, and the others, to run some tests down in the Psi Labs but he was drowning in work.” He nodded to himself as the memory became more clear. “May have to pull at Dr. Marin’s brain to confirm that.”

“I can check the archives to see if—”

A hoarse angry roar pierced the relative tranquillity of the Infirmary. A yelp was followed by several shocked shouts, and various items clattering across the room.

“Calm… calm down!” Someone said.

All eyes snapped to the disturbance. Several people were backing away. Someone was on the ground, clutching their face and cursing. Flecks of blood decorated the floor. Medical supplies were scattered across the floor.

It was Thaddeus. Breathing and body equally shaky, he to a step out of the bed. One arm was raised; the fist was covered in blood. Shaking, enraged eyes darted around the room, noting each potential target that was in the way of who he wanted. With his other hand, he started ripping out the IV lines connected to him. Someone tried to stop him from doing that. He struck them dead in the face, sending them crashing to the floor.

“What the hell.” Bradford said. Part of him wanted to jump in and stop him, but he needed to think of a way to disable him while causing little to no harm. 

I’m being a little too eager, but time’s not on my side. And that thing was prodding him to get started. Let’s see what damage I can cause before I’m put under again or the blood loss gets me… Let the blood loss get me.

He opened his mouth, but only a hoarse wheeze came out. Mentally, he cursed. He struggled to clear his throat. It felt like that part of him was glued shut from the lack of use, but with a little force, those muscles started to move. What came out wasn’t English. 

“››Y-you all are… are slipping.‹‹” From a parched and under-used throat, the words came out stilted. Those rage-filled eyes continued to scan to room. Who’s next? Who’s next?  “›› Let’s see the dent…. I can make… before all goes dark.‹‹” A twisted grin crossed his face.

“What did he say?” Tyler was frantically typing away on her tablet to call up security.

“Sounded Arabic… I have no clue.” Bradford said. He faintly recalled the Commander could speak more than one language. “Why is he so hostile?”

“I think I would be if I were in his shoes.” She said. “He’s been locked up for 20 years and now he’s in unfamiliar surroundings and most likely more ‘free’ than he’s ever been. And who knows if he was conscious during that time!”

“I get it.” What to do? What to say? Could he ever understand them if he was speaking Arabic?

“It’s remarkable he’s able to stand so soon.” Tygan spoke his thoughts. As soon as he said that, Thaddeus began to falter.

A solid pulse wrapped around Thaddeus’ skull, making him grunt. His stance wavered as the shakiness in his legs grew until one gave way. He caught himself on the bed before he hit the ground. A pool of blood was slowly ground around his feet.

Time is ticking. That being whispered in his ear. Get to that prize. Lure it. Before all goes dark.

Someone tried to get close to him, but a snarl made them back away.

Tygan silently cursed as he noticed the torn-out IVs. “We need to get him back down before he causes more harm to himself.”

“I think that will be easier said than done, doc.” Bradford said.

Again, someone tried to get close to Thaddeus. They crouched down and raised their hands as they spoke in a calm voice. 

“Hey, hey now. We’re friendlies. You’re in good hands. Safe hands. Not the aliens. Not the Elders.”

It seemed like their attempt was working. Thaddeus’ terse breathing was slowing, and those eyes were jumping around less. That curled fist was relenting. 

But just as they took a step closer…

WHACK

“SON OF A —”

“Back off!” 

He struck again. Another broken nose added to the casualties. And this time, he spoke in English.

“Oh, shit.” Bradford noticed something different. The look in Thaddeus’ eyes was growing more intense. He was dropping lower to the floor, each leg shifting further apart, and his hands flexing open. Next thing, the man let out an angry roar and lunged at the unfortunate worker. He was going to claw and beat their face in. Dammit.

 He needed to act now. 

“Thadd!” Bradford yelled as he sprung into action. Before the madman could get their third strike in, a swift tackle took him off the worker. They crashed into the gurney, tipping it over. Everyone nearby scattered.

Oh! He came to you. Perfect. The knife. That being goaded.

They tussled on the floor. Bradford tried talking some sense as he struggled to get a hold of his hands — hands that tried to get that knife — and pin him down. No words were piercing that rage; it just seemed to make him angrier. Bradford was struggling in general as the fight continued on. To his utter shock, Thaddeus had a great amount of strength. Something that shouldn’t have been possible according to the doctors’ examinations. 

Muscle atrophy, my as—

There was a loud, audible snap.

“Ah!” Bradford gasped.

He felt something bend and break in one of his hands. The next thing he knew, he was on his back and felt a solid strike against his face. Repeated strikes.

“Die! Die! Die! DIE! DIE! DIE!” Thaddeus screeched, like a mad banshee. Seemed like he had completely forgotten about the knife and wanted to get down and dirty with his fists. 

Hm. More personal. The voice was now dower before becoming more excited. Slow results, but will still get the result. 

The beatdown felt like it went on for ages before it stopped suddenly as quickly as it began. Security had arrived, and they pulled him off of Bradford. Which only resulted in the fight escalating again. It was like Thaddeus’ strength knew no bounds.

Someone managed to drag a disorientated Bradford away from the fight before the tussle fell back on him. They got him to the other side of the room and on a bed. A quick examination revealed a broken hand, a broken nose, and a possible concussion.

It took security collectively pinning him to the floor and a doctor administering some sedatives to finally subdue Thaddeus. Even then, it took almost 10 minutes for him to finally pass out. He was struggling and spitting curses and venom the entire time.

The being lingering near him didn’t help. It voiced its disappointment but felt like there would be another time to strike. To test. It was curious how they were working to save him and were being as gentle as possible with Thaddeus. 

Maybe this is your salvation. Yet, we do not know… Yet. Till you wake again. It began to fade. Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

———————————————

“Get him restrained to a bed and monitor his vitals! Goodness.” Tyler brushed some loose locks out of her face before readjusting her glasses. She was inputting a whole list of orders and new protocols when dealing with Thaddeus. “That rage…”

“He thinks we’re ADVENT. Ah…” Bradford said with a faint hiss. One doctor was treating his broken nose, and another was resetting his right hand. And then he had a killer headache. He wondered if they had any of those advanced nanomachines so he wouldn’t be out of commission for too long.

“I heard.” She nodded. “What they did to him… I fear his mind is damaged.”

“Mm…” His throat trembled in agreement. This was a setback he wasn’t expecting. Really, he should have expected it. His unhealthy fixation on getting their Commander back blinded him from the potentially nasty truths. “There has to be a way to convince him we’re not them.”

“That would be for Dr. Veer to figure out, as that is her expertise.” Tygan said as he took a seat near them. “I’ve updated her on the current happenings.” 

“Maybe we can get the Templars involved?” Tyler suggested. 

“No. I feel like that would make it worse.” Bradford objected. “A psion’s touch could make him spiral. He may think it’s one of the interrogators, a Sectoid, or one of Them.”

“True…” Tyler sighed. “But the same could be said about a Veer.”

“She doesn’t tap her powers without asking or if it’s an emergency.” Bradford said. And he was glad she was the type of psion that asked before going poking around someone’s brain.

“Maybe…” Tygan tapped his pen against his tablet.

“What, doctor?” Bradford asked.

“This is something we should run by Veer first, but what if we bring familiar faces for Thaddeus to see?”

Bradford pondered on that for a moment before shaking his head. “Doubt that since he tried caving my face in.”

“You look and sound different.” Tyler pointed at him. “20 long years living on the fringes has aged you more than some others. As well as that scar on your face.”

Bradford opened his mouth before biting it shut. He looked away. Painful memories were coming to the surface. Those years roughing it with his outfit of misfits hitting ADVENT whenever they could, mulling over the bitter defeat of XCOM, and drinking his nights(and days) away, before they crossed paths with some old friends that set him back on the right path. Those years… he didn’t miss. The damn bottle… It’s a miracle I still have a liver and my mind is still intact. He took a deep breath and let out a long, annoyed hiss. She had a point.

“We’ll figure something out.” Tyler said. She gently patted his thigh, noticing his pained expression. “There have to be some old personnel here the years have been more kind to.” 

“Mh hm.” Bradford nodded. “Let’s keep it to the ones that don’t have loose lips.”

“I was going to prioritize Senior Staff first before everyone else.” Tygan said, with a faint chuckle.

“Good.”

Their conversation continued for about an hour as they discussed other issues and possibilities they would have to account for when Thaddeus was awake again.

To Bradford’s relief, they had some advanced nanomachines they could administer to treat the fractures and potential concussion. In a few days, or less, his hand and nose would be like new, and those headaches should be gone in a few hours.

Once their conversation was over, Bradford left to make his rounds and placate the crew as news of what happened got out. Some were understanding. Others questioned why they were keeping a madman on the ship. And the worst was mocking him. 

“So this is the great, infallible Commander you and the others always talked up.”

How he wanted to kick their asses, but he let his mouth do the work. A quick dress down and reminding them that Thaddeus had been through hell just like them. Really, what he had gone through was perhaps worse than all of them combined. So, of course, he wasn’t going to be so trusting. 

He even pointed out how some of them reacted when they had been rescued from ADVENT prisons. They were trusting at first. Hell, some of them thought it was a ploy to get their hopes up and cause them to slip up and spill some critical information again before the veil on the ruse was pulled and they were captured once more.

That shut up most. But the murmurs continued. 

———————————————

Some days passed. Thaddeus was still out, partially sedated. The excitement and blood loss from that day had taken it out of him.

But they were going to use that to their advantage. 

During those days, Bradford met up with Dr. Veer several times. It was a mixture of him needing some sessions as the dark thoughts were encroaching and a bottle of wine and whiskey sounded mighty fine at all hours. And then to discuss how they would approach Thaddeus in trying to convince him they weren’t ADVENT.

They scoured the files of all personnel aboard the Avenger and any on the ground at locations near where they were. Narrowing it down to those were personnel from 20 years ago was easy, followed by those who were stationed a the Main Base. But there was an issue. Most looked different, like him. Only a handful looked like they aged gracefully or didn’t look like a shrapnel or a Berserker had rearranged their face.

“Of course, you look mostly the same, Corvo.” He wasn’t sure if he should laugh or roll his eyes. 

Corvo Samaras was one of the Drill Instructors back during the Old War and was now one of the Tactical Training Officers; he wore a few other hats to keep XCOM running smoothly. Despite the man’s sometimes cantankerous personality — and he was a pain in his ass many days — he was a reliable man. 

“And same with Shay. Hopefully, she’ll temper you when we talk to Thaddeus again.” He was more than happy to see she would be a familiar face and hopefully a calming presence. 

He shot a message off to them so they could meet later. 

Dr. Veer and he found a few more Senior Staff, some of the doctors and scientists, and a few soldiers that Thaddeus could potentially remember. The latter three would be a last resort. He was hoping the Senior Staff would be enough.

Once that was done, the two went over potential subjects they could use to convince him they weren’t ADVENT and what news of this New World would be safe to share. 

Veer was quick to bring up they should be careful if he decided to mention Thaddeus’ late fiancée or any family for the matter. Bradford wasn’t even thinking of bringing up his family since that was a touchy subject for most of the survivors. And he dared not bring up anything about her. But, if he had to, he would keep the details of her being dead under wraps. He knew how much Thaddeus loved her and knew that news would tear him apart.